davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Chicago star. (Chicago, Ill.) 1946-1948, 1947-08-23

Hntlnist.
This may come as shock to
the SNUG Legion leaders who
have evolved this pat formula,
but many of Paul Robeson's
most avid followers-Negroes
who look upon him as a mod
ern Moses-have never heard
of Karl Marx. They are back
of Robson because he fights
their fight for full citizenship
and freedom. This was the is
sue at Peoria, and the militant
members of the Roy Tisdell
Post had no choice but to back
their champion to the limit.
Negro, militancy grows, and
pinning the Red label on every
Negro in America who fights
for his rights won't stop them.
AS the most oppressed people
in America, Negro Republi-
cans, Democrats and Commun-
lists often make common cause
in the battle to change the sta
tus quo :. battle which rises
above party labels. Progressive
whites must understand the
significance of this fact and
give more than mere lip service
in behalf of the Negro people
for here is the militant basis
for building united strength to
correct the evils facing Amer
lea today.
The Chicago star. (Chicago, Ill.) 1946-1948, 1947-08-23
BY THE ECONOMIST
Federated Press

A new round Of inflationary
price increases is sweeping the
country, following the price
boosts in coal and steel. Each
new increase is justified on the
ground that costs have risen so
much that profits have all but
vanished.
But the Journal of Com
merce, a leading spokesman
for big business, admits that
these excuses are phonies. 1t
states bluntly: ~. S. Steel
Chairman Odds said that the
steel price boost would mean
about $40 per auto and Soc for
each refrigerator. That is not
much in itself. But let's
be realistic about this: Many
companies probably have wait
ed for some time for an oppor-
tune moment to raise their
prices. All they needed was the
dramatization of the rising
cost trend in the form of the
steel boost"
The Chicago star. (Chicago, Ill.) 1946-1948, 1947-08-23

and FEPC bills but leaps UP in
livid indignation to combat
those who advocate such mea-
sures. =
TO the American Legion,
Paul Robson is dangerous. He
is dangerous because he fires
the imagination of little people
throughout the world, because
he exposes the shams of our
hypocritical democracy, be-
cause he understands why we
have racism and povery and
knows the cure, because he can
not be bought into silence His
dynamic strength is a distinct
threat to the status quo which
has brought material wealth to
a privileged few, among them
leaders of the American Leg
ion. Therefore Paul Robson is
a Communist, and anybody who
supports him is also a Com
The Chicago star. (Chicago, Ill.) 1946-1948, 1947-08-23

ment that it ought to stop sub
sidizing the Minerva plant.
Minerva folded and GINS Ant
rerp factory took over.
THOUGH auto production
was curtailed during the war,
GINS overseas division contin-
ued to make millions from the
war materials. It also expanded.
Today's capacity of the Bonn
bay, India, plant is six times
what it was before 1899.
Now GIN is geared for a
vastly augmented overseas pro-
gram. But it isn't ready to start
until it knows that world trade
will be conducted on GIN
terms. So, a GIN spokesman in
dictated, it is waiting for the
Truman doctrine and Marshall
plan to stabilize" the political
situation.
When GIN bought Germany's
Opel plant in 1880, the French
news paper Caucons made a
comment that is being repeated
today in many European coun-
tries. 1t said:
THE profits will cross the
Atlantic TO add TO the already
colossal fortune of mighty A
merica. And after the auto in
dustrY, some others will fall
under U. S. control until the
day comes when the U. S.. al
ready master of the worlds
finance. will be master also of
the worlds commerce and in
dusirY. When that day comes.
we shall perhaps be still polif-
icailY independent. but not a
single prime minister could
lift his little finger without the
permission of the tenant in the
White House"
The Chicago star. (Chicago, Ill.) 1946-1948, 1947-08-23
BY PETER MORTON
Allied Labor News

General Motors Corp, which
makes more money than any
other manufacturing corpora
ton in the world, owes its I'M
challenged position as a profit
grabber largely to the success
of its foreign operations. In
1898, Tor instance, GINS over
seas take alone was a whop-
ping $685. million-more than
duPont's total revenue.
Before the war, GIN had sew
en- complete manufacturing
plants in foreign lands. Sixteen
partial manufacturing assem-
bly, factories operated in such
distant places as Java, Union
of South Africa, Egypt, New
The Chicago star. (Chicago, Ill.) 1946-1948, 1947-08-23
Wall ST. journal lets price profit cat out Of BAG

That let's the cat out of the
bag and shows that big bust
ness was simply waiting for a
good excuse on which to hang
price increases. If we look at
the record, we see that one
unjustilfied price increase led
to another, right down the line.
THE United Mine Workers
won a wage increase of $1.20
day. According to the UNIV,
this increased coal costs 27c
to SIC a ton. The lower figure
is probably the correct esti-
mate, since the higher one is
based on a Hypothetical drop
of so in production, a drop
which has not materialized.
The rise of 27c-or even BIC
"a ton could have been easily
absorbed by the coal industry,
considering that its profits are
running at the highest level on
record. In their greed for
greater profits, however, the
coal operators hiked coal
prices by about 75c a ton on
The Chicago star. (Chicago, Ill.) 1946-1948, 1947-08-23

dominates its top level think
ing. The NAM has spent huge
sums for propaganda through
the Legion's Americanism pro-
gram. The Legion wants an
America bristling with arma-
ments. 1t has also blocked low
cost public housing.
THE LEGION displays a pat
ronizingly superior attitude
toward Negroes, except in the
few rare instances of mixed
posts. A Negro is "all right in
his place" and should joyfully
accept the patterns of segre-
cation. Some southern states
completely ban even jim crow
posts, although lately a few
were forced to lower the bars
through competition from more
democratic groups such as the
American Veterans Committee.
The Chicago star. (Chicago, Ill.) 1946-1948, 1947-08-23

Red bats he neutralizes his
militancy by playing into the
hands of those who use the Red
DOGGY as a key weapon to pre-
serve the status quo.
State Commander William
P. Kleuskens said the Tisdell
post was "communistic." This
charge is not surprising, for
the Legion is national bull
wark of reaction. The National
Association of Manufacturers
The Chicago star. (Chicago, Ill.) 1946-1948, 1947-08-23
New headed marke
How the GM branch Of
U.S.. imperialism works

Guinea, Japan. Added to these
was a globaI network of ware
houses, branch offices and
more than 1000 retail dealers
who sold cars abroad while
profits were rung up in New
York cash register.
Founding father of the GIN
overseas division is J. D. Moo
ney, who recognized long ago
that assembly plants and fac
tories abroad afford big saw
ings in labor and shipping
costs. In prewar Britain, for
example, GIN paid workers the
standard wage for that coun-
try. It was 50S lower than the
pay received by u. S. auto
workers.
AMONG the Wall Street bows.
The Chicago star. (Chicago, Ill.) 1946-1948, 1947-08-23

does not operate its own coal
mines The big steel companies
all operate their own coal
mines so that the actual in
crease to them was less than
soc a ton.
YET the steel industry raised
the prices of its products by SIS
to $40 a ton. The annual in
crease will amount to between
$3.50 million and $500 million,
most of which will be convert
ed into even greater profits.
This profit gouge was put
through, although the Natl.
City Bank of New York reports
that 80 iron and steel COM
panies made profits after taxes
in the first half of this year
that were almost triple their
profits for the first half of
1916.
Now the who ole economy
is being put through another
ihflationary whirl, although
profits are the highest on rec
ord. The Wall Street Journal
The Chicago star. (Chicago, Ill.) 1946-1948, 1947-08-23

reports: Profits of U. S. in
dustry in the June quarter
showed a whopping 84%o in
crease over the year-ago level.
First half-year profits were
the highest ever"
THE Wall Street Journal ac-
tually understates the profit
situation. According to the
Commerce Dept, corporate
profits after taxes in the first
six months of this year
amounted to $8.7 billion. Back
in the boom year of 1929
profits after taxes for the en-
tire IL months were $8.4 bill
lion. Profits this year are thus
more than twice as high as at
the peak of the boom of the
'20s.
By contrast with profits, the
real earnings Of wage and SAL
airy workers-what they can
buy with the dollars in their
pay envelopes-is now about
l09o- lower than at the height
of the war effort in 1914.
The Chicago star. (Chicago, Ill.) 1946-1948, 1947-08-23

ports from America of Buick.
Chevrolet. Pontiac. Oldsmobile
Cadillac and LaSalle. all GIN
cars.
While expanding, GIN did not
confine its exports to cars.
Another product it pushed with
equal vigor was its anti-labor
policy. An example of its atti-
tude toward foreign labor is
found in the GIN Economic
Survey of Mexico, which be-
means the 1935-40 era when
Pres. Cardenas allowed unions
to grow as Roosevelt did in the
u. S.
CARDENAS had a pro-labor
plank in his platform, the
manual complains, adding:
Instead of ignoring it after
election as is customary, he
continued campaigning for the
rights of labor" In 1910, the
report says approvingly, Car
denas changed his position be-
cause foreign capital had been
afraid to come into a country
with a growing labor move
ment.
Admissions like the above
aren't found in GINS public re-
]ations handouts. These pic
ture GINS operations as bene-
fitting the peoples abroad. In
practice, though, it has always
been wary Of operating in a
country where the government
is not friendly" to its labor
policies.
GINS influence explains why
Belgium no longer produces
the Minerva auto. In 1928 GIN
convinced the Belgium govern
The Chicago star. (Chicago, Ill.) 1946-1948, 1947-08-23

equality and 10
break the iron
bonds of preiu-
dice and j i m
C r 0 w is auto
matically classed
as a Communist
by his oppres-
sors unless he in
dulges in flag
rant Red : bait
ing. And if he
The Chicago star. (Chicago, Ill.) 1946-1948, 1947-08-23

the average.
That was all the excuse the
steel industry needed. Higher
coal prices raised the cost per
ton about 81 to that small seq
ment of the industry which
The Chicago star. (Chicago, Ill.) 1946-1948, 1947-08-23
THE difficulties In which

i c. A. Hardwood and
the Roy Tisdell Post of the
American Legion found them
selves, because they backed the
democratic right of Paul Robe
son to appear in Peoria, again
demonstrate the singular posi-
ton of Negroes in America.
The Negro who militant1y
and mtelligently battles for
The Chicago star. (Chicago, Ill.) 1946-1948, 1947-08-23

AMONG, the Wall Street boys,
Evening star., 1947-08-10
1.-THE AMERICANS"
Charming and brutal, generous and
selfish, an unpredictable people are
the prime movers Of The worlds future

TIME American sergeant on your left and his German cir;
l friend Veronica were in Berlins Rainbow Corner He
wears lot of fruit salad his left breast but Il one of
the first replacements here didn't get to the war
"Iu tell you something you'll fnd some girls here
Just as nice an American girl
Veronica actress out of work. She met Jack at party
Hes very very good attractive All the Amer
cans meet kind but sometimes they like children
They don't take things seriously know They to be
happy all the time"
Her German ance has spent the last four and half years
in Russian prison camp.
Veronica only of millions of people around the world
who are meeting Americans for the first time and trying
to make up their minds about them.
ALL over Europe and the Pacific where forces arrived
by invitation or not the question obvious Are you glad
the Americans came? Straight hard get
because Uncle Sam regarded rich uncle and people
everywhere act like careful poor relations.
On Kwajalen mid Pacific the Naval officer in charge of
local government replied: Yes decidedly natives
satisfied But then he added: % course that from
native would be somewhat mpeed by his desire to please"
All over France and Belgium the competition be-
tween for American adoption - for lar
Resse and tourist trade is strenuous and ierce
In Aachen the inhabitants have been able to under
stand the changeabe American personality that kind today
and Nevertheless, they recall dreamy the
days American occupation because of the
of food and material that travels with Army They miss
the lux,1ries bitterly.
Talk dozens of citizens of Hiroshima Not will confess
the slightest grudge against America They glad did it.
They welcome the occupation The conduct of allied troops
is bameess.
Everywhere beyond borders. people are adopting
American habits One impact of culture be wher-
troops have visited The world is ttebuggng 1t is
peculiarly embarrassing to 6Oyearold German with
white hair going through the energetic jumps of tterug
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1947-02-21
From The Desk
Melvin Schultz
Local IL, UAW.CIO
President,

The question of the cost of living involves
many factors. Among them one of the most
outstanding at the present time is the amount
of rent which we must pay for shelter.
acknowledge that there are many people in our
community who either own their own homes
or are buying them on the installment plan.
There are however, hundreds of families who
must pay rent.
The lives OF these people and their costs
of living do effect the home-owners the same
as though the same home-owners were to pay
rent themselves.
good deal Is seen In the daily papers re-
lative to the rent situation and the question Of
whether rents should be continued under con,
troll of bureau in Washington, left up to the
individual states or left up to the individual
land owners The question of whether rents
should be controlled as long as there are no
vacant houses or properties Is one which
feel should be answered by saying that rents
should be controlled So long as there are no
vacancies, 1t seems that then all owners of
property must have steady income from their
rental properties. This is compared to pre-
war days when many, many properties were
vacant and could be rented at whatever fig.
ure the tenant was able to pay instead of the
price being set by the land owner.
In addition to this, most tenants now a
days are more than willing to take proper
care of the houses they must rent, thereby,
AOlACNdlS Iie O4 kOOu LHdIly AInAu
items of expense.
Under these conditions, the landlords for
the most part have had an increase in rent
in proportion to their increase In cost of living.
l do feel; however, that when vacancies began
to show up In a community that then controls
in this field for that community should be
lifted. This can be accomplished through the
present organizational structure of rent con.
trolls without delegating it to the various states
or subdivisions of states.
Everyone should be aware Of what han.
pened to the price of food and other items en-.
tering into the cost Of living when the price
controls were lifted on them. Very definitely,
we should not be too hasty in removing the
controls of rents. Until these vacancies do oc.
cur, see no reason why hardship cases cannot
and should not be dealt with fairly and i'm.
partially.
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1947-02-21
Regional
Views
By Richard Gosser
Director Region 2B. UAW,C1O

No matter how many people we send TO
Washington or Columbus to protest against
legislation we oppose, or to work for laws we
favor, we cannot make our weight felt until
we, people at home, show our elected repre-.
Sentatives how we feel
Everyone knows that ! have continually
asked all of our people to write to their elect.
ed representatives In the state legislature and
in Congress to tell them their views I am go
ing to try 1t once more - Write your congress
men, write to your representatives In Column
bus when the PAC tells you what the bills are
and asks you to add your voice to theirs.
have been told that on the front page Of
this weeks JOURNAL there are number Of
bills explained which are now before Congress.
These bills are so important to every member
of the union that / urge everyone to read
about them to learn what they would do. Then,
after reading about the bills, do what has been
suggested, write to your representatives and
senators and express your opposition so they
will know your views.
IN DANGER
Believe me, there is no desire on my part
to be an alarmist, but 1t is a fact that labor
finds itself in a tough spot today because Of
the type of people whom we have elected to
serve us in Congress.
Based on the ideas of Senator Ball. Con.
gresham Case and others, the people who are
members of labor unions are in good way to
have the things they have worked for taken
from them. You would think that the labor
unions were enemies of the nation instead Of
its builders.
Because these things are true, and because
only mass protest from millions of workers
will slow down Congress in its intention to do
job on the labor unions and workers, every.
one should sit down and begin to flood their
representatives with letter opposing the anti.
labor bills which will come before Congress for
vote before long.
1t Is my hope, and I am pleading with
everyone who is interested in their own wei.
fare, that every worker In Toledo who can
write will follow the PAC suggestion and write
at once on these antilabor measures
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1947-02-21
Editors Mail
Take Him Off
Dear Sir and Brothel

Dear Sir and Brother:
Would you be kind enough
to take my name off the cir
culatlon list. / have been
transferred and wish to thank
you for being on your list.
While servicing the Sarnia
area Of which Electric Auto
Lite was a unit Of Local ass,
I could always rely on the
up-to-the-minute news Of the
developments pertaining the
Toledo area.
have appreciated the edi-
torials and the sport page Is
tops. ! believe the JOUR-
NAL Is the answer to those OF
US who always looked forward
to the day when Labor would
have its own newspaper.
Yours fraternally,
Fred Joyce,
international Representative,
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1947-02-21
lnquiring
Reporter

Editors Note: Employees of
the WiIIys-Overland were
asked the question last week
What do you think about
the new regulations of the
Ohio Bureau of UnemplOy-
ment Compensation? Their
answers are below:
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1947-02-21

The Daughters of the Amer
lean Revolution last week
adopted q new policy per-
mitting dogs inside its sacro-
ssnct Constitution Hall in
Washington. Nationally known
Negro artists, however, will
still be barred. (Les Finnigan)
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1947-02-21

asked the question last week
What do you think about
the new regulations of the
Ohio Bureau of Unemploy-
ment Compensation? Their
answers are below:
II. III. Taylor, Dept. 404-
Il don't know why anyone
should have to wait that long
(seven weeks). Why is 1t that
before the war we didn't have
to wait that long? There's
something wrong some place.
1t would hit me hard to have
to wait for seven weeks be-
fore getting that first COM
pensation check. You could
use up $400 or $500 before
you got your check. We hadn't
ought to be compelled to wait
over three weeks at the most.
That should be plenty"
Casper cap" PiOjda. Dept.
404-'Tts lousy. Seven weeksl
A guy could starvs to death.
It's always the employe who
gets hit Two or three weeks
Is long enough to wait. Wait
till they get a lot of claims
They make you file alphabet
icslly. Seven weeksl II you
didn't have a little dough put
away what would become of
you In seven weeks? You'd
be on relief.
r. II. Walker, Dept. 264-
| think its the rottenest thing
I ever heard of. A fellow
could starve to death In less
than seven weeks. II q man
had q big family and was laid
off, what the hell would he
do? II you got q big layoh
it would be even worse.
Arthur Dennis, Dept. 234-
l don't know what unemploy-
ment compensation Is for IL
they are going to run 1t that
way. We always did wait for
five weeks or more even when
the unemployment office had
plenty of help. What's 1t 60
ing to be now when they cut
the force in two? With a
family of 10 / couldn't af-
ford to wait seven or eight
weeks for a compensation
check. We have been hit twice
by the gas and electrical
power situations here. Every
time the least thing happens,
down we go. With losing that
income 1t hits us all hard"
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1947-02-21

The nations coal miners, steelworkers and
longshoremen were probably irked last week
when they were told in an Associated Press
story that they will spend $3.50 this year for
clothes They undoubtedly feel better, how.
ever, when they read United Press story on
another page which announced that within
'the next year or two men viii be wearing
canary yellow sports clothes, gaily colored
tuxedos and brightly striped business suits
with pleats, CATERS and tucks"
Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1947-02-21

Stains election victory reported from Mos.
COW was bare 110691 votes to nothing. The
only thing found in the NO ballot box was
the body of an unidentified citizen who took
Stain seriously when he described the Soviet
Constitution as the ''most democratic in the
world"