Evening star., 1937-07-04
Labor at the Crossroads
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Continued From First Paae)
by assuming the name of a union.
TO deprive all others of their means
Of livelihood and compel them to
contribute of their earnings to self
styled leaders II an employer
had denied to labor any of its rights,
the Wagner act provided an orderly
way OF calling him to account. In
stead OF resorting to this act, the de-
PENDANTS by force and violence sought
to compel the employer and his en-
ployes to do what the Wagner act
does not countenance and what the
Judgment of every true friend Of labor
and Of all good men condemns as
wrong both in policy and principle.
Public opinion will sympathize with
labor in using every fair, just and
legal means to secure and protect its
rights, but public opinion-and this
includes the. sane. sober thoughtful
and lawabiding element of labor
will feel outraged at the lawless con-
duct OF the defendants, which, if tol-
Grated, would strike down American
institutions, flaunt our long cherished
principles of even-handed justice and
destroy the foundations Of the Gov
ernment itself"
This, 1t should be remembered, is
not charge by some prejudiced en-
ployer, but the findings Of an appellate
Federal court, based on undisputed
testimony.
Incorporation Debated.
II union affiliated with the new
labor movement can perpetrate an
outrage OF this sort in one OF our
leading cities under existing law, is
there any likelihood that new legis-
lation could impose higher degree
Of responsibility?
One OF the most talked-of proposals
Is the compulsory Incorporation of all
labor unions by the Federal Govern
ment. The United States Chamber
OF Commerce has gone on record in
favor Of compulsory incorporation, be-
leving such legislation would promote
the responsibility Of unions and IA
ciliate the recovery of damages in
legal proceedings. On the other hand,
many business and industrial leaders
are opposed to compulsory incorpora-
ton. The chairman of the National
Association of Manufacturers c. M
Chester, recently stated that his asso-
citation has never suggested or urged
the compulsory incorporation of labor
organizations and does not now do So u
The last half century has witnessed
complete reversal of attitude on
this question. Back in 1870 and 1880
labor leaders strongly urged Federal
incorporation as an aid to recognition
by employers and as means OF
strengthening their legal position
Business interests, opposing the rising
tide OF unionism, fought measures
that would give unions clear Legal
standing. Now it is the labor leaders
who are fighting incorporation, and
the business leaders-some OF them
At least-who are campaigning for it
Point Often Overlooked.
Many OF the proponents of CON-
pulsory union incorporation cite the
fact that most businesses are in
eorporated, but now have to deal with
,lnincorporated. irresponsible labor or.
carnations. They overlook the fact
that there is no law requiring lUsi-
ness to incorporate, and that many
Of them are incorporated to limit
liability.
Prom a legal standpoint the basic
objection to compulsory Federal in.
corporation Of unions is that such
a law in all probability would be
held unconstitutional The power o1
incorporation resided in the States be.
fore the formation Of the Fedora
Government, and they have never re.
linquished 1t.