ATTACK BY C.I.O.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 281, 26 November 1937, Page 7

ATTACK BY C.1.0.

FORD'S CHALLENGE.

Brush With Pickets at Works

In Detroit.

[DISCRIMINATION ALLEGED.

United Press Association.—Copyright.

DETROIT, November 25.

The first serious movement by the Committee for Industrial Organisation against the Ford Motor Company occurred when 1000 pickets attempted to prevent workers entering the factory. However, motor cars carrying loyalists crashed through the gates.

Mr. Henry Ford promptly accepted the challenge. He applied to the Circuit Court for an injunction to restrain pickets and others from interfering with his com3any's operations.

The petition also asked the Court to fix damages for loss due to interference. The situation brings to a climax a longstanding feud in which Mr. Ford has not disguised his hostility to the C.1.0.

It is a significant indication of the belief of the C.1.0. in its own strength and provides a dramatic reply to recent allegations that it was facing a financial crisis owing to the non-payment of dues in consequence of the trade recession, internal dissension and loss through the steel strike.

One thousand strikers and sympathisers picketed T;he works yesterday morning and were still present at closing time, but they did not interfere with the departing workers. A policeman had one leg crushed while he was escorting one of the cars of the nonstrikers.

Thirteen pickets were arrested on charges of assault and disturbing the peace.

Air. Delmond Garst, regional director of the United Automobile Workers, said the strike was due to discrimination against unionists. He alleged that 250 officers, shop stewards and other active unionists were not re-employed when the plant was reopened a few weeks ago.

The company's spokesman denied that there had been discrimination and asserted that the unionists wanted to control the plant.