Evening star., 1938-09-02
PRESS URGES
LABOR ACT CHANGES
New Spirit in Industrial
Relations Predicted.

Announcement by labor leaders that
President Roosevelt has shown a favor
able attitude toward amendments to the
Wagner labor relations law arouses ex-
pectations that action will be taken soon
by Congress. 1t is believed that changes
in the law will give favorable results for
employers. and that through the influ-
ence of the administration the Labor
rival unions.
The New York Times quotes from
resolution adopted by the New York
State Federation of Labor the statement
that "the worthy purpose OF this law has
been perverted by its administrators in
such fashion that the act has become
injurious instead of beneficial" The
Times also observes that 1.-The United
States Chamber of Commerce, on the
same day, denounced operation of what
was hailed three years ago as the work.
ingmans Magma Charta' The Times
concludes: There is a growing realiza-
ton that when rights are denied to one
group they can be denied to any group.
Thus, inevitably, one branch of labor,
believing its own rights denied, is coming
to see that the employer also has rights
which it is dangerous to violate"
Little wonder" declares the New York
Herald Tribune, that labor at long last
has joined management in clamoring for
the amendment of the Wagner Act or
that the President admits changes are
due"
Both labor organizations have shreWd
leaders WhO'can see that, il the act is to
be amended, it is better to have the
changes made under friendly adminis-
tration," observes the Youngstown Vindi-
Gator, with the advice that the unions
should press for genuine amendments
which, while preserving the central
principle, will effectively remedy the
one-sidedness which has made the law
a source OF unnecessary strife" The
MarshalltoWn Iowa) Times Republican
concludes: presidential cooperation
with Congress in amendment of the
statute in manner to assure fairness to
business and to all classes of labor will
make agreement much easier and may
avoid an open. break among Congress
factions. The President in recognizing
changes are necessary makes a wise
political move, as national sentiment was
growing in favor Of drastic modifca-
tions.'
Irresponsible leadership of both labor
and management" thinks the Toledo
Blade, have been slowly becoming con-
vinced that the Wagner Act and the
Labor Board need some going over
While it is probable that the act itself is
open to amendment and that such
an1pnHpopnt will ho NV ho
next Congress. the immediate concern is
its Interpretation and administration on
the part Of the board
"A revised Wagner Act" in the judg-
ment of the San Francisco Chronicle,
dictated by the American Federation of
Labor, the National Manufacturers As
sociation, the American Medical Associa-
ton, the United States Board OF Trade,
or the Bar Association would be open to
suspicion of being lopsded, even if it
were not. The Wagner Act requires
amendment if there is to be any industry
left to have relations with. But it re-
quires amendment not by any special
interest but by an independent con-
structive Congress that will hear all
parties in interest and reWrite the act
on the square so that it will mean what
the Title says.
What are needed says the Wall
Street Journal, ARE not merely te .hnical
changes to make the meaning Of certain
provisions more clear. Nor is 1t enough
to have certain limitations imposed on
the National Labor Relations Board. We
would not have the act eviscerated, but
it must be overhauled in a bipartisan
spirit. If anything along this true and
fair course is undertaken, it will be of
primary encouragement to business But
few clarifying changes fall TAR short
of the mark to be aimed at