The Washington times., 1919-12-29
LABOR SKEPT|CAL
: ON STRIKE COURTS
Leaders Fail to Be Enthused
Over Report Submitted by
Presidents Commission.
By MILDRED NORRIS
Il n. 3. stan CorrespD>Aent,.

By MILDRED NORRIS
Il. n. 8. star Cerrespe.Aent).
Labor leaders here are not Rener-
nary report submitted by the Presi-
dents Industrial commission.
The majority of labor leaders do
not believe the suggestions of the
commission would be efYicacious il
put into operation.
by making an unanimous opinion
necessary by the board Of appeals and
the regional boards. little can be ac-
complished," said w. H. Johnston,
president of the International Ma
chinists' Union and former member of
the National War Labor Board. "Such
provision is ridiculous in my opin-
ion.
Dominate Conmlssioa.
"1t would seem to me that tho three
men who represent the public on the
commission, and much will depend on
their judgment and freedom to ex-
press It"
James O'Connell, president Of the
metal trades department Of the
American Federation Of Labor, and
formerly vice president of the org ami
zation, said that labor was not op-
posed to voluntary boards to settle
disputes.
''The board suggested by the COM
mission would create a public opinion
against either side that refused to
submit it's case" said O'Connell. "And
in that their chief value would lie. in
my opinion"
Frank Morrison, secretary OF the
American Federation Of Labor. said
he would prefer to discuss the com
missions report after he had studied
1t at length.
Coed VIII Of EnnDlsyen.
"From a cursory reading of It," he
said, 81 should say that the effective
ness Of the proposed board would de-
pend on the good will Of the employ
ers. The workers are always willing
to submit their cases to public boards.
ployers the creation Of such boards Is
proposed by the commission would
not be necessary.
AS for the statement OF the com
mission declaring against the organ
ization Of Federal employees, into
unions and their afHiliation with
bodies that believe In strikeA I
should like to call attention to the
fact that the National Federal En-
ployes, affiliated with the American
Federation Of Labor, big organiza-
tion. has never had a strike. The
American Federation Of Labor does
not encourage strikes in unions of
Federal employees. Some Of the Fed
eral employe unions have clauses
against strikes. But the American
Federation Of Labor does think 1t
necessary to give It's prestige to or
ganizations Of Federal employees to
make them effective"
]. B. Malloy. vice president Of the
United Brotherhood Of Maintenance
Of Way Employees, one Of the largest
Of the railway unions, said that theo-
retically the suggestions Of the
Presidents conference seemed all
right but they would never work ont
In practice"
Postal LeaaefS Dissent
Edward ]. Gainor, president Of the
National Association Of Letter Car
riers, and Thomas F. F1aherty. secre-
tary-treasurer Of the National Fed
GRAFTON Of Postoffice Clerks. and Ed
ward ]. Ryan, Of the Railway Mail
Association, made the following joint
statement with reference to that
portion Of reports Covering the status
of Government employees:
while the commission has defined
plan for the adjustment OF grtev-
ances Of private employment 1t
leaves the Government employe in
the same restricted uncertain status,
enmeshed in countless rules and
regulations affecting his public duty
and private conduct. Seemingly the
commission failed to realize that the
evils generally existing in private
employment exist likewise in Govern
ment employment.
Terms Are CAcertaiA.
TN vague and uncertain terms the
conference conceived a certain linn
tied form of organization to Govern
ment employees, which by itself would
be ineffective and of doubtful value.
No mention is made of the right
which we deem fundamental and
paramount Of Government employees
to be represented by agents of their
choosing to confer with those in au-
thority.
.Inasmuch as there are more than
100000 wage earners in Govern
meDt, State and municipal. the high
importance of this question of the
industrial status OF these employees
is apparent. We hope the commits
sion will eventually define this status
with a greater degree of certainty"