The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-03-24

agreement. we re pretty Clio
There was no official init
nation as yet as to the ma
ture of the compromise being
worked out in the conflict be-
tween the A. F. of L. and the
industry regarding represen-
tation of employed in collec-
tive bargaining.
Indications were, however, that
the chance of averting walkout
of 100000 automotive workers and
a general crisis in the President s
recovery program hinged upon an
impartial gOVernment-Super V S d
poll of employees sentiment.
The stumbling block in this sug-
gested compromise was believed to
be determination on procedure OF
making effective the sentiment dis
closed by such a poll. Manutac-
turers are believed unwilling to rec
ognize the American Federation OF
Labor SUCH although they might
agree, as in the case of the steel
industry in the captive mines case,
to allow A. F. of L. men to repre-
sent specific groups Of workers who
expressed a clear desire for such
representation.
Weighing against the chance of a
compromise was the strong sentl-
ment of both capital and labor that
no halfway measure will be ettec-
tive and that the time is favorable
in many respects for clear-cut
show of strength on the union issue
Favor Fight Now
Some manufacturers are known to
favor such a fight now, serious
though the disturbance to business
might be. in the belief that union
infiltration in the industry is grow
ing rapidly. A show of strength
now. these men believe. might dis
pose of the conflict in capitals
favor. whereas a compromise might
mean an eventual victory for labor
by enabling the unions to continue
their membership gains.
An indication of this sentiment
was seen in reports from Detroit
that manufacturers were making a
strong bid for the favor of workers
by inStituting wage increases and
hourly reductions. General Motors,
ChrySler and other large plants were
offering their men a thirty
week in the place of a forty-hour
week. with no decrease in pay.
This was interpreted as move
for support of men without union
affiliations in case the Washington
negotiations break down and the
A. F. of L. goes ahead with its strike.
The pay increase also would tend to
make the men look more favorably
upon the management in any poll of
sentiment concerning company and
A. F. of L. unions.
President Is Heartened
The balance of opinion today,
however. seemed to indicate sue
cess for the President in his strenu-
Gus efforts to avert a strike. In
addition to General ohnson's opti-
miSm there was a statement by
William Collins, A. F. of l.. organ
izer, that we are making progress. .
Collins said that he believed there
would be no strike las long as the
President is handling the situation.
I am very hopeful of settle
ment." Collins said. but the stream
has not yet been fully navigated"
Another union representative, Joe
Bailey, said:
The whole thing is up to the
President. 1t is possible to settle
this whole thing in twenty minutes.
Manufacturers Silent
Manufacturers were silent.
The President was heartened in
his automotive negotiations by news
from New York that his representa-
tiveS had succeeded in averting a
strike which threatened on the Della
ware and Hudson Railroad. The
word was brought to him at the
heights of his discussions and he
immediately telegraphed congratu-
lationS to Chairman w. F. Stacy of
an emergency board which inter-
veneo in the dispute.
Aid for the President in the gen.
eral labor situation was developing
i'll congress where the Wagner bill
outlawing company unions which
are the basis of most of the present
trouble is moving slowly through the
legislative mill. A secono weapon,
the Presidents power to license in
dustry under the NRA. Expires in
June, but congress. it was indicated.
likely will extend the time limit as
an aid TO the chief executive.