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‘ nn ene iiatinhditindeas ate ee . Fmd ‘he Grape Fraud — - “» Arizonans who lend themsclves to the so-called prape baycolt are, whether they know it or not, being used. Their cause is an emotional onc, but like 9 many ‘enio- dional causes it is a compound of misinformation and agitation, Careful inspection of the subject by respanstbte journalists and the American Farm Bureau Federation suggests that the boycott is fraudulent. Far from help ing impoverished farm workers, the boycott drive is aimed at helping a handful of agilators who do not. earnveneant dhalaaylenre at all : BCPC LE whe nei Ss ak ale ry The point is mode clear in a Farm Bureau pamphlet, “The Truth About the Grape Bovcott,” which shows ‘that in 1967 the “United Farm Workers” organization | ef Cesar Chavez had 1,972 dues paying members out of | nd GN OM olye orann work. us ape Wor seven TIA ON foray warbare a BUYS ahd ovpvulsp Ovilie £2 wu prod ali wee ers in California. “Thus,” the Farin Bureau notes, “the union repre- senis 1.2 per cent of all farm workers, and no more than 3 percent ofall prape workers. gf The prapo boycott campaign is taking place preciscly because of this weekness of the Uniled Farm Workers in obtaining membership. Unable to get workers to join up voluntority, Chavez’ unica is trying to force con- tigcls on growers which would require union member- ship of their employes. By this method the union ean corae up with « large coerced membership it cannol get through freedam of choice. } ; As columnist James Jackson Kilpatrick reported: “Out in the fields, the workers speak of the Cpavce union with fecr and coatempl. They tell of threatening telephone calls at night, of repeated acts of vandaligm and intimidation, They are fearful that the beléecuered .prowers, anxious to end the nationwide bovcott, may yet sell thein like so many heads of lettuce to the UFWOC, which thcreafler would control when and where they worked.” , That is what the boycott is about—a side of the pic- ture which somehow does not get mentioned by the Jibera! uninaries whe appear on those TV tall, shows,.— speaking in reverential tones of the wonderful Cesar Chavez and the great struggle in which he and his union are engaged. a in this area, Safeway stores are the principal target. Their crime, apparently, is that they allow customers .» the right ta determine whether they will buy grapes. And ii there is onc thing the grape boycotters cénnet tolerate, it is the right of the indivicual to make up his own mind, The anti-grape lobbyists have the right t boycott , prapes from now until Judement Day. But they hove no right lo coerce Safeway or any other grocery chain into refusing to sell prapes or any other products, | / oe ee ; | . . . ; Liye 7 A eh aa Nees) tl get eee tep oe o£ Byes Pow boo 0 AAR ANE WR Ue arr Bunday, May 11, 1805 ae ¥