Page Four THE B.C. LUMBER WORKER uly 25, 1942 Looking Ahead By LEN DE CAUX CIO Director of Publicity E simplest way to describe a social conflict—particularly in press head- lines—is to personalize it as a fight be- tween the leaders of the two opposing sides, But it is not the truest way. A great historic development like the birth of the CIO used to be popularly described as if it were a prize fight be- tween Lewis and Green, Similarly today the papers are full 6f the personal conflict between CIO Presi- dent Philip Murray and Mine Workers President John L. Lewis. But we have to probe far beyond head- lines and personalities to get the real story of a clash which concerns millions of people besides these two men. Philip Murray took his stand at the Washington executive board meeting as president of the CIO, not just as plain Phil Murray. He was accorded the unani- mous support of the movement he heads, not just because the union representa- tives felt he had been rottenly treated, but principally because they recognized him as spokesman and champion of the policies desired by their memberships. Lewis, on the other hand, was de- nounced by the same meeting because he had come to be identified in the minds of the delegates with policies abhorrent to most of the membership of the CIO. Just a few years ago Lewis was the unchallenged leader of the CIO, the hero of millions of workers who saw in him their champion. But recently not a voice was raised in his defense at a representa- tive meeting of the national CIO. What are the real causes of such a basic change? Many people date the beginning of this change to Lewis’ endorsement of Willkie in the 1940 elections. This was admit- tedly a shock to millions of labor ad- mirers of Roosevelt, And Lewis himself interpreted the labor vote for Roosevelt as an expression of lack of confidence in his own leadership when he retired from the CIO presidency. But political endorsements in them- selves have seldom been enough to de- termine confidence in union labor leader- ship. It was much more the issue of the spreading world war that created an in- ereasingly sharp contrast between the policies of Lewis and those of the new president of CIO. The America First group was widely distrusted by American working people, more because of the reactionary and even pro-Fascist character of many of its leaders than because of its isola- tionism. The association of Lewis with this group, through his daughters’ mem- bership, created wide labor suspicion and concern, And when in the summer of 1941 Hitler turned east, transforming the conflict between Britain and Germany into a world war without discernible limits, Lewis continued such associations, He joined with discredited reactionary poli- ticians like Herbert Hoover, Charles G. Dawes and Henry Flejcher in a statement opposing aid to invaded Russia and de- nouncing Roosevelt's policies of prepara- tion for the increasingly inevitable in- volvement of the U.S, po" NORE GUARANTEED "J iLL WORK GUARANTEED SERVICE JEWELERS / Dealers in Diamonds Watches and Jewelry EXPERT WATCH AND JEWELRY REPAIRING saanceecunsecen s ’ s ‘ ’ ’ 6 ’ s ’ t e s 0 ~ 28 E. HASTINGS ST. __VAN,, BO. Beene OOS S CSS s a attempt to arrive at a solution. Labor is represented by two members of the board, ©. Pritchard from the Plumbers and Steamfitters' Union, AFL, and Alex McAuslane, vice-president of the Canadian Congress of Labor. Ship- yard operators are represented by D. M. Service, North Vancouver Ship Repairs Ltd., and Lewis of the Vancouver Bur- rard Drydock Company, with Mr. Justice S. E. Richards as chairman. Lawrence Anderson, secretary of the Joint Shipyard Conference, presented a brief on behalf of the conference, outlining the aims and objects of the unions in this present situation, stat- ing that it was not the intention of the unions to pose one production plan against another, but rather, through exposure of inefficiencies and bottle- necks, to establish a basis for an all- je out production program. “Canada’s part in the shipbuilding pro- gram of the United Nations clearly de- mands a national policy,” the brief sta- ted, “a policy whereby the absolute max- imum number of ships wil be produced in the absolute minimum period of time. All Canada’s ship production must be or- ganized in accordance with this single national purpose to which all else is made subordinate.” “The Conference wishes to make its general position on maximum produc- By the time of the CIO Detroit con- vention in the fall of 1941, the lines were clearly and sharply drawn. Am- erican Jabor was now almost unani- mously convinced—as shown by every democratic union expression—that Hit- lerism was a world menace to freedom and democracy everywhere, including the United States; and that President Roosevelt's policies of all-out opposition to this menace must be supported. Murray was tho outstanding spokes- man of this conviction on the part of American labor. The Detroit conven- tion followed him without qualification because he voiced what every delegate Imew to be the true sentiments of labor's millions. But Lewis’ personal representatives at this convention both by their commit- tee opposition to Roosevelt's foreign pol- icles and by their refusal to join in the demonstrations for Murray, confirmed the growing impression that Lewis had parted company with the rank and file of American labor on the war issues, None of the events since that time have delected this impression. On the con- trary, all the disruptions for which the CIO board has now publicly indicted Lewis—his attempts to undermine Mur- ray’s leadership, his refusal to pay per capita to the CIO, his maneuvers with Hutcheson, the raiding activities of Dis- trict 50, ete.—give evidence of being an outgrowth of a basic policy. This is the real background to the Lewis-Murray clash, which explains why the CIO membership now rallies so unani- mously behind Murray. “The greater the difficulties are, the stronger we resist. The final victory must be ours.”- “China Today.” HANEY TAILORS 62 East Hastings St. Phone MA. 5834 Vancouver, B.O. WE GUARANTEE A PERFECT FIT AND COMPLETE SATISFACTION! ‘Dr. P. D, Chang, in tion unmistakably clear. Shipbuilding, in our view, is a problem of grave inter- national importance. Victory or defeat in this war depends in a large measure on the ability of the United Nations to transport war materials to the battle- fronts and that transport depends on ships.” “workers can no longer be looked upon as mere cogs in the industrial machine,” the brief continued. “They must be considered in the full sense of the word as partners in this gigantic effort. They must be taken into the full confidence of both operators and the government. Should this be done, and the workers’ proposals considered without reservation, we can anticipate tremendous improvements.” Briefs will be submitted by all the major unions concerned and testimony heard from workers on the jobs. Hear- ings wil continue until a full investiga- tion has been carried out and should bring results in increased production of ships, the lifeline to Allied fighting forces, the key to victory. IWA Resolution On Pacific Rangers Whereas Canada’s Pacific Coast is in imminent’ danger of attack from fascist Japan, thereby threatening our democratic institutions, including our labor organizations as well as our very homes and lives; and Whereas the organization and train- ing of guerrilla bands has proven of inestimable value elsewhere in with- holding fascist invasion with all its consequent horrors and suffering; Therefore be it resolved that the IWA, B.C. District Council, in Semi- Annual Conference assembled, urge: (1) all IWA members to Iend every support and participate in the or- ganization of the Pacific Coast Militia Rangers; the government and ‘military au- thorities to make available as Much equipment and supplies as can be spared from the regular army; and training be extended as rapidly as Possible to include the use of home- made weapons such as gas bombs, ete., which may be sorely needed in case of invasion. (2) (3) “Green Gold” CJOR Every Tuesday . . . 7:45 P.M, eee JOHN STANTON Barrister, Solicitor, Notary 503 Holden Building 16 East Hastings St. MArine 5746 a MODERN AND OLD-TIME — DANCING — EVERY SATURDAY Hastings Auditorium—828 BH. Hastings MODERATE RENTAL RATES eo Shipyard Union Briefs to Commission Urge Means for Increased Production Evidence to -be presented by the unions before the government- appointed commission to investigate operation of the 7-day production plan in B.C. shipyards; will reveal the present obstacles to all-out produc- tion in the yards and air the grievances and problems of the men in an LETTER FROM IWA MEMBER OVERSEAS The letter below was received recently after several months of delay en route from overseas: . Dear Brother: I received your interesting letter today. I almost gave up hopes, but I suppose by the time you get this you will be feeling the same way. After all, union members should never give up. I have not belonged to the union very long but I haven't worked in the bush long either, only from the 1st of August, 1941. However, I soon found out what the union meant to the workers. When I was at Allison's camp we got a raise of 50c a day, almost as much increased wages in one month as my dues for the whole year. Well, I will be exonerated while I am in the army. I only get $20 a month to spend and I have to buy all my luxuries out of that. My next leave comes up on April 20. I should like to get some letters about conditions in B.C. and to get some of the boys to write, When I get the “B.C, Lum- ber Worker” I will pass it on to my com- rades in the other house. A lot of them are interested in the union on the coast, although they are from all parts of Can- ada. I will also pass it on to the Scottish sawmills, where they are sorely in need of a union to straighten things up. Their logs are three to four feet through and not much longer. They push the logs by hand until their hands are blistered and full of callouses. They get less than $3 a day with their board talfen off. Then comes the government tax and it takes nearly all the remainder. I hope you boys have been able to build the loggers’ union in B.C., which is the only way to get good money, good grub and conditions. I would like you to send me the loggers’ Time Book if it is not asking too much and to hear from some of you soon. I have never had any of my letters censored yet so here's hoping some of the boys read my letter in the paper and drop me a line. B. MacCABE, K42537, Canadian Forestry Corps, Canadian Army Overseas, 19th C/o pene eeenennenenecnnnecennenny Loggers, Shipyard Workers, Laborers, § meet your friends at the REX CAFE Ltd. Where All Union People Eat HOME OF TASTY MEALS Union House J. Mirras, Mgr. § 6 EAST HASTINGS PAc. 67414 hmnwnnennnnnnennnnnnnunnnnnnl D ‘ s 4 ‘ s , , ’ 6 ‘ 4 = s s 4 Money To Loan ‘ 4On Men's Suits, Overcoats, Logging § Boots and Sleeping Bags. San Francisco Tailors 52 WEST HASTINGS ST. (4 Doors West of Beacon Theatre) Meet Your Friends at MANITOBA HOTEL 44 W. Cordova St. Outside Rooms — Elevator Service Stéam Heat — Reasonable Rates Centrally Located PA. 0267 N. J. THOMPSON, Mgr.