The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1948-04-15
l. q b or Battles S
For Democratic
M urshuII PIun

shall plan for European economic
recovery became law last week.
That the final ERP measure is an
aid to European democracy is due
largely to the efforts of organic
ed labor which beat back a reac-
tionary House Of Representatives
drive to include frances Spain
among the recipient nations.
Early in the week the Republi-
an-dominated House inserted such
stipulation. From Europe's demo-
Gratis were heard cries of outrage,
that nation which they have not
included in the conferences of the
16 participating nations, nation
ruled by a fascist clique, should be
thrust into a program on whose
success they have staked their bat
tie against Communist totalitarian-
ism. Even the most conservative
democratic papers in Europe join
ed trade unions in protesting the
admission of Franco.
But the action of the Senate
House conferees in knocking out
the Spanish amendment was the
work of American labor.
President Philip Murray told the
joint committee: "We will hurt
the ERP and lose friends among
the democratic people of Europe
and of Spain-if the amendment
to include Spain in the ERP is
not removed when the bill goes to
the Senate-House conference COM
mittee."
He was backed by UAW Presi-
dent Walter Reuther, who wired,
"UAW has given full support to
European recovery program but
we cannot tolerate or defend the
blood stained totalitarian dictator
ship that came to power in fascist
rehearsal for world war two. We
will protest every dollar spent to
prolong Franco enslavery of Span
ish people,"
George Baldanzi, executive vice
president of the Textile Workers
j Union telegraphed key Congress
sional leaders: "Textile Workers
Union of America at its last bien-
nial convention debated whole is
sue of Spain. Fifteen hundred dele
gates voted with only one dissent
ing to condemn totalitarian regime
of Franco and his Fascist gang.
Strongly urge that you use your
great personal influence to pre-
vail upon conferees to eliminate
this i'll advised clause in ERP leg
islation and to finally adopt bill
without any such conditions. Would
appreciate having this petition
made a matter of record"
The AFL did not release any
public statement on it's reaction
to the inclusion of Francois gov
ernment among the recipients of
ERP. But President William Green
ordered the AFL's legislative rep
resentatives to devote full time to
making it clear to the conferees
and to party leaders that the AFL
hadn't worked so hard for the Mar
shall plan for the sake of regime
notorious for its suppression of
free trade unionism.
The liberal veterans organiza-
tion, American Veterans Commit
tee, and the Socialist Party also
lodged strong protests against the
corruption of the Marshall plan by
bringing an outright Fascist state
in.
At the behest of the House a
$463, 100000 China aid program,
with $125,0OO,OO0 for Chiang's
army was tied on to ERP. Organ
lied labor was given no opportun-
ity to express its views on this
provision, as the Congress took ad-
vantage of the overwhelming sup
port for the Marshall plan to tack
on the Chinese program.
Still unsettled are the exact ad-
ministrative procedures of ERP ad-
ministration, how much of a voice
in top committees here, and in dele
cations abroad the trade union
movement, which did so much to
get public acceptance for the pro-
gram, will have.
Influential Rep. Christian Her
ter (R., Mass.) who tried to push
his own program through, but fail
ed, is believed to have prevailed
upon the Administration to incor-
porate many of his proposals in
the actual spelling out of the
Marshall plan. They include a min
imitation of labor influence.
Former Assistant Secretary of
State Will Clayton, first choice of
President Truman for the top ERP
job, is reported to be too i'll to ac-
cept. Tories are backing Wall
Streeter Ferdinand Eberstadt for
the job. Liberals are lining up be-
hind Will Davis, former War Labor
ROarh chairman