Evening star., 1947-02-01
Philadelphia Record,
Suspended by Strike,
Sold 10 Bulletin
BY the Asseeiaied Press

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 1.-The
Philadelphia Record. Co., whose
three newspapers in Philadel-
phia and Camden, N. j., have
been strikebound since Novem-
ber Z by the American News
paper Guild, CIO, suspended
publication today.
The Record said the Philadelphia
Evening Bulletin would acquire all
three newspapers and radio station
WCAU.
Suspension of the Record left the
Nations third largest city with three
daily English-language newspapers.
The Guild struck the three news
papers for higher wages and better
working conditions. All three
papers, however, continued publica-
tion until today with executive per-
sonnel taking over editorial duties.
In q statement announcing the
suspension, Publisher j. David Stern
said:
"The strike against the Record by
the American Newspaper Guild, in
volving more than 400 people, has
gone on for nearly three months.
It has been impossible to obtain a
fair settlement which would assure
this newspaper of its ability to dis
charge its obligation to the public.
Says Burden is Too Great.
This is not only because OF the
Guilds excessive demands. Guild
policy has acted to restrict the rights
of management to a degree where 1t
has become too great burden to
operate a completely Independent
press"
In Washington. Milton c. Murray,
national president of the guild, said
suspension of the three) news
papers represents a tragic failure
Of collective bargaining"
1T is tragic to the $50 courageous
employees who went on strike to
achieve economic goals which have
been won without conflict in other
cities" he said in statement.
1T is also tragic to the citizens Of
Philadelphia and Camden who see
their newspapers engulfed in
the increasing trend of American
newspaper monopoly.
Stern, in selling out his publica-
tions, can rest no blame on the
American Newspaper Guild. In no
other city where strikes have oc-
CURED. has 1t been impossible, with
competent negotiators on both sides
of the table, to reach a mutually
satisfactory agreement"
Statement by Bulletin.
Today's Record carried a state
ment by the Bulletin Co. which said:
I'VE regret to see an established
newspaper suspend (publication).
The Bulletin will, at the earliest
date, extend its service by pub
fishing a Sunday edition including
the features Of the Sunday Record.
The other services rendered by the
Record and Courier-Pos of Cam
den we hope will be resumed un-
der independent ownership.
For the time being, by agree
ment, salaries and regular wages
are being continued to those pres
emily at work"
The Bulletin statement further
said: Following. the decision of the
Philadelphia Record, the Morning
Post and the Evening Courier of
Camden, to suspend publication, the
owners and management of the Bull
letin have committed to buy all of
the newspaper assets OF the Phila-
delphia Record and the Morning
Post and Evening Courier of Cam
den and Radio Station WCAU."
1t added: f#
"The operation of Radio Station
WCAU is not affected by these ar
rangements. It will continue to rem
der service under the direction of
the present management which is in
full control of the station"
The statement was signed by
Robert Mclean, president Of the
Bulletin Co. and publisher Of the
Evenuing Bulletin.
Strike Delayed Week.
The Guild strike, originally sched-
uled to start, October 81, expiration
date of the Guilds contract with the
newspapers, was postponed one week
by union membership vote shortly
before the deadline. Soon after the
strike began, negotiations were bro
ken of. This condition continued
until recently, when the Guild pc
titioned the United States Concilia-
ton Service to step in.
The two meetings with Guild,
management and Federal and State
conciliators were held, but there
never was any report on their prog
ress. A third was scheduled Tues
day in an effort to resolve the strike.
The Guild originally sought 500
a week minimum for experienced
reporters, but subsequently scaled
down It's demands to s88.
The Guild said the company Of
fered $68 weekly minimum and
later raised it to s75 while offering
q S per cent night differential
against the unions 10 per cent de-
mand
Mr.. Stern said the company offer
amounted to a II per cent increase
in the scales and would have
amounted to $40 a week more for
those making s750l or more weekly.
The Guild also asked five-day,
35-hour week instead of five-day,
40-hour week; four weeks vacations
for employees of three years service
or longer: "length-of-service" in
creases of 5 per cent or So week
whichever is larger for each year
and severance pay for any employe
resigning.
II Freight Cars DeraiIed
n a