The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-11-13

Steelman Proving
His Value
as Truman Aide

as truman Aluc
President Humans appointment
OF John X. steelman as his special
assistant provided the government
with much-needed experience and
knowh how IN It's labor relations set.
up,
Secretary OF Labor Lewis Sohwel-
lenbach. although sincere and ener-
getie. came of a federal bench
into the hottest spot in the govern
ment and admittedly lacked much
OF the "sayyy" necessary In deal
ling successfully with toughmiad-
ed labor and industry officials.
Steelman, on the other hand,
knows important people on both
sides OF the fence. He served In the
Labor Department for years and
recently has had several good
Jobs acting as labor expert FOR big
business firms.
Henceforth, when the admins
tration gets into tight spot on a
strike, II will he Steelman-work-
ing behind the scenes--who will be
telephoning principals on both sides
20 effect a settlement
Many labor observers believe that
both the oil and coal strikes could
have been adjusted promptly II the
government had had a man who
knew the proper New York indus.
trialists and finsnciers TO contact
and what 10 say 10 them. In both
cases II is generally conceded that
the strings were being pulled in
Wall Street and elsewhere.
The railroad brotherhoods are at
tending the labor-management con-
ference just for the ride, so to
speak.
The rail unions had a number OF
delegates TO the parley but they
were not concerned with its pri-
mary 'obiective-to work out means
OF minimizing postwar labor dis
putes. Railroad cases are. and
have been for many years. hand
led smoothly under the machinery
OF the National Mediation Board
and the Railway Labor Act.
In fact, the rail setup often has
been pointed out as q model indus
trial relations structure and many
labor-management officials would
like TO see some similar machinery
come out OF the conference for the
adjudicating Of other disputes.
The rail brotherhoods' chief pur.
pose in attending the meeting is
to protect their interests. In event
the conference opens up and starts
discussing wages and other policy
matters. the railroad unions will
want to have their say.
80
A study OF bombing results
achieved by American Air Force
squadrons over Europe has result
ed in "debunking" pre-war claims OF
"pin-point" and 'pickel barrel" ac-
curacy achieved by bombardiers.
That doesn't detract from the
bravery OF American youths who
risked their lives to blast Germany
into virtual impotence. But the
fact remains that the public was
misled into thinking that the armed
forces had achieved the ultimate in
bombing accuracy.
Security prevented the Army
from telling the people during the
conflict that bombing under com
bat conditions was far different
from what It was in practice runs
over peaceful target terrains in
The western American deserts.
Enemy fighter planes and flax
over Germany broke up American
bomber formations and made runs
over the targets difficult and costly.
The same was true in the Pa
cific in the early days OF the war
when the Army Air Forces at first
attempted to blast maneuvering ia
panese warships with bombs drop
ped from high attitudes. Devas-
tating hits were few and far be-
tween.