While perusing files for something else today, I ran across an interesting "Studebaker Closing" article saved from the December 15, 1963 Chicago Sun-Times. It's a lengthy (full newspaper page) piece penned by writer Donald Schwartz, entitled South Bend Restores Its Confidence. Quoted extensively in the article are reasonable thoughts by Professor Thomas P. Bergin, then of Notre Dame's Business Administration School.
Reflecting on what we are experiencing 45 years later, about 2/3 of the way through this Sun-Times article is the following subheading and text. I quote verbatim (remember, this was published December 15, 1963):
Some Federal Assistance
The federal government is supplying some expert assistance in the crisis, such as a Labor Specialist in job placement who flew into South Bend last week. But the consensus is that no miracle should be expected from Washington.
One politician says Washington simply hasn't got the resources to do much about the situation...
There is another issue about which civic and business leaders feel strongly and which is both a problem and an opportunity to South Bend. This is its labor reputation which is, ironically, something that all say is far different from its labor record.
The reputation is of a town that had a lot of labor trouble -not merely the common negotiation conflicts and work stoppages- but also a reputation, especially at Studebaker, for workers who were lazy and union contract advantages which made it hard for the company to be efficient.
Bergin, in a charitable understatement, said, "Studebaker made concessions right after World War II because it was anxious to get into production."
One man, who deals constantly with attracting industry, said:
"We know we have many companies growing and expanding in this community. We're doing well. But on this old issue people outside the area point a crooked finger at us. If they only wouldn't judge us on the past, and would look at us as we are today.
If people misconstrue this Studebaker closing we're dead again. But if they find out the facts, they'll think otherwise."
Byers A. Burlingame, Studebaker President, went out of his way in announcing the shutdown to say it wasn't caused by a labor problem -although he didn't say, he meant the city's old labor problem.
Now South Bend, as it faces up to the layoffs, is hoping the country will get the message.
That was the end of the article. (Imagine the audacity of some politician saying, "Washington simply hasn't got the resources to do much about the situation." Blasphemy!)
Ah, the more things change, the more they stay the same...with that exception, of course!
BP
We've got to quit saying, 
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