Evening star., 1937-08-01

VIVA tSOeNeT, DeCduSe tIlt ltdoC HiSil Va
concession, however slight, would have
been seized upon by Lewis and the
c, I, O. as a smashing victory and
used as another club to coerce the
men. We could not allow our men
to be imposed upon
Mr.. Girdler considers the c. I. O.
irresponsible. And what is needed, IN
his opinion, to place labor and indus
try on a firm foundation is adequate
Federal legislation. He explained his
reasons for not signing the agreement
which the c. l. o. demanded, and his
reasons for believing that a better
understanding between industry and
labor will result from the present
chaotic condition. which he lays at
the door of John Lewis and his c. I.
o. organization.
Conditions Changed.
Why does he believe this last?
ANY industrialist." he said, who
thinks he can run his industry today
in the same manner and with the
same methods he used IS or 20 years
ago. is out of step. 1t cannot be done.
Industrial conditions have changed.
The attitude of the men has changed.
The attitude of industry has changed.
Industry has seen the value OF collec-
tive bargaining, has seen 1t proved
how both the company and the men
benefit from it."
Before the C. I. o. came into the
picture, do you believe that industry
and labor we're closer to an under
standing than at any other time
previous?
That is absolutely true. Although
C. I. O. may have disrupted this sit
uation in some instances. the relations
with our men are happy and there is
better understanding than ever before y
You do not believe that c. I. o. ac-
tivity has changed this?
mo. the C. I. O. has had no effect
on that situation. The men are
forming their own organizations and
financing them themselves. They're
proud of the whole thing
What do you believe is the out
look. under present conditions, for
industry and labor?
c l. O. Is on Wane.
That is something difficult to pre-
dict. The c. I. o. at present is def
nitely on the vane"
Do you regard the c. l. O. as labor
union or do you believe it is an at
tempt to organize a political ma
chine?
Partly that suppose But not so
much politics as power. Lewis wants
to expand the c. l. o. to build ZIP
his power.
Exactly why did you refuse to
sign an agreement with c. l. O?
Because John Lewis oreaniza-
ton is absolutely irresponsible. its
contracts entirely worthless and no
good. I have said before, the only
purpose Of Lewis in attempting to
obtain written contract was to get
closed shop and the check-off. l
will not sign any contract with that
kind Of an outfit
Responsibility Needed.
Are there any circumstances un-
der which you would sign a con-
tract?
If there were Federal law spe-
cifically defining labor practices for
both labor unions and employers and
placing full responsibility with ap-
propriate penalties on the unions for
acts Of violence and breach of con-
tract
Don't misunderstood me. I will
bargain collectively with any one who
even claims to represent a group of
our men l don't care what union a
man belongs to. My point is that a
man must be allowed his own free
choice as to whether he wants to be-
long to a union at all"
Il am in favor of legislation and
always have been," he said. There
have been some reactionaries and die
hards, who were afraid of what legis-
latlon would do. 1t is true there are
too many laws. Intelligent leeisla-
ton is what is needed now. Some
thing which defines labor practices
and fixes responsibility legislation
which will allow a man to belong to a
union or not as he chooses hoye