The Washington times., 1934-09-06

understand sile 70
political situa- ~:
tion. and the Lewis Haney
aims of labor leaders. Sometimes
strikes are declared during de-
pressed periods when many labor
ers would not be able to work, any
how, as it is easier to get the idle
men into the union.
This strike is the result Of de-
cisiOnS made by labor leaders.
It has the sanction of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor. In
my opinion, the leaders have
figured that this is good time
to increase the power Of their
organization, and that this is
their one great object.
The demands of the strikers are
for recognition of the union, a 30
hour week with no reduction in
pay, and compulsory arbitration.
But the real aim is to get in more
members, and compel all textile
employers to deal with the United
Textile Workers and the A. F. Of L.
The Administration has a
heavy responsibility for this
strike. Its labor policy has been
uncertain and wavering, but on
the whole has leaned toward
granting the demands of labor.
The President in the automobile
case declared for a freedom in
collective bargaining which would
have allowed independent groups
Of laborers to deal with their
employers. Recently, however,
the National Labor Board, which
he set up, has ruled against this
idea. So now the majority Of
laborers in a company are taken
to represent all, and that often
means the A. F. of L.
Thus if the union can claim 81
per cent of the workers Cor prob
ably if it is the largest single
group, it can dominate.
Furthermore, the Administra-
ton has virtually committed it.
self to the expedient of giving re-
lief to strikers. You and I are
going to have to feed these tex
tile strikers whether we approve
of their demands or not.
Probably the total number Of
1aborers in the textile trades is
about 100000. OF these, about
100000 were already unemployed.
This leaves upwards Of 100000
who may be directly affected by
the strike.
The weekly textile payroll is
estimated { about $4,000, 900.
Should the industry be tied up
completely, we may have to pay
doleS to the strikers and those
directly thrown out Of work
amounting to over $1,000,000 a
day.
It seems that the leaders must
be counting on this, for as I re-
member it, the Textile Workers
Union had only one million dol
lars in funds. At that rate the
strike could not last long.
As it is, one cannot say how
long the strike may last. The
outside estimate is 30 days.
With their funds soon exhausted
by strike benefits and main
tanning and transporting their
large force of "Organizers," the
strikers If they hold out will
soon be living on public dOles.
Business will be hurt, and gen.
eral unemployment increased.
All this public expense and in
Jury to business may soon arouse
public opinion against them.
Maybe we had better all strike
and let the Government (the
other fellow support us!
If it were not for Government
financial support, the thing could
not go on. am sure that there
are SO many mill hands who want
work that they could produce all
the textiles now demanded. The
union claims so per cent Of the
cotton workers are out, but the
best adviceS indicate not over Is
per cent. The silk workers are
uncertain, and in Paterson, can
xkOU SUA 4hC liz" W4O4AONV NAO1~NAA@o
an agreement that runs for several
months. In wool there is little
interest, and the industry is so
depressed that some mills are clos
ing anyhow. The rayon workers
have had bitter experience with
strikes, and 1t Is doubtful if they
join in.
In any event, the strike is a
blow to business. If prolonged
Con Government fundS) it will
permanently hurt the cotton in
dustry of the United States, de-
moralize the dole-supported Ia
borers, and further increase the
public debt.
I believe in unions. Some strikes
are desirable. But is the goal OF
this one-increased power for the
union-worth the price now?
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