The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-09-02

A determined effort will he
made to obtain a COnstitu-
tional amendment that will
incorporate the basic prin-
ciples Of the law.
The Wagner act guarantees labor
the right 10 bargain collectively
with employers. 1t was designed
to replace the labor provisions ! n
the National industrial Recovery
Act that were ~abrogateo by the Su-
preme Courts adverse NRA deci-
sion.
In addition the measure defines
the following unfair labor prac-
tees" and creates a three-member
National Labor Relations Board
charged with preventing employers
from INDUCING in.
l.. Domination of or interior
ence with the formation of unions
. Interference with employees IN
organizing and bargaining collec-
lively.
Board Has SuDFend ROVER
3. Discrimination against workers
for union membership, or discriml-
nation against an emplOye for filing
charges against his employer.
T. Refusal to bargain collectively
with representatives of the en-
ployCs.
5. Coercion OF workers in organ
ling and bargaining.
In event Of alleged violations of
the law the board Is authorized
10 hold hearings. summon Wit
nesses and subpoena records. 1t Is
found that an employer has violat-
ed one Of the practices the board
would issue an order requiring its
immediate abandonment. If the
order were ignored the board would
carry it to the courts for enforce
meut.
Industries Ready TO Fight
The principal power vested in the
board is the decision as to the char
actCr of the emplOye group author
lied TO represent workers in bar
gaining with company officials.
Union leaders are confident that
in almost all cases the board will
decide in favor of organized labor
and against the sO-called COM
pany union" which in the past has
been bitterly criticised as subject
to employer domination.
When the Wagner bill was being
considered by Congress. its Oppon-
ents charged that although 1t bars
coercion" by employers, it will not
prevent coercion to join the Ameri-
a Federation of Labor. Many of
the nations largest industries. in
GLIDING steel and automobiles, have
indicated that they are prepared
to oppose the Wagner Act in the
courts.
In the few months since the
Wagner bill became law there has
been no opportunity to invoke its
provisions in a major case. But
the outbreak of a strife in any i'm
portant industry this fall or winter
almost certainly would throw the
question Of the laws validity into
the courts.
Urges Constitution Change
William Green. president of the
American Federation OF Labor. has
minated that his organization
was prepared 10 start a movement
to amend the Constitution if the
Supreme Court should nullify the
Wagner act.
The only way We a assure
social progress" Mr. Green said. is
10 fix basic minimum standard:
lower than which will not be toll
Grated. and to set up agencies tC
prescribe such additional safeguards
as may be necessary from time &c
time. Congress must have power
to act # We are to protect our in
tereStS by planning.
During the - months since laSi
Labor Day. workers Throughout
the country have continued to USE
the strike as their chief means o.
obtaining better wage and hOul
contracts. but preliminary estimate:
indicate that the number of strike.
and lockOutS this year will be be-
low that of 1884. when l740 strikes
involving l.353.6OS workers were re-
corded by the Department of La
Dor.
The 1884 strike total was thu
highest of any year since 1921
Yet the Department Of Labor point.
out that while there were almoS
twice as many strikes and lock
outs during 1884 as in the pros
perity year. 1929. there were con
siderabiy fewer than during the wa.
and the years Immediately follow.
ing Tire q In 1919. for example
more than 100000 persons were in.
vOlveC in strikes
Data on Strikes Incomplete
The latest accurate compilation
OF strike statistics covers April. Al
analysis Of Labor Department rec
ordS reveals that in the perio,
from September. 1888. TO April. 1884
there were 1887 strikes involving
TAI. O43 workers. or an average o
It's a strike.
In the eight months from Septem
Der of last year 10 April. 1885. Their,
were 1lO3 strikes. affecting S24. ~
workers. or an average of TAT per.
sons a strike.
The record for the latest period
however. would be considerably i'm
proved II a single walkout weri
eliminated. for 1t was Just a yea.
ago that the general textile strike
involving 375.9OO persons. spread
through the eastern and southern
part Of the United States.
II that n strike we're omitted
from calculations. the period from
September. 1884. 10 last Anri! woul,
show only 44s.547 persons involved
IN strikes. as against TAI .O43 in TIT
comparable period of the precedin,
year.
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