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Behncke (8/26/48)                  Page 2

Why in God's green verdant earth can't we shut the water off temporarily and do this thing the democratic way? To have to vote on the issue, irrespective of our by-laws, of whether we are going to take the democratic approach to a thing as momentous as this or not, Dave, is sickening. 

Possibly, only because of lack of information, or misinformation, the Seattle pilot group, at this time, is abruptly opposed to the plan. They are suspicious and resentful that any group within our organization can be powerful and presumptuous enough to decide what is best for all of us.

We have several questions to ask, to which we must require specific answers:

1. If the proposal to poll membership on the plan is carried, what membership majority will be necessary to carry the plan? (Will it be a simple numerical majority or a percentage majority?)

2. Who will, and through what process, establish that majority? (I believe this is another membership matter.)

3. What consideration has been given a large body of people who are now on inactive status with ALPA to voice their democratic opinion?

The plan, as we know it, now has several glaring weaknesses, which at the present time make our current company plan far more attractive. In spite of the fact that a large percentage of the ALPA membership are now operating under pseudo-satisfactory plans, and further in spite of the fact that the only enthusiastic booster for the plan I have EVER talked to was my good friend Clayton Stiles, one of the plans authors, we still see it rolling merrily along above the din of masses, --at least our masses, and they're the ones I'm concerned with. Again it looks like we are appeasing the small airlines at a terrific cost in morale and loyalty among those already protected by some kind of a plan. 

Dave, if it is information we need, please stop and consider the momentous nature of this thing. Send someone out here who can help us in honestly evaluating this thing and I might add he better be a pretty well qualified cookie because the boys are mad. I would hate to see this thing go to Congress with a darned substantial bloc of ALPA members lobbying against themselves.

Yours for a better understanding of this matter.

Sincerely,

(Signed) E. A. LePenske

Chairman, UAL Council #27

EAL/ms