The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-07-31
LABOR BOARD
CHALLENGED
BY INDUSTRY
Chicago Coach Co. Holds
Board Authority Ex-
ceeded by Action
NEW CONTROVERSIAL
DECISION LOOMS
BY ARTHUR F. DEGREVE
United Press Staff Correspondent

United Press Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, July 81. (UP)
Industry offered it's first challenge
last night to the right of the Ma
tional Labor Relations board to
sit as a supreme court over in
dustrial disputes.
The powers of the agency were
questioned by John A. Richie,
president of the Chicago Motor
Coach Co., which is involved with
the government in a controversy
over the reinstatement of ten for
mer employees.
The company insists the work
ers were fired because of ineffi-
cheney. The National Labor board,
which the present agency re-
placed, held the men were dis
charged because of union activi-
ties and ordered the company to
re-employ them.
In a letter to the labor rela-
tions board, which opened hear
ings in the case yesterday, Richie
took the position that there is no
dispute between the company and
it's employees.
"Your assumption of jurisdic-
ton in a matter where no con-
troversy existed or exists and
your decision over our direct
protest, violate every principle of
mediation, Cancellation and arbi-
tration and are unwarranted, IL
legal and void" Richie charged.
"Your board has no jurisdiction
with respect to the matters and
things referred to in your pur-
ported decision and this lack of
jurisdiction is conclusive in the
matter"
Attorneys for the company said
yesterday it's executives had re-
fused to obey the order of the
old national labor board to rein
state the discharged workers and
had not changed their position.
The Chicago company's chai-
lenge was the first hurdle placed
in the path of the labor relations
board created by congress with a
view to keeping relations between
capital and labor on an even keel
as the administration drove it's
recovery program forward.
Thus far the board has limited
its activities to alleged violations
by industry of Section IA of the
National Industrial Recovery Act
which guarantees labor the right
to select representatives of it's
own choosing to bargain collec-
lively with employers.
1t has authority to intervene in
all disputes, not being conciliated
By special presidential boards, but |
does not have power to force COM
pulsory arbitration. It's decisions
are not subject to review by the
executive branch of the govern
ment.
The board has not issued it's !,
of the controversial
abor provision of the Recovery |
Act but is expected to take po-
'ition soon on the equally debata-
Die isue involving majority repre-
;entation.
The National Labor board held
hat majority representatives le-
rally selected at a secret election
by government Off
,ials was empowered to bargain
llso for the minority in that any
lecision reached would be bind
ng upon all workers.
A loud cry of protest went up
rom industry, especially those
companies which had built up
company unions and
we're pledged to a finish fight
against recognition of organized
abor.
When this controversy was at
Is height, President Roosevelt in
ervened to approve a plan for
ettlement of the automobile
trike. In this agreement, which
Ir. Roosevelt hailed as broad
tep forward in establishing u
peaceful relations between the
worker and the employee, repre-
entation was granted to both the
and the minority.
No further interpretations of
he section have been made and
he labor relation boards position
$ being awaited with considerable