Evening star., 1935-12-22

is a local business. Yet the
clear intent of the national labor re-
lations act Is to subject the relations
between employers and employees in
even such small intra-State institu-
tions to the control of the executive
branch of the national Government. "
Sees Individual as Ward"
He said the act deals with an in
dividual employe las an incompetent.
He is the ward of the United States,
to be cared for by his guardian, even
as If he were a member Of an unciv-
ilized tribe of Indians or a recently
emancipated slave.
1T is absurd to say that the refusal
of the owner of -four mill to bargain
collectively with his employees directly
LaffectS commerce among the. States.
How does it affect it?
Defendants (the Labor Board) an
swer If the owner will not
bargain collectively with his employees
the employees may strike; if the en-
ployes strike, production will be cur
tailed; If production is curtailed, less
-four will be exported in commerce;
and so commerce is leSSened and thus
affected.
90" a more distant repercussion'
than Is the suggested result of les
sened commerce from the far-away
cause Of a refusal of collective bar
gaining, the wit of man cannot con-
ceive."
Referring to a resolution to amend
the Constitution now pending in the
Congressional Committee on the Ju-
dietary, Judge Otis said the proposed
amendment would give Congress power
to regulate commerce, business, in
dustry, finance, banking, insurance,
manufactures, transportation, agricul-
ture and the production of natural
resources"
When that amendment is enacted.
he said, 'the statute If then
re-enacted, certainly will be constitu-
ttonal. But not until then.
Sovereignty of States.
Then also what yet remains of
the sovereignty Of the States will cease
to be and the citizen will have be-
come a subject"
The Wagner act gives labor the
right to organize unions and forbids
en- employer to interfere with or CO.
cree employees in their part of the
organization.
1t sets out as unfair practices" on
the part of employers:
l. To interfere with. restrain or
coerce employees in the exercise of
the rights of self-organization.
2. To dominate or interfere with
the formation or administration of anv
tabor organization or contribute finan-
cial or other support to it.
8. To encourage or discourage mem
bership in any labor organization.
4. To discharge or otherwise dis
criminate against any employe because
he has filed charges or given testi-
Hnony in labor disputes.
5. To refuse to bargain collectively
with the representatives OF his en-
ployes.
Bill Praised by President.
When he signed the Wagner bill
into law last July 5. President RooSe-
welt said, "a better relationship be-
tween labor and management is the
high purpose of this act.
90" it may eventually eliminate
one major cause of labor disputes,
but 1t will not stop all labor dis
puteS.
1T does not cover all industry and
labor, but is applicable only when
violation Of the legal right Of inde-
pendent self organization would burden |
or obStruct interstate commerce.
Accepted by management, labor and
the public with sense Of sober re-
Fponsibility and of willing cooperation,
however, it should serve as an i'm
portant step toward the achievement