Milford chronicle., 1946-12-27

Sented by members of the UAW-CIO inter-
national executive board, were meeting IN
New York to formulate new wage demands,
rank-and-file members of the union through
out the nation appeared to be entirely aware
of the situation in which they may became
involved. That situation is the possibility of
strikes in the automobile industry. which |
many sources have freely predicted will take
place early in 1947.
From what of necessity was a superficial
canvass among the hundreds of thousands
of auto workers in Detroit, it is apparent
that there is no enthusiasm over the pOSsl-
bilty of strikes, even of short duration. This
does not mean, however, that if strikes re-
suit from the breakdown of wage negOtia-
tiOnS the rank and file will not follow the
course laid down for them.
To many thousands of Detroit UAW
members the 113-day General Motors strike
earlier this year still is vivid and unpleas-
ant memory. That affair cost large pro-
portion of the strikers their backlog of war
savings and reduced many to real hardship
and privatiOn.
They don't want a repetition of that.
Many realize that a new wave OF strikes
could mean weeks and even months without
work. A great many are convinced that the
companies would welcome strikes. They
think that management would like the op-
The conclusion, therefore, is that the
auto workers will follow their leaders into
strikes, but they hope it will not happen.
~So%~
ONE OF THE REASONS why we
American citizens enjoyed the holiday season
is the fact that President Truman and his
Administration have laid aside most of their
political reforms GU and there is an abun-
dance of milk and honey being passed around
in political Washington.
Relations between the Republicans and
Democrats in Washington are so cordial most
of the time that even die-hard New Dealers
have been prophecyng that Truman will
make comeback Both of the old parties
apparently favor strengthening legislation in
the interest of the public that will actually
protect the economic, industrial and working
conditions of the American people. Inc laws
of Congress and the powers OF the president
have been invoked in the coal strike. That is
the beginning Uncle Sam is on tOp-for the
first time in more than dozen years.
Secretary of State Byrnes has finally
been able to express hope over progress II
affairs of the United Nations-and thai
means a lot. The entire political organlza
ton of the National Capital, regards Byrne;
skill in World affairs as the greatest achieve
ments in diplomacy in the twentieth century
But-Byrnes gives warning that all the poll
tical difficulties among the Nations have no
b1en overcome. Nevertheless, Russia ha
been chastcned so often by Brynes, Vanden
berg and Connally that they must realize b.
now that they can't get away any longer wit
that rough stuff of theirs.
SO, there is plenty of reason for our eX
, pectation that 1947 will be a Happy Year.
ABOUT 80 YEARS AGO when he was
Wol& tO WoS Sb n
ton On trial with the National Capital bas'
ball team He died few days ago and n
ceived all the honors that could be bestOwe
: upon hero from the population of the n;
e tional Capital. President Truman attende
the funeral at St. Albans Episcopal Cath
S dral where the final rites were held.
Y More than a dozen years ago the di
L cussion arose as to whether young GeOrl
t Washington actually threw dollar acrO
e the Rappahannock River in Virginia. III
e discussion became a national issue, and
1 rich Congressman from New York offer
It to bet $500 that it couldn't be done. Walt
It Johnson was chosen to make the throw
y and he won for George Washington.
Johnson became a Maryland farmer
e and he was a success in that capacity, too.
S SSofS&
It UNCLE SAM HAS BEEN managing
g almost limitless number of industries a.
# activities that formerly were in the hands
IS private enterprise. Due to the force of pu
r lie opinion William Wyatt has resigned
National Housing Expediter. He tackl
l. the so-caled daring program" of buildi
If 2,7OO,OOO units in 1916 and 1947. Abe
l. 100000 dwelling units have been complet
II and 100000 more dwellings have been sta
he ed The theory was that every homelt
ze veteran needed a house PD.Q. and Wy
'h started in to do the whole job
Private enterprise now takes over
~ giant problem. This ought to be &C
e. thing for the general public, including
IL veterans, inasmuch as the builders and
buyers will be free from the hands of p(
ticians in Washington.
T~So&%
II II THERE ARE 284 FEDERAL judg
- - and Senator Wiley of Wisconsin, who will
q; ;, the head of the Senate Judiciary Commit
&C. ;. says that if in the future Presidential no.
wv %, nations for Federal judges are "too far
~ tbav won't Uot cOnfiy,nat atiOn " The WiScOn