The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1945-06-16

m p n II
evidenced great interest in the
work OF the FEPC and gradually
our conversation came around 10
the Committees relations with dis
criminatory labor unions.
After We had discussed this phase
OF the subject for some time. my
tellow-passanger almost floored me
by remarking in a natter-of-fact
manner. My name is r. j. Thomas
and am president OF the United
Auto Workers-ClO!
Now ! had been a member az a
ClO union for Ave years but this
was my first time meeting with an
international president To say
that was duly impressed would
be an underStatement. But ! soon
recovered my composure and from
then on until midnight our talk
flowed in easy lines.
President Thomas also spoke OF
his arrest in Texas when he went
down there 10 challenge the con-
stitutionality OF the Texas law re-
curing all labor organizers TO Sc
cure a state license There was
one interesting sidelighi Ia that
affair which has not received pub
Lefty. namely. that only one Texan
could be found who was financially
able and fearless enough TO fur
nish bond for "R. j S release
and that person was Negro.
RI. j." as he is called in labor
circles. told me OF the early or
ganizational fights JAW had with
the Detroit auto manufacturers,
especially with Ford. He empha-
sized the Importance OF the Negro
workers in the organization OF
Ford; the importance OF the Ford
local in the UAW: and the very
cooperative role played by some
colored Detroit ministers in the
Ford drive.
AS the evening progressed Presi-
dent Thomas spoke very frankly al
his concern. and the concern of
JAWS International board. over
the increasing amount OF racial
and religious intolerance in some
OF our larger industrial centers
There was fear that IL would
soon spread to JAW plants Gnd
locals.
Even AT that comparatively early
date he foresaw the difficult days
ahead for the Union when war con-
tracts would be Cancelled and cut
backs would commence in real ear
nest. Both OF us knew that Negro
workers and Southern white work
ers had entered the auto and avia-
ton industries and JAW locals
in large numbers and the newcom
ers could not possibly acquire suffi-
cient seniority TO enable them Ia
continue after the war unless pro-
duction continued at the same
wartime pace
President Thomas answer 10 this
was simple The automobile in
dustry would be one Of the chief
sources Of postwar employment
and the JAW could and must be
the sparkplug TO Are that indus
try 10 full productive capacity
The wartime productivity Of the
automobile industry would have
10 be stepped up in peacetime above
and beyond the levels reached dur
ing the war period. Only in this
manner could we care for the job
requirements OF those already en-
ployed as we'll as the returning
soldiers.
This. however. was only par
Of President Thomas solution. He
also believed that for the first time
in its history America had 10 legis-
late against racial. religious. and
nationality discrimination in en-
ployment. He said. we must make
FEPC a permanent part of the
government. not alone because la.
Dor would insist on this. but alsc
because returning veterans woulc
join labor in this demand"
During the passing months III,
JAW under Thomas leadership hal
moved in the direction OF thes,