The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-03-16

Hihood that once started the dis kurbance would spread to the steel endustry.
 The strike threat moved nearer ko-day when the National Labor Board concluded a two-day hear Hng of charges of American Feder- htion of Labor executives against large automobile manufacturers in- clnding General Motors and the Hudson Motor Company.
 The manufacturers flatly refused ko. recognize or deal with the A. F.. Hf l.. and challenged the authority of the labor board. Recovery Ad- 1ninistrator Hugh $. Johnson step ! ped into the breech with personal negotiations between labor and com pany officials without apparent ef- feet. Should his efforts fail, the only resort would be the intervention of she president.
 The labor unionG indicated they would ask their members to walk out on strike Tuesday unless the matter Is adjusted.
 The dispute centers about rights Of workers to organize and bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosinG-the rights guaranteed by the famous NRA section "A.
 TEO manufacturers, mindful or their decision to reduce hours and increase pay, were looking to the wresident for compromise.
 It was believed Johnson had asked both parties for concessions and had sought to convince the womDany officials that workers blections should be held in their blants
 Meantime the consumer goods kode authority group advised John Bon against reducing working hours &nd increasing wages in all indus Aries by means of an executive or Her.
 The report, signed by George A. Eloan, chairman and head of the cotton textile code authority, favor ed action by voluntary cooperation between code authorities and the government rather than the more drastic procedure, which it sug- gested would violate NIsA princi- pies of government partnership with business.
 The committee recommended an Immediate survey of capital goods requirements, to aid the heavy in- dustries and promote employment efforts.
 It also suggested that renewed effort be made by NRA to bring all industries under codes. Ship ping, anthracite, copper, public utilities, communications, and a host of smaller groups are not yet eodified.
 While Johnson awaited Q reply la jet ant Administrator Edward Me- Grady conferred with union lead CTS.
 He told newsmen he had high hopes that the motor company would agree to the election.
 Knudson informed the labor board yesterday that General Mo- tors would not enter into any con- tract with an A. F. of l.. Union, but would negotiate with it as an agent of workers if it proved to be repre- sentative.
 President RCosevelt's new order that all bidders on government contracts must sign code compli- ance certificates was considered by some to have given Johnson a new weapon in negotiations. The gov ernment is preparing to place orders for millions of dollars worth of motor equipment for the army and other units. Refusal to permit an election, it was argued, might be considered a violation of collec- Hive bargaining provisions of the thuto code.
 John L. Lewis, president of the United Mine Workers and member of the National Labor Board el1arged in senate hearings that the automobile companies were trying to control labor by "coercion and intimidation" He urged adoption