The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-07-08

WEI 1l4l1k 1dUOI CALlG1111SI0 OS
 As far back as the sit-down strikes, one Cabinet member who is extremely close to the Presi- dent urged that he make a friend- ly but straight-from-the shoulder statement that while the Admin istration was for the workingman, they should not go too far.
 Several others in the Cabinet who are friendly to labor also feel that it is now spelling it's own gains by unauthorized strikes, jurisdictional disputes between unions, and extremist action.
 AS A RESULT there has been some very quiet, but definite, iil- ner Cabinet resentment against the President for not acting long ago. The feeling is that any statement by him now would be interpreted by the country as be- ing dragged out of him rather than volunteered as the leader of the country.
 Lewis Worried
 There have also been some con- versations with John L. Lewis about the responsibility of la bor extremists, and Lewis has been frank to admit that he is worried about the failure of labor leaders to control their own men. His own problem, Lewis says very frankly, is that the C1O has grown so fast that 1t lacks suf- ficient responsible executives.
 one weak point which Lewis has been trying to bolster is the United Automobile Workers, who have had several hundred un- authorized strikes. For permitting these, Homer Martin has been called on the CIO carpet and told he must control his men.
 Martin Is an ex-preacher, en amiable. drawly, nice enough fellow, and 8 good rabble -rouser, but not the two.fisted executive necessary to keep in check one of the newest an almost potent unions in the country. CIO executives have considered re- placing him, bu thave not been able to find . suitable successor.
 REAL FACT is that with union- ization expanding at the rate It has, 1t will take lot of miracle workers to whip up responsible organizations overnight.
 Suspicious Magnates
 The steel executives who con- ferred in Cleveland with President Roosevelt's Mediation Board took no chances of letting slip any words that might be used against them.
 On entering the board room, the steel moguls looked about carefully to see if a dictaphone or other recording device was hid- den anywhere. One of them sus- piciously examined small radio that belonged to the hotel.
 To allay their doubts, Chairman Charles P. Taft had the boards secretary, who was in and out of the room during the meeting, leave her pencil and notebook out side. He also explained that she was present only to answer then telephone.
 Strikes vS. Social Security
 The Social Security Board has been watching the present strike melee with considerable misgiv- ings. For within a year. it will be mixed in the labor fight up to its chain.
 It will be called upon to de- eide the moot question: When Is . worker entitled to unem- ployment benerits?
 There is only one state pay ing such benefits now--Wiscon- sin-but 20 others will initiate this phase of the Social Secur- ity program on January 1, 1888.
 After that, thousands of dis puted cases will come from the state boards. Under the Act, workers are disqualified from compensation when their unem- ployment is the result of a labor dispute, discharge for misconduct, or refusing suitable employment" !" Each one of these is a prospective battle-ground.
 The Board must lay down an administrative definition of"mis- conduct. It must determine the exact meanin gof suitable em- ployment." If a worker refuses 2 cut and is fired, the Board must pass on the question of whether the proffered wage is suitable.
 In the case of strikers applying for unemployment benefits, the board will have to determine whether or mott he labor dispute is Gin active progress.
 Appeal boards will handle the cases in their respective states, but determination of major policy will rest witht he board in Wash- ington, which can enforce it's will by granting or withholding ad- ninistrative funds in each state.
 Merry-Go-R
 Representative Fred Hermann, third .terrn I0Wa democrat. has