Evening star., 1933-10-11
LABOR IS WARNED
U. S. MAY STEP IN
Johnson and McGrady Hint at
U. S. Dissatisfaction and
Possible Action.
Continued From First Page.)


its contracts. A minority Of operators
thus far have omitted to accord the
rights and privileges to labor which 80
per cent of the industry have con-
ceded."
Paving tribute to leaders of both the
operators and miners who are trying TO
cooperate, johnson said: Nowhere in
the Presidents recovery program IS
there a clearer example of teamwork
between Government. industry and LABOR
than this-balked and frustrated by
recalcitrant few"
johnson once more cited the rights
of employees to organize under the le-
coyery act the same as INDUSTRY, put
warned that there are danger slgnalS
here"
He warned also against critics Of the
N R. A., charging Wall Street with re-
ports that a survey Of small business
Y L show the failure OF the movement
ana that rising wages have increased
costs and so reduced consumption.
ANY man who will make an eXami-
nation of these codes must know that
IN every case wages and hours have
been related to the ability of each in
dustry to sustain them and not one
code has been approved without the
overwhelming agreement Of the industry
submitting it. Not one single code has
been imposed Not one drastic pro-
vision Of this law has been invoked.
Financial Gentry Scored.
"These financial gentry who assume
to know more about how to operate a
business than the men who are running
1t should take some counsel of these
circumstances, but finally end above all.
they should answer the fundamental
question Of how you are going to re-
activate business without giving the
mass purchasing power so necessary to
mass production. You cannot squeeze
blood out of a turnip.
There is criticism also that there is
'chiseling' behind the Blue Eagle and
that our failure, to hang, draw and
quarter these opportunists is reducing
confidence in the whole plan
Il think that this criticism is justi-
ned. But the point has never for one
moment been overlooked. The question
OF enforcing compliance is complex
Taking away the Blue Eagle has been
proved to be a terrific economic punish
ment. We must have a method Ct
Justice and certainty"
The administration asserted that
there was "a distinct movement to raise
farmer antagonism to N. R. A. On the
ground that anything done for workers
before farm prices are raised to their
pre-war relation to other prices is un-
favorable to agriculture. Then he ex-
planned:
The essential purpose of the Presi-
dents program is to erase disparities
1t Is cohesive program. 1t proposes
something for every oppressed area. We
all recognize that the greatest disparity
Is the lowness of farm prices. But the
agricultural adjustment act was given
to the farmers just as N. r. A. was
given to workers. 1t goes to the uti-
mate limit to cure the ills of agricul
ture"
500 Hear Address.
Approximately 500 delegates were in
the Commerce Department auditorium
for Johnson's address. They received
him enthusiastically when he arose, ap-
plauded many times during the course
of his speech and at the conclusion
stood and gave him a lusty round of
hand-clapping.
johnson was introduced by William
Green, president of the federation. who
pledged the 'unfaltering' support of
labor in the recovery movement.
Like other speakers before the con-
vention. johnson urged that labor pre-
sent its differences with employers to
the National Labor Board, headed by
Senator Wagner of New York
But since this board has been
handling only employer -employe dis
putes, and not those between various
unions, organized labor representatives
today bent themselves with renewed
vigor to settlement of their own dis
putes. They feared continued diSsen-
sion would bring the threatened Federal
supervision.
It was such threat. delegates agreed,
that led the convention late yesterday,
after heated debate, to uphold de-
cision of its executive council in dis
pute between brewery workers and
teamsters, engineers, firemen. The vote
agreeing that firemen, teamsters and
engineers should belong to their in
dividual trade unions instead of the
brewery union was to l, but the result
seemed in doubt until Danel j. Tobin.
representing the teamsterS, made this
statement:
Unless we have the courage to settle
such disputes as this, the Government
will do it for us.
II ask that you submit to the EXecu-
tive Councils decision even though it is
adverse, or We may have some one else
doing the deciding"
The convention complied, number
of the delegates asking Tobin: What
made you say that? What have you
heard?" Tobin did not elaborate, but
indications today were that he had been
talking with Mr.. McGrady.
The debate evoked accusations OF
usurpation of power by the council and
led delegates to use such words as
"chiseling tactics" and 'piratical activl-
ties" The brewery workers failed to re-
verse the councils decision, however,
Of ha old limo dnlaCotaS
Joined to sustain the present leadership.
Vote Upholds Council.
The vote was 1882 to uphold the
council and $3.50 against. One vote
was allowed for each 100 members rep
resented by the delegates.
II have been impressed by the stupid
ity Of some of these men who tie things
up simply for the sake of jurisdictional
travail" Tobin declared in his summa-
ton.
Joseph Obergfell representing the
brewerymen, had contended that prevl-
GUS federation conventions gave his
organization jurisdiction over teamsters
and that the executive council by decid-
ing the contrary had "usurped authority
not vested in it by our constitution.
To this. John Possehl. speaking Tor
operating engineers. replied: Bunk!
T. A. Rickert, second vice president
of the federation and a member OF the
Executive Council said that group had
returned a verdict in the case because
it appeared hopeless" that it ever
would be settled by compromise.
Some held that the vote was an out
right victory for trade unions against
Industrial unions. since the 5000 ballots
of the United Mine Workers, an indus
try union. were cast against the council.
But, other delegates contended that
repeated pleas by administration officials
for a quick settlement of jurisdictional
disputes, plus Tobin's warning that the
Government would step in, and the de-
sire of older members to continue fol-
lowing their present leaders, had more