Evening star., 1937-10-03
RIVAL LABOR FACTIONS
FACE POLICY PROBLEMS
A. F. of IL. Opens Session Tomorrow and
c. |. 0. Will Assemble Later in
Attempt to Steal Headlines.

carrying Ine ugnt 10 the National
Labor Relations Board. The Wharton
and Tracy unions, both affinated with
Frey's department. have felt them
selves particularly aggrieved by rulings
of the board or its agents.
Tracy Aroused by Ruling.
Tracys grievance arose in the cele-
brated National Electric Products case
wherein the board ruled a closed shop
contract signed by the company with
the A. F. of L. union was invalid and
ordered an election held to determine
whether the exclusive bargaining
privileges should be vested in the Fed
Grafton group or in a rival c. I. O.
union.
The action aroused a storm of pro-
test from Tracy, Green, Frey and other
federation leaders and although they
were somewhat Modified when the
Tracy union won the subsequent cleo
ton, the incident still rankles deeply.
Meanwhile, the board is somewhat
glngerly reviewing a ruling by one of
It's trial examiners in case of parallel
circumstances involving Wharton's
machinists and the United Automobile
Workers, c. I. o. affiliate. In this
instance, the National Motor Bearing
Co. of Oakland Calf, has signed a
closed shop agreement with the ma
chlnlstS, but a board trial examiner
has ruled that the U. A. w. is the
proper bargaining agent.
Hopeful that the appearance Of
Chairman j. Warren Madden as a
speaker at the Denver assembly NAV
result in smoothing troubled waters
the board is deferring it's decision on
the Oakland case. With the board
frankly concerned over the accusations
OF being unduly sympathetic toward
the c. l. O., some of its less publicized
representatives are expected to do a
lot of person-to- person missionary
work in Denver to discourage any
open censure of the board by the con-
vention.
Aside from the question of embar-
rassment to the Federal agency, any
federation decision not to cooperate
with the board or its field agents un-
doubtedly would seriously impair the
effectiveness of the labor relations law
Non-Partisan League, Issue.
Severance from any active connec-
ton with Labor's Non-PartiSan League
probably will be directed either by the
convention proper or by the Executive
Council. At its last meeting the coun-
Gil requested President Green to ascer-
tain the extent of c. I. O. control over
this political organization with the
intention of Severing all ties if the
LeWlSltes are found to be dominating
policy. Green has not yet reported his
findings, but it is obvious to all that
Lewis and his lieutenant. Sidney Hill
man. have held the spotlight in so far
as national policies of the league were
concerned.
In structure, the league is prmci-
pally federation of State campaign
agencies, with representatives of the
A. F. of L., the c. l. o. and the rail-
road brotherhoods sharing important
posts in local communities. To this
extent the federation probably has
had as much influence in the league
as the C. I. O.. but with publicity
focused on national headquarters
of the league here, the Lewis -Hillman
duo virtually monopolized whatever
credit accrued.
AS corollary to whatever action
the federation takes on this issue.
it probably will reaffrm its traditional
"non-partisan" political policy.
A showdown may occur in connec-
ton with the federation's attitude to-
ward wage and hour legislation, as
some show a willingness to string
along with the idea as an accessory
to organizatio efforts, while others
fear it is a first step toward govern
mental fixing of wages. Green blew
hot and cold on the proposition last
Summer, indorsing the pending bill
with conditions. Traditionally, Or
ganized labor has opposed such type
of legislation except for women and
children.
Sure to Favor Child Labor Ban.
AS for other legislative recommen-
dations, the convention is sure to 90
on record in favor of continued efforts
on behalf of the child labor amend
ment, and probably will adopt reso-
luton suggesting extension of the
social security act to classiflcations
OF workers not now covered
Federation organization plans tie in
closely with the C. I. o. fight and may
revolve in the convention around a
proposal of the council that special
assessments be levied to finance men,
bership drives in industries where the
C. I. o. efforts are centered. Power
full opposition to this policy already
has developed, principally from the
faction which believes the federation
should concentrate only on those in
dustries where it knows it may make
gains and not waste its strength in a
spite war with the Lewis group.
The threatened controversy over
United States affiliation with the
I. L. O. is grounded fundamentally
in the unfortunate psychology that
the post of American representative
on the governing body of the inter-
national organization is more of a
patronage plum than q job of work.
For three years, William Green has
held title to the post in somewhat
(See LABOR, Page C-3)