Fraternity-Testvériség, 1954 (32. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1954-12-01 / 12. szám
IN PLAIN AMERICAN A monthly page conducted by Edmund Vasvary &Z&Z$>Z$Z$MX$ THE UNEMPLOYMENT report of the government for early November gives room for cautious optimism. The gist of the report is that the seasonal rise in unemployment was less severe than expected. At this part of the year farm and construction employment is usually sharply reduced. This year is no exception to the rule, but the increase of non-farm employment was greater than usual. The actual situation as of today (middle of December) is even more encouraging. Steel output is over 80% of capacity and still advancing, while last year there was a drop from 95% to below 88%. There are pessimistic prophets who still maintain that unemployment will rise in the coming year, but it is an established fact that during the last 10 years American economy consistently fooled these prophets of decline. ★ ★ ★ SINCE THE UPWARD TREND of business is more than seasonal and is likely to last through the coming year, Washington expects more aggressive wage demands from labor. The unions are usually more demanding in prosperous years and since the cost of living is likely to go slightly upward, the demands will come. The circumstances will be favorable for wage raises. ★ ★ ★ THE CIO shares the conviction of those who expect a satisfactory new year. A “confidential” report circulated among the leaders at the recent convention in Los Angeles estimates that 1955 will be better than 1954, but not so good as 1953. An increase of 1 and half to 2 and half % in production and services is anticipated, but this will be not enough to insure full employment. ★ ★ ★ THE CIO CONVENTION unanimously a- dopted two important resolutions at its final session. The first one calls for a guaranteed annual wage, and the second demands a bipartisan foreign policy to keep the United States out of war. The annual wage deman was emphasized by CIO President Reuther (unamious- ly elected without opposition for a third term) and the convention pledged full support to the efforts of the unions, which will make this question the chief issue in the coming year. It will be the top demand in the auto workers’ negotiations, according to Reuther, which will put aside a fund of 25 million dollars in case a strike will be called. The resolution calls the demand “sound, practical and desirable. Its acceptance “would dispel communist claims that unemployment is inevitable under capitalism and will lead to its overthrow.” The other resolution requests the U. S. government to turn its back “on the handful of military adventurers, who would risk throwing the United States into a preventive war.” ★ ★ ★ THE QUESTION of the merger of the AFL and CIO is still being considered by both bodies, but Reuther’s keynote speech made it plain that in his opinion the hoped-for unity is by no means certain. REUTHER is very emphatically against those who would like to see the United States start a new war against the Soviet. No country could assume the moral responsibility for the great tragedy of starting a war of any character,—he said. ★ ★ ★ THAT THE MAJOR LEADERS of labor consider the troublesome problem of Sen. McCarthy of Wisconsin with misgivings, was made also clear by Reuther’s spech. According to him, the last election clearly demonstrates that McCarthy is losing his hold on voters. He was “happy” to report that “the junior McCarthys” were all decisively defeated. He has only one regret, that McCarthy was not facing the people, instead of just the Senate. If he had been up for re-election, he would have been retired to oblivion where he belongs. ★ ★ ★ ORGANIZED LABOR asserts that Secretary of Labor Mitchell failed to keep a promise made a year ago at last year’s CIO convention, that he will make recommendations for congressional action to raise the 75 cent level of the minimum wage law. He tried to keep his promise but the idea was vetoed by the President’s economic advisers on the ground that the then declining national economy was not in shape for such a far- reaching reform. President Eisenhower in his economic message to the nation last January said that recommendations would be made “at the proper time.” Although he faced certain opposition even in the cabinet, Secretary Mitchell is preparing (continued to page 4)
