Fraternity-Testvériség, 1953 (31. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1953-05-01 / 5. szám
IN PLAIN AMERICAN A monthly page conducted by Edmund Vasvary CONGRESS IS DECIDEDLY COOL to the proposition of President Eisenhower to enact legislation to the effect that during 24 months 240,000 displaced persons would be admitted to the United States. To the majority of Congress the proposition smacks very much of “politics” — whatever meaning the legislators can squeeze into this comfortably expandable word. Too bad if the President's humanitarian intention remains only a noble gesture. ★ ★ ★ THERE ARE TOO MANY conflicting ideas about the “improvements” concerning the much debated Taft- Hartley labor law. Some bitter critics, like John L. Lewis, the miners’ leader, would not be satisfied with anything less than outright repeal; others want changes only. Almost everybody agrees with this latter group. The slowly grinding mill of Congress tries to prepare the matter so that the amendments could be passed before recess in July, but many people don’t believe this to be possible. ★ ★ ★ STEEL STRIKE? The big question of American industry is—is a steel strike coming or not? So far, the signs indicate a compromise settlement of the big question. The United Steelworkers Union (CIO) demands a wage increase for its more than one million members. The companies say that nothing justifies the claim this year. Labor is in a somewhat weakened position for the present. The steel union’s new leadership is not strong enough yet. The workers still remember, very vividly, last year’s 55-day strike and the hardship that followed in its wake. The fact that there is a new administration in Washington somewhat less friendly to labor than the leaders of the previous 20 years, is again something to be reckoned with. It is very significant that the steel union’s wage- policy committee at its Atlantic City meeting demands a “general” wage increase — and not the usual “substantial” hike. The government’s cost-of-living index is now where it was last year, when the workers received a 16-cent- an-hour increase and in some branches five cents more. The union, however, maintains that a new rate is necessary since high prices make impossible the “adequate” living standards. They top this argument with the statement that the greater profits of the companies justify a larger share of these profits for the workers. It is only natural that there is little enthusiasm for a strike, but the fact remains that the steel workers’ leaders are talking about 10-cents-to-15-cents general wage increases. So, while a strike is not impossible, it is improbable, as things stand now. In all probability “compromise” will be the magic solution. ★ ★ ★ THE HUNGARIAN COOK BOOK IDEA proved to be a very fortunate one from the very beginning. The ladies of the Perth Amboy Free Church and of the Elyria, Ohio (E-R) congregation, independently from each other, published a well written, useful Hungarian cook book, both of which were a success from the start, so much so that it became necessary to issue several new and enlarged editions. The several dozen that my wife ordered went like hot cakes and there are new customers clamoring for them every day. If you ladies want to give much appreciated presents to your girl friends or American acquaintances on any occasion, then get in touch with Mrs. Helen Vincze, 331 Kirkland Place, Perth Amboy, N. J., or Mrs. Irene Novak, 119 W. River Street, Elyria, Ohio. You will nevere regret it if you follow this tip. ★ ★ ★ IT IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT FACT that in England, where the steel industry is still nationalized, the steel workers’ union itself is quietly supporting the companies to return the industry to private ownership. And what is even more significant, leaders of the Labor Party are ready to renounce any attempt to take over the steel industry again in case Labor would come to power. Union leaders in general are against state ownership of industry. There are two reasons for this surprising stand. One is that the “boss” is still very much there in the nationalized industries, and he is often worse than he formerly was. The other reason is that state ownership naturally curtails the rights of organized labor. ★ ★ ★ WE DON’T WANT TO URGE anybody to trade in his old jalopy for a new car, but it is very probable that installment buyers soon will have to pay higher interest on their balances. Money is getting tighter, and in some instances even finance companies need new money, which they can get only on a higher interest basis. There is already talk about new restrictive measures against credit extended for a too long period. For instance, the three-year credit limit for new automobiles probably will be shortened. ★ ★ ★ THE CASE OF IGNATZ MEZEI, stateless Hungarian, contains at least one important lesson for those who are able to profit by other people's mistakes. The lesson in this case is simply that in times like these it is better not to be a member of an organization which is branded subversive (that is, traitorous) by high offices of the country. This Mezei, who for a number of years lived in Buffalo, N. Y., left the United States for a visit to Europe, but when on his return he was asked whether he had been a member of the IWO, his answer that he was, immediately started a series of troubles which probably will never end for him. We Hungarians know very well what the IWO is or was. For many years our publications have warned our people to avoid membership in this organization. Without any doubt, Mezei, who speaks only Hungarian, read these warnings, but in spite of them, he remained president of his branch in Buffalo from 1939 to 1945. Since he was not born in Hungary, he is not a Hungarian national. Deportation proceedings were instituted against him. The immigration authorities contacted 25 countries about their willingness to admit Mezei to their territory, but 17 of these have already turned down the request. He is now an inmate of Ellis Island, where he is working for 10 cents an hour. He used to make $2.82 as a cabinet-maker. As a man without a country, it is possible that he will remain on Ellis Island for the rest of his life. The Supreme Court already has ruled that an alien, barred from this country, could be held indefinitely on Ellis Island, or at least until the government found a country which is willing to admit him.
