The Union Review (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 27, No. 11, Ed. 1 Friday, June 28, 1946 Page: 1 of 4
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The LCnion Review
VOL. 27, NO. 11
GALVESTON, TEXAS, FRIDAY, JUNE 28, 1946.
Subscription Price $1.50 Per Year.
MYSELF AND ME
bilization Director Chester Bowles:
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WOLL URGES AFL UNIONS
TO HELP OOMBAT FAMINE
COSTS RISE 50-60 PERCENT
SINCE OUTBREAK OF WAR
JUDGE T. R. ROBINSON
ANNOUNCES AS CANDI-
DATE FOR RE-ELECTION
Official Organ of the
Galveston Labor
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AMERICAN
FEDERATION
OF LABOR
William Mahon, Street Rail Chief,
Retires After Fifty-Two Years
Council and Building
Trades
Congress Failed Public Mandate
By Stripping OP A, Green Charges
Vets’ Housing Program
Already Well Advanced
Three AFL Locals Given
Raise By Metals Firm
AFL DEMANDS OPA RENEWAL TO
STOP PROFIT RAID ON LABOR
Official Organ of Galveston Labor Council, Dock and Marine Council
and Affiliated Unions
Endorsed by the Texas State Federation of Labor
DOUBLE DUTY
_ DOLLARS—
MEANY SHARPLY CONDEMNS WFTU
AS “WORLD-WIDE FIFTH COLUMN”
LOCAL VOICE
OF THE
“Th© American Federation of Labor protests premature abandonment
of price control whether that is done by Congress or the OPA. The current
upsurge of rising prices cannot be checked if the Office of Price Administra-
tion continues its disregard of the consumer interest. In recent months, with
the present Price Control Act still in full effect, a series of administrative
actions, have brought about wholesale relaxation and elimination of price
ceilings by the OPA, climaxed by the order inviting a drastic rise in res-
taurant prices.
. “The climax was reached in the restaurant order issued by the OPA on
June 13, inviting drastic price increases on meals in restaurants and in-plant
feeding establishments. This order, secretly prepared, provides for a revision
of restaurant price ceilings in a form impossible of administration or enforce-
ment. It will result in a rapid increase in the cost of living of all who depend
on restaurants for their meals, especially the veterans and their families
and others unable to find homes. It will bring a hardship to millions of
wage earners who will have to meet an increase in lunch meals supplied by
the lunch rooms and cafeterias at their places of work.
“The OPA has been removing ceiling prices on hundreds of food items
on the ground that the prices would not go up to any significant extent.
Yet the upward revision of restaurant prices specifically acknowledges the
drastic rise in the very food items on which price ceilings had been removed.
“The American Federation of Labor believes that in price control ad-
ministration the difficult problems now confronting the restaurant business
must be recognized. Price control should allow a fair business return. But
labor cannot condone or countenance the cost-plus price raising regulations
which invite runaway prices on meals. At a time when restaurants are doing
capacity business it sees no justification for the OPA-sponsored profit guar-
antee.
“We ask that the restaurant price order be rescinded, reviewed and made
enforceable. It destroys price control on restaurant meals and sets a precedent
for the same unworkable regulation in other fields vital to^the consumer.
“Labor insists that effective administration of price control on all living
necessities and other commodities be maintained so long as scarcities persist.”
By AFL News Service.
Washington, D. C.—American Federation of Labor President William
Green forcefully appealed to the U. S. Senate to protect the earnings of the
nation’s workers from conscienceless profiteering by extending OPA for
another year without crippling amendments.
Denouncing the action of the House in approving amendments sponsored
by the “price death-lobby,” Mr. Green told the Senate Banking and Currency
Committee:
“I plead with the Senate to reject these amendments promptly and un-
hesitantly. Hesitation will only breed chaos. Delay will only multiply con-
fusion.
“Every day of postponement of the decision will help the profiteer and
hearten the speculator. If the Senate defers its final decision until the last
minute, it may be too late—Congress will already have embarked the nation
upon a journey into economic chaos.”
Declaring he spoke for 25,000,000 Americans—the 7,000,000 members of
the AFL and their families—Mr. Green painted a frightening picture of what
may happen to wage earners if price control is suddenly tossed out the
window.
“Experience with the removal of price controls to date is replete with
examples of what would happen if the Congress legislated the OPA out of
existence now,” he said. “There are dozens of items already decontrolled
on which prices have jumped as much as 100 per cent in a matter of days.
“If the lid is taken off prematurely, this upward movement would be
widespread and the cost of living would swiftly rise. That rise America can-
not afford and Congress must not permit.”
Mr. Green emphasized that the AFL does not favor permanent price
controls. But termination of controls must be an “orderly demobilization,
not a haphazard stampede,” he insisted. He warned that the OPA has been
moving too fast in relaxing controls, citing the fact that it has granted 200
industry-wide increases since V-E Day in order to spur production and has
allowed price adjustments to 20,000 business firms.
The ‘most dangerous” amendment passed by the House, Mr. Green de-
clared, was the Gosset decontrol amendment which would compel lifting of
price controls on the basis of a production formula which would automatically
kill ceilings on half the entire list of consumer items.
A second, “cost-plus-profit” amendment, Mr. Green said, would wreck
price control and guarantee high profits to manufacturers on every article
they produced. The red tape involved in trying to determine what would con-
stitute a “reasonable profit,” he warned, would completely paralyze OPA.
Mr. Green launched a vigorous attack on still another amendment de-
signed to liquidate subsidies on meats, dairy products, flour and certain
canned vegetables. This is a deliberate attempt to force a sharp boost in the
cost of living, he charged. Subsidies should be terminated as soon as condi-
tions permit, Mr. Green granted, but this should be done gradually and with-
out severe penalties to the nation’s consumers.
“By extending price control for one year without these crippling amend-
ments, Congress will not perpetuate government regulation indefinitely,”
Mr. Green said. “If it permits OPA to let go gradually, instead of all at once,
it will make the termination of controls more orderly and will make more
certain that regulation will end sooner.
“The OPA has not clung to the established controls just for the sake of
control. Since V-J Day it has been lifting numerous controls, often more
rapidly than we believe is safe.
“On behalf of the American Federation of Labor, and in the name of
the future prosperity of the entire “nation, I call upon the Senate to protect
the American people from disaster, by continuing OPA for one year.”
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I have to live with myself, and so
I want to be fit for myself to know.
I want to be able as days go by,
Always to look myself straight in the eye.
And hate myself for the htings I’ve done.
I can never hide myself from me;
I see what other may never see.
I know what others may never know;
I never can fool myself, and so
Whatever happens, I want to be
Self respecting and conscience free.
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By AFL News Service.
San Francisco.—Sharp condemnation of the World Federation of Trade
Unions, as a “world-wide fifth-column organization formed by the Russians
for the purpose of inculcating world-labor with the views of Soviet world
policy” was voiced by George Meany, secretary-treasurer of the AFL.
In an address before the California State Federation of Labor, at its first
post-war convention, Mr. Meany declared the WFTU, which is demanding
more than a consultative relationship with the United Nations, and which
claims a membership of 66 million, including 27 million Russians, “has a
big assignment in Soviet plans for the future.”
“A program for world domination calls for world-wide power and in-
fluence over those who produce,” he went on. “This so-called Federation of
World Labor could well be a very efficient instrument for world policy
through the use of the fifth column methods which Hitler used in some
countries with great effect.
“Needless to say, no proof of membership figures is required. However,
an analysis of the figures claimed, on which- voting strength is of course
determined, shows that Soviet Russia and the countries is controls have
about 70 per cent of the votes.”
Mr. Meany prefaced his attack on the WFTU by terming “ridiculous
nonsense” the idea “that we must not speak out frankly against the evils we
see in the recent actions of Soviet Russia, lest such utterances ‘worsen
relations’ between our two countries.”
“American labor, as represented by the American Federation of Labor,
has never accepted and will never accept the gag rule,” he declared. “We
know that all history shows the utter futility of trying to correct wrong by
refusing to refusing to recognize its existence.”
He praised Secretary of State James F. Byrnes as following, with respect
to Russia, “a policy that squares with our American desires and ideals,”
and said that “we want him to continue to defend democracy no matter
how much Molotov rumbles and roars and no matter how much the Com-
munists here at home squeal and scream.”
AFL leaders in Washington, Mr. Meany told his hearers, were “fully
cognizant” of the support they gave the nation’s defense effort before the
war “at a time when the Moscow-worshiping boys of the Congress of Indus-
trial Organizations were doing their damndest to stop production of aircraft
right here in California.”
He defended the right to strike, but not for “political purposes,” and
said that “out of 1,400,000 workers on strike on the fifteenth of February,
only 4 per cent were members of the American Federation of Labor.”
Gov. Earl Warren, who had the support of State AFL leaders in his
successful campaign for renomination, was greeted warmly by the 2,000 dele-
gates. Presiding at part of the opening session was State Senator Jack
Shelley, president -of the San Francisco Central Labor Council, AFL, who
predicted his own election next November as Lieutenant-Governor.
By AFL News Service.
Chicago.—William D. Mahon of Detroit, international president of the
AFL Amalgamated Association of Street, Electric Railway and Motor Coach
Employes for 52 years, retired at the age of 84. Delegates to the union’s
national convention here elected A. L. Spradling of Cincinnati as his suc-
cessor.
Mr. Mahon was associated with Samuel Gompers in establishing the
American Federation of Labor and was the oldest member of its Executive
Council, which he joined in 1917. He said he was withdrawing due to his
advanced age and ill health.
Tribute was paid to Mr. Mahon’s long service to the AFL at the Federa-
tion’s National Convention on the occasion of his 50th anniversary as presi-
dent of the organization.
Close associates described the veteran labor leader as “a good, straight-
forward, up-to-date trade unionist of the old school,” who had withstood the ■
brunt of trade union battle for a half century.
Later the convention approved unanimously a special tribute drafted
on instructions of its Committee on Resolutions. This pointed out that Mr.
Mahon had never faltered in his fight for “freedom through organization,”
despite the dark outlook for a union of street railway workers back in the
Nineties.
The late President Roosevelt, in a letter of congratulations to Mr. Mahon,
said:
“You and your organization may well be proud of the services you have
rendered so unselfishly and capably over a half century. The same feeling can
be shared by those in and out of labor circles who, down through’ the years,
have watched your career and seen you stand for all that is fair and honor-
able.”
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County Judge Theodore R. Robin-
son has announced that he will be a
candidate for re-election this year sub-
ject to the action of the democratic
primary.
Judge Robinson has always been a
friend of the working man and woman
and served with distinction as a mem-
ber of the legislature prior to becom-
ing county judge where his labor rec-'
ord was perfect.
Judge Robinson is known to be a
qualified and experienced judge and
has always conducted his court in a
manner that reflected credit upon this
county.
Judge Robinson made the following
statement in connection with his an-
nouncement.
“During the period of time that I
have served as County Judge I have
worked untiringly and conscientious-
ly in the interest of all the people of
this county, and I pledge the continu-
ation of faithful, competent and dili-
gent attention to all the duties of
County Judge.
“The affairs fo Galveston County
have never been on a sounder finan-
cial basis, and for three consecutive
years Galveston County has received
the exceptional recognition of the four
star award for excellence in the ad-
ministration of the county’s finances.
“If Galveston County is to attain
the progress to which she is rightfully
entitled during the complicated re-
conversion period just ahead, the af-
fairs of our county government must
continue to be administered by a
county judge who has the proper legal
training, experience and qualifications
to handle the job. Galveston County
now has in the final stage of prepara-
tion a progressive program for the
betterment and progress of the whole
county. These plans, subject to the
approval of the voters of this county,
contemplate the extension of the Gal-
veston eSawall Westward, the Texas
City Seawall, a comprehensive road
and drainage program for the whole
county, a county hospital on the main-
land, and a modern court house and
jail. The formulation of these plans
has been under the personal direction
and leadership of your county judge
whose knowledge of their scope and
the necessary course of action to be
taken to carry them out is essential
to their successful termination. The
election of an incompetent, untrained
and inexperienced county judge can
only result in disaster to the success
of this carefully formulated program,
and to the progress of this' county gen-
erally. Based upon my record in office
I offer for re-election and solicit the
vote and support of everyone.”
A/
RADESLNIPNCOUNCL
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teZas
PRRESS
ASS’
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By AFL News Service.
Washington, D. C.—The majority of
items which figure in the family
budget hove increased in cost more
than 50 per cent since the day the wr
started in Europe, the Bureau of Labor
Statistics reported.
Labor economists, however, consid-
ered the BLS figures much too con-
servative, as there is overwhelming
evidence, they said, that living costs
have risen more than 60 per cent.
“Food, clothing and house furnish-
ings costs, which represent 57 per
cent of the budget for wage earners
and moderate income workers in large
cities, are now a little over 50 per cent
higher than in August, 1939,” the bu-
reau reported.
Aeudk
By AFL News Ser vice.
Philadelphia, Pa.—An announcement
has been made of a general 15-cents-
an-hour increase for 1,200 production
and maintenance employes which be-
came effective on June 3, by the
United State gauge division of Ameri-
can Machine and Metals, Inc., Sellers-
ville.
The agreement was favored by three
American Federation of Labor locals
which have union contracts with the
company. On account of changing eco-
nomic conditions and due to the fact
that the existing agreement runs to
September 21, “the principals have
mutually agreed that the upward 'ad-
justment of wages should be made at
this time in order to correct inequi-
ties” caused by present economic
changes, the announcement said.
By AFL News Service.
Washington, D. C.—According to the
Federal Public Housing Authority,
two-thirds of the first 100,000 tem-
porary emergency dwelling units for
veterans under the emergency housing
program have been completed or are
under construction.
In the program to convert war sur-
plus housing, work is about to begin
on approximately 30,000 units, 13,500
others have been completed and 53,000
are under construction. About half of
the units have been allocated to edu-
cational institutions, with the remain-
ing half going to local communities
for veterans’ use.
goA
sxe19!-
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Mfr '
By AFL News Service.
Washington, D. C—A plea urging
AFL members to make use of the
Co-Operative for American Remit-
tances to Europe, otherwise known as
CARE, was issued by Matthew Woll,
vice president of the AFL, and is
zeing sent to locals throughout the
country.
CARE is a non-profit venture
through which individuals and organ-
izations may order “standard food
packages” for delivery to designated
relatives or friends in certain Euro-
pean countries. It was formed to re-
lieve famine abroad. The food pack-
ages weigh approximately 30 pounds
and provide an average of more than
40,000 calories.
REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR
By AFL News Service.
Washington, D. C.----Congress failed the Nation by destructive amend-
ments to the Price Control Act, AFL President William Green warned the
country. These amendments, he added, if permitted to become law, would
mean “complete abandonment of price control.”
“Congress,” he added, “failed to honor the clear, emphatic and over-
whelming mandate of the people to hold the line on the cost of living.
Congress voided its promise of post-war prosperity and full and stable income
to wage earners, salary earners, farmers and businessmen alike.
“The lifting of price ceilings on a number of commodities, as provided
for in the Senate Amendments, would result in mounting prices with corre-
sponding mounting discontent and disatisfaction among wage earners of
the nation.
“Surely it must be obvious to all thinking persons that reasonable price
control must be exercised until the nation approximates full production.
That is the only safeguard against inflation and inflationary prices as long
as shortages exist.
“Senate amendments rival the amendments adopted by the House in
their complete disregard for the need to maintain economic stability until
transition to expanded peacetime production is achieved.
“The failure of Congress to extend the Price Control Act for one year
without weakening amendments is bound to bring about widespread and
disruptive industrial strife. It will breed strikes. It will foster industrial
unrest against which economic stability is the best and strongest safeguard.
“The facts justify the conclusion that in order to protect the public
interest and preserve the basic principles of our national economy, the
President will be forced to veto the amended Price Control Act and to insist
on and demand the extension of adequate price control for such a period
of time as may be necessary.”
Supplementing this warning to the Nation, Mr. Green made public the
following statement to Price Administrator Paul Porter and Economic Sta-
a t
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The Union Review (Galveston, Tex.), Vol. 27, No. 11, Ed. 1 Friday, June 28, 1946, newspaper, June 28, 1946; Galveston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1441370/m1/1/?q=%22%22~1: accessed July 9, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Rosenberg Library.