Evening star., 1934-05-01
COMPANY UNION
HELD MIRA. BLOW
Weirtcn Organization De-
nounced by U. S. Counsel
in N. R. A. Test.
BY the Associated Press


WILMINGTON. Del. May Fed
| eral Government counsel charged in
United States District Court today
that the employees union plan now
in effect at Weirton Steel Co. plants
is obstructive" to the aims and pur-
poses of the national industrial re-
covery act.
When court convened James Law
renee Fly, special deputy attorney
general. resumed his argument on the
Governments petition for an injunc-
tion to prevent the Weirton company
from interfering with its employees in
their election of representatives for
collective bargaining. The suit is said
to be the first test OF the labor guar =
antee provisions of the N R. A.
May Conclude Today.
Fly spoke for 5ls hours yesterday
and said he hoped to conclude his
argument today. Judge John p. Nields
Is allowing both sides unlimited time.
and counsel for the steel company
will begin his presentation after Fly
concludes.
The Government spokesman told
court the petition seeks to enioin
the company from continued imposi-
ton of yellow dog conditions"
Judge Nields asked Fly if he was
trying to import the Amalgamated
Union into these plants"
Not at all" Fly replied. I'VE are
| asking only that the employees be given
free and untrammeled choice. so
their representatives will be free to
act for them freely in collective bar
gaining"
Two Unions Exist.
Fly explained that TWO types of
union exist at the Weirton plant. One
Is the company scheme, which we
contend Is obstructive" to the N. I. r,
A. provisions. The other is the plan of
the Amalgamated Union of Steel, Iron
and Tin Workers.
He charged the company organized
its union first and that the employees
did not have a chance to elect their
own representatives.
They pulled a lot of hocus pocus
about being obligated to their en-
ployes," he added.
Their only obligation to the en-
ployes is to give them free choice. +"
Another Election Hinted.
Fly told the court he believes the
Weirton employees intend to call upon
the National Labor Board for another
election as soon as they are able to
exercise free choice.
He likened the situation to that
of revolutionary times when the
Colonists demanded representation.
THE Colonists wanted independence
and hunted abCu. for a grievance .
Judge Nields suggested.
THAT may be So" Fly suggested,
"but l don't think they need a sub
stantial grievance to enable them to
go to Sheir employers without being
driven out like a bunch of dogs"
The defense will contend that the
strike last September was unjustified.
Fly asserted. He added:
ct would suppose if the strike was
unjuStified it would be no excuse for
the defendant to violate the law
Alleged Party Described.
Fly yesterday told of aff1davits oy
II girls employed in the asserting
room at the weirton plant concerning
party given at the ]. G. Williams
Country Club, near Weirton, w. Va.
Citing the affidavits. Fly said the
employees were urged by department
superintendent attending the party to
give their support to the company
union"
The superintendent, Harry Richards,
taught the girls several Cheers" one
of which Fly said was:
"If you want your bread and butter
every day, vote. vote the right way"
Continuing, Fly stated: How they
(Ccntinued on Page Q, Column ~