Evening star., 1935-02-06
Not Playing FaYorites.

H1oSioeHt NooseVelI ildS HOt neSl.
tated to come to the defense of the
Automobile Labor Board and the elec-
tionS which the board is conducting
among automobile workers for the
purpose of selecting representatives
to engage in collective bargaining"
on their behalf. In letter to Charl-
ton Ogburn, counsel for the American
Federation of Labor automobile
unions, the President in effect, chides
the A. F. of L. because it is seeking
to interfere now with the elections
being conducted by this Government
board. Mr.. Ogburn and officials of the
American Federation of Labor have
referred to the elections as "unwar-
ranted" and as having been ordered
without the consent and against the
wishes Of organized labor"
There seems no slightest doubt that
these elections are free to all automo-
bile workers, through secret ballot.
The President in his letter to Mr.. Og-
burn says, and there is no reason to
doubt his assertion, 1T appears that
all but very small percentage of the
employees are availing themselves Of
this opportunity" From the returns
so far cast it is apparent that only a
small percentage are voting for A. F.
Of L. representatives. Right there
comes the rub, so far as the unions
affiliated with the A. F. of L. are con-
cerned. If the case were reversed and
only small percentage of the workers
were voting for representatives other
than those of A. F. of L choosing.
would the present demand for the off,
cial heads of the Automobile Labor
Board be pressed so hard by the Fed
Grafton?
The President takes the position
that, far from agreeing to the dis
missal of the Automobile Labor Board
at this time, he would be actually de-
privlng the workers of an opportunity
to register their real choice for rep-
resentatives to look after their in
tereStS in bargaining with employers
etc, if he decapitated the board.
He undoubtedly would.
In view of the fact that all en-
ployes are at liberty to register a
free choice in this election, as the
President rather tartly suggests. "it
would seem that any organization of
employees in this industry. or any or
ganization claiming to represent such
employees. would avail itself fully of
the opportunity to establish the au-
thentic character of its representa-
ton"
Last March strike in the automo-
bile industry threatened, because, it
was charged, the employees were not
given a fair opportunity to organize
for collective bargaining. Largely
through the good Offices of the Presi-
dent an agreement was, reached for
adjustment of the differences. One
of the provisions of this agreement
was for the appointment of a board
responsible to the President of the
United States. That is the present
Automobile Labor Board. And in the
settlement the premise was laid down
that the Government favored no par
ticular union or form of employe
representation or organization. How
could it, unless a Government union
was to be officially recognized?
The Presidents publication of his
correspondence with Mr.. Ogburn
makes the issue quite clear so far as
he personally is concerned. The off,
cials Of the American Federation have
been shooting at Donald r. Richberg,
executive director of the National
Council, charging him with
being a traitor to organized labor be-
cause of the extension of the automo-
bile code Of fair competition and the
retention Of the Automobile Labor
Board. The letter of the President
leaves no doubt that he himself as
sumes full responsibility for the con-
tinuance of the board. What now?
AHto;c ov>av n ,u,,, $o, .,,&;oa1 -