The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1958-10-04
Union Members Writing

(confnvsd from Back Page,
They come from every state Of the union, from men
and women in every trade and occupation: bod carriers
and seamsfreses. operators Of dsgnes and makers
delicate dental equpmen from steel workers. dfchdggers
statesmen, miners, musicians and machnists Letter after
letter written in fear fear Of violence and loss Of Job
This reporter read thousands Of Them II awakening
experience This organized campaign These letters
come from the heart Of the American peopesponaneovs-
y II took great eovrage-and bitter experience-fo write
Them HOW MANY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS MORE
DIsILLUsIoNED PEOPLE ARE REPRESENTED BY THESE
LETTERS?
THE MEMBER WHO PROTESTS AGAINST THE WAY
HIS UNION IS BEING RUN DOES so AT HIS OWN RISK.
I'D NEVER HAVE ANOTHER JOB ON THE WATER
FRONT IF THEY KNEW ID WRITTEN THIS" stevedore
warns A number Of typed petition asking the Conn.,
mtee to investigate sTRONcARM METHODS USED BY
THEIR LOCAL BUSINESS AGENT. CANT SIGN NAMES"
they serawed the the Sheet WED BE BLACK
LISTED" Some Of them put II iokingIy, IT'D SIGN MY
NAME BUT DON'T LIKE NY UNDERTAKES"
Not all the writer's have let themselves be terrorzed
many ready fight "Yov last hope" writes
union member. ~ DON'T LIKE TO LIVE IN FEAR FOR
THE REST OF NY LIFE but am asked to testify SHALL
Here's courageous house painter: THE GOONS GOT
NINE TENTHs OF THE RANK AND FILE SCARED. THAT'S
THE REASON THEY DON'T COME TO MEETINGS. ri face
any Of EN- for YOU Senator I've lived SO years how
much longer can live? BUT FOR GODS SAKE GIVE
THESE YOUNG MEN A CHANCE TO RAISE THEIR FAM
lLlES!
MANY write in anger rs THIS THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA OR WHERE ARE WE? - WHEN MAN
HAS TO SEE HIS FAMILY IN WANT BECAUSE HE DIDN'T
APPROVE or WHAT THE UNION OFFICIALS WERE
DOING AND HAD NERVE ENOUGH TO SAY So" VET
ersn writes: us THIS WHAT FOUGHT FOR IN WORLD
WAR III"
These are not ersnks addressing the Senate Committee
None Of them is opposed to unions SUCH Many have
devoted their lives to the labor movement But THEY WANT
LABOR LEADERS TO BE SUBJECT TO THE LAW LIKE
EVERYBODY ELSE Again and again they draw the d'sfIne
on between the leaders and the rank and e They fee
that proper legislation, before it's too afe can save me
labor movement
"A labor will profit by these Investigations. one man
writes Your Investigation been rough unions but
all unions will be the better for it, Clean up THIS mess
another pleads. MAKE IT so A MAN HAS A RCHl ~
WORK AND NOT HAVE TO BOW DOWN TO THEM DAMN
HITLERs"
Why IL there so much discomfort within the Unions
don't we hear more Of action? Senator Mece'
Ian himself asked that question in speech which drew
comment from union members.
"You state Senator that members do lot to clean
vp their unions by standing up for their rights o!e
railroad worker. I'VE DID JUST THAT AND THERE ARE
50 MEN IN THIS LITTLE MOUNTAIN CITY WALKING
THE STREETS FOR JOB"
This reporter travelled TO the little mountain CRY 20 mee'
that worker For his protection let's call him Jones-fnou9n
having lost his Job he has little more to 'ose 49,.
MS rainy Sunday afternoon. Jones and his fr'enos
rooc az their social club Locomotive engineers conductors
brskesmen swehmen. railway eIerks-a so eager 10 re-"
about The raw deal they got that they keep nferrvpns one
another. - A.,
"non, have no respect for the rank and file. ALL
THEY CARE ABoUT's YOUR MONEY. =. THEY'VE BEEN
IN THERE TOO LONG," -
II comes as shock outsider because fne ra!oaa
unions are among The oldest In America ~ you oon
ks The leadership why you put them out and e'e'
somebody eea" this reporter asks The whole room breaks
into loud horselsvgh.
MISTER. you DON'T UNDERSTAND. Jones says.
,,~,,. oA,v NAV YOU CAN GET YOUR BALLOT
COUNTED IS BY VOTING THE WAY THE BOYS Up
STAIRS WANT you TO. They had u their own way SO
Iono THEY THINK WE'RE A BUNCH OF SUCKERS"
III. Ie,,srs that we have received have been not only
source Of information for the Committee but source OF
oress and Inspiration As John Do: psssos
ponss out one help but he impressed WIN me "'s'
usnee stamina and fighting spirit OF this cross section o.
America. .
Is clear from this response that problems exs 70.