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<br /> , SPECTAL Tr� �E'i'IRTG O F TI3E BOARD CF-PUBLIC SAFETY
<br /> SGUTH BEND, IT�DIAIv'�1 �
<br /> NOVE'i�B�R rl, 1y39
<br /> A special meeting of the 3oard of Public Safety was called at
<br /> 10 :30 A.�:�. , Pdove�ber 7, 1939, at the request of certain C.I.O. uniori
<br /> officials as represented by an unsi�ned letter addressed to t�e i�s�yor
<br /> on Plovember 4, 1939, and presented to and placed on file ti^rith the
<br /> Board. All mernbers �f the Board were present, together with� the I?ayor,
<br /> 2nd the folloti�ving representatives of various C.�.O. organizations : �d
<br /> '��fygant, ti°Jilliam Qgden, Chester Ralston, Eldon P.iatthez-as, r.?ose ��ucela,
<br /> Jar:ies 1',�cEz�ran, r=�ack Foy, Fred Fulford, Cainiel Cooney, John Shaffer,
<br /> ' Charles hassl�, and Oliver A. Switzer, Attorney for C. I.O. Counc�l from
<br /> Fort �4(ayne, Indiana.
<br /> • T�ZR. S'adITZER opened the discussion by sayin�, "S°Je �°lish to c�ll the
<br /> attention of the Board and the P.iayor to the letter vrhich was addressed
<br /> to the T!iayor on TTovember 4, 1939, as �iving �he basis of our complaint
<br /> and enlarge upon it at this time : The basis of our claim is that the
<br /> Chief �ras brou�ht here fran ��tichita, ha.nsas. VYichi�ta, Fiansas, as we
<br /> have found out, is of a different social mind than South Berd. Our or- '
<br /> ganization of tivorkers have not gone very far in ;o'ichita. 1",gost of our
<br /> z^�orkers in South �3end are in plants in z�rhich C. I.4. v�rorl� prevails. A
<br /> netiv situa�ion arises with the Chief being transplanted into the city of
<br /> South Bend because he is of a different social mind and diifererit social
<br /> attitude. His appointment, as «e stated in our letter,. caused much an-
<br /> I ta�onism because of his being brou�ht in as a straneer �o South3end.
<br /> That antagonis� has not been overcone. He, himself, has done nothing to
<br /> Iessen that a tagonisr:i. He has the ti�rrong attitude toward 1�bor in South
<br /> Bend. P�othing has ever been done and nothing nas ever been said that
<br /> ivculd alleviate that in our minds. The majority of the citizens in South
<br /> �end do not like the attitude he has ta�ren and or��nized labor can be s�id
<br /> to reflec� the minds of the ���orkers.
<br /> rle did not ccme dot�un this m.ornin� to rnake petty issue of this thing.
<br /> .�le a.re concerned about the things that he has done. The aggregate of his
<br /> attitude has been one to intensify the feel�ng reflected in the �inds of
<br /> the r.ia3arity of the people of Sou�h Bend. I believe �ve can safe�y say
<br /> that this has led to t��is crisis. I can assure you �hat C.�i.O. is �oing ,
<br /> to fight to protect certain rights ti�rhich must be safeguarded.
<br /> In tlro instances he personallv and fercefully ascor�ed through the ;
<br /> picket line those �vhom ti�e felt tivere not jus�ified in going through the
<br /> pickket line. VJe l�o�� policemen in squad cars were detailed to strikes '
<br /> ��here things �rere peaceable and there tvas absolutely no hint of violence.
<br /> He, by his presence, and by the presence cf all his police officers, ��as
<br /> able to intimidate our cause. It was qv.ite a blo�v to the boys to have
<br /> this instance happen. T�ese t��ro instances crystalize the general situation.
<br /> tixJe feel tnat you are actualls public serva.rits and officials to repre- '
<br /> sent us. �ife feel safe in saying that this is the attitude of tne yJOrkers
<br /> in South Bend at the present tirie. These vrorkers are very acutely aware
<br /> of the stake t hey have and organized labor represents their only salvation.
<br /> Chief I��ram represents the only a_ pparent factor that can threa�en
<br /> organized labor v�hen he tried to break through picket lines. T�le feeling '
<br /> is �hat v�e just cantt have this man in our midst. �'Ve feel that since
<br /> tive are representing the majority of the citizens in South Bend that we
<br /> must be given recognition and are �oing to see that our rights are pro-
<br /> �ected and you, as public servants, must see that theST are. An�thing
<br /> that threa.tens to sabot��e our cause must be gotten rid of by publ,ic
<br /> servants.
<br /> I�;iAY�R PAVEY; First I yrant to tell you our policy. r'�fe feel t hat I
<br /> ti,�e are representing 104,000 people in this community and tive are here to
<br /> represen� the rights of a11 the people. I can assure you that there is
<br /> no idea in the m�nd of the Board or myself to do anythin� that i^rould harY�
<br /> an� one in the lat�ful pursuit of th�ir ti^rork or industr�, and tnat goes
<br /> for labor and ever�rone else. There cAn be no dispute on this question.
<br /> I have taken an oQth of office to see that the ordinr3nces of this
<br /> c�.ty and i,ne lavds of �he state ancl nation are carried out and as long as
<br /> I at;i here, I expect to see that that oath is fulfilled.
<br /> Chief Ingram is acting on policies laid down by the Board of 5afety.
<br /> He �ras a member of the Police Department and an officer in �'dichita, and I
<br /> do not l�oyJ what activities you refer to out� there. I prestinne tnat tvhat-
<br /> ever activities he :vas en�aged in he t��as siriply carrying out the policies
<br />
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