Evening star., 1934-03-26
Emery Calls
Wagner Bill
Illegal.
SEES WORKERS
BEING DRIVEN
of Measure
Replies to
Attack.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
A contention that the Wagner Ma
tional Labor Board bill is invalid in
law and unsound in principle" was
voiced today by James A. Emery. gen.
eral counsel for the National Associa-
tion of Manufacturers, before the
Senate Labor Committee.
Representing the national associa-
ton and SO State groups of manufac-
turers. Emery made lengthy attack
upon the measure. designed to both
strengthen the labor board and outlaw
company unions.
Gen. johnson Delayed.
Delay was encountered in receiving
the views of Gen. Hugh S. johnson,
recovery administrator, concerning the
Wagner bill. johnson had been ex-
pected to appear before the committee
today. Tired out by his exhaustion
during settlement of the threatened
automobile strike, he remained at
home this morning resting. When he
will appear was not decided.
The appearance of johnson had
been expected to clarity the admin
istration's attitude toward company
unions as contraSted with the Amer
ican Federation of Labor Unions.
In his statement last night an
nouncing settlement of the automo-
bile controversy, President Roosevelt
said.
The Government makes 1t clear
that it favors no particular union or
particular form of employe organi-
zation or representation.
THE Governments only duty Is
to secure absolute and uninf1uenced
freedom Of choice without coercion,
restraint or intimidation from any
source"
Fears Collective Effort.
BY design of this measure" :"
Emery said. lit gradually forces in
operating effect but one form Of labor
organization, and slowly but surely
undertakes to drive all workers into
it. 1t ignores successful and practical
experiments in new forms OF collective
relationships.
1T will cast all labor relations in
one mould, granting labor monopoly
to those who employ it. 1t will de-
velop bitterness, discord and conflict
by outlawing the development OF con-
ference and cooperation. 1t would
destroy in one class of workers and
employers the very rights which it
undertakes to secure for another or
ganization of workers.
1T outlaws the natural and nee
essary intercourse of employer and
employe while ignoring or deliberately
encouraging coercion and unfair prac-
ticeS by organized labor"
Sees Bitter Relations.
Emery argued the measure would
excite irritation, resentment and bit
terneSS in employment relations" He
also said it represented an "inde-
fensible invasion" of the right to reg
ulate local employment relations
which the Supreme Court had ruled
were subject for State rather than
Federal control.
Asserting 1T is unlawful under this
bill for the employer to either in
itiate. participate in or influence the
form or policy of any labor organiza-
ton" Emery said:
This labor organization may not
keep it's contracts 1t may demon
strate bad leadership. 1t may commit
violence 1t may be communistic in
philosophy and action. But any at
tempt by the employer to influence a
change in its form or philosophy or
initiate reform. or suggest or offer to
assist in forming a different organiza-
ton, or to submit a plan for their
joint relationship, is plain offense."
Answered by Wagner
Emery's contention that the Ma
tional Labor Board had displayed bias
and usurped authority it did not pos
sess" was Immediately challenged by
the bills author, Senator Wagner,
Democrat. of New York.
Emery said the board had ''lost the
confidence of the employer" and had
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