The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1938-10-13
Revision Of Labor Relations Act Is Asked
By The American Federation Of Labor
Nine Changes Restricting
Administrative Power
Are Urged
TO CANVASS SENATE
Bodrd Member D. w. Smith s
Confirmation Is
Opposed

Houston, Tex.-Without a single
the delegates to the annual convention
of the American Federation of Labor
voted in favor of nine fundamental
amendments to the National Labor
Relations Act and instructed A. F. of
l.. officials to oppose Senate confrma-
tion of the recent reappointment of
Donald Wakefield Smith to the Natl
onal Labor Relations Board, which
administers the measure.
The action of the convention was
taken by the adoption of the report
from the Committee on Resolutions.
In supporting the adoption of the
Committee report, William Green,
president of the American Federation
of Labor, said the Federation was not
opposing or antagonizing President
Roosevelt by assailing both the poll
cies of the Labor Relations Board and
Mr.. Smiths membership thereon.
The report of the Resolutions Com
mittee on Board Member Smith rec
commended that no stone be left un-
turned by the A. F. of L. or any avenue
unexplored for the purpose of pre-
venting Senate confirmation of his re-
appointment.
Officials of the A. F. of L. will ask
every candidate for seat in the Sen
ate to announce before the general
election in November whether he will
vote to reject the appointment Of Mr..
Smith.
Amendments Asked
Charging that the administration OF
the National Labor Relations Act by
the Labor Relations Board has fav-
ored the Comisfssssss FOR Industrial Or
ganization and that it's rulings have
promoted strife, the Committee on
Resolutions said the Labor Board had
brought administrative justice into
disrepute and urged that amendments
be presented to Congress changing the
Labor Act on the following points:
l. The unit rule must be changed
to conform to that which is in the
Railway Labor Act so that it will be
obligatory on the board to grant a
craft or class the right to select it's
bargaining representative by majority
vote.
2. The power of the board to in
validate contracts must be definitely
curtailed
3. Every known interested party
should be served with due process and
be afforded an opportunity to appear
in any case. No contractural rights
should be passed upon without every
party to the contract being served
with process and given the right to
appear in the case.
4. Intervention by interested parties
should be made a matter Of right and
not matter of discretion.
5. Definite qualifications should be
set forth in respect to examiners.
Some are wholly incompetent and un-
fit to serve in that capacity. In fact,
affidavits of prejudice should be per-
mitted to be filed against them where
an examiner is considered unfair.
6. Qualification respecting power
over the issuance Of subpoenas is nee
essary and liberalizing Of the rule in
that respect should be provided.
7. The secrecy of files must be
lifted to the extent that all persons
may have an opportunity to examine
a record which contains material on
which decisions are made.
8. Elections shall be conducted
within As days after the close of the
taking of testimony.
The report of the Resolutions Com
mittee adopted by the convention also
recommended that the Executive Coun-
Gil of the American Federation of La
Dor consider other amendments which
would create new tribunal to exer-
else the purely judicial powers of the
Labor Relations Act, leaving the ad-
ministrative duties in the hands Of the
existing board.
AUTO STRIKE ENDS
L.