The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-07-30
Nav Change History Course

Steel is the industry on which our machine civilization rests. It is the most powerful foe of organized la bog. It's defeat would bring labor victories in all mass production in- dustries-and probably a turn in history.
 \ Not only does the c. I. o. drive
 in steel snd other industries tie ,s in closely with the political cam
 paign; success of this demand by labor for an economic and politi- ss cal voice may influence the trend of events for decade.
 Already 1t is common talk that The Q. 1. O., if 1t lives, will be the enucleous for c strong labor or zarmer. .labor party in lo40.
 For this year, however, there IS ka close alliance between John Lewis and Franklin D. Roosevelt. Lewis eat in ct the White House ~On the democratic platform plank flor labor.
 In Washington and in Pennsyl- z vanla, Lewis, who Is nObody'S r humble lieutenant, Is using the Q democratic politicians. And they z are using him. New Deal strate.
 gists think they have . fine ehance in Pennsylvania. Y Steel, pitching the key for Big Bsasiness in its relations with labor, Is the outstanding target of those who would translate Roosevelt's at- tacks on economic royalists" liter ally and specifically.
 Oppose Near.Future Strike
 Nevertheless, Roosevelt wants no steel strike before November. Neil lsther, apparently, does Lewis. There Is some fear that the industry will precipitate hostilities, not only for political effect, but in the hope of stSangling the organization drive In it's infancy.
 lgor does Roosevelt want to sec a complete split between c. I. o. and the craft unions, for there IS reason to fear that many right wingers in the labor movement might then turn against him.
 The O. I. o. is the heart and soul of Labors Non-Partisan League, which, under George Berry, is now signing up central labor unions lover the country to work for RooSe- welt.
 The Setup in Washington
 Now let's look around official Washington and get the idea why steel drive leaders expect both practical and psychological aid from the capital in days to come. We lind:
 7-The LaFollette Senate sub- A committee, directed to investi- gAgate violations of civil liberties, Labor espionage, and interference with the right to organize. This group will pay special attention to %froubles in the steel industry and Fwill try to expose the industrys anti-labor tactics. O. I. o. leaders expect to find reason to demand that even such directing geniuses at President Eugene Grace of the eAinerican Iron & Steel Institute and J. P. Morgan be brought be- fore the committee.
 0-The National Labor Relations ~ Board, whose duty Is to en- e1crce the Wagner act guaranteeing Iabors right to organize and bar Sgaiu collectively--an act which the esteel industry defies.
 Q-The Department of Labor, HO whose officials are sympathet- lc Co the c. I. o. movement and zwfo will vocally oppose tactics fre- eeuently used against labor organ izers and union converts. M A--The Department of Justice, now engaged in an investiga- ton of collusive bidding by steel cOmpanies as well as monopoly in Ene I1uustry. It is also charged with enforcing a new law which ..penalizes interstate transportation eof strikebreakers.
 E-Harry Hopkins and the WPA O where from the beginning of FERA it has been held that strik- CTS and their families were entitled to relief.
 E-Finally, Roosevelt. He could O hardly back down from insist ing on the guarantees of the Wag- ner act, any more than he could afford to refuse any fair request from Lewis when such refusal would depart from an attitude of benevo- lent neutrality.
 MOTHER KILLS HERSELF
 Stamford, Conn, July 30.-(UP)