Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-05-03
A Friend of Unions
Proposes Regulation Plans

Proposes ReXuldt1On flanS
New York, May 1-Unless organ
! lied labor champions moderate regu-
| latory measures, its abuses will keep
pace with it's increasing power. Sam
| uel tntermyer, attorney for tho
! Lockwood legislative committee. de-
clared in MAY day address. In
cluded in the form OF regulation he
| had in mind, he said, would be tho
| right to strike.
| There are many labor unions" he
asserted. among the more prosper
Gus. THAT are under the guiding hand
| of men OF vision and that are free
| from grave abuses. They would not
! be affected by regulatory legislation.
The others must be regulated to save
them from themselves
! As a life long friend and champion
Of labor. Mr.. l'ntermyer said he was
entitled to have the working men
/ hearken to his advice. samuel
Gompers. he said. knew how for
years he had insisted that the work
ers were not receiving their just
share of the wealth they produced
and that but for organized labor
| their lot would he one OF misery and
virtual serfdom.
| Il know, and he knows that I
know" he stated. "of the fierce up
hill struggles OF organized labor
against the ever increasing power OF
organized capital and OF what 1t has
, done for the workers"
Mr.. Untermyer said his conception
of labor union regulation, has none
of the terrors that are involved in the
word regulation as seen from the
point of view OF the labor leaders"
1T does not even involve enforced
| Incorporation understand the limita-
lions that may be placed upon incor-
poration they would see no great
T, harm in that chara Cter OF rcgulation
! But since that CONVEYS to them nm
unwelcome. however unjustifed. fear
OF restriction upon their activities II
| is not necessary to consider IL.
THE form of regulation that
have in mind would expressly re-
serve all the present rights OF the
| Union to strike and all other rights
now secured to them by the law that
do not conflict with public policy and
public safety and prosperity. They
would be in the first instance purely
adminst rative and would involve:
% The submission by each un-
ion of its constitution and bylaws
for approval to state commission
and the granting to it Of a license. n
an unincorporated association. II
they contain nothing that IL contrary
to public policy.
co The right OF a member ~ the
/ union to review any determination OF
his union that he believes to be un-
just to him.
CD The right OF any person feel
| ing aGgrieNed by the action OF the
union to a like review.
| (4D The right to any complainant
having a Just grievance against the
, rules. practices and regulations Of
union to have such abuses ahattd.
being in this respect somewhat
analogous to the present authority OF
! the Federal Trade Commission 10
prevent unfair business practices
among corporations engaged in In
terstate business.
90 The privilege 10 either party
to a controversy before the commits
| sion to appeal to the courts from Us
/ decision.
such a regulatory body would -
! given no power to enforce arbitra-
| ton between the unions and their
employers or to intrude into any OF
/ the controversies over wages. hours
! of labor or any other matters that
the legitimate subject OF contract or
of barter between the employer and
/ the union. It's regulations and prac-
\ tees. he confined to the correction
| of unfair regulations and practices.
! "The only effect OF that limited
! form OF regulation would he to CON
form the rules and practices Of the
la Dor unions that are now discredit-
ing the cause to those that already
] prevail in the unions OF more en-
lightened management. In that way
the outlaw unions will he deprived Of
their power through their oppres-
| sive and indefensible methods TO
4 weaken the legitimate unions and
i thus will the cause OF organized lab
! or be greatly strengthened and It's
/ enemies disarmed.
4 mat. In DrleI, ~ ivy pidH i''
strengt he ming the cause Of the labor
unions and OF confounding Its enc
mics. whose entire stock-intrade Is
based upon those abuses Whereby
they hope to obscure and have al
ready well-nigh succeeded In oh
securing the fundamental Justice and
merits of the principles on which or
ganized labor Is founded"
Partisan restaurant proprietors have