Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-10-24
Witness Tells
Of Anii-Unioni
Work in Plant
BY JOHN v. HORNER

luinnCE CHpiOyC OI Ji1c
Whirlpool Co. told Senate in
yestieators today that he helped
the company wage an anti
union campaign against fellow
workers at the plant In Marion.
Ohio.
Charles Litell. testifying be-
fore the Select Senate Com
mittee on Improper labor
MANAGEMENT Activities. said he
was one member Of a small
group which spied on other en-
ployes and reported adversely
on those who favored unioniza-
ton, He said he is now ashamed
Of serving on the committee
His testimony implicated
Nathan w. Shefierman Of Chi
cago and his firm Of Labor RE-
lations Associates. which the
committee accused Of union
busting.
Litell said his antiunion &C.
tivity was done in close con-
cert with DR.. Louis Checov, q
psychologist and member Of
Mr.. Shefierman's STAFF. DR..
Checov visited the Marion plant
about once a week 10 direct
the campaign against union
sympathizers. the witness said.
Conflict In Testimony
His testimony confiicted with
that Of two company ofiicials.
Glenn Evans. general manager
OF the Whirlpool plant. and
Theodore Hufert, its industrial
relations director. both denied
yesterday that the Shefferman
nrm was hired 70 keep unions
out.
They commended the arm was
employed TO assist in a
displacement program after
Whirlpool acquired the Marion
plant In 1855.
Litell told the committee that
when he was hired the per-
sonnet once warned him to
keep my nose clean" because
the company was strongly anti
union. He explained that be-
fore this time he had been
active in labor union affairs.
Some time after he was EN-
pioyed. Litell said. he met Che
Gov who asked him 70 join the
workers committee.
Money 70 Work With
-Dr. checov said his job was
TO keep any union out Of Whrl-
pool" he told the committee.
He said he had a great deal
Of money to do II and that he
wanted me on the COMMITTEES. =
Litell testified he agreed to
serve and said he participated
in the practice OF rating fell
low employees plus" II they
were anti-union and minus"
II they favored unions.
He quoted Checov as saying
he was keeping plant ofiicials
advised Of what the committee
was doing.
The witness said he usually
met Checov at the Marion
depot on the weekly visits. drove
him to motel and usually re-
ceiyed $40 from the Shelter
man representative. Sometimes
he gave a part Of this money
TO others on the COMMITTEES. he
said.
Litell' told the Senators that
he once remarked to Checov
he had heard there was a
chance that an independent
union would be established at
Whirlpool.
Friendly With Beck
He became very excited"
he said. He told me his boss
was very friendly with Mr..
(Dave) Beck and Jimmy Hofia.
He said II there was going TO
be any union in Whirlpool It
was going to be the Transfers"
Litell told the committee he
became fed up with what he
was doing after he had /
been instructed to warn and
threaten relatives OF prounion
OF firings IL they per-
sisted in organization activities. |
Litell said ne did not realize |
what ne WIS getting into when |
he agreed to serve on the spy |
He said he was very |
much ashamed of himself. He
broke with Checov and went |
to the UAW-CIO with his
story.
The witness said he was fired /
after he appeared on the job |
with two inflated balloons !
bearing the inscription. Join