Electrical Union News, 1944 May 26

__Due-to Lack of

GW ma GVat ©
‘The slum clearance proj ect of

tiie city on Broadway "is*w fine
thing for the city but there is
another side of the story which
is one of disgrace for the. com- .
munity. When the city under-
teok-th

“May 12, 1944

age To_Wash, Delegate
Go To W. L. Board Makes Report

(Continued from Page 1) As a representative of Local
action provides additional sup- 301 and a member of the wage
port: for the case of the United adjustment committee, Peter
Steelworkers of America for a Sorensen spent two days in .

o-

“yevision upwards” of thie “Little Washington—interviewing . con-

gressmen and telling them what

Steel Formula. ‘
Tt expresses the concern of. Local 301 wanted in the way of

EL

_..... Lathrop Directs ~

Wage Stab. Comm.

rRICAL_ UNION

THE VOICE OF THE UNITED ELECTRICAL ‘RADIO & MACHINE WORKERS oF AM

SCHENECTADY, N. Y. — MAY 26, iar

Niembership Meeting Blasts Red Baiting

Use Your Local
Social Sec. Office

(Continued from Page 3)
‘When-to-file” for-monthly_re

OMY Pe

tirement payments, is a question

them. As a result these people,
all Americans regardless of color, -
have been made homeless.

Some form of decent’ housing
is needed. for real low income
groups, families who can not pay
more ‘than $15 or $20 monthly
rent. Some definite and effec-
tive action has been taken in
recent years by many communi-
ties which helped to solve this
problem. “An _ honest. effort
should be made by local officials *
to do as much for these people:

» in Schenectady. Poor and unsan-
itary housing for any group of
people in. a community means
dangerous’health hazards for
every person living within the
community. Schenectady should
become a_ really progressive:
town and not allow such condi-

' tions. -to exists:but should do
. something to correct them. The
following is a letter from Troy
Snipes, a member of the editing
staff of the Electrical Union .
News to the editor which really.
gives us something to ‘think _
‘ about...

Dear Sir:

T have been asked by many
people about the evacuation of
the families on Broadway. I in-
terviewed.a few of these fam-
ilies. The folowing are verbatim
“quotes” from these interviews:

Mr. W. Strickler: “I was noti-
fied to move and in less than
thirty days they started to tear
down the house, Not being able
to find another apartment, I was
lucky enough to get a room with
a friend.”

Mrs. Phyllis Beasley: “After
being refused several empty
apartments, I was forced to.
store my furniture and get a
room.”

Mrs. Eva Hunter: “I paid my
vent on Feb, 1, 1944, and on
March 14th they started to. tear
down the house in which I lived.
T thought J had a place to go but
when I reached there some one
else had moved in that day. It
was 9:00 P. M. before I could
get..a truck to start...moving.
When I spoke to the man, head
of the wrecking crew about not
having any place to go, he re-
plied ‘there is a place in the
graveyard’ and continued to
work, I stored my furniture in
Mount Olive Baptist Church un-
til I could get a place to store it.
I- am now. rooming ‘with a.
friend.”

A survey was made in the
low rent districts to secure
-homes. for those -whose homes
were torn down on Broadway.
About thirty landlords refused
to accept colored persons in
their houses some saying frank-
ly that they would not rent to
colored people and others giving
~ different stories. -

“Such discriminating acts are
just what Hitler and Tojo are
glad to see. They know such acts
«lo not aid in uniting the people
against them and neither does it
help in building true American

-number during

which frequently concerns older

3 a 7 ____...._lagislation,..Kollawing._is_his_re-
tiie “employees in, these war a a i a ee

ts with regard to, the nee; ;
Planes swith regen. 0 “The conference was called

for economic stabilization and conterent
the Union’s proposals for a 17- by the fighting sixty, a group of .

econt-an-hour ‘wage increase to congressmen headed by Repre-
the disparity between sentative Scanlon_of—Pittsbure,—-
frozen wages and inervased liv- Pa. Also various Consumers

ing costs. Based‘on these con- groups attended.

ers. who are not cértain”

about the most advantageous
time to claim their benefits. The
manager of the local Social Se-
curity office can help find the
answer and also help in filing
the claim. He also helps many
a widow with problems involved
in claiming benefits for herself
or for her children. .

If your boy’ or girl is planning

‘to work part-time, they may get

information on when it is neces-
sary — or not necessary — to
apply for a social security ac-
count card; how to safeguard it;
and why it is important to have
only one social security account

time. \ i
Although concerned only ‘with
old-age and survivors insurance,
local office managers have ans-
wers to many questions on the
differences between unemploy-
ment insurance and old-age and
survivors insurance. They can
direct’ unemployed workers to
the proper office ‘to apply. for
ottt-of-work—benefits.-———

’ Every person in doubt about

his or her right to old-age and -
survivors insurance - benefits
should visit the local field office.
Sometimes young widows, aged
parents, and orphans do not
know they are eligible for bene-
fits and delay in filing their
claims. \

Blood Plasma Need
Critical, UE Aid
Urged By Bazan
(Continued from Page 1)
their failure to give a pint of
their blood which nature would
quickly replace.
‘From May 1948 to the end of
the year, Local 801 members do-
nuted 10,867 pints of blood plas-
ma. Although that is an out-

standing record. in the commun- -

ity, we must do much better now
in view of the need of the Anny
and Navy this year which is set
at 5,800,000 pints. Schenectady’s
quota, according to Mr. Bazan, is
1,500 pints a week and as Local
301 is the largest organization
in the community, it is evident
that the full cooperation of ev-
ery member is required if we
are to. meet our nation’s need.

citizens, Abraham I,incoln once
said “If negroes are like hogs
treat them like hogs and if they
are human, give them their {ree-
dom and settle this thing once
and for all time.’

“ We know that these things
are not controlled by individuals
but by politicians and the negro
has always backed the two ma-
jor parties. Can it be that they
don’t know of this condition

when it was yublished in the pa.
weeks jago.” “Why “hasn’t~

pers
some action been taken? If the
parties we support don’t support
us, who are ye to go to?

“This condition is too serious
to permit of buckpassing. It. calls
for action.” ‘

‘an entire life-~

-facturing plants throughout the

es it.

siderations, the officers were in- ~~ i
structed to take our case before April: 19th, at 10:30 with Rep-
the National War Labor Boxrd resentative Thomas D. Scanlon
at the earliest opportunity. ” "of Pittsburg as chairman, who

Refusal of the General. Elec- explained the reason for calling
tric and. the Westinghouse Elec- this. conference. Rep. Wright
tric and’ Manufacturing Com- Patman of Texas explained what
pany to agree to the retroactve would have happened to the war
date of January 1, 1944, for a costs of the government if price
cost of living adjustment, de- controls ‘had not ‘been main-
spite the granting by the War tained.-Other congressmen spoke
Labor Board of a similar retro- in support of the War Price Con-
active date in the pending Lit- trol Act. -
tle Steel case, was considered by Various representatives of the
the delegates as part of a con- Consumers groups present spoke
certed effort by certain sections for continuing price control and
of industry to,depress the work- all particularly stressed the un-
ers’ standards of living and com- fairmess of freezing wages (Lit-
bat any attempt by the people tle Steel Formula) and ‘not ef--
of the country to achieve econ- ‘fectively holding -down food,
omic stabilization. clothing, and rents. .

Reports of organized. activity Many telegrams and letters
by loeal unions indicate that Were received by the committee
while we would. not be provoked. endorsing the program. One in
into any action inimical to the particular was from the head of _..
war effort, we would continue the V.F.W. executive committee S.
to insist.on an effective stabil ‘Which pased a resolution compli-
ization program, menting Rep. Scanlon and his

committee and offering complete

egates resolved to “intensify  «{ called on Representative
the campaign to mobilize all the ‘Kearney in the Capitol. He pro-
people in each community where mised to call on Representative
General Electric and Westing- Scanlon if possible but: in any
house Workers are employed in event he would support the pro-
support of a program to, publi- pram, T also called on Represen-
cize. the need for economic stab- tative Hancock - from Syracuse

ilization and the union’s cost of who absolutely did not appear to
living demand, and to secure the support, anything.

assistance and cooperation of lo- - “T would suggest that Local

cal, state and national .govern- 30] send best wishes to Repre-
ment officials, ‘agencies and leg- sentative Scanlon and his com-
islatures to achieve those ends.” mittee, Also explain that Rep-

‘Delegates present represented resentative Kearney has prom-
General Electric and Westing- ised to support his program. In
house local unions in 46 manu- turn I would suggest that either
a copy of above or a similar com-
munication be sent to Rep. Kear-
ney thanking him for his prom-
ised support adding that not
only 301 but the steelworkers,
transport workers, teachers, pol-
ice, fraternal and veterans or-
ganizations are vitally interested
in his action.”

This is'a sample of the type of
work that.a really active union
member can do. We know that
Representative Kearney has not
been supporting Labor's pro-
gram up to this time in spite of
his campaign promises, If wé
can convince him of the need to.
vote right on labor bills, this
union will be doing a big job. Té
takes work’ and ‘enthusiasm to.
do it, but so long as we have
people like Mr, Sorensen to take
ie initiative, we know it will be
done.

country,

Local 301 Active
On Many Civic and

Government Bodies
(Continued from Page 1)

the city. Contrary to the feel-
ings expressed by some during
recent weeks that this’ was a
sien of weakness or “sellout” to
other, elements in the commun-
ity, this is evidence of the
strength and vitality of a pro-
gressive union. Unless this were
so, the opinions and coopera-
tion of the organization would
not be sought or considered in
the formulation of ‘policies.
Althought the handling of
problems and grievances. in the
shops has been and always will
be the number one job which
your union will perform with all
of its strength and vigor, the
union will-continue to fight for’
the rights : of its members “in
community life as well, just as ~
long as conditions warrant such
action and the membership wish-

IMPORTANT MEETING
EVERY MONDAY NIGHT

Attend these meetings. and
‘help win the, 17%e¢ and price
stabilization. The’ meetings
are interesting — Your help
is needed to make. this pro-
gram a real success. !

TIME: 7:30-—-PLACE: CIO
HALL.

BUY WAR BONDS

__To_obtain_these ends,-the_del-sypport-to-their-programi.

“The conference opened Wed, ~~

MILO LATHROP

Milo Lathrop, Director of ‘Public
Affairs of UE District 8, of which
Local 801 is the largest local, is in
Schenectady each Monday evening,
aiding the Local 301’s Wage Stabil-
ization program. Mr. Lathrop, who
has had years of’ experience in di-
rective capacities in the labor move-
ment, is working with Chairman
Peter Sorenson, and the committee
in successfully carrying out this im-
portant program.

Meeting Held at YMCA-

Wage Stabilization Committee of fo-
cal 301 held its first public meeting
in: its’ program ‘to “enlist the “active
participation of the entire communi-
ty behind its efforts to bring about
a satisfactory wage adjustment and
price control,

Milo Lathrop, publie affairs direc-
tor of District 8 of the UE outlined
the program to the group which in-
eluded appointment of a delegation
to call upon Mayor Mills Ten Byck
to ask him to issue a proclamation to
sit aside one week as price ‘control
week in Schenectady. Those named
on this committee were Clarence
Morrell of the ‘Transport Workers
Union and John Boyle and Ernest
Bezio of Local 301. ‘

A committee also was named to
work with the activities committee
of the ALP to conduct demonstra-
tions in front of several city stores
to demonstrate the need for price
control, :

The Wage Stabilization Committee
which is under the chairmanship of
Peter Sorenson, urges as many mem-~
bers of Local 801 to attend the regu-
lar Monday night meetings at C IO
Hall-as possible can do so...

JANDREAU TO CHAIR
UNITY MEETING JUNE 12TH °

It has been announced by Mile Te-
disco, Local 301: representative of the
‘Citizen. Unity Committee that Leo
Jandreau will be chairman of the
Freedom Forum. mesting to be held
June 12th at Old Chapel, Union Col-
lege. The speaker of the evening will
be Dr. L, M. Birkhead, Executive Di-
rector, Friends of Democracy, Inc.,
who will speak on the topic “Amer-
ica’s Would-be Hitlers,”

This meeting will be the last of a
series being held each Monday ave-
ning at the college chapel ‘under the

-sponsorship of the Citizens Unity

Committee. On May 29, Dr, Ponning-

to Hale, eXpert on foreign affairs,

will speak on “Total Victory’. The.
sperker June Sth, will be Robert TH. |
‘Armstrong, editor, author, housing

and tax expert, who will speals. on

“Realism and Romance in Postwar

Housing,” ‘Tickets for the lectures

will be available at the door and-
union members are urged to attend if

possible, . *

Of Labor iovem

ent By Guiside interests, —

Re-Affirms Full-Freedom of Members

. Members of Local 301, a the mem"

“bershp meeting May 16th, passed” a
resolution condemning “any individ-

ual or group who deliberately cause’

disruptions and disunity within the
labor movement, hy usage of red
‘herrings, or other means, or advocat-
ing discriminations because of age,
sex, nationaity, race, creed, political
beliefs ‘or affiliation to lawful or-
ganizations.”

The resolution also stated that,
“the company hires all its employees
strictly on the basis to do a job. They
have a right to join a union of their
own free will, guaranteed by law. It
is our responsibility to accept them
in our union and grant them the full-
est: protecton, and especially from
any form of discrimination within
the Union or on the job.”

‘This resolution was made neces-
sary by rumors and propaganda
spread throughout the union and in

_the city_of Schenectady, and the ex-

ecutive board unanimously felt that
it was necessary to issue a statement
of policy of the union in order to
clarify any confusion that may have
resulted from these’ rumors, :

Also in the resolution, the consti-
tution of Local 301 was quoted and
reads as follows: “We, the Electrical
Radio and Machine Workers, realize
that the struggle to better our work-
ing. and living conditions is in vain
unless we are united to protect our-
selves collectively against the forces
of employers.

“Realizing that the old craft form
of trade union organization is unable
to defend effectively the interests
and improve the conditions of the
wage earners, WE, THE UNITED
ELECTRICAL, (RADIO AND MACH-
INE WORKERS form an organiza-
tion which unites.all workers in our

>

Local 301 Receives Assurance From
Kearney That He Will Support Increase

Evidence that the efforts of Local

— -———--_—_Monday—night-at-the-¥-M_C-A-the-—801-to-bring: to-the-Congressimen-and

other gavernment officials full reali-
zation of the economic plight of the

“wage earner” in “industiy? and” tive”

necessity of some immediate action
on the matter-of wage readjustment:
and price control is meeting with suc-
cess is shown in a letter recived from
Congressman Bernard W. Kearney
by Sam Faleone, chairman of the leg-
islative conumittee,

The fact that Mr Kearney whose
record in congress can not be eon-
sidered pro-labor, has decided to go
along and pledge his support to the
program which Local 801 feels is
needed for the good of the working
people is encouraging. His letter is
as follows: “se
‘Mr, Samuel Falcone
Chairman Legislative Committee,
Local 801, UBRMWA
Schenectady, N. Y.

Dear Mr. Falcone:

‘Thank you for your recent letter
together with its enclosures of radio
speech given by Mr. Anderson and
the comparison cost list of foodstuffs
as compiled by members) of your
Price Control Committee.

When you were in the office sev-
eral days. ago. we did, as you state,
discuss many current legislative is-
sues, and at that time I gave you my
views,

My stand on the subsidy program
is already of public record in that I
voted last November to smpport the
President's anti-inflation program
(which was later defeated in the
House), believing as I did that since

| Mass

C. 1. 0. HALL

a more constructive plan had not

industry’ on_an_industrial-basis,end—
rank and file control, regardless of
craft, age, sex, nationality, race,
creed or political beliefs, or affilia-
tions to any lawful organization, and
pursue at all times a policy of ag-
gressive struggle to improve our con-
ditions.

“We pledge. ourselves to labor
unitedly for the principles herein set
forth,:«to perpetuate our union and
work concertedly with other labor
organizations to bring about a higher
standard of living of the workers.”

It was brought out in discussion
preceeding the passage of this resolu-
tion that the present wave of calling
union leaders Communists was no
new gag. It was done’ several years
ago by employers who called the
people ‘who founded this! union Com-
munists in an effort to discourage
people from joining and that today
interests who are afraid of the ClO
Political’ Action program or have
some other motive, are resorting to
these same tactics in order to con-
‘fuse or hide the teal issuea.

_ New Election Date
. Another important recommenda-
tion which was passed was a consti+

tutional change which moves the date
for_annual_elections—-of--officers—to—--——

teen otferedy it Was better to coir
tinue this method of fighting -infla-
tion. :

“he” purpose of ‘the Price "Control

Act was to assure reasonable prices
in order to prevent profiteering and
sky-rocketing prices.’ There is no

_ doubt that°a firm program of price

control is necessary in order to stab-
lize the eost of living.

The present cost of living has
greatly increased, rerardless of price
control, subsidies, roll-backs, etc.,
over that forecast by the fovernment
economists and theorists; and there is
no doubt in my mind but that prices
and wages must be stabilized in or-
der that the average wage earner,
wha after all bears the greatest bur-
den and is undergoing the severest
hardships, will be able to keep his
head above water; and 1 AM IN IPA-
VOR OF ANY INCREASE THAT
WILL HELP HIM DO THIS.

Incidentally, Congressman Smith of
Virginia attempted late yesterday to
insert a provision in the G. I. Bill,
$-1767, which would have penalized

“whoever shall demand or receive '

any money ... from any. veteran as
a condition of employment or require
his membership or non-membership
in any organization as a condition of
employment.” This we of the Com-
mittee and others in the House
fought and the amendment was im-
mediately voted down, as it rightful-
ly should have been.
With kind regards, please believe
me,
Sincerely yours,
Bernard W. Kearney, MC,

ATTENTION! ALL SALARIED WORKERS!
‘CLERKS - PLANNERS

eeting Tonight

- PRODUCTION MEN

— 780P.M.

SPEAKERS
OFFICERS FROM LYNN AND PITTSFIELD

\

SALARIED WORKER'S U. E. LOCALS

ALL SALARIED WORKERS WELCOME!

the month of December with nomina-
tions to be made in November, tho
exact dates and procedures to he. set... -
up by the exécutive board. The pur- 7” ""
pose of this move is so that elections

will not conflict with contract nego-
tiations,

Fin. Sec'y Office Abolished

The office of Financial Secretary
was also abolshed by the vote of the
‘membership’ approving the recom-
mendations of the Constitutional
Committee and the Executive Board.
This action was endorsed by Finan-
cial Secretary Fay Marvin who: stated
that his experience in the capacity of
Financial Secretary has proven be-
yond doubt that due to the present
check-off system and improvements
in office procedure which have been
introduced during his term, a full"
time job is non-existent. The neces-
sary supervisory details.’ formerly
handled by Myr. Marvin have been
transferred to the office of the Bus-
iness Agent, ;

(Continued on Page 4)

SYPHILIS CONTROL TO BE
LECTURE TOPIC JUNE 5TH

Mrs. Helen Kisby, representative
of the State Committee on Tuber-
culosis and Public Health, through
the cooperation of the Schenectady
County Committee and Local 801,
will present a lecture and, movies at
union hall Monday, June Sth, at 8:00
P. m., onthe topic “Control of Syph-
ilis and Social Diseases,” This meet-
ing is for women only and all women
members of the local or wives of
union members are invited to at»
tend. ;

‘The officers of the local feel that
this’ is.a very important matter at
the present time and that intelligent
discussion of the subject under the
leadership of a qualified authority
would do much to winning the war.
This is in line with the opinion exe
pressed many times by the heads of
our armed forces that the prevention
of social diseases in war time is an
important defense measure,

Mrs. Kisby is a graduate of Bar-
hard College and has also done grad-
uate work at NYU and Columbia. She
has had wide experience in various
social services in and around New
York City which is of great value in
her present work. = *
oy _ BLECTRICAL
v

ELECTRICAL

Published by

UNION NEWS — ----

UNION NEWS

_Women Play Real
Role in War Plants

— Legislative —

| May 26, 1944

[Sailor Overseas

Anti-Poll Tax

Writes To-Mouier

_AUBTIN.J. CASE, Editor -"- - = - R. FLANIGAN, Co-Kditor

” Editing Committee |
JAYNE 'STARKO |
CHET COOKE :

81D, FRIEDLANDER

B. MOWERS
TROY SNIPES

FRANK BEMSPAR
JACK NELSON

“Tt has long been thought that an

articlé should be written in praise of
women war workers. So many peo-
ple picture the women war worker as
a gay Rosie the Riveter, happily
chewing gum and wearing a tight fit-
ting sweater because movies ‘and
short story writers have so pictured
her. How very surprised the public

would be if they were to have the

Committee Report
Anti-Poll Tax Bill Shelved .
By GOP-Poll Taxcrs Coalition

Defeat of the anti-poll. tax bill ih

the Senate last week proved to mille"
ions of Americans the need for all- :

_out political action in the months that

.The. following letter was received ‘
by a local mother from her son who.
is serving in’ Uncle Samts"Navy ‘over-
It expresses &0 vividly the

Seas. , t
thoughts of our American boys in

~—~-the services that’ the editor feels it~

will give all of us at ome more
reason that ever before, to do every-

Alias

att 5S te hadi!

Owe)
we OMe

. Samuel Faleone, Chairman of the ;

, C10 Local 301) Legislative Committee
_ and, 'a* meniber. of 4. delegation. ‘that
went to. Washington,
to contact Senators and to gather
support for the_Anti-Poll..Tax_Rill

H. R, 7 issued a statement relative
to the defeat of the measure by the
Senate. Mr. Falcone’s statement

~readymade;- culled from his~remarks—to=the-recent=Steelworkers
convention: vs rg ne

“Tgn’t it. reasonable, isn’t_it. fair_that. consideration shouldbe...

given to the fact that the American wage earner, who is now work-
ing more than 40 hours a week, possibly up to 48,.50 or 54 hours, is
expending more energy, is burning up more of his -human machine,
is investing more of his body in the work he is doing at his partic-
ular job? | ;
“Tsn’t it therefore true that this individual, who may have a
bigger take-home earning this year by dint of the greater effort he
is putting into his work, will have this frame of his exhausted and
worn out a few years sooner than ordinarily would be the case?

“American employers, and employers all. over the world,
charge depreciation against a machine going down, wearing
out. They set aside contingent funds to protect the interests of
their investment against’ the wearing out of a machine. ~~ ~~

. “Why not have something done to protect the interests of
the individual members of your families against the loss of this
human machine? ° :

‘“Why don’t our American ‘industrialists recognize the almost
superhuman sacrifices that American workers are making today to
win'this war? a ‘ :

“What are our men of might and. influence and power going to
do to protect the interests of American wage earners against pov-
erty, disease and death, if mass unemployment should again gain

‘control in the wake of the present war? : .

“An answer to all that is America’s universal recognition
of the establishment of a minimum annual, wage for all Ameri-

opportunity to see
ers in action.

This article, written’ by a woman in
G. E., was prowipied by a very spir-
ited discussion which took place be-

d_a@ genteman of the

lieved, en do,
that women's place is definitely in
the home and_ that she is not. capable
of doing a man’s work. How very
wrong he was!

Women conscientiously. do their
work as well and in some cases better
than men can. They have a patience
that cones from long years of trials
and tribulations and the burden that
all housewives have of making ends
meet with very little to do it with,
There are very few women war shirk-
ers Too many of the women have
sons and husbands in the service to
even think of being lazy. This G, E.
woman writes as follows: ae

.“Tawork with.a group. of,women.in
‘building No. 73 who are typical of

- most women defense workers. Most

of these women are married and have
children. They. rise early in the morn-
ing in order to send their husbands
off to work and their. children. to
school. Their remaining hours be-
fore reporting to their shop are spent
in doing their house work, They have
very ‘little time in which to rest or
play before reporting for work. on
the second shift.

“Working with these women has
given me a great deal of respect for
them, ‘They report to work smiling
and cheerfully plunge into their work

— Sa Wage- CAML Si
; “It is my eandid and conscientious conviction that all of Amer-
_ iean labor, and even those who may not be placed in the category of.
so-called labor, should join in the national crusade for the establish-
ment of a-minimum weelly and guaranteed annual wage for all
workers, . :

“It is economically possible. The nation. will save money.
Industry will save money. It is cheaper to keep a nation at
- work than to try to keep a nation that. is idle

“The development of the annual wage in the United States will
stimulate the industrial ingenuity of our great industrialists and
manufacturers to the point where they will want to provide fuller
employment to protect themselves against what they contend (un-

‘ aru however) to be the uneconomical aspect of the annual wage
itself. :

Strawberries or Ships?

Here is an episode that shows what's what in the present drive
to amend the price control act. Rep. Morrision of Louisiana ap-
peared before the House Banking and Currency Committee recently

.asking for an amendment that would allow any Federal Court to
review OPA regulations and enjoin them. His trouble is strawber~
vies. He wants to find a court that will take off the ceiling which
OPA has put on the price of strawberries.

Toa Louisiana Congressman the price of strawberries has po-
litical sex appeal, ‘He told his troubles to a federal judge in Louisi-
“ana, whose heart bled for him (Morrison told the Committee) but
without result. The law allows only the special Emergency Court
of Appeals to review OPA regulations,

That is a nation-wide court, free from local pressures. It
would not kill the ceilings on stra\wberry prices, because such ceil-
ings are valid under the law, and-are justified by the necessity of
discouraging too much land and manpower being diverted to lux-
ury crops. ;

Morrison is not a lone wolf. Thirty or more members of Con-
gress have been waging war on OPA, wasting days of valuable
time at public expense, all to prevent the placing of ceiling on straw-
berry prices. ‘

OPA so far has. fought off the invasion of these. strawberry:
commandos, but -Morrison is not. defeated yet. He hasn't forced
OPA to take the ceiling off his berries, but if he can get the law
amended under the guise of protecting the constitutional liberties
of his constituents, he will open every federal court to suits for
injunction against every OPA regulation that bothers somebody.
Local’ pressures will prevail,

“Why,” one of these strawberry commandos said, “if OPA.

holds down the price of strawberries, we are going to lose the peo-
ple who work in the strawberry fields. They will go down to the
coast and work in the shipyards!” What a hell of a war it may turn
out to be if it comes to putting ships ahead of strawberries. And
that is a fair example of what is at stake in the drive of the press-
ure groups to amend the price control act.

tncomplainingly. They are earning
every. cent of their wages in that
room of boiling water and stinging
acid. These. women are helping to
speed the war effort immensely.

“Don't think men respect women,
however, for their cfforts, I am
single myself, and only a single girl
could know how cutting the word
“Labor uttered in derision by the
lips of a handsome “Marine could
“sound to a weary girl who-had -just
completed a hard day’s work. This
happened to me as 1 was waiting for
the bus on State Street one night.
T suppose iny slacks and G, EB. button
so classified me... as.his unitform
classified him, a Marine. It is weren't
for women war workers, the immense
production whieh this war has
brought about would not have been
possible,

“Muny of our womert give their
blood at the Red Cross blood center.

at

men “war work=

-- United State

‘lie afigad before election day. ~~

Although friends of the poll-tax 4
system in the South received a major ©. *. |
scare, poli-tax: Senators managed: to
maintain ‘their influence over the Re- @

of_windy,_.time-wasting filibustering __
on the Senate floor. The test itself

came in the form of a vote on clo-

ture, which if approved by a 2-8 vote

would have cut short. debate and

brought the anti-poll tax bill (HiR7)

up for a vote, :

Cloture lost by a vote of 86 to 44.

Key to the defeat of the bill Jay in
the fear of 12-Republican Senators
that, if they broke their alliance with
their poll-tax colleagues, they would
not be able to have their support on
other issues at a-future time. .

Shelve The Bill

Inwiediately “following --defeat: of: =
cloture with not even a majority fav-
oring it, the Senate voted to shelve
the bill and turn to other matters.

Thus, the poll-tax system receives
a new (but perhaps brief): lease on
life in eight southern states which
‘now use the poll-tax to disenfranch-  -
ise 11,000,000 white and Negro-Amer-
icans ; .

‘Commenting on this action, the
National Assn. for the Advancement
of Colored Peaple states, ‘A coalition
of Southern and Western Democrats
with reactionary Republicans have
won the day. The characteristic fail-

York to take a forthright stand on a
bill so important to democracy, plus
the outright opposition of the Senate
Republican leader, .SenatorWallace
H. White, Jv, of Maine, contributed
materially to the debacle.”

Another one of our. married women,
who is the mother of three sons, who
ave overseas on acive duty and one
son who is still stationed in the
_carries.on bravely and
courageously as her sons wish her to.
When one of her boys was wounded
she kept her courage up and did a
great deal to cheer up the other wo-
men .who have either husbands. or
sons in tho service. It is women like
these that make our country great
and who produce the men who are
making our country respected on the
land, sea, and air, Unele Sam, I am
sure, has u proud heart as he sees
his women and men in action.”

Paste partes
Lie re J
anes

‘RECIPE FOR

FASCISM

nre_ofiGov..Thamas lt. Dewey_of-New—-——.—_.___.__

“thing Within our power to help bring
them home in victory at the earliest
possible moment. The letter follows:
Dearest Mom, '

. I've just been rereading this card

extent, it could never be complete. -
I don't know why such a thing like

this-is so hard to put. into words, I

guess, it wasn’t made to be said by:

just plain fellows like myself. It is”

greater than any words, I mow.

It wasn't long.ago that I can re-
member thoughtless words which I
realize now must have hurt you deep-
ly. But you didn’t ever say a lot
about them. Mothers never do. -It
has been a long time since I’ve been
home to really. say I was home. I’ve
been back. on several “visits”, but it
wasn’t the same -as it used to be
several years back.

So many which, then
passed unnoticed now are very fond
memories and visions of: home and
my. mom. It could never have been
home without you. It was ‘your
meals, a cake, a pie, cookies, being
scolded for drinking all the milk, Just
the little things. The longer I think
the more comes clear, now. The lit-
tle sacrifices only a Mother makes so
that her sons and daughters may have
just a little bit more, a little better
break in life, are noticeable, now.

They were innumerable and to each '

of us important then.
-—Then-aong-comes something like
this war. Sons are taken from their
homes, and Mothers. I don’t think it
matters how old he is. A son still

* confides in “his Mom" first of any.
She’ll always listen and™try to un-
derstand and have some encourage-
ment. After a fellow has been away
a while, he begins to see through
some of these things. A lot of lit-
tle things come up that he’d like to
talk over with someone. But Mom
isn’t-there.to help.. He begins to
learn just a little of the physical en-
deavors his Mom made to keep his
clothes clean and neat so he could
look well. He was eating food that
although of fine quality, it wasn’t too
enjoyable because it wasn’t the way
Mom .used to make it. The longer
he’s away, the more he'd like to be
back home with his mom. There is
one thing he promises, when he does
get baek to stay, Mom won't have so
much of his things to take care of.
He hopes he has grown up just a lit-
tle now, and realizes what the real
story is.

I'm afraid I can’t put in words
what I want to. I don’t know the
words to express what I have in my
heart.. But I’m of the opnion that
“Mother's Day” should come every-
day, not once a year. They do so
jnuch, and ask’ so little in return;
they deserve much more than they

_ Bet. 3
These are words which have failed
to do all.I want them to do, but they
are the best I can do. 1 believe that
like all Mothers you can see what I’m
trying to say. I hope so. :
way from home and you, physically,

but spiritually Pll be near you al-

ways. I only wish I could send a
piece of my heart along with this
card so that it could tell you what
I'm trying to say with these measly

- of one, of

I'm a long

as foilows:” ;

“The failure to secure the passage
of the Anti-Poll Tax Bill H. R. 7
signified the defeat of an issue which
is bigger than the Poll Tax itself,

_.and_although-it fits.the case to,some_..It_.was.a_defeat of_a_principal..It

- was the defeat of an issue of global
implications in a global war. The
presses of the Axis country and the
anti-war and isolationists camp here
in America were given a weapon with
which they could bombard our allies
jot the occupied countries effective.
y:

There is no doubt that our enemies _

will use this weapon to assure the
peoples of the world that they will
fare no better, perhaps worse, if the

allies win this war or if the axis:

themselves were to be victorious.
They will be able to point out that
America itself has made a mockery
tenets in the Atlantic
~Charter—tie 1
dom. .
The Legislative Committee of Local
801 is proud that it participated in
the fight to seeure the passage of
H.R. 7 and its defeat does not mean
that the battle is over. The fight to
secure the rights to vote for all the
people in America, regardless of race
or color will continue, and our sup-
port is assured,”

Fort Edward Plant

Ralph Weir is the proud. father. of -

a baby girl and the cigars he passed
around were swell. Congrats Ralph!

Our fox hunters have stopped fol-
lowing’ the hounds now and the con-
versation is all about the “big one?”
that got away. To hear the Fort
Edward boys talk, it would lead. one
to believe that we have got sorie fish
in this country. .

Our niew committeewoman, Ann
Novitsky, on the second shift, is a
real worker. She deserves lots of
credit for her efforts as represent-
ative of Local 301. At present she is
on the first shift pending the induc-
tion of her husband in the armed
forces and who is now employed. in
the Schenectady works

A Statement of Policy

Electrical ‘Union News:

Publish and print the truth.

Be just and fair to all,

Demand equal justice for all re-
gardless of race, color, creed or na-
tionality,

War against those who try to de-
stroy human rights.

Fight those who. array humana
against humans for greed’s sake or
selfish interests,

Make every effort to bring about
periong between labor and industry,

ut

NEVER subordinate the interest
of labor.

words, That’s the only. way I could. ;

really say it.

I think of you often, Mom, espec-
jally each night in my prayers. I’m
looking to the day when T can come
home to stay.
back again then,

Well, it’s “Good Night, Mom” for
a while. I'll be seeing you even in
my dreams, As ever;

Your loving son,
SEX

Blood Plasma Is Needed Today

Tl have “my Mom”.

Let’s BACK THE ATTACK:
euy

WAR BONDS! .

May 9 in order.

French-with-

right “of political fréa-~

A Mircale in Bui

—Wrav Maatraini

Your correspondent wishes to take
most of his space in the. column this
waal—to—tal 2 2 7
took place in Building 81.. The event
and* individual whom ‘I am writing
about is Mario (Ace) Mastraini, a
Purple Heart veteran of World War
II who was also honored * by the

Guerre,” .

Ace enlisted in the service August
6, 1940, and after: training in the
‘States was sent to Scotland where he
trained for the African campaign. In
early January, 1948, in the battle of
St. Cloud, Ace was in a fox hole
when-a shrapnel shell of the enemy
exploded and threw him 30 feet in
the air, This severely wounded him
and also the severe concussion caused
‘Ace to lose his speech. After laying

for days in the muddy fox hole, he .

was found by the Red Cross which
took him: to a field hospital where he
regained some of -his srength and fi-

. nally after some time was sent home

and given an honorable discharge, be-
cause of his physical injuries.

‘After he had. sufficiently recov-
ered from them, Ace was not content
to hang around on his lau%els but
wanted to still do something to help
win the war. He was hired at the
GE as a porter and sweeper in the
100 percent inspection department,

Here he immediately made many ‘

friends and joined up in Local 801.

One day Ace, who is a cousin of
Shop Steward Wm, Mastraini, be-
came embroiled in a heated differ-
ences with a younger brother whom

education for. ‘During this, Ace be-
came so angry that he burst out in
speech, the first time he had spoken
for many months. Now he talks flu-
ently as ever.

We in the UE feel that returning

. service men who have given every-

thing for victory, are entitled to a
better job than that as porter and
sweeper, To our mind nothing is too

good for them and that they should °

be given every opportunity to earn a
decent living. : .

Congratulations are in order for
our own Johnny Dublae of the in-
spection department who won an
award for $565, for a real win-the-
war suggestion.

A horseback riding club is being
organized in Bldg. 81 with a slogan
“Ride for Your Health’, It is plan-
ned to ride at Gordie Ripce’ Riding
‘Academy on the Duanesburg road
where there are plenty of real good
riding horses. Anyone who would like
to join should contact yours truly for
Particulars.

Sal D'Amico, test man who is a
great showman and who did much
towards the success of the union

show..Fun-Za-Poppin”’..is leaving us...

to join up with Uncle Sam’s Navy.
We will all miss Sal and hope for
his speedy return after victory.

We welcome back Mrs. Keller who
has just returned after a month's
illness. Mrs. Keller is one of several
girls on the 7d-watt wheel who ‘have
been out for this reason. We wonder
if management realizes that this is
a really tough job for a woman.

Another girl on the same job who
had had to leave on account of ill-
ness is Anna May Faye We are sorry
to see her have to be out and hope
she will drop us a line to let us know
how she is feeling. y

Your truly is asking all Bldg. 81

" workers to drop a line to Congress-

man B, W. Kearney, Washington,
D.C, urging him to support the Price ,
Control bill which must be paseed’
without any damaging vider amend-
ments hy June 30th, Just a posteard
will do. This is important,
ee ee

Building 1L0A4—Rose Carbone
Carol Bucholski

vA letter was veceived from our fel-
low worker F. D. Carr who is in Bain.
bridge, Md., with the U.S.N. He says

- ‘per,

* elerk down.

he is trying to guide and provide an~ ~~~¢ollectors-or-committee,

“Hello” to all the. gang. and says
JU,.8.-N..is a good life;::

Welcome to S. R. 4 Virginia’ Mas-
lanka who.has come down ‘to’ stay
fro Websters. Fred Tannler left’

uay-sors LOriy.

tly
be with the U. S. N. soon,

Marion Waite who has been. ill for
five weeks is back. Glad you're bet-

the-famous: “Croix- de--~ter;“Marion. Glad losee“H. McGrath *
: _ Who will join our inspection gang. He

was from Building 40, :
Our sincere sympathy to Frances
Valeov on-~the recent death: of her

' father, °

The following persons have do-
nated blood to the Blood Donor’s

Life Saver Club. First time: Rose

Carbone, Eleanor Jones, ‘Dotty Loe-
John Laverty, Harry Simon,
Mike Baluck, Bob Beaudin.” Second
time: Jack Briggs, Fourth time:
Jean Laux. ,

\A little cold certainly got our file-’
A little rest did her
good. Glad to see you back, Jean,

a * ” :
Building 52—Bill Geier
The date? Tomorrow night, May 27,

1944, : a
The time? 9 P, M. to 2 A. M.

The place? PNA Hall on Crane St.
The event? Boys in Service Dance,
with Freddie ‘Gray's’ Orchestra,
The reason? To raise money for the
men of the Welded Products Dept,
who ‘have answered Uncle Sam's
call. Todate, almost $9,000 has
_ been sent to the 300 men who have

left us, ;

The cost? Only seventy cents, tickets
may be obtained from any of the

Will those who have donated blood
at the [Red Cross Blood Center, and
whose name is not on the honor roll,
please contact either Sam Faleone or
Bill Geier as soon as possible? We
would like to have our honor roll up
to’ date. Also, those who have not
donated, but would like to, please
see me, and we will make an appoint-
ment, Your blood may save a life!

What’s to the rumor about Paul
Canders and Herm Smith doing the

_-honors at the launching of the S. §.

Inman?
Theresa Lang will riddle-aisle it
one week from tomorrow; best of
luck, Tessie, :
John Quinn visited: us last week
looking fit as the proverbial fiddle,

‘and telling us about flood detail in

Mississippi, and Sally Matarazzo has
arrived in England according to the
latest report,

(A romance is blossoming right
under your nose, keep your eyes
open, and you'll be able to spot the
two involved. And it’s not the Wage
Rate and the Union! Definitely not!

ee | .
Troy Snipes

Jimmy Drake, formerly eniployed

“in Bldg. 46-8 was home on furlo gh

from the Great Lakes Naval Station
and while here was married to Miss
Elizabeth Loveless; a GE employea «=
We wish them many years of SUC-
cess and happiness, We have written
a poeny which should be a good tip
of what's coming from one who
knows,

Getting married is OK

The honeymoon is fine
_ But wait'until there’s a baby

And he starts crying

Just about midnight

When you'd like to sleep

He will swear he’s starving

And he’s got to eat: | :

You would like to feed him

But you know it won't do

For he doesn’t get his bottle

‘Till about half past two.

You'll take him on your shoulder

And walk the floor

Tustead of getting quiet

He will just holler: more

And you'll ba getting anadder

All the time and say

It's a darn good thing

That you are Mine, baby.

Blood Plasma Is Needed Today