One of Douglas MacArthur's first occupation acts was to grant Japanese workers the right to organize and bargain collectively. Last week he warned them not to abuse the privilege.
The Supreme Commander was annoyed because strikes were tying up vital communications and public utilities. He suspected that Communist-tinged unions especially those affiliated with the clangorous Congress of International Unions (Japan's C.I.O.), were using their privileges to sabotage the occupation. When a seamen's walkout at Sasebo halted the sailing of five merchant ships which were to bring repatriates from the Ryukyu Islands and Manchuria, MacArthur decided it was time for plain speaking....
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