C.I.0. CHALLENGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 128, 26 November 1937, Page 9

C.1.0. CHALLENGE

FORD PLANT PICKETED

CLIMAX TO LONG FEUD

TEST OF STRENGTH

(United I'rcsa Association—By Electric Telograpli—Copyright.)

DETROIT, November 24

The first serious movement by the Committee for Industrial Organisation against Mr. Henry Ford occurred when 1000 pickets attempted to prevent workers entering the factory grounds, but automobiles carryingloyalists crashed the gates.

Mr. Ford promptly accepted the challenge and applied to the Circuit Court for ah injunction to restrain the pickets and others from Interfering with the operations of the factory., A petition which the Court took under' advisement also asked for the.fixation of damages for loss due to interference.

The situation! is a climax to a longstanding feud in which Mr. Ford has not disguised his hostility to the C.1.0., and is also a significant indication of the Cl.O.'s belief in its own strength, providing a dramatic reply to recent allegations that if was facing a financial crisis owing to non-payment of dues consequent on trade recession, internal dissension, and a loss on ths steel strike.

A thousand . strikers and sympathisers picketed the works this morning and were still present at closing time, but they did not interfere with thf! departing workers,. A policeman whose 1 leg was crushed while escorting a nonstriker's car was the only major casualty. • During the day thirteen pickets were arrested on charges of assault and disturbing the peace.. Mr. Delmond Garst, regional director of the United Automobile Workers, said that 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 reopened a few weeks ago. Spokesmen for Mr. -Ford deny discrimination and assert that the unionists want to control the plant, Sympathetic action is possible Jr. other Ford plants. The workers at Kansas City have -been warned to be prepared for action.