Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1947-04-18
From Hero to Heel

From Hero to Heel
In the short space of 20 months that
has eIaused since the ending OF the war,
labor has run the complete gamut from
highly praised hero to hapless heel
Praised by the president and COM
mended by generals of the Army, ad-
mirals of the Navy, the heads and peoples
of other nations and even by some OF the
more liberal employers for their teats OF
rroduction, labor welcomed the end OF
hostiIities in the hope and belief that 1t
had proved its right to full partnership IN
the affairs of the nation.
But almost Immediately following the
close of the war, the situation began to
change and is still changing. Labor which
sought to secure speedy reconverslon to
peacetime production was impeded at
every turn.
Greedy and Self-seeking mOnOpolists
grasping upon the change in our situation
from one of required large-scale produc-
tion to the slower tempo of peace, took
full advantage Of their situation to slow
down the industrial change-Over secure in
the knowledge that their profits were
guaranteed for many months.
Not only did the big industrialists
stage a showdown, but they rejected ev-
ery wage demand made by labor, while
mounting prices and curtailed income
created the crisis which big business hop
ed would place the workers at disad-
vantage.
When every other means failed to Sec
ure the higher wages which labor requir-
ed in order TO live at even a minimum
standard, the unions were forced to make
use of their economic power. Great
strikes involving many thousands of
workers occurred in steel, auto, electric,
glass, oil and other industries and prOvid-
ed the propagandists of big business with
the biggest opportunity they bsd had in
many months.
Every means Of public communication
was used by the National Association of
Manufacturers and its highly paid publi-
ciSts. Through the newspapers, maga-
zines, public speakers and air waves there
poured such a torrent of clever and not
so-clever propaganda that the public was
nearly overwhelmed.
Nor was the campaign of hate and viii
LITIGATION failure. A combination OF
events from the death of President ROose-
velt, to new and laundering administra-
tion, and the deluge of anti-labor propa-
ganda occasiOned by the railroad and coal
strikes, set the scene for the elections of
1946 in which reaction found itself in the
saddle with what il conceived TO be
mandate TO regulate" labor.
Yes labor has been from the top to
the bottom. 1t has won the plaudits of
presidents and the damnation of the
NAM. 1t has been decorated for its mir
acle of production and cursed for stalling
production. 1t has suffered the indignities
heaped upon IL by reactionary manage
ments because of its wartime nO-strike
pledge, and the enmity and hatred of big
industry and reactionary politicians for
daring to use its right to strike in peace
time.
And now, as the supreme reward for
its wartime record ii is about to he hand
cuffed, regulated, and if possible, de-
strOyed by those who seem to be under
the impression that their restrictive and
vcngeful laws are a continuation of the
nations defense against its enemies.
Let those whose vision is so small that
they believe destroying the rights of la
Dor will benefit them and those they
serve consider we'll their actions and re-
member the words of the great American,
Lincoln:
"That which benefits labor, benefits the
nation. That which harms labor, harms
the nation"