Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1949-02-25
u. L. c. Drives On


those who would seek to divide our ranks
in Greater Toledo. Of course, we're talk
ing about the nearly $50 delegates who
came to the meeting of the United Labor
Committee - already representing the
vast majority of organized labor in our
community - to serve notice that this
organization, which made possible the
election of Tom Burke to Congress, is here
to stay.
"All of our people are represented in
this great gathering" declared Harry
Card, Teamsters president, to the meet.
ing. "And but for a certain telegram,
more would have been here. But they will
come. They will join us as they see that
without this kind of labor unity we cam
not hope to achieve our legitimate goals"
Mr.. Card, with deep sincerity and simple
eloquence, reminded Mr.. William Green,
AFL President, who directed the Central
Labor Union not to affiliate with the
UL.C., that wherever labor united vic
tory was assured. Look at San Francisco;
look at Ohio and look at Minnesota where
Senator Ball was roundly defeated by
liberal, pro-labor Senator Humphrey" he
cried "In all these places, and many
more, we won because we were united.
We shall win in Toledo, too, because we
shall remain united"
Mr.. Earl Cation, another AFL leader,
rose after Mr.. Card to read the resolution
passed by the AFL convention in Gin
cinnati calling for labor unity" "This is
our policy" he declared adding that
"those who seek to divide us will not
succeed because working people have
their own minds and they know that only
through unity solid unity can they
march on towards their goal"
Following the AFL leaders, UAW
Vice-P President, Richard Gosser, took the
floor: eve have been in this organiza-
tion since its inception. We intend to stay
with this organization as long as it will
fight for the betterment of the working
people. Furthermore" he continued, II
ask that we re-invite all those who are
not yet with us Their place is here, in
our ranks. If for any reason, personal or
otherwise, they stay away and attempt
to destroy our unity, such people are
working against the most basic interests
of those whom they represent. But if
there is someone who would like to join
our organization so that he may person
IL havoafft 4I,nroI,ys.
like to use this organization for selfish
purposes, to them ! say stay out, because
this organization is dedicated to serve the
masses of people we represent and not the
ambitions of sef-seeking individuals"
1t was good to listen to these declara-
tions of basic principles. And the delegates
vigorously applauded the speakers Mani
festly they each expressed the yearnings
and desires of the great gathering.
We wish the elected officers we'll And
we say to all labor organizations not yet
affiliated to the U.L.C. to do so NOW. The
threatening clouds of an approaching eco
omic upheaval are already darkening the
horizon. People our own working
people are already clamoring for aid
and assistance Over $4,000 in our own
community are now walking the streets,
aimless and jobless. More thousands are
scheduled for lay-offs. Nationally some
100000 workers are out of work.
Where will all this lead to? Another
Great Depression - like the one in the
early thirties?
II we do nothing about the threatening
storm, another depression is practically
inevitable. But if we do something; if we
band together and make our voices heard
by those who hold within their hands the
destiny of our nation; if we raise our
voices in deafening chorus to our City,
State and Federal Government that they
must take the necessary steps to protect
our people from the fearful ravages of
another economic storm . by doing that
we may live the kind of happy and joyous
life that this great country of ours could
SO easily guarantee us.
And ii is all so simple. All we have to
do is STICK TOGETHER. Yes, just "hang
together within the folds of the United
Labor Committee or most assuredly we
shall all hang separately" outside the
folds of the United Labor Committee.