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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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The packinghouse employers were ready to believe that the government was promoting these Communists in the union. We just wanted to settle the strike and get out of it some way or other. Jones was able to convince them that we were not going to let the Commies get them by the throat. We weren't proposing to push that union over on them, if they would just settle it.

I remember Jesse Jones saying on the telephone once, “Well, look here, it'll be cheaper for you to pay them a little more wage and go back to work. The men will forget the Communists then. Let them stay out and they'll be doing whatever the Communists tell them to do.” That was his line of talk - “Pay them a little more wages, but do it quick, agreeably and pleasantly so that you get the credit for it.” It was a very shrewd business man's line of talk, but it was good, and I'm not sure that Jim's line wasn't much that same way.

Jim was always willing to try. He'd call me up and say, “I tried very hard Frances, but I don't think I made any impression on them. I'm afraid they can't do it. I did my best, really I did.” He was always willing.

I have cherished Jim Farley for his willingness to help out. So far as I know he helped out other people





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