Evening star., 1937-01-02
Strikes Force
Major Issue
Before u. S.
Auto Shut-D Down Threat
May Affect Policy
of Government.
NJ DAVID LAWRENCE.

ny DAVID LAWRENCE.
TINE widespread ramifications Of
shutdown in the automobile
industry are beginning to be
u understood and may produce
next week the most important OF a
series Of sensations affecting govern
mental policy in 1887.
Can q few men acquire a monopoly
cf the largest single item in the entire
economic structure-the cost of labor?
And If labor is to be checked against
such l1lonopolistic practices will it not
mean Government control of labor
unions-the very foundation Of a Fas-
cist state?
These questions are becoming per-
tinent as the threatened shutdown Of
automobile production brings America
face to face with issues that have
forced in Europe not only regulation
Of the profits Of industry and govern
fnent control of the management proc
ess. but government control of the
labor function.
Great Britain, after her experience
with a general strike. put labor unions
under certain legal restrictions The
question now is whether American
public opinion is going to be forced
to do the same thing in self-protection.
"Sit-Down" Is Revolutionary.
The so-called Shutdown" strikes in
the auto industry are form Of revo-
luton. The workers take possession
Of plant and refuse to work, but by
occupying seats at vital points, in an
assembly line for instance, they prac-
tically stop production. The "sit-
down" strike has been employed sue
cessfully in Europe to force govern
n1ent Intervention or employer capitu-
lation.
It might be argued that in America
no employe has right to tie up the
property of an employer and that this
Is covered by common law if not by
State statutes. But most of the sher-
IFS are under labor control nowadays
and those that are not are hesitant to
enter into an open hght with the labor
leaders. Heretofore the technique has
been to put pickets outside a plant and
prevent other workers from taking the
Jobs vacated. The "sit-down' strike
transfers the picketing to a point in
side the plant and a substitute worker
would have to use violence to displace
the striking worker and an employer
would have to use force to eject work
ers from his plant If the employer
tried to get an Injunction. he would
1nd his opportunities somewhat lin
1ted by the anti-injunction statute SO
far as Federal courts are concerned.
As for State courts the refusal to issue
1njunctions in labor disputes has been
growing with the increasing political
power Of labor in the States.
Issue Is Forced.
Probably 1t is just as well that the
courts are, for the moment, not avail
able to the industrialists because this
forces the issue clearly before public
opinion. The auto industry, for in
stance, is one that has been especially
good in the payments of wages and
bonuses. Likewise, the auto indus
try. has recently conformed to Gov
eminent specifications under the
Walsh Healey law so that the 40-hour
week Is in effect
What, then, do the labor leaders
want? John Lewis and his Commit
tee tor Industrial Organization want,
drst, q demonstration of their eco
homie power. They have singled out
the auto industry just to show the
American Federation of Labor what
the latter has been unable to accom-
plish and what the c. I. o. thinks 1t
can accomplish.
II the auto industry owners bow to
John Lewis, it will be his first i'm
portant victory and he can then 60 on
TO tie up other industries and force
recognition Of his particular type OF
unionism. The employers in the auto
industry recognize that fundamental
issue Is at stake-whether the owners
OF property shall continue to manage
them or whether the management will
now be In part assumed by few labor
leaders.
Craft Leaders Experienced.
Theoretically. employers ought to
have no objection to collective bar
gaining or to recognition of labor
unions. Many industries get along
very well under unionization. But
this Is. as rule, the experience with
American Federation OF Labor unions
rather than any other type, and is
due to the fact that the leaders of
the craft unions are more experienced
In dealing with the pros and cons Of
labor disputes.
There is, and always has been, q
general sympathy with labor unions
on the part Of the people generally.
It has usually been assumed that en-
ployers we're unwilling to grant living
wages or decent hours. None OF these
objections can be expressed per-
eussively with respect to the auto in
dustyy. Likewise, the automobile. with
It's many parts and accessories. fur
nishes livelihood, directly and indi-
sectly, for many industries and busi-
nesses in various parts OF the United
States.
II, therefore the auto industry shuts
down, the pinch will be felt in the
whole recovery movement. Does the
public think this fs the way to soIve
the employment problem or the ques-
ton Of collective bargaining? May
be when Congress neets next week it
will feel the effects OF Me shutdown,
and maybe. also, President Roose-
velt. who is scrupulouslS refraining
from any move that could be consid-
cred Intervention, will be compelled
after all TO intervene. Slowly but
surely Government intervention may
become Government control unless
public opinion can manifest Itself
against arbitrary power and mon
opolistic practice, whether exercised by
employees or by employers This may