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UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
JANUARY 23,1947
Government Asks:
'More Evidence Or No Case For Portal-To-Portal'
Washington. (UP)—The government demanded today that the Mount Clemens Pottery company, key portal-to-portal pay suit, be thrown out of court unless evidence can be produced of more unpaid working time than is now claimed.
The demand was made in a brief filed by Atty. Gen. Tom C. Clark with Federal Judge Frank A. Picard of Detroit.
Judge Picard will decide the Mount Clemens case under a Supreme Court mandate to determine how much of the unpaid working time claimed by 289 pottery workers is substantial enough to require payment.
The government brief was filed as Judge Picard was brought under fire for a second time before a senate indirectly subcommittee.
Theodore R. Iseman, Chrysler corporation attorney, gave the subcommittee documentary evidence to support the oral charge he made last week that the judge once described himself as "pro-labor." The previous charge had brought from one senator a suggestion that Judge Picard be investigated "with a view to impeachment."
Mr. Clark said Judge Picard should "take into account not only the percentage relationship that a particular period of preliminary activity bears to the work week. . . but also the effects of the decision in view of the 'realities of the industrial world.'"
He said present evidence in the case may be inadequate and suggested the taking of additional testimony.
"If the findings of this court do not disclose periods of preliminary activity of longer duration than those appearing in the present record the 'de minimus' rule would be applicable and the suit should be discharged." Mr. Clark said.
(The de minimus rule holds that legal relief may not be sought for trivial matters.)
The Supreme Court ruling in the Mount Clemens case upheld the right of workers to portal-to-portal pay. This decision touched off the current wave of portal suits by unions. The total now has reached almost five billion dollars.
The treasury already has ruled that employers who are required to make portal payment may get tax relief for the years involved.
In addition, army and navy officials estimate they may have to pay over a billion dollars to reimburse cost-plus war contractors who are forced to make retroactive portal payments.
The Mount Clemens case was filed by the CIO Pottery Workers union. Walking time between time clocks and working places was estimated by some workers as six to eight minutes a day.
But Mr. Clark said in his brief that "these estimates included time spent in stopping along the way, conversations and other purely private matters."
Estimates on "make-ready" time,
Mr. Clark said, ranged from "practically nothing to about three minutes."
He contended that the Supreme Court decision required the exclusion of much of this time under the de minimus rule.
YMCA Discusses Plans For Spring Semester
Plans for spring semester Y.M.-C.A. activities for freshmen were discussed at a recent cabinet meeting in the Union building, Robert Thayer, freshman 'Y' president, said today.
Ray Evans, business senior, will speak at the group's first meeting of the new semester Feb. 18, and an hour dance will be held for YM-YW freshmen March 4.
Union Executive Board Plans Feb.17 Dance
Plans for the Sweetheart Swing to be held Feb. 17 were made by the student union executive board at its meeting Wednesday night. Keith Wilson, vice-president of the student union activities committee, was appointed chairman in charge of arrangements for the dance.
In an effort to rejuvenate its committees, the board announced that applications from those students interested in working on the committees would be taken Feb. 17 in the Union Activities office.
Four Students Named To Intercollegiate UN
Dorothy Heschmeyer, College junior, William Tincher, College freshman, Margaret van der Smissen, College sophomore, and Kenneth Beck, College junior, have been named to the executive committee of the National Intercollegiate United Nations committee.
The four will work with Jean Moore, first year law student, who was named recently as national chairman of the first national convention here next November.
Dr. Nash Speaks Today On Juvenile Crime Plan
"Can We Stop Juvenile Crime" will be the title of a talk to be given by Dr. Bert Nash, School of Education, at a meeting sponsored by the Y.M.-C.A. at 4 p.m. today in the little theater, of Green hall.
The fourth in a series of march of time films will be shown preceding the talk by Dr. Nash. Previous films shown this semester have dealt with domestic and world problems. Robert Davis will be in charge of the meeting.
Dames Have 'Interest' Meet
The K. U. Dames "Interest Night" meeting was held Wednesday night in 32. Frank Strong hall. Mrs. Louise Kellogg was in charge of the program and was assisted by Mrs. Wilma Conwell and Mrs. Dee Bergstrom.
Star Strike Still On
Kansas City, Mo. (UP) — The strike of contract carriers at the Kansas City Star, this city's only metropolitan newspaper, moved into its seventh day today.
ProgressiveParty Votes To Admit Coed Members
The new K.U. Progressive political party decided Wednesday night to admit women members, the first attempt at a mixed political organization in several years.
Four organization committees were set up, the constitutional, publicity, platform, and precinct committees. The University and the surrounding area were divided into 21 precincts and two arbitrary percinct leaders were chosen.
A temporary governmental outline was read and adopted, to be in effect until the constitutional committee draws up a party constitution.
Precinct leaders are Jack Jackson, Thomas Alexander, Charles Roter, Robert Maupin, Robert Duckworth, Vincent Baker, Fred Thomas, Robert Tinklepaugh, John Crump, John Rader, John Regs, and Robert Barnes.
Publicity committee members are Charles Roter, chairman, Roy Rogers, William Adams, Lawrence Brown, and Evans Francis.
Since that time, the methods of exploration have not changed greatly except in the use of aerial photography. Whereas stream patterns, ridges, and hills can be clearly seen in air photographs even in the jungle areas, ground parties cutting their trails through the jungle with machetes must work almost blindly.
Platform committee members are Donald Wyman, chairman, Jack Jackson, John Rader, Vincent Baker, Arthur Moss, Thomas Alexander, Charles Shearer, Jay Humphreys, and William Sands.
Constitutional committee members are Jack Elliott, chairman, Mead Almond, Jean Moore, Bob Tinklepaugh, and John Rees.
Precinct committee members are Ernest Friesen, chairman, Jack Jackson, John Crump, Robert Maupin, Bailey Chaney, Robert Barnes, and James Hastings.
Fowler Reading Room
Changed To Quonset Hut
Mr. Nixon explained that exploration is done by establishing a first base camp of thatch shelters preferably along a stream. Parties under native leaders are then sent out in selected directions and temporary or "spike" camps are established. From these, detailed explorations and geologic surveys are carried out by field geologists and engineers. Natives go up the tallest trees, get a glimpse of the surrounding jungle, and spot the location of hills and ridges that deserve investigation.
Sun-Tanned Geologist Returns To Kansas Winter, 'Civilized' Life
Wearing a heavy suntan, fresh from 16 months in South America, Ear K. Nixon, newly-arrived geologist with the state geological survey office looks strangely out-of-place in the middle of a Kansas winter. But, regardless of the change of climate, he's glad to be back enjoying the comforts of what he calls "civilized life."
The reading room for Western Civilization in Fowler Shops will be closed at 10 p.m. Friday. R. C. Janeway, assistant director of the University library, announced today.
A new reading room will be opened Monday in the quosset hut study hall north of Frank Strong hall.
"Two weeks ago," Mr. Nixon said, "I was in a field camp in the delta country of the Orinoco river in Venezuela. Almost all of this county is covered by heavy jungle vegetation. Our camp consisted of palm thatched huts. We slept in hammocks under mosquito nets. Our geologic field work was hampered almost daily by tropical rains. Yes, it's good to be hack."
Mr. Nixon was resident engineer in charge of exploration for iron ore for a subsidiary of the U.S. Steel corporation. No iron ore is being produced in Venezuela yet, although one large deposit not far from the Orinoco river is being developed. The regional area were explored under Mr. Nixon's direction in 1930, 1931, and 1932.
Fevers, snakes, and the insects of the tropical jungles are usually overrated. Mr. Nixon remarked. He admitted that he had been "treed" by a wild boar several times. Members of his native crews, he said, were occasionally bitten by snakes. The insects of the real scourge of the tropics Mr. Nixon said. Make life more uncomfortable! In the field engineer than the presence of snakes and alligators. The Jungle is usually quiet."
While Mr. Nixon was in Venezuela, his wife and son, Allan, 11 lived in Ciudad Bolivar, a river town about 250 miles from the mouth of the Orinoco river. Mr. Nixon has a daughter, Audrey, who is a senior at Stanford university. A former K.U. student from 1933 to 1916, Mr. Nixon was graduated from the University of Wisconsin. Mrs. Nixon was graduated from K.U. in 1917.
Editor Sees April Housing Price Drop
Kansas City, Mo. (UP)—Arthur A. Hood, editor of the American Lumberman's magazine, Chicago, said today that the construction industry would return to a buyer's market starting as early as April or May.
"When building prices settle down, the house of today, which is bringing 100 per cent more than pre-war prices, will cost 40 per cent above, pre-war prices."
"A $6,000 pre-war house is likely (to be priced at $8,000 to $8,500, instead of $11,000 to $12,000 as asked now." he explained.
Mr. Hood said hundreds of thousands of unfinished houses hit the market this winter, priced under "black market buying conditions at an extra $000 to $800, owing to the cost run-up of six to eight months delay." Many, he added, are unsold.
"The industry is pricing itself out of business," he continued. "Not one in 10 G.L.'s can afford the excessive down payments and monthly payments. I look for the building material prices to drop."
"You've never seen so much lumber as is rolling out in the northwest. Production of all building materials will reach a 20-year peak by spring."
Marshall, Truma Confer,
Achemes Promises to Stay
Washington. (UP)—Secretary of State George C. Marshall scheduled his second formal conference with President Truman today after receiving from Undersecretary of State Dean Acheson a promise to stay on in his job for several months.
Secretary Marshall, it was learned, rejected Mr. Acheson's resignation Wednesday. He appealed to him to continue at least until after Secretary Marshall returns from the Big Four conference at Moscow in March.
Sprague Replaces Denfeld
As Navy Personnel Chief
Washington. (UP)—Adm. Louis E. Denfeld will take command of the Pacific fleet about March 1, the navy has announced, relieving Adm. John H. Towers.
Two men will take on the personnel posts to be vacated by Ad-Adm. William M. Fechteler will bemiral Denfeld in February. Vice come deputy chief of naval operation (personnel). Rear Adm. Thomas Sprague, now deputy of naval personnel and assistant chief of naval personnel, will relieve Admiral Denfeld as chief of naval personnel.
*Poland Sold Down River,
Polish Ambassador Charges*
Washington. (UP)—Former Polish Ambassador Jan Ciechanowski charged today that the late President Roosevelt and former British Prime Minister Winston Church sold Poland "down the river" to communism by appeasing Premier Josei Stalin.
He also charged that Premier Stalin "stood up" his Big Three partners by failing to show up at a projected secret meeting in Canada in 1943. This was branded "absolutely false" by retiring secretary of State James F. Byrnes.
Marine General Geiger Dies
Bethseda, M1. (UP)—Lt. Gen. Roy S. Geiger, formerly commanding general of the fleet marine forces of the Pacific, died today at Bethseda naval hospital. He was 62.
General Geiger commanded the amphibious operations in the invasion of Okinawa.
Hoover Will Go To Germany
Washington. (UP)—Former President Herbert Hoover announced Wednesday that he had agreed at President Truman's request to go to Germany and make a study of food conditions with a view toward relieving "some of the burden on the American taxpayers."
'Continue To Help Chinese'—Stettinius
Junction City, Kan., (UP)—Former U. S. secretary of state Edward R. Stettinius, jr., called for continued aid to the Chinese in an address here last night opening the sixth annual appeal of united service to China.
Little
Stettinian backed his plea with a message from Gen. George C. Marshall, the new secretary of state, who stated such assistance to "a courageous and long suffering people will be making a definite contribution toward the last peace which is the hope of civilization throughout the world."
"A bridge of friendship between China and the United States has been in the making for over 100 years." Stettinius said. "Throughout this century benefits of a material nature have accrued far beyond dollar measurement to both the Chinese and ourselves.
On the platform with Stettinius in the crowded municipal auditorium here were V. K. Wellington Koo, Chinese ambassador; Kansas Governor Carlson, and Mitton S. Eisenhower, president of Kansas State college.
French Reject Request To Repatriate Germans
Washington. (UP)—France in effect has rejected a United States request that she return 620,000 German prisoners of war, used on French farms and factories to their homes without delay, it was revealed today.
The French made a counterproposal that a third party, probably a non-governmental agency, be asked to study the problem and prepare a long-range plan of repatriation.
Washington. (UP)—Rep. Egos Dett. (D.-Tex.) asked congress Wednesday to change the immigration laws to bar anyone who has served in an enemy military force and persons engaged in subversive activities.
Asks Immigration Ban
Washington. (UP) — Republican senators won their first test of strength with the Democratic minority Wednesday when the senate voted to continue the war investigating committee for another year.
Missouri Bonus Proposed
War Investigation Goes On
Atlanta. (UP)—Acting Gov. M.E. Thompson said today that the Atlanta bank handling most of the state's business has recognized him as acting governor and is honoring checks drawn by him on a $100,000 executive department fund on deposit.
Bank Recognizes Thompson
As Acting Georgia Governor
The controversy between Mr. Thompson and Gov. Herman Talmadge over the office will be aired Monday when a new civic group calling itself "the aroused citizens of Georgia" holds a state-wide meeting on the issue.
Little America. (UP)—The Byrd Antarctic expedition suffered its third aerial mishap today when a helicopter crashed into the sea and sank 700 miles northeast of Scott island. The pilot and single passenger were picked up uninjured. The crash occurred as the plane took off from the aircraft carrier Philippine Sea.
Byrd Group Has Third Crash
High Farm Goal Is Set
Washington. (UP)—Secretary of Agriculture Clinton P. Anderson said today that in setting high 1947 farm production goals he was "gambling" that demand would remain high.
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