Trade Unionists Unanimously Approve Aid For Democracies

Northern Advocate, 19 November 1941, Page 5

Trade Unionists Unanimously Approve Aid For Democracies

(Received 3 p.m.) DETROIT, November 18. THE CONGRESS OF INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATION AT ITS 1 NATIONAL CONVENTION GREETED A RESOLUTION FOR ALL-OUT SUPPORT FOR PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT’S POLICY OF AID TO BRITAIN, RUSSIA AND CHINA WITH A THUNDEROUS OVATION TODAY. The vice-president of the Textile Workers’ Union (Mr. Sanders Genis) declared that he did not favour abandoning any of labour’s principles, but he regarded the existing defence emergency as more important than helping 35,000 miners to get a closed shop. The president of the Transport Workers’ Union (Mr. Michael Quill) urged full support for the Allies. “We’ve had trouble with Senator Gerald Nye (Isolationist) and Mr. Herbert Hoover (ex-President), but the lone eagle will be turned into a lone vulture before we are finished with the isolationists,” he said.

Roosevelt Applauded < At every mention of President Roosevelt’s foreign policy, the delegates applauded. Banners were hung across the convention hall, reading, “Adolf Loves Lindy” and “Don.’t Be a Fifth Wheeler.” No one rose to challenge the resolution supporting Mri Roosevelt’s foreign policy. The President (Mr. Philip Murray) appealed for defence unity, because “this problem transcends in importance any other before this convention.” The resolution was adopted by a standing vote, which was called unanimous, although most of the delegates representing the United Mine Workers’ Association remained seated. President’s Message President Roosevelt sent a message to the convention. After extending greetings and felicitations to Mr. Murray the President reminded the members that annual conventions of American labour groups were symbols of freedom, which all must make every sacrifice to maintain.

He said: “I have every confidence that your members, recognising the imperative needs of the American people, in the interests of American defence, will co-operate with all other groups in the common and in the patriotic interest. “Americans will demand such a contribution from management and from labour, and from all other groups for the preservation of home, family, religion and the nation.” Labour’s Responsibility Repeating part of the message to the American Federation of Labour convention, Mr. Roosevelt said: “American labour organisations today have a great responsibility. “Enslaved workers all~ over the world look to their American brothers for the production of weapons which will make them free again. American workers cannot and must not fail them in their hour of need and our hour of need.”