The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-03-30
(loJI'j'id9'g1lSlj Z
National Topics Interpreted "a ffTTTFyR
by William Bruckart ApE1dT


Sounter ployees In their re-
irritont spective plants or
ganized themselves
into union OF their own, there was
compliance with the law. They have
Insisted on this to the extent of re-
fusing to deal on wage questions with
any delegates excepting those from
their own plants. A negotiator affiliat-
ed with the American Federation of
Labor was welcomed In those plants
just as warmly as most of US welcome
rattle snake.
AS a further bit of history, II should
be recalled that Mr. Roosevelt early
smelled the trouble that could come
under the labor provisions, so he set
up the national labor board, of which
Senator Robert Wagner, of New York,
is the chairman. 1t was to be some
thing of an appeals board, body for
review of complaints. But somehow,
that body also construed the law as
against company unions and the en-
ployers were baked again.
So now there is a definite and con-
certed effort TO break down the pro-
gram that an organization of employees
must be affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor before it is &C
ceptable to the powers that be in
Washington. 1t is a row that is go
ing to continue for some weeks. There
will be strikes of greater or less con-
sequence; there may be some riots
and some blOodshed, and surely there
will be much oratory, very little Of
which will be from people who are
conversant with all phases of the
problem.
AS a part and parcel Of the Roose-
welt attack, or counter movement,
against opponents of the NRA, it is
generally believed in Washington that
the President used his powers to pre-
vent any government purchases from
manufacturers other than those COM
plying with NRA provisions. 1t was
a week or more ago that he issued the
executive order that precludes the
award of government contracts to any
bidder not a member of NRA. Some
observers here are saying that this
order is going to cost the government
a considerable sum Of money. 1t has
the effect of limiting the number of
bidders. Although one may say that
nearly every firm of consequence Is
flying the Blue Eagle, there are very
few that have not in some way or
other violated its provisions. l do not
charge that they have done so inten-
tionally; the facts indicate the con-
trary, but there have been thousands
of violations wholly because it seems
impossible to meet every requirement
all Of the time.
The air mail controversy continues to
rise up to plague the Roosevelt admin
:, istratiOn. / judge,
AT NdI from the current con-
Controversy versation in Wash
ington, that sundry
administration officials would willingly
miss a couple of good meals if they
could retract and cause people to for
get the jibe made at Col. Charles A.
Lindbergh because his aviation CON-
pany released his protest about can
collation. Of the air mail contracts be-
fore it was delivered to the President.
That White House statement saving
that the transatlantic flyer was dis
courteous to Mr.. Roosevelt fits around
U in %
to sleep late.
The White House and the War de-
partment insist that their ATTEMPT TO
get Colonel Lindbergh on the army
aviation investigating committee was
made because of the coloneFs superior
knowledge of aviation. Yet, all denials
to contrary and all insistence of sim
certify have not downed widespread
belief that appointment of the colonel
was hoped to serve as an antidote, a
sleeping potion, to offset his criticism
OF the contract cancellation.
Political observers here are point
Ing out that administration made an
il-advised move in seeking to appoint
Lindbergh without first having gone
through quiet move to find out his
reaction in an informal way. That
usually is done with appointments.
The failure to have emissaries go
around and ask the colonel whether
he would serve on the investigating
committee left him in position to do
some more talking. If he accepted. of
course, he would not do any more talk
ing about the cancellation of contracts.
1t would have been improper for him,
as something of judge, to convict
before he heard the evidence. Those
who know the colonel intimately saw
he would have observed the rules.
But, Colonel Lindbergh did not accept,
and when he refused to be Unanswered
into a position of silence, If ii was a
maneuver, he could protest again with
assurance that it would get country
wide publicity. 1t did just that
This particular phase of the air mail
controversy is cited because it shows
how hot hot potato can get, from a
political standpoint, There are some
of the administration officials who are
now ready to admit that the cancella-
ton Of the air mail contracts was
badly timed, even though Mr.. Roose-
velt contended there was crookedness
involved in award of the contracts.
am told by men who are in a position
to know that if the President only had
ordered hearing on the accusations
and charges and then had cancelled
the contracts. he would have come out
with colors flying.
II is certain now that the air mail
contracts are going back to private
carriers just as soon as legislation to
that end can be enacted. It is a situa-
ton that all of the Democratic leaders