davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09
Regional
Views
By Richard Gosser
Director Region 2B, UAW,CIO

WASHINGTON, Nov. members of in
dustry and labor are in Washington to attend
the Labor Management conference called by
President Truman for the purpose of bringing
about better relations between the two.
Based on what has happened up to this
point it appears to that the conference
should begin to get realistic and tackle the
heart of the problem, which is the real core
of the labor unrest which exists in this coun-
try. l mean the wages paid the workers.
No matter how many points they place in
this meeting they might as well call it day
and go home if the mana cement representa-
tives not able or unwilling to discuss
the wages that must be paid to the workers of
this country before any prosperity can come
to the nation.
THE REAL PROBLEM
We can meet until the end of the year and
get nowhere unless management is willing to
discuss the wages of the workers. This con-
ference is missing the boat and will end in
failure if the wage question is sidestepped
much longer. No matter what the manage
ment representatives may say, the real issue in
this country today is the wage issue and all
other problems of lesser meaning.
l feel that the workers in our shops in
Toledo and Region 2-B find that the greatest
question that is in their minds today is the
question of getting enough money in their pay
envelopes to give them and their families the
standard of living which they should have as
Americans. can't imagine any problem of
greater Importance than a mans living and
that of his wife and children.
Since the end of the war, our workers have,
all suffered severe cuts in their wages. SomeV
of them are existing on unemployment COM
pensaton, and existing is the right word Does
anyone mean to tell me that there is anything
OF equal importance to come before the Wash
ington Labor Mana cement conference than re-
storing the workers wages and giving them the
chance to live under high American standard
of living?
am satisfied that unless the real issue Of
the country settling the wage problem
the workers without increasing prices out of
all proportion to what wages will purchase, is
settled now, that we are all wasting our time
here in the capitol.
We all hope that we can get down to the
real issue and quit the sparring around for
position. The time to settle the problems of
both labor and management is right now. Un-
less something Is done soon to restore the
workers wages at the Washington conference
the breach which exists between labor and In
dustry will widen.
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09
Whose Navy?

One of the specific problems which
might well be discussed by the Labor
Management meeting now in process in
Washington is the use of armed forces as
ke-breakers.
We need not go outside Toledo to find
a situation which illustrates how manage
ment has grasped its opportunity to use
the Navy in an attempt to break the
Union. We refer to the Oil Workers situa-
ton where the Navy, as result of the
recent Oil Workers strike took over the
struck plants while permitting the man.
agements to run them.
Now under control of the Navy, Toledo
oil companies are laying off their work
ers in an attempt to force the 4O-hour
work week upon their employees, this de-
spite the promise of the federal govern
ment at the time the Navy seized the
plants that no workers would be laid off
and no additional pay cuts would be given.
Collective bargaining which has been
attempted between the Union and manage
ment has resulted in an unfair advantage
to the management which is obviously
running the plants with the approval of its
actions by the Navy. To attempt to main
tain collective bargaining under such con-
ditons is difficult if not impossible, with
the Union finding itself in the position of
attempting to reason things out with a gun
stuck in its back.
If President Truman really wants col
lective bargaining, genuine collective
bargaining" he could very well make his
contribution TO the Labor Management
conference in Washington by ordering the
Navy to cease winking at the tactics used
by the oil company arrangements and tell
the companies to get down to genuine bar
gaining with the Oil Workers.
We realize that the President will not
do this, but we also realize that the Navy
is now heing used not only to break the
Oil Workers strike, but gives the manage
ment an opportunity TO coerce the Union
with Navy backing.
We liked the Navy better when il was
fighting for the people of this country in
stead of for management and against the
workers. Whose Navy is ii anyhow?
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09
Overturned Myth

In electng Stanley A. Grzezinski
judge of the municipal court, the citizens
of Toledo not only retain the services of
man of demonstrated judicial ability; but
overturn the myth that an American citi-
zen with Polish name cannot he elected
to public office except through the PR
system.
Councilman Ollie Czelusta n member
of Judge Grzezinski's campaign commit
tee, in campaigning against the PAC char
ter amendment probably did more harm
than good to his candidate in appealing TO
nationality bias and setting forth the de-
featst claim that Judge GrZeZinski would
he defeated because of his Polish ancestry.
CIO, which we firmly believe played
most important part in retaining Judge
Grzezinski on the bench, carried out the
role of its constitution in ignoring every
thing connected with Judge Grzezinsk's
geneology and looked upon him as an
American citizen who has rendered dis
tinguished service TO his community, both
on and off the bench.
II is fitting and proper that PAC-CIO
should have led the fight to overthrow
the untimely and wOrnOut myth of nation
ality bias for the CIO and PAC are found
ed upon the premise that there shall De
no discrimination because of race, color,
creed or sex, True, we have not achieved
perfection and are possibly years removed
from complete liberation, but have shown
the way in the election of Judge Grzezin-
ski
A great step was taken last Tuesday
and good object lesson taught which we
trust will not he lost upon Councilman
Czelusta and his kind, who, instead of
combating prejudice, have fed it with the
food Of defeatism.
Toledoans proved themselves TO be
good Americans when they voted to re-
tain Judge Stanley A. Grzezinsk on the
municipal bench.
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09
Editors Mail

Editors Note: Letters are
welcomed to this column, but
they should conform to the
following rules.
j. Letters should be held to
200 words and not more than
ESQ. The shorter the letter the
better chance of having 1t
printed. Letters exceeding $50
words will be cut to the
allotted number.
2. Personal attacks contain
ing libelOus statements will
not be published under any
condition. The ] % u RNAL
will not become a part in pro-
noting or sustaining personal
ity feuds.
8. Do not send poetry.
4. Writers of letters must
sign their correct name and
addresses.
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09
From The Desk
Melvin Schultz
President,
Local II, UAW-CIO

AS this article is being written the public
elections have just been completed and the
tabulating of votes Is now in process Regard
less of who may be elected or how the issues
may be decided, the principle news about the
election Is the fact that in many large NUM-
cipal areas the headlines were filled with the
question of what labor will do in the elections.
1t is well-known that in the Detroit area a
labor leader was running for the mayors posi-
ton of that town. 1t has been the most highly
spirited campaign which Detroit has known
for many, many years. Here, in Toledo without
labor taking its position clearly and publicly
there would have been practically no notice
of public election other than what would
have been necessary to announce it officially.
The significant point in this is the fact that
we are actually going through a complete
change of policy in our public offices. 1t is a
fact that the old conservatives are on one side
of the picture, whereas the more liberal think
ing people on the other side and for the most
part are being termed candidates of labor 1t
does not matter too much as to which of the
major parties candidates now belong but
rather that they either express themselves as
being conservatives or as progressive liberal
thinking citizens. This change was not started
just with this election or even the birth of
P. A. c. but rather a definite change was in
dicated Is years ago when people suddenly
awolSe to the fact that under the conservative
methods of Government there was no security
for any citizen regardless of how well he
served, with the only outlet to the misfor-
tunate being charity. We have advanced long
way in this period of time, yet, there are those
whose ideas are and quite often expressed
very openly to changing the laws dealing with
human rights to such an extent as to make the
laws ineffective This is opposed on the other
hand by the more progressive people who are
advancing ideas for greater security.
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09
Who's Kidding Who

In the Toledo Sunday Times
dated October 28th, l came
upon an interesting article
concerning the proposal of one
of the country's chief indus
trial executives, c. f. Wilson,
President of General Motors.
The substance of Wilson's
proposal as repeated in the
Times is, "Under the present
wage and hour law, time and
one-half is paid for all time
worked over 40 hours and
Wilson's contention has been
that six per cent increase plus
a 45-hour straight time week
would equal 40 hours plus five
hours at time and one-half."
In reference to this pro-
posal, | would like to perform
a little simple arithmetic and
show what it really means.
For example a worker earning
$1.00 per hour would be given
a so increase, bring his earn
ings to $1.06 per hour. S106
per hour, As hours per week
would give the worker $47.70.
Under our war time set up, a
working earning $1.00 per
hour and working As hours,
would be paid for 47l5 hours,
which would give him a pay
of $47.50. All l can see in
Wilson's proposal is zoe per
week increase, l wonder who
he thinks he is kidding?
Robt, G.. Roberts,
Spicer Unit Local -
UAW-CIO, Dept. BOB
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09
KEEPING
SCORE
With
Fred Thomas

The air is filled with re-
ordinations against "ill-con-
sidered" wage demands of
American Labor. The presi-
dent of General Motors well
comes a paralyzing strike
rather than increase the pay
of 35O,0O0 GIN workers. The
Chamber of Commerce, the
National Association of Manu-
facturers, and the newspaper
chains, beSpeak their horror
because Labor would bankrupt
Industry. To a confused pub
lie, the demands of Labor In
deed seem exorbitant. 1t would
seem to make sense that q
manufacturer can't give his
workers 500 wage increases
without increasing the cost to
the public by that amount.
This might be correct if Labor
represented the major indus
trial cost. How small an item
Labor cost Is will be seen in
the following:
/. The present overall Labor
cost is approximately $50 of
the total cost. BY allowing
800 wage increases, it would
mean an increase Ito the
worker) of 712 %.
2. The industries most con-
cerned by Labor trouble are
those in which Labor costs
generally are far below the
national average.
3. The total cost of producing
a quart of SOC oil is &c. To
allow the wage demands of oil
workers would mean that the
cost should rise by much less
than 1c per quart. This would
still leave handsome 26c
margin for the producers and
retailers to split.
4. The Labor cost in a pack
age of cigarettes is 5%-or
less than 1c a pack. By in
creasing pay to workers by
30%o, the manufacturers would
increase their Labor cost by
one-third cent per pack.
S. The Labor cost of coal Is
roughly lac of the retail dol
lar.
6. The Labor cost Of $4,000
suit of clothes is about SIS
or 121ac on the retail dollar.
On a pair of slacks worth $40,
Labor gets SOC for making
them-or sc on the dollar you
pay.
7. On a 5000 tractor, Labor
gets $4,000, or four and three
fourths cents on the dollar
paid by the farmer.
WORKERS KNOW
Besides these figures, work
ers know something else the
public doesn't know. Workers
realize that new machines and
improvements before the war
increased the efficiency OF
their individual output by
21z % per year. During the
war-by using taxpayers dol
lars for research, etc, Indus
try has enormously increased
efficiency per worker. Work.
ers who now turn out twice
the work per day they use to
through increased human and
mechanical efficiency, wonder
who Is profiting by this in
creased output: The public by
way of lowered costs? NO!
The worker, through pay in
creaSes? Well, that brings us
down to the present complaint
of industry that increased
wages would mean bank
ruptcy. Economists and work
ers have known the truth for
years. But the public has yet
to emerge from the hypnotic
spell cast over it by the glib
tongue Of Big Business.
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09

The U. S. Treasury estimates corporation
profits latter taxes) for 1946 will be more
than $1I billion. This is an increase of ITO
percent over 1899 profits, Yet corporations
say 30 percent increase for labor would be
disastrousl
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09

"We are not isolationiSts Intelligent peo-
pie cannot be iSolationiStS. We are part of the
world and the world is part of US "a. Through
national organization we cooperate with each
other and it is through that cooperation with
the other nations of the world that we hope to
preserve peace and make sure there are no
more wars"
General Dwight D. Eisenhower
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09

"We are faced with the preeminent fact
that if civilization is TO survive, we must
cultivate the science of human relationship -
the ability Of peoples of all kinds to live to-
gether and work together in the same world,
at peace"
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09

Labor productivity increased 25 percent
during the five war years This means indus
try will be getting 25 percent more produc-
ton out Of each worker than he did in 1899.
Query Who gets the benefits of this extra
efficiency?
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09

Press reports say that the
United States is insisting that
the Dutch and French must
file the U. S. insignia off any
lease-lend materials used in
re-conquering Java and Indo-
China. 1t would never do to
let the natives learn their for
independence was blasted by
guns from the arsenal of
democracy
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09

Horse sense, says wiSeacre,
is what horse has that pre-
vents him from betting on a
man.
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09

Workers with reduced take
home pay will take to the
storm cellars with the news
that the ceiling has been re-
moved from sauerkraut. Not
even the lowly picked cabbage
remains at a price the worker
can afford.
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09

With the world situation in
a state of flux, Argentine mill
tary leaders want to be right"
but they're also afraid of be-
ing left"
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09

We've heard rumors that the
Japanese financial giants are
disclosing their trusts, but we
aren't placing too much stock
in them.
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09

Oscar Ameringer once said
"Its the squeaky wheel that
gets the grease" We might
add that it's all right to stand
up like a man, but 1t some
times pays to squeak like a
mouse.
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09

"a mechanic even as late
as 1882 could save enough in
four to six months to buy an
80-acre farm"
Mo1nNIt,, K1fr
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09

Joe Worker says the trouble
with too many standing COM
9 mittees is that they're laying
down.
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09

Many business men who
swear they want no govern
ment interference" are beg
ging the government to grant
price relief on their products.
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09

Several baseball men have
criticized Branch Hickey, pres
ident of the Brooklyn Dodgers,
for signing up a Negro short
stop to play with his Montreal
farm club. These critics evil
IDENTIFY want to junk the old
sporting slogan May the best
man VIM and replace it with
another: MAY the best white
man vim
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09

They might raise wages-if
they're paid enough for it.
And the horrors of relief dis
appear if they happen to be
the party that's relieved.
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-11-09

General Dwight D. Eisenhower
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-31
SIocuv,, P. '. A. Sponsors Tours

The Slocum School PTA sponsor ed the second in a series of safety school classes for Slocum school pupils. Seven mothers accompanied a group of 36 children through the Waterbury Police and Fire Depart ment headquarters.
 Volunteer Mothers" are asked by the Slocum School PTA safety conl- mittee to accompany other groups on future tours. Mrs. Doris Shapiro is chairman of the PTA.
 At tine fast meeting of the FTA, at Warmer Gardens Community House, plans were made for forming 8 Boy Scout troop. Edward W. But fer, member of the Mattatuck Coun- cil, will meet Sunday afternoon with the fathers of prospective Scouts to discuss the organization of troop.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-31
City Prepares ForHoIidoy Decorations
 Stondords Being Set
 For Greens, Lights

Standards for Christmas lighting have been set up on downtown streets and workmen today contin- ued to make preparations for elab- crate holiday decorations, the first planned here since Pearl Harbor.
 The decorations have been plan- ned by the Merchants Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce. The Pasquarelli Co., of New Haven is performing the work.
 Included in the Yule lighting will be a sign welcoming returning serv- icemen. It will be set up across Ex- change place.
 Streets which will be decorated will include:
 South Main street to Grand, Bank street to point below Grand, Grand street from South Main to Leavenworth, East Main street to Savings street, West Main street, north side, to The Elton, West Main street. south side to Church street, all of Leavenworth street, and all of Center street.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-31
|N. W. To Initiate [Neru Me1nbers

A large class of returning veter- ans will receive their obligation oath tomorrow night at the Wheeler Young Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars meeting at the F1orio Post rooms on Bank street. Department Comdr. John J. Nicolson, Bridge port, will be guest of honor and corl- fer the oath on the new members. Veterans of the post and vicinity have been invited.
 A program of winter activities will be outlined and the committee on the military ball, Dec. ', will make their report. The ball is being held on the observance of the silver jubi- lee of the post.
 Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock Wheeler Young Post members will attend the installation of officers of the new Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Middlebury. Comdr. Nicol- son and his staff will install the of1- cerS.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-31
Noted Lecturer
 To Speak Friday

Prom Coast to Coast will be the topic Alexander Sprunt, Jr., South ern representative of the National Audubon Society, will speak on at a joint meeting of the Waterbury Na- turalist Club and the Mattatuck Historical Society Friday night in the Historical Society building at 8 o'clock.
 MT. Sprunt will show colored movies of birds and scenery taken in Texas, the Grand Canyon, Utah and Yellowstone National Park, during his lecture.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-31
EdsO0rd F. Graham kixE,0ris SDe0ker

At a meeting of the Kiwanis Club this noon at The Elton, Edward P. Graham, executive secretary of the Combined War Fund and Commun- ity Chest of Waterbury, Inc, was guest speaker.
 Piano selections were played by Thomas Cottiero, ii, son of pr. and Mrs. Cottiero, 21 Cooke street. A meeting of the clubs board will be held Friday noon at The Elton.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-31
hall at 1880 p. m. today.

The Women's Auxiliary will hold a rummage sale Saturday in the parish hall from 10 a. m. to 1 p. m. Those who have articles for the sale may leave them at the parish hall anytime during this week.
 Party Saturday
 The Halloween party for all de- partments of All Saints Sunday Schools will be held at the church on Saturday afternoon at 2:30. All are asked to come in costume.
 Mrs. Thompson, Miss Harriett Thompson and Miss Catherine Bax- ter, spent the weekend visiting friends in Kent.
 MT. and Mrs. Harold Booth of Prospect street gave the memorial flowers Sunday in the Union Con- gregattonal Church, in memory of their son, It. Robert H. Booth, on the first anniversary of his death in the service of his country.
 The ten dollar final prize award- ed at the Halloween parade exercises at South School playground Sunday went to Carol Lawson, Watertown and not Carol Austin.
 Mrs. Lawrence Noll of Falls av. enue visited friends in Winsted re- gently.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-31
BLASTS FILM TRADITION

Hollywood--Rhonda Fleming is proof that girls born in Hollywood can break into pictures without first getting dramatic training in New York. Although she has not yet been seen on the screen she plays featured roles in "Spellbound," with Ingrid Bergman, and in RKO Ra- dio,s Some Must Watch" starring Dorothy Mcclure, George Brent and Ethel Barrymore.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-31
Installation Tonight AfHebrelu Institute

Delegates from the Beth Israel Mems Club and Roosevelt Lodge, Knights of Pythias will attend the installation services tonight at the Waterbury Hebrew Institute at 8 o'clock.
 Louis Franklin will be installed as president. Tomorrow evening Julius D. GroSsman, will be installed as president of the Beth Israel Synagog in the synagog vestry room.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-31
ThomuSton Bonk Assets $7,847,587 ].
 New Incorporotor,
 Director Elected

Thomaston, Oct. 31-All officers and directors of the corporation of the Thomaston Savings Bank were reelected at the annual meeting last evening at which Robert w. Mercy, second vice-president of the Guaranty Trust Company of New York was guest speaker.
 James s. Darcy, vice-president of the General Time Corporation and general manager of the Seth Thom- as Clocks, was the only new di- rector named, while Walter F.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-10-31

French of the Plume & Atwood O., was chosen an incorporator.
 William Glover of Watertown was promoted from assistant secretary to assistant treasurer.
 Charles P. Pendleton, treasurer, reported that the bank assets as of Sept 30, 1945 were $7,847, ,587. .78. Deposits totaled $6,718,514.35, the statement showed.
 Officers of the bank are: Presi- dent, Robert Hazen; vice-presi- dent, Frederick l.. White; treas urer and secretary, Charles P. Pendleton; assistant treasurer, William E. Glover; directors, Fred erick L. White, Robert Hazen, J. Howard Roberts, Arthur D. Wood- ward, Winfield E. Wight, Charles P. Pendleton, Karl w. Hallden and James s. Darcy.
 Corporators, in addition to direc- tors, are: Harry L. Blakeslee, Ar- thur B. Campbell, Charles A. Cur tiss, James s. Darcy. Arthur M. Flint, Howard B. Gillette, William E. Glover, Andrew w. Grannis, John A. Gross, Earle W. Hartley, Frank B. Hickcox, Joseph E. Hop kins, Edward c. Hotchkiss, Allan c. Innes, Fred A. Jackie, Amos H. Lister, William H. Lyons, AL fred N. Platt, Fred I. Roberts and H. Otto vogt.