Evening star., 1938-04-30
AT. Of |. WEIGHS
WAR0NLABORACT
Critical Report on Policies
of Board Attacks
Peculiar Views
BY JOHN C. HENRY.

The threat Of drive by the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor for a redefni-
ton Of the administrative features Of
the national labor relations law was
being weighed today following presen-
tation to the federation's Executive
Council yesterday of charges of NAL
administration of the act arising out Of
the peculiar economic points Of view"
of the Labor Relations Board and its
personnel.
Joseph A. Padway, counsel for the A..
F. L., submitted the complaints to the
council yesterday In critical and de-
tailed report on the policies and de-
cisions OF the board. William Green,
president. indicated the feelings Of the
council may be expressed in definite
action before the sessions end next
week.
Sees Rights Invaded.
Reviewing a number Of rulings
which have had the effect Of upset.
ting A. F. L. agreements or organiz-
ing efforts, Mr. Padway warned the
council that If such rulings are to
continue, then compulsory arbitration
by Government decree has become a
reality. This doctrine, which is abhor-
rent to organized labor, which 1t has
traditionally opposed and which is
inimical to its welfare, is being sad
died upon labor through the admin
Stration Of law intended to protect
freedom In the exercise of labor's
rights.
To make matters worse, there is q
strong feeling on the part Of the over
whelming numbers Of the organized
labor movement that the arbitration
tribunal has not only taken jurisdic-
ton never intended for it, but that the
arbitrators are, through preconceived
economic bias, committed to principles
which definitely control many of the
decisions"
Sees Employers Harassed.
The federation attorney also point
ed out the frequency with which en-
ployers flnd themselves inflicted"
with harsh and unwarranted rulings"
as result of dealing with one or an
other union involved in jurisdictioual
dispute. Such occurrences, he added,
may bring about popular revulsion
against the entire act" a circum-
stance already noted in the fostering
OF repressive legislation against the
interests Of labor.
1T would be monstrous, indeed, {"
he concluded. III mal-administration
OF the law which was enacted to free
labor should result in Stacking it.
May Lead to Amendment.
"The present situation is causing
deep concern throughout the whole
structure of the American Fedora
ton Of Labor. To save the heart Of
the law and protect the interests Of
labor, it may be necessary that the
administrative features Of the Wagner
Act be REDEEMED by Congress and
the act so amended as to require the
National Relations Board to function
in accord with the spirit and purpose
of the act.
Labor cannot afford to be subject
to the rulings of administrators who
constantly substitute their own Pc
culiar economic points of view for
the plain provisions and the spirit
of the law"
Among the recent decisions Of the
board discussed by Mr.. Padway be-
fore the council were those in the
cases Of the Zenite Metal Corp. of
Indianapolis, Ind; National Motor
Bearing Co. Of Oakland, Calf: Car
roltan Metal rPoducts Co. of Carroll
ton, Ohio; Ward Baking Co., Balti-
more, Md; Cutler Hammer Co.. Mil
waukee, Wis, and Consolidated Edison
Co., New York City.
Continuing to develop its plans for
organization Of coal miners into the
Progressive Mine Workers, newly
chartered afnliate Of the A. F. of L.,
the council disclosed through Mr..
Green yesterday that much of the
drive will be conducted by radio.
Station VIGIL Of Chicago, owned by
the Chicago Federation of Labor, will
be principal outlet for this type Of
organizing work, Mr.. Green said, with
programs blanketing Illinois, Indiana,
Iowa and Ohio.