Page ACCION Saturday, March 15, 1947.
OFFICERS, UPW CIO LOCAL 713 to which he answered no.
Francisco Arauz.
FROM WHERE STAND. President He was also asked if he was a Graham Lewis 1st Vice President Socialist; again Roosevelt ansBy FOSTER BOURNES wered no. In apparent exasAlfonso Alexis.
2nd Vice Pres.
peration the intrepid reporter Teodoro Nolan.
Secretary Treasurer wards we endeavor to find a shot his bolt. What then Cespedes Burke. Recdg. Corresp. Secy.
medium for harmony we should is your philosophy?
INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES be able to work beneficially shot back: Philosophy? J. Strobel International Vice Pres.
even in the face of unreason am a Christian and a DemoHis was Edward Cheresh.
ing opposition. In a word lets crat.
Regional Director philosophy, endeavor to plant our feet therefore, which transcended ACCION on solid earth while working love of self in the scramble of toward a basic understanding contemporary politics; and Published every week by Local 713, of problems as they arise. The self preservation. Is it any United Public Workers of America, CIO watchword is: Let matter of wonder then that the common fact realism be our guide.
Teodoro Nolan Acting Editor people of all lands loved him so greatly or that the voters Frank Thompson. Circulation Some of the Stewards of During the war just ended of the nation returned him Aptdo. 1709, Panama, Drawer Balboa, our Local Union have been President Roosevelt squelched every term as champion of the under a veritable barrage of his critics with these few underdog?
VOL. PANAMA, No. criticisma lately because, so th words. We have to do the story they have not been best we know to do at the EDITORIALIt is doubtful if Franklin doing a good job of fronting moment. If it doesn turn out Delano Roosevelt and his phyFor many years silver employees have for the members they are sup right we can modify it as we losophy could save the world worked with the impression that theirs must have posed to represent. We should go along. We should not be from catastrophe, but we belibeen the responsibility for the greatest sins com not be too eager to agree with afraid of criticism if we are eve and so state that his great mitted since their service and loyalty in this this form of detraction be extending ourselves for pro and all embracing love of huarea has not been duly appreciated beyond much easier to decry than to manity: his relentless struggle words. This is an old story; as old as the Pa apply ourselves to the work late President Franklin Dela his supreme sacrifice for the Some few years ago the against oppression and finally nama Canal itself. But it is increasingly evident at hand. We would rather no Roosevelt was being heck good of the whole world should that such an impression is not here to stay. take to the middle of the road led by a reporter who asked be a cynosure for the eyes of Several acts committed by the Panama Canal in matters pertaining to the him if he was a Cummunist, his countrymen.
Zone Administration in recent months are be hasty condemnation of any of group of individuals, ginning to take effect on the membership of Lo mostly volunteers, who have cal 713 and the officers have been able to feel tackled a job which calls for satisfied with Union progress as regards these the investment of undelimited WITH THE ORGANIZERS favorable changes.
time, and brings a mountain of headaches without compenOne of the most pressing needs of the memsation bership was the presence of an instrument The advant of unionism through which their grievances could be heard among silver workers is so and remedied. This need has been attended novel that we sould try to and, in most cases, the procedure set up for the expand our understanding by purpose has proven of value and a real safe learning as rapidly as we can guard against abuse. Then there are the new sentation in sincere efforts, to the principles of union repreregulations for sick and rest leave which are foster a happier medium for considerably improved over the old regulations. all concerned. It will be quite Here too the worker has found sufficient evi. some time before all Stewards dence of improvement in official consideration. will be completely liberated And several other instances could be cited to because a man is unable to from the constriction of fear, show that Canal Zone officialdom, on the highest make himself over in day.
LABOR STRENGTH MAKES levels, sympathize with our cause.
The complexities of the job GOVERNMENTS STRONGER On the other hand, there are a number of are legion, and a Steward, if supervisors down the line who refuse to coope conscientious, may be called rate with any adjustment program where the defender, negotiator, sagacious cient die hards (Metal Trades Council)
upon to try his hand at being Contrary to the opinion of a fist full of anwho unfortunate silver worker is concerned. These adviser and or interpreter, have squawked about the auto replacing the lose no time in an effort to make known their without training of any kind. horse and ox cart in 1914 (see your Canal Zone intention to hold on to the old line philosophy We aver that it would be of white supermacy in all avenues. On ac unreasonable to expect a bat history. it is our firm belief that an organized malcount of their attitudes some workers have been ting average of 1000 under Canal Zone will not only correct many disposed to place their faith in the administra. less we believe that it is the cil but will result in a general improvement of existing conditions, never the practices engaged in by the Metal Trades Countion just so far and no further since whatever duty of every Steward to tack not only Panamanian and West Indian Labor good is done can on many occasions be adulte le the assignment with assurrated and sometimes nullified by the immediate ance and with a view to im but of North American Labor as well.
supervisors. It is regrettable that this should proving the morale of every This same group (MTC) and a few others be so. Such actions and attitudes on the part re. This will in turn make of of like ilk have said for many years You know of supervisors and members contribute nothing the job less of a grind and these people, they re just not capable of learning towards the improvement of conditions and tend more of an adventure. Also anything, etc. etc. ad nauseam. Well, we say to continue a situation that is unhealthy in its if we do this we will find that whoy squawk now so loud and vociferously when every phase.
The recent announcements that civil serv. are not immune to consideraso little to fear. Human beings equal competition is offered in Civil Service examinations?
ice jobs will be open to Panamanians has caused such a commotion from the labor union of tion and if in the exercise of the duties incumbent on SteEdward Cheresh.
bosses (Metal Trades Council) that we feel glad they hadn the chance to put into operation the McCarran Amendment. Whatever good instigation of the MTC to determine whether GREEK CIVIL there could be in that amendment would cer the alien employees on the Canal Zone were tainly have perished in their hands. The few a menace to the safety of the Panama Canal. SERVICE WORKERS in the Silver roll circles who paused to wonder At the investigation old Sam Whyte of the weak ON STRIKE on the possibilities of the amendment good will and puny PCWIEA roundly trounced Charles being turned into concrete action by these bos Wahl of the strong and powerful MTC and won ATHENS (ALN) All post ses must have suffered much embarrassment the public commendations of the Congressional offices and courts in the Greek when the strong leaders of the MTC began Committee Chairman.
capital were closed Jan. 23 their sudden though well expected anti Panama In that investigation the Administration sup workers went on strike for a as nearly 4, 000 civil service nian shouts of wrath.
ported the retention of silver employees and 100 increase in pay. The goBut we can rest assured that the local ad made no bones about the loyalty these workers vernment, which has been proministration will support and put into operation have manifested throughout their service. Is mising social justice to the the action of the Government agencies. And there any reasonable doubt that the Adminis workers while arresting electhis support would not be without precedent. tration will again support a measure justly and ted union leaders and outlawWe well remember the investigation conducted fairly opened to members of the silver roll? threatened severe measures unby the Congressional Committee in 1936 at the We think not.
less strikers return. BIBLIOTECA NACIONAL ERNESTO CASTILLERO