Evening star., 1934-05-27
LABOR BILL FACES
STIFF OPPOSITION
Debate in Senate and House
Is Expected to Be
Lengthy.
BY the Associated Press.

performed on IL THERE, tIle "dsICi
Labor Board bill emerged yesterday
to seek congressional sanction before
adjournment.
Despite the renewed pressure put
behind the bill by the administration
in its concern at the growing serious
ness of widespread labor troubles,
there was no certainty the bill would
be enacted In the few weeks remain
ing to Congress.
Senator Walsh, Democrat, of Massa-
chusetts, chairman of the Senate
Labor Committee, said, however, that
he hoped to obtain enactment.
The committees report on the bill
osinitely removed the Labor Board,
to which it would give congressional
sanction. from the realm of an arbl-
trating body except in cases where
both labor and capital asked that it
serve in that capacity.
Board to Be Judicial.
Walsh said that "all this bill does
is to set up machinery 10 find facts
and define what interferes with fair
labor practices" The committee re-
port said the board would be strictly
judicial. not primarily prosecuting
agency to ferret out offenders"
One objective of the bill is to settle
points at issue over labor representa-
ton which have snagged strike nego-
tiationS in the last year.
President Roosevelt has expressed
himself as favoring the object of the
bill and is reported to desire its
passage at this session if it can be
obtained without controversy, which
would delay adjournment of Congress.
There existed. however, the likell-
hood that consideration in the Senate
would entail time-consuming argu-
ment.
The chance of delay on the House
side was even more pronounced. The
House Labor Committee has taken no
action on the bill Some of its men,
bers we're described as particularly
concerned at the failure of the Senate
to put into the measure penal pro-
visions for enforcement by the In
dustrial Dispute Board.
Defines Unfair Practices.
One of the first objectives of the
Senate bill is to put into the definite
form of statute the meaning of un-
fair labor practices. AS explained by
Walsh, there are now no statutes de-
filming unfair practices. The tempo
rary National Labor Board he said,
was confronted with the task of en-
forcing something that did not exist
in law.
The revised measure. while preserv-
ing existing closed shops, does not
demand that all shops be unioniZed;
1t does not close tl. door to the So
called company unions in a general
manner.
But it does recognize the right Of
workers. the report states, to demand
that their employers negotiate with
representatives they have duly named.
The board would be given the pow
er, in cases of dispute over negotiat-
ing agencies to hold a secret ballot
to determine whom the majority
wanted.
One of the major contentious of
labor was that if open elections were
held. the names of the men might be
picked out by factory operators, for
0emotlon or dlScharge.
A. F. of L. to Back Bill.
Frank Morrison, secretary of the
American Federation of Labor, said
in a formal statement that "if an
examination of the bill reveals that it
has not been emasculated by damag-
ing amendments, organized labor will
continue its strong support of the
Wagner bill"
With respect to unfair labor prac-
tees, the bill reads as follows:
For an employer to attempt, by in
reference or coercion, to impair the
exercise by employees of the right to
form or join labor organizations, to
designate representatives of their own
choosing. and to engage in concerted
activities for the purpose of collec-
tive bargaining or other mutual aid
or protection.
For employees to attempt, by inter
ference or coercion. to impair the ex-
erciSe by employers of the right to
join or form employer organizations
and to designate representatives of
their own choosing for the purpose of
collective bargaining.
or dominate the administration of
any labor organization or contribute
financial support to it: Provided,
that. subject to rules and regulations
prescribed by the Secretary of Labor,
an employer shall not be prohibited
from permitting an employe, indi-
vidually. or local representatives Of
employees. from comforting among
themselves or with management dur
ing working hours without less Of
time while engaged in the business OF
a labor organization.
Discrimination Barred.
For an employer, by discrimination
In regard to hire or tenure of en-
ployment or any term or condition of
employment. or by contract or agree
ment. to encourage or discourage
membership in any labor organi-
zatlon: Provided. that nothing IN this
act. or in the national industrial re-
covery act, or in any code or agree
ment approved Hereunder, or in any
other statute Of the United States,
shall preclude an employer from
making an agreement with a labor
organization mot established. main
tanned or controlled by any unfair
labor practice) to the effect that a
person seeking employment shall be
required, as a condition of employ
ment, to join such labor organization,
If the agreement is sought by the ma
jority of employees in the unit covered
by it when made. Nothing in this
proviso shall be construed by the
board to indicate that any employer
is bound to enter into an agreement
conditioning employment upon mem
bership in any labor organization.