The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-03-03
THE TOLEDO PLAN

THE best commentary the effectiveness of the
Toledo Plan for Industrial Peace which various
cities are studying. exists in humming wheels and n-
interrupted production lines of a score of plants
where employer-empoye disputes have been averted
or settled due to peace board offices.
The settlement Of strike in the dry-cleaning in
dustry involving 1900 employees; of textile workers
WaIkout involving 400 men, of a laundry farm strike
affecting IL branches; Of a large dairy company
Wakout OF two major strikes in automove accessor-
les plants-these the achievements of the Toledo
Peace Plan as the public has known them
But there have been many settlements of threat
ened industrial difficulties quite without publicity
There have been behind-the-scene meetings of en-
ployer and worker, engineered by the Peace Board.
which have settled disputed points, kept men at
their jobs, pay rolls on the upgrade and Toledo
industry in pace with national upturn
Toledo is pretty strongly for the Peace Plan today
There was much skepticism last summer when it was
first proposed by Edward F. McGrady Assistant Sec
rotary OF Labor. Both labor and employers feared
some of their prerogatves might be taken away
No one contends that the plan is perfect Not
every one favors it. But the fact remains it has done
more for industrial peace in Toledo than anything
else the city has had.
/ HE Peace Board is composed of 18 members
Five were chosen by labor, five by the en-
ployers, and eight by Ralph Lind, secretary of the
Cleveland Regional Labor Board who has been
temporary chairman of the local Peace Board
The board has executive secretary, L. S. Harding
whose salary up to this time has been paid by the
Federal government. The government is now with
drawing this aid and local plan of financing is
being considered.
Sometimes ardi otLo
Mr.. Harding with Chairman Lind still other times
one or both working with a small panel of the
boards membership, have worked out these settle
ments. The board has legal rights and it can
compel no one to give up anything
1t has settled strikes and averted others by acting
as meeting ground for both sides where points at
issue could be considered, with particular regard for
the communltys welfare It's sole force has been
public opinion. The newspapers have backed the
board solidly.
The first Peace Plan settlements came in July.
when restraint strike and a dry-cleaning strike
were settled. In August the textile strike seemed
imminent, but Chairman Lind effected an agree
ment between the textile workers union and the
management. The same month there was laundry
strike, and it settled quickly
In September, drivers dockmen and inside work.
ers OF large dairy struck panel of six Peace
BOARD members was in session five hours with rep
resentatlves of both SIDES and obtained settlement
chairman Lind alone settled serious auto accessory
plant strike in October
The most recent major settlement has been in
the dispute at a spring manufacturing plant, where
425 employees were out. Differences seemed irrecon-
cilable, and it took time for the Peace Board to
get the disputants together The plant closed down
for weeks, but finally the board was able to effect
settlement.
This was the only protracted strike Toledo has
had since the Peace Plan became operative.