RUHR UNIONS WANT GERMANS TO RUN INDUSTRIES

Grey River Argus, 19 May 1947, Page 5

RUHR UNIONS WANT GERMANS TO RUN INDUSTRIES

(Recfl 8.40) BERLIN, May 18. One thousand delegates of the Ruhr trade unions, meeting at Mulheim, unanimously passed a resolution demanding;— (1) The abolition of the dual system of economic control under which, they claimed, the military Government has interfered with the German authorities in their management, thus affecting the competence of control. (2) Permission for the establishment of a high seas fishing fleet and for German participation in whale fishing. (3) German participation in world trade. (4) Permission to increase the German petrol and rubber manufacture in order to maintain German industry and public utilities. (5) An end to the dismantling of the works other than the armament works. The resolution also requested the Military Government to continue the present food supplies on credit until Germany’s food is assured through her • own production. The meeting advocated a series of Control Committees, on which the unions would have a voice, to plan an economic programme, and the creation of new Economic Courts, empowered to inflict “economic punitive measures” on economic offenders. THREAT TO STARVING PEOPLE. Doctor James Newman, American military governor of Hesse, broadcasting to Germans, said American military power and the death penalty would be invoked, if necessary, to surb the German disturbances over the food shortages. There would be no strikes in Hesse, nor would any other agitations against the military 'governments’ policies be tolerated. He said: “There is no obligation on the United States to feed this country. It was defeated. Think of all this before you indulge too freely in self-pity, and before you impede the only programme which is generously offered to aid you. ’ He added that agitators, regardless of their position, would summarily be dealt with. He threatened the death penal tay. Thousands of silent Germans lined streets of rubble in Osnabruck to watch the Duke of Gloucester drive through the town to the barracks. There were military police at all intersections. The Duke inspected a British battalion and left by air.