U.S.A. WAR PRODUCTION

Grey River Argus, 9 April 1941, Page 6

U.S.A. WAR PRODUCTION

SPREAD OF STRIKES Question of Arbitration [Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.] PITTSBURGH, April 7. The United States Steel Corporation, and the steel workers’ organising committee .of the C. 1.0., agreed to-day to a second extension of tLe wage contract negotiations;, until April 15, thereby averting a strike by a quarter of a million employees, which was previously threatened to begin on Tuesday at mid-night. Th e New York “Journal .of Commerce” says: The strike threat against the United States Steel is expected to force the Administration to abandon its hands-off attitude toward labour, even if a United States steel strike is averted. The' vital need for maintaining operations in the defence industries, while negotiations over wages and conditions are ironed- out, is forcing the Administration officials, who are friendly toward labour, to favour some cooling-off period. The threat against United States Steel has shaken the hitherto complacent officials. While cooling-off legislation may be the first step toward drastic action on strikes, the Continued spread of disputes Is likely to cause the, Administration to look with favour on some form of compulsory arbitration. Many business executives who had vigorously opposed compulsory arbitration are now willing to accept some limited form of arbitration, because of their concern over the ' menace to the defence programme. WASHINGTON, April 7.

Mrs Roosevelt told a press conference that she had received numerous letters from mothers of soldiers, sailors and trainees, demanding a prohibition against strikes in defence industries. Her answer was that people should not make' snap or one-sided judgments. Hope for democracy would be pretty slim it groups could not be found who were able to see both sides .of the situation. When asked if she felt strikes caused a general antagonism to labour, she replied: "I suppose there is a general feeting that defence must not be held up. The question is not one-sided and it must be cleared up, so that defence production is not delayed Th e question is what is Labour’s fair share of increased income. This should be the subject of mediation with the entire situation considered. It is not entirely true that all the , Corporators defence profits will be paid out in taxes.”

Senator Lee asserted in the Senate to-day: “American ‘Quislings’ are going about the country telling people in so many words to sabotage the defence programme. Although our defence programme and aid to nations fighting aggression,) has been stamped with the approval of the American people, certain people are still stumping the country in an effort to destroy linity in America. Hitler helpers and Hitler-lovers are not satisfied that we' have passed this question.” Without naming names, but obviously referring to Senator Wheeler’s clique, he complained that those persons were using the radio to play on every discordant note in America. Order to Ford Cby, MUST MEET EMPLOYEES BARGAINERS (Received April 8, 9.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 7. The National Labour Relations Board has ordered that elections shall be held within forty-five days so as to give the employees at the Ford Motor Company plants in Dearborn and Detroit the opportunity of selecting bargaining agents.