Evening star., 1937-10-15
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Labor Legislation.

The American Federation of Labor
does not like the manner in which the
National Labor Relations Board has ad-
ministered its affairs. Feeling that the
board officials have been mixing into
Its fight with the Committee for Indus
trial Organization, the federation plans
to take the matter to Congress. What
Congress will do in the situation is lust
another puzzle for the members of the
House and Senate. Many of them will
not care to offend either of these two
LABOR organizations, no matter what they
may think about the National Labor
Relations Board.
The attack of the American Fedora
ton of Labor has so far taken its course
in two proposed amendments to the
Wagner labor relations act. which Gre
ated the N L. R. B. The first of these
would prevent the board from stepping
Into any dispute between the federation
and the c. I. 0. The second, more def
nitely pro-federation, would compel the
board to hold its elections among en-
ployes by crafts, in plants where more
than one craft was employed
The federation feels very keenly, ap-
parently, that the National Labor Rela-
tions Board has injected itself into dis
putes between the federation and the
G. 1. O., and on the side of the c. I. o.
This, it is charged, has happened on
number of occasions.
A Government board, set up to deal
with labor relations, which undertakes
to side with one union as against an
other obviously is not what Congress
intended The board was created to aid
In collective bargaining, but not to tell
the workers with what union they should
affiliate. The more impartial the board.
the greater its chances of success and
the better for all parties concerned.
II Congress is to amend the labor re-
lations act there are other changes in
addition to those suggested by the
American Federation of Labor which
1t should consider. AS the law now
stands it is a one-sided affair. EN-
ployers are debarred from taking action
which the unions are permitted to take.
Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg of Mich
igan, in the recent session of Congress,
presented series of amendments in
tended to improve conditions.
How far Congress will wish to go in
the matter of amending the labor rela-
tlons act and in the matter of other
legislation affecting labor unions it is
not possible to determine until Congress
assemblies. President Roosevelt is rec
ommending the passage of the so-called
wages and hours bill, to set up new
Federal board or commission to fix
maximum hours of work and minimum
wages. While it is going into these mat
tiers it could well give consideration to
the question of annual financial reports
to be made by labor unions. Such leg
1slation would be in the interest of the
workers themselves. 1t could and should
consider legislation attacking violation
OF contracts entered into in good faith
between the unions and employers 1t
could and should consider legislation
outlaWing the seizure of property
through the means of the sit-down
strike.
The year 1887 has been marked by
labor strife in this country on a huge
scale. There has been strife between
labor and employer. and between labor
organizations themselves. 1t is the duty
OF Congress to take cognizance of these
battles, which have resulted in large
losses 10 workers. The right of man
to work should be closely guarded.
Peace pacts have been numerous but