The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-03-24

Slt-d0Wn strike came arour
 To say they are W 1,ried is putt ting it mildly. This includes not only the President, but even such labor leaders as John L. Lewis and Sidney Hillmall.
 This secret alarm was behind the guarded but pointed c0n- denlnatiOn of the sit-d0wn strike in the senate the other day.
 Roosevelt enemies have been spreading the word that the seizure of factories, and general disregard for private property are what can be expected when the nation lets a radical admins tration and labor get the whip hand. They have also sent out the rallying cry that this is what can be expected if Roosevelt is given a free hand with the Su- preme Court.
 ALL OF WHICH IS GETTING DECIDEDLY ON ADMINISTRA- TON NERVES.
 ChrysIer Strike
 Inside story of the Chrysler sit-down was that labor leaders were much against it. Walter Chrysler long has been friendly to both the c. I. o. and A. F. L. During the General Motors strike he incurred the resentment of his fellow auto moguls by aiding the unionites to settle a strike in plants supplying him with glass for his cars. Also his production of cars helps force General Mo- tors to come to terms.
 When this happened, Chrysler quietly opened negotiations with the auto union. And it was in the very middle of these discussions that a group of rambunctious unionites pulled a sit-down in sev- eral Chrysler plants-a move which quickly spread to other fac- toreis.
 Outraged at this provocative ac- ton, Chrysler indignantly broke off negotiations, demanded the evacuation of his properties. Caught between two fires, the union command didn't dare re- pudiate its high handed rnilitants and had to back them up. The result was complete shut.down and bitter fight.
 Extremist Disturbers
 Some New Dealers, and labor leaders, believe that extremist elements were behind the Chry- sler sit-down.
 The sit-doWn lends itself readily to the purposes of a small group bent on creatin gtrouble, whether for employer or union leader. Con- fidential reports have been re- ceived by the Labor Department thath certain radicals, in order to force John Lewis hand, are se- cretly planning to pull sit-down strikes in industries that the c. I. o. is seeking to organize
 What intensifies Administra- ton worry is the fact that 1t is frankly stymied regarding 3 solution.
 Legislation for compulsory arbitration is political dynamite. Both the c. I. o. and the A. F. of L. are violently opposed to it. For that matter, so arc most : employers.
 $ A strong, disciplined labor l1ove- ment could handle the situation. But labor ranks are in ferment, cutting each others throats as well as industry's. The c. I. O., expanding by leaps and bounds, is in too inchoate a state to rule jets adherents with a firm hand. Railroad Plan
 One proposed plan Is adoption of the peace machinery which has proved so successful in the rail- road field. This system avoids the objections to compulsory arbi- tration by being voluntary. At the same time it provides 8 method whereby union leaders are able to control the hot-heads or deliber. ate trouble makers in their ranks.
 Briefly, the railway labor niedi- ation law provides that in the event of a dispute neither side can take overt action for 30 days. During that time, federal concili- ators seek to bring about an agreement. Failing peace, arbitra- tion $ the next step, If both sides accept.
 If they don't, can't, or won't. then they are free to square off and fight it out. So far in rail industry this has never hap pened since the passage of the law.
 Ladies Light Up
 Announcement soon will be made that lady member of con- gress has indorsed a brand of cigarettes.
 She is Caroline O'Day, Congress- woman from New York, and an intimate friend of Mrs. Roose- welt.
 Mrs. O'Day will not advertise that she uses the cigarettes her. self, but that friends coming to her home seem to prefer that par- ticular brand.