Evening star., 1948-08-04
Univis Union Decides
To Continue Strike;
Guard Keeps Watch
BY The kssoeiotsd Press

DAYTON, Ohio, Aug. A.
Hopes of an early settlement in
the Univis Lens Co. labor dispute
faded today after Local 1853,
United Electrical Workers (CIO)
voted to continue the strike
until a satisfactory agreement
is reached"
Steel-helmeted National Guards
men, called in Monday to prevent
further picket-line violence, main
tanned their watch over nonstrikers
reporting for work this morning.
There were only q few pickets,
and unless more mass plant demon
strations were called by unionists,
city officials had hopes the violent
stage Of the strike might be passing
The Strike Committee of the UEW
refused to reveal its future strategy
After last nights meeting, it called
for a public rally for pm. today
in support of the strike, and an
other membership meeting at
O'Clock tonight.
Leothar Wornstaff, head of the
local, said last nights vote to con-
tinue the 92-day-old strike was
unanimous.
Organizer Charges Brutality.
Herbert Hirschberg, regional Or
ganizer for the UEW, issued this
statement following the meeting of
Local 1853:
The meeting unanimously went
on record to condemn and protest
what we now believe is plain to
everybody is brutality as reported
personally by the victims of it."
The meeting voted unanimously
to continue the strike until sat-
isfactory agreement is reached. We
, have wired the National Committee
! on Civil Rights to investigate the
conduct of the police department
and violation of the civil rights of
the working people of Dayton.
I'VE plan to rally all possible
forces of CIO, AFL. railroad BROTH
erhoods, legitimate independent
unions and all people who believe
in democratic traditions OF the
United States of America to demand
that the Univis workers be accorded
full rights and to urge upon the
Univis management, Gov. Herbert
and the mayor, the speediest pos
sible fair solution of this problem" }"
Herbert Visits Plant.
Mr.. Wornstaff declared that at
o'clock last night the police had
taken Hiram Payne. 22-year-old
war veteran. from the picket line
and mistreated him. He also said
two other pickets. Bruce Van Winkle
and Martha Woodie, had been mis-
treated. He said he had complained
to Col. George c. Schiele, COM
.mander of the Guard, and that the
colonel had promised Guard pro-
lection for the pickets.
Gov. Thomas j. Herbert. who yes
terdav visited the plant National
Guard headquarters, said he was
through with the negotiations after
the agreement he helped make Sum
DAY was rejected by the union. He
said he refused to meet with either
side, and negotiations requiring
State aid would be handled through
the Adjutant Generals office.
, Some 1,40O Guardsmen are on
duty at the plant and in the plant
area. The union cut its picket force
from six to three-all Women-but
troops remained at the plant gates,
and atop the building four men
souatted beside machine gun.
No Crowd at Quitting Time.
At quitting time yesterday there
was another display OF military
force. but there were no crowds Of
union sympa thizers in sight. and the
ipickets allowed by court order
marched on the walk in front of the
plant.
Approximately $50 employees filed
out afoot or in cars, unmolested by
union sympathizers. The plant nor
mally employs about $50.
A hearing was scheduled today to
determine whether Lou Kaplan, UE
field representative, would be re-
leased on bond He was sent to jail
for 10 days for contempt of court.
Mr.. Kaplan and four other strike
lieutenants. including former State
Senator Kermit N. Kirkendall. were
fined 500 for contempt and Jailed
pending posting of $500 bond.
Mr.. Kirkenoall anr three others were
released on bond later in the day,
but Mr.. Kaplan remained in Jail.
Mr.. Kaplan had been ordered to
appear Thursday in Washington
before a House subcommittee in
quiring into Dayton's picket line
violence Representative Hoffman,
Republican, of Michigan, who had
subpoenaed Mr.. Kaplan, said: THE
committee will not interfere with
any one who puts any one in Jail.