The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-06-19
WEDNESDAY. JUNE p. 1885

III scRIrPs-MoWARD NEWsPAPERl

MUCH Of the opposition TO the Wagner
W bill comes from those who believe it
v.l impose the closed shop.
Senator Wagner declares it Will not. In
. statement published elsewhere in this paper
tocay he says. There is nothing in the bill
which favoTs the closed shop. In fact. the
bLI somewhat narrows the now existing law
saEctioning such agreements. by stipulating
that they shall be valid only when desired
b. the employer and the majority Of the work
ers 20 be covered by them"
The House Labor Committee in reporting
tn blu favogahly makes a similar declara-
tiln. The psoyiso Goes not impose a closed
shop on al industry; it does not give new
legal sanctions TO the closed shop. It should
b. emphasized that no closed shop may be
effected unless il is assented to by the en-
ployer."
such statements. made outside the Ian
rtiaee OF the bill itself. DO not satisfy those
VINO oppose on the ground Of the closed shop.
Hence as the measure is brought up for con-
sideration before the House Of Representa-
tives. the opposition is vocal and active and
rcscntful
We have never been able to figure out why
law can't be written as clearly as can state
msuts concerning the law. The English Ian
Euage seems TO be one thing and legal Ian
Ruage another.
There is certainly nothing hard to under
stand about Senator Wagners stateme.t or
that from the House Labor Committee. But
We must admit that it is different when We
ct 10 the bill itself and start plowing through
:he customary maze Of and ors and provideds
and U. S C.. sup. VII. Title IS, Secs. 7Ol-7l2
and Subsection 10 CE) or 10 I'D and 48 Stat.
o. Pars IL and ND.
SO we have suggestion which We believe
Is decidedly in the interest in enlarging public
support for this measure. II is this; Just
d., into the bin language as clear on the open
auo closed shop question rs that which Sen
ator Wagner has used in his statement. BY
so doing. a vast amount Of intense and bitter
opposition VIII be dissipated and hostility
Changed into support
This Wagner bill is intended TO vitalize the
principle OF collective bargaining, principle
for which both major political parties are on
record. It's purpose is to set up machinery
which Will make collective bargaining really
function. establish harmonious relationship
between employers and employees and thereby
reduce 10 a minimum the terrific burden of
:he labor difficulties that beset this nation
Like any other law, in order to be effective 1t
must have public sanction. To have public
sanction il must be understood. To be under
stood its provisions must be clear. Much can
be gained at the small cost of a little labor
With the pencil and the English language
As the bill appears in the House 1t puts
final authority for administration in the Labor
Department. The Labor Department is poll
teal bureau. The Labor Board should be
court in the highest sense Of the word. and
free rom any political pressure The Labor
Department provision, in our opinion, threat
ems the whole success OF the Wagner proposal.
The Senate saw that danger and eliminated
the Labor Department from the picture The
House should Go the same. PartiSanship does
not belong in the administration Of fair prac-
tice rules in collective bargaining.