The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-03-27
Wagner Is Revising
Labor Board Measure
Plans to Make Concession Per.
hitting Organization Of
Company Unions
ROOSEVELT TO STUDY IT
President Plans to Take Su1.
gested Legislation With
Him on Fishing Trip

washington, MArCn N.-(A)-Sen8.
tor Robert F. Wagner has agreed to
revise his labor board bill. on which
industrialists have been training their
heavy guns.
Senator Wagner (Dem., N. "
planned to make at least one fresh
concession to opponents Of the meas
ure. He said in an interview that
one change would permit employers to
initiate" the formation of company
unions, providing the intent was to
be helpful to labor and provided en-
ployer- control Of the unions is out
lawed.
He hurried the re-drafting Job so
that President Roosevelt can take
copy along to study when he leaves
Tuesday night for fishing trip.
The personnel Of the automobile la
Dor board, created to review contro-
versial questions In that industry, was
disclosed as Leo Wolman, Columbia
university professor and chairman of
the NRA labor advisory board, the
neutral member; Nicholas Kelly, vice
president of the Chrysler company,
representing the industry, and Rich
ard Byrd of Pontiac, Mich, labor
member. AS labor adviser to MIRA,
Wolman frequently has drawn the
criticism of union chiefs.
Receives Railroad Men
President Roosevelt received spokes-
men for the railroad unions in q new
effort to smooth out a wage dispute.
The NRA, continuing a hearing on
revision of the soft coal code, heard
eastern operators praise that docu-
ment.
Operators of the Appalachian coal
fields fastened to avert a 35O,OOO-man
tie-up in that region by negotiating
for new wage agreement to replace
the agreement expiring April /.
While Wagner worked Tuesday in
reshaping his labor board bill, the
senate labor committee continued
hearings on it.
Wagner denied his bill would pro-
hibit company unions, as has been
| widely contended. He said 1t was de-
signed to prevent employer domina-
ton of such unions and that this was
the principle in the automobile agree
ment. He pointed out the wording
Of the presidents statement:
"The government makes It clear
that 1t favors no particular union or
particular form of employee repre-
sentation. The governments only duty
is to secure absolute and uninfluenced
freedom of choice without coercion,
restraint or intimidation from any
source"
James A. Emery, counsel for the
National Association Of Manufacture
ers, told the senate committee fair
decisions were not possible by board
which represents employers and en-
ployes In controversy.
Favors Nonpartisan Tribunal
He said the only disinterested per-
son is the member selected by these
two groups and both bring influence
to bear on him.
I'VE ought to have . non partisan
tribunal" Emery said.
Chairman Walsh CDem., Mass.) said
he is IN accord with Enery's proposal,
but too often such regulatory bodies
as he proposed, when created by states
and the federal government are ap-
pointed ION the basis Of prejudice for
or against q particular group"
As Emery spoke, Wagner said in
ali interview he was prepared, II nee
essary, to amend his bill outlawine
employer-dominated company unions
to permit employers to initiate" such
unions II intended to help employees
and II safeguards were applied to pre-
vent control Of the unions by the en-
lployers after they are created.
/ Previously he had agreed to strike
out an entire section abrogating con-
tracts that conflict with the bill and
IT, change another clause to prevent
intimidation from any source-no,
only by employers. as the bill nov
lrrovides.
j Meanwhile, Hugh s. johnson, NRA
administrator, attempted to complete
the three.man board Of mediation *
be set up as q result Of the automo.
bile strike settlement to arbitrats
workers grievances.