Hughes H-4 Hercules flying boat taxiing on two inboard engines in water moments before its maiden flight. A ship in the background and a Sikorsky R-4B Luzon helicopter ("Hoverfly") in flight in the background. The aircraft starts all eight engines, accelerates toward flying speed and her hull rises in the water as she approaches lift off on maiden flight.
Howard Hughes and retired Major General Oliver P. Echols ( former Air Force Chief Material Officer, responsible for all Air Force wartime procurement) testify before the Senate War Investigating Subcommittee, chaired by Senator Owen Brewster.
Howard Hughes testifies before the "Brewster" Senate Subcommittee, investigating war contracts. He talks about World War 2 contracts involving ordering of aircraft, light aircraft carriers, and the atomic bomb by President Roosevelt, through channels outside normal procurement bureaus. He states that he did not make 15 million dollars of profit on 40 million dollars in war contracts, despite assertions that gave the public that impression. In another comment he says, "If TWA (Trans World Airways) does anything wrong, I get blamed for it. But when TWA does anything right, then I had nothing to do with it. That's like Hollywood. When it's a good picture, Sam Goldwyn made it, but when its a bad picture, Willi Wyler (William Wyler) made it."
Retired Major General Bennett Meyers, testifying before the Senate Committee investigating wartime arms contracts (Brewster Committee). He answers questions about his involvement with Howard Hughes and Neil McCarthy. He answers questions about his purchase of millions of dollars in bonds.
Opening Slate reads: "International Union United Auto Workers (UAW) of America " over-layed on medalion reading: "Affiliated with C.I.O."This is followed by the title of the film: "United Action Means Victory, Story of the General Motors Tool and Die Strike 1939." This is followed by numerous credits, and a foreward signed by UAW President, R. J. Thomas and Secretary-Treasurer, George F. Gaddes. Next, Camera shows Walter Reuther, Director of the General Motors Department of the UAW, seated behind Union President R.J. Thomas, as he speaks to members of the union executive board. Camera pans over the board members. Views of a tool and die makers at work, in measuring and in machine shops, using grinders, drilling machines, welding equipment and other machinery. Walter Reuther is seen meeting with Union officials after they decide to strike. Actors supposedly brawling outside an auto plant. (They all pull their punches.) Newspapers announcing peaceful settlement of labor complaints. Walter Reuther insists on waiting for General Motors response to the Union's demands. Strikers marching outside an auto plant. One carries a sign calling for Fisher Pontiac workers to strike. Most of these are women. View of a Chevrolet plant with picketers marching in a courtyard. Slate reads:"Chevrolet Gear and Experimental." More views of picketers. One wears a hat reading: "UAW-CIO Picket Captain." Building with sign reading: "Chevrolet Engineering Laboratory." Engineers from the Lab shake hands with strikers and join them. More views of pickets. Some receiving drinks from folks supporting the strike. Union members seen paying their dues to union cashiers.
Film begins showing signs in business establishment window supporting General Motors strikers of Local 235 UAW-CIO. A siren in heard as the camera pans over a large group of uniformed Detroit City police officers, some on motorcycles. Across the street, several striking picketers carry signs, as another large group of police officers stand nearby. Closeup of a black maria police van parked next to a formation of mounted police officers. Closeup glimpse of an officers gun belt and cartridges. Camera pans over the congregation of police. Street filled with strikers carrying signs. Police allow only 4 picketers, who cross from the street in which they are gathered, to the city of Hamtramick at the Detroit border. Camera pans over Police gathered at the corner, as a line of striking women snakes around a telephone pold at the Detroit-Hamtramick border, to picket in the latter city. A group of 10 pickets is allowed by police to enter Hamtramick from the Detroit street. Next, a number of strikers' children challenges the police to cross the intercity boundary. Closeup of a father and small son. Men, women, and children are finally seen picketing in Hamtramick. Slate reads: "Steering Gear." (Narrator says: "Chevrolet Gear and Axle remains closed.") Next, a court proclamation is read in rapid fire declaration by a crier in front of a court building where some strikers stand on the steps reading the announcement. Closeup of the State of Michigan court order prohibiting picketing and union members discussing it. Scene shifts to a union meeting room where members ask about the injunction and discuss its impact.
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