Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-05-09

Wagner act, or the efforts Of the u A.
w. to establish recognition In his
plants"
Lewis was asked If the rumor was
true that, as head OF the c. l. O., he
did not want or authorize the Chrysler
strike.
Il never wanted any strike if I
could avoid it," he replied.
Il would much prefer to avoid a
strike. But that had no bearing on
the Chrysler strike. II there is not
any other way to work it out. I have
been willing to strike to obtain the
objective. I abhor strikes"
"Abhor?"
Wants Strike Only II Necessary.
Yes, I abhor strikes I told the
Washington Press Club that"
Lewis was reminded that his lab
horrence" seemed paradoxical for the
leader Of the c. l. O.. which had
caused SO many major strikes
I'm the last man to call a strike
AA'Aeoo ~ AlCSScSoly y, AS"n Sdlu.
What does Lewis think Of the pro-
poeal for Federal law requiring the
incorporation OF unions?
Il think it would be excellent if
the proposal is for the purpose OF de-
stroYng labor organizations. OBJ
viously, do not want that destruction
and am opposed to the incorporation
Of unions.
"You see, the only reason business
| Incorporates is to limit the liability
OF the assets OF q corporation, preserv-
ing the assets Of those who compose
1t and rendering them immune.
THAT is the sole purpose Of incor-
poration. But the reverse is desired
when the incorporation of unions is
suggested. Here the desire Is to es-
| tablish liability Incorporation would
simply mean that the central organi-
cation would be responsible for the
acts of local union affiliates and the
members thereof.
For instance. suppose local union
in Red Dog, inspired by detectives
| hired by management against labor,
| was to take an action that would give
| the employer the right to sue under
the antitrust laws. No union could
exist under that kind Of centralized
liability.
Aim to Destroy Labor.
| LET me cite another example: Sup
pose an employer in Lansing, Mich,
wanted to break up union. He would
hire detectives to go into the union
and advise adopting policy that
would mean breaking Of a contract.
Then the employer could Sue the
central organization and cripple the
union.
1T is as sensible as incorporating
the Republican party and making it
responsible for the acts Of all Re-
publicans.
IF there should be Federal incor-
poration of labor unions. would in
dustry agree to the Federal incor-
poration Of the corporations? Indus
try would never agree. What it wants
Is an fundamentally to destroy labor
Who am responsible to as chair
man Of the c. I. o. and president OF
the U. M. W.? am responsible tc
my flag and my Government; my
country and my State and my COM
munity; to my God, my family and
my neighbors.
Il am also servant to my employ.
ers, the United Mine Workers At bi.
annual conventions Of the U. M. w
I must render an accounting Of my
stewardship. As chairman Of the
c. I. O., am responsible to the variou,
organizations which compose it TO,
any of my acts.
What has happened to the money
contributed to the c. I. o. by membe,
unions? It has been spent and il
being spent for the payment of organ.
izers' salaries, field workers wages, fol
printing and for organization expenses
The C. I. o. charges no dues. It de.
ponds on contributions from member
unions for its work."
| $4,000, 900 Cost to Labor. :.
1t was recalled to Lewis that &
statistical agency had computed tn.
cost to labor in months Of striking ir
the automobile industry as $65, 000, 00(
lost in wages.
How much did it cost the auto.
mobile industry" Lewis snapped, anc
then. with q sharp note Of sarcasm ir
his voice, he added:
THE adversaries Of labor should bt
congratulated If they cost labor that
much to live. Who can measure the
right to live? Who can determine how
much one should pay for that right?
DO I consider that labor gained
any ground in the Chrysler strike?
1.-THE Chrysler strike Justified itsel1
entirely. What has been gained II
the automobile industry is demon.
strated by the fact that the United
Automobile Workers Union has more
than SOC, 900 members.
THE U. A. w. Is one Of the majol
organizations in the country at thu
present time"
| Lewis paused for moment. HI
arose quickly from his chair. Th<
interview was almost over.
! That union was cut from whole
CLOTH" he said. 1T was worthwhile
price for the workers to pay"
(copy71sht, 1887, By tbs North Amsrieso
l RswsasSsr Anssaes- lnsJ .-