Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1947-11-14
Behind The
Scenes In
Politics
By
Clayton
Rusch
Chairman

activity within the UAW-CIO
and in the city of Toledo that
vitality affects the interests of
every worker.
The recent triumph of the
right wing faction within the
UAW is a triumph for the pro-
gressive forces not only in the
UAW but the entire labor
movement. The UAW is the
largest union in the CIO.
The victory of President
Ruether and the new secretary
treasurer, Emil Macy consti-
tutes an endorsement of a mil
liant, progressive and anti
communist position by the
delegates at the convention.
The clear cut victory of
Richard Gosser as Vice-Presi-
dent indicates that the mem
bership wants able, vigorous
and conscientious leadership.
The record of the newly elect
ed officers is ample proof that
the membership will get just
that.
II is not possible to tell the
final completion of the inter
national executive board at this
writing but If the Ruether
group has a majority on the
board the membership can
look forward with confidence
to able and constructive lead
ership.
FAR REACHING EFFECTS
The results of the conven-
ton election have repercus-
sions far beyond the immediate
program of our union. For they
represent also an endorsement
of the methods and policies of
the right wing on national and
international affairs.
In other words the right
wing principle of opposing
communism by making democ-
racy work to create political
liberty, equality of economic
opportunity and social security
for all has now been ratified
by the delegates at an interna-
tional convention.
The UAW now has the re-
sponsibility to play an active
part in translating its social
program into a concrete real.
ity through promoting con-
structive political action on
civic, state, national and inter-
national issues.
The membership by the
large is confident that the new
international officers will ac-
quit themselves creditably of
their large responsibilities.
We of Region 2-B can feel
especially proud that our ne
gion contributed to the roster
of top officers a man whose
ability and judgment is indis-
putable.
The tasks ahead are i'm
mense, but the resources OF
our new officers are adequate
to meet the demand.
1t Is the duty of all of us to
actively support our new of
ficers in the fulfilling of their
heavy responsibilities.
COUNCIL ELECTION
The Toledo councilmanic
elections demonstrated once
more the defects in the p. r.
system of electing councilmen.
1t Is obvious that IL the ballots
had been counted in any other
order of rotation than they
were that the results would
would have been different. A
lottery is hardly a satisfactory
political system.
How ever representative
groups are now openly opposed
to the P. r. plan. CIO of To-
ledo still believes an admins
trative mayor with nine man
council elected at large by
KS is the best system. Yet we
do not consider the issue of
how councilmen are elected of
prime importance.
MEMBERSHIP DRIVE
The most important task
now before us is to see that all
the workers are registered to
vote on election day day 1948.
The next task is to set up ade-
quate machinery to get out the
vote.
To fulfill this task will re-
quire the best efforts of all of
us.
The PAC is now launching
the 1948 membership drive.
Membership is only one dollar
per year. We meet in Parlor
H. 425 Winthrop st. the first
Monday of each month.
Everyone should join PAC