The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-09-03

COuTbS aOVeTSe MIA ueClSlOH'
 In addition the measure defines the following unfair labor prac- tices," and creates a three-member National Labor Relations Board charged with preventing employ CTS from indulging in:
 1. Domination of or interfer- ence with the formation of unions.
 2, Interference with employees in organizing and bargaining col lectively.
 3. Discrimination against work CTS for union membership, or dis crimination against an employe for filing charges against his em- ployer.
 1. Refusal to bargain collec- lively with representatives of the employees.
 5. Coercion of workers in or- ganizing and bargaining.
 Board Has Subpoena Power Too
 In event of alleged violations of the law the board is authorized to hold hearings, summon wit nesses and subpoena records. If 1t found that an employer has violat- ed one of the practices the board would issue an order requiring its immediate abandonment. 1If the order were ignored the board would carry~it to the courts for enforcement.
 The principal power vested in the board is the decision as to the character of the employe group authorized to represent workers in bargaining 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 criticized as sub ject to employer domination.
 When the Wagner bill was being consider ed by congress, its oppon- ents charged that although 1t bars Coercion" by the employers, it will not prevent coercion to join the American Federation of Labor. Many of the nations largest in- dustries, including steel and auto mobiles, have indicated that they are prepared to oppose the Wag- nef uCL III the COuTlSs
 Act Untested As Yet
 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 8 strife in any important industry this. fall or winter almost certainly would throw the question of the laws validity into the courts.
 William Green, president of the American Federation of Labor, has intimated that his organization was prepared to start a movement to mend the constitution if the supreme court should nuHify the Wagner act.
 "The only way we can assure social progress," Green said, lis to fix basic minimum standards lower than which will not be toll erated, and to set up agencies to prescribe such aditional safe- guards as may be necessary from time 10 time. Congress must have power to act, if we are to protect ou, interests by planning"
 Strikes Show Decline
 During the twelve months since last Labor day, workers through out the country have continued to use the strike as their chief means of obtaining better wage and hour contracts, but preliminary esti- mates indicate that the number of strikes and lockouts this year will be below that of 1894, when 1,740 strikes involving 1,353,6O3 workers were recorded by the department of labor.
 The 1884 strike total was the highest of any year since 1921. Yet the department of labor points out that while there were a. .ost twice as many strikes and lcckouts during 1884 as in the prosperity year 1929, there were considerably fewer than during the war and the years immediate ly following the war. In 1919, for example. more than 100000 per- sons were involved in strikes.
 Oat On Strikes Incomplete
 The latest accurate compilation of strike statistics covers April, An analysis of labor department rec ords reveals that in the period from September, 1883, to April. 1884, there were 1,037 strikes in- volving 741,043 workers, or an average of 715 per strike. IIn the eight months from September of last year to April, 1895, there were 1,1e3 strikes, affecting S24,447 workers, or an average of 747 per- sons per strike.
 The record for the latest period, however, would be considerably improved if a single walkout were