Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1946-08-30
Peace Is
Murray's
Message

Editors Note The following
Is the statement of Philip MUIR
ray, CIO President issued to
the members of CIO for Labor
Day.
On this second Labor Day
since the ending of war hos
tilities, American labor rec
ognizes the meager progress
made toward the attainment
of our nations postwar goals.
The American people, in recog-
milton of this fact, must prepare
to secure that lasting peace and
international cooperation envis-
aged by our war president,
Franklin D. Roosevelt, and but
tresS their efforts to secure,
through progressive social legis-
lation, an expanding economy
that will attain the goals which
the people have been constantly
endeavoring to achieve.
Labor, through the World
Federation of Trade Unions,
must exercise its influence
against aggressive Imperialism
in foreign affairs wherever it
is found to be practiced by any
&C untry.
Labor has noted the derilic-
tions of Congress in failing to
measure up to its responsible
ties, and the favors which it has
extended profiteers at the ex-
pense of the common people.
The take-home pay of American
workers was drastically cut fol-
lowing the conclusion of hostili-
ties. The CIO took the lead in
the fight to obtain American liv-
ing standards and the mass pur-
chasing power necessary for a
stabilized and expanding econ
omy. But since that time profit
eers have destroyed the balance
sought by the CIO between
wages and prices by securing
unjustified price increases to
swell already spectacular earn
ings.
Criticizes Congress
Congress loaned its support to
the profiteers by almost COM
pletely wrecking the Price Con-
troll Act. The resulting initiation
has cut equally into the real
wages of the American workers
and into the savings and pur-
chasing power of all sections of
our people. 1t threatens still
worse disaster to our national
welfare.
1t is also true that the reac-
tionary majority of Congress has
defeated or sidetracked nearly
all progressive social measures
needed for the welfare
and prosperity of the American
people. 1t has failed to pass leg
islation for housing, health, a
permanent FEPC, an adequate
wage, expanded social
security, and a real full employ
ment program, and 1t has al
lowed the poll tax to continue to
mock our democracy by denying
the right to vote to ten million
American citizens.
On this Labor Day the labor
movement must resolve to rise
to its full responsibilities, TAX
ing the lead to bring our counry
back to the true path of prog
ress.
The CIO, for its part, has en-
gagged in great organizing cam
oaign to bring the benefits of
to unorganized work
ers in the South and other parts
If the country.
1t will use its rapidly grow
ng strength to combat initiation
oy mobilizing consumers to re-
list higher prices; by demand
ng the vigorous enforcement of
remaining controls, and by call
ng for government, industry
md labor to plan joint measures
o meet the growing need of the
people.
The Political Action Commit
ee of the CIO will also mobilize
he efforts of its members, and
eek the cooperation of all for
Americans, to edu-
ate the public on the vital is
ues of the day and the voting
ecord of their representatives;
o encourage all eligible voters
o go to the polls and vote; and
o secure the election of men,
'ers of Congress who will enact
legislation to meet
he peoples needs.
The CIO will intensity its ef-
orts to secure a voice for labor !
n the councils of the United Ma
ions, and to promote ever closer
riendship, understanding and
ooperation between the people
t all nations. c