Letter from Juan J. del Castillo to President Harry S. Truman

WE 407.B she strike c FILED BY DR. STEELMAN Do mise D 10, Montague Terrace Brooklyn, New York February 14, 1952 Honorable Harry S. Truman The White House Washington, D. C. My dear Mr. President:- I cannot fail to take this occasion to express my deep resent- ment at the fact that the Wage Stabilization Board is at present considering allowing an increase in steel workers' wages, and is also considering giving the CIO a closed-shop agreement with the steel industry. As far as the wage increase is concerned, I see no valid reason why steel workers should be favored over all others. Their average wages are already higher than those prevailing in other industries and their cost of living has advanced no more. Why should wages for other workers be frozen and steel workers allowed to get an increase? This will simply mark the beginning of a general round of wage increases, each led by a powerful union before which everyone in Washington bends their knees, including yourself. You have it within your power to make a profoundly good impression on the American people by telling the CIO that no increase at all will be allowed in the steel or any other industry. As to the closed- or union-shop agreement, I think this is one of the most revolting expressions of union power, which no government on earth has the right to force down the throats of workers. You know that this is true, and I am surprised that a man who has shown himself on other occasions to be a man of courage should be such a coward in the face of this un-American demand by the CIO. I hope there is still enough courage in the White House to cut the CIO down to size. Remember, there are many millions of voters in this country who feel exactly the way I do about unions and their illegal and rotten powers. Yours very truly, Juan J. del Castillo