Evening star., 1938-01-29
LABOR B0ARDQU|z
BACKEDBYC.OFC. c.
Letter to Subcommittee by
A. F. l. Aide May Foil
Burke's Objective.
BY ]. A. O'LEARY,

Willie AL OIlCldl CT JIle American
Federation Of Labor was opposing a
Senate investigation of the National
Labor Relations Board as "unneces-
sary," in a letter to Judiciary Sub
committee members. a committee Of
the United States Chamber of Com
merce today urged a thorough in
quiry into the Labor Act and its
administration.
Senator Wagner, Democrat, of New
York. sponsor of the Labor Relations
Act. defended the Labor Board in
statement this morning. but said he
was willing to consider changes in the
law. especially an amendment pro-
posed by Senator Hatch, Democrat. of
New Mexico, that would fix the quail
flcatione for the boards examiners.
Il thtnk the board has done an ad-
mirable and constructive Job under
81 Z very adverse circumstances"
Senator Wagner said.
Meanwhile, the subcommittee. after
hearing Senator Burke. Democrat, of
Nebraska outline complaints on which
he is basing his request for formal
Senate investigation, is marking time
until Thursday morning. when Chair
man j. Warren Madden Of the Labor
Board will have an opportunity to
answer the various criticisms Mr..
Burke aimed at the handling of labor
dispute proceedings by agents Of the
board.
~ - all -
the subcommittee. Charlton Oeburn,
general counsel Of the A. F. OF L..
expressed confidence the Senate could
obtain any information it desires
about the activities of the Labor Board
much more quickly and inexpensively
without a public hearing. in which
prejudices of numerous persons are
aired" He added suggestion that
such hearings might lead to renewed
efforts to add "anti-labor amend
ments" to the act.
Letter May Decide Question.
Mr.. Ogburn's letter probably will
lessen the chances of the Senate
ordering a formal investigation. The
hearings now being held are merely
preliminary, to enable the subcom-
mittee Ito determine what recon-
mendations should be made on the
Burke resolution.
One Of the complaints listed by
Senator Burke in his statement to the
subcommittee during the last two
days was an allegation that in sew
eral cases where A. F.. Of L. unions
had working contracts with employers
the Labor Board had ignored the
contracts when charges were filed by
c. I. o. unions. and had ordered elec-
tions to determine representation.
C. c. Lists Criticisms.
The Chamber Of Commerce spe-
cial committee, reporting to the mid
winter meeting Of the directors, cited
a number of specific criticisms of the
administration Of the Labor Act, and
concluded:
ITO the extent that the board may
have exceeded its jurisdiction or may
have misinterpreted the act in particu-
lar cases, the remedy lies with the
courts. It would seem to be the func-
tion OF Congress, however, to determine
to what degree the purposes it de-
sired to be accomplished by the act
have not been fulfilled because Of
deficiencies in the act or because Of
improper administration For example,
whether or not Congress so intended,
the act has operated in such a way
as to prevent employers from taking
wholly legitimate steps to protect
their own employees from coercion and
violence on the part of labor organi-
cations with which the employees have
not wished to become associated"
The chamber committee contended
the rulings of the board demonstrate
the need for a congressional inquiry.
Such an investigation, the committee
suggested, would enable Congress to
determine whether the public inter-
est, as well as the interests of all
parties directly concerned, would be
better served by the repeal of the
Labor Relations Act. or by prompt
correction of its manifest deficiencies.
This committee also asserted labor
disputes have inceased instead Of
diminishing, adding that there were
more strikes during the first 10
months of 1887 than occurred in any
Of the last 20 years.
On the other hand, Mr.. Ogburn
told Senators in his letter that since
the Labor Act was upheld by the
Supreme Court in April workers have
felt = sense of security they have
never felt before"
They knew they could join a
union without being fired or dis
criminated against" Mr.. Ogburn con-
tinued. "The growth in union mem
bership since last April - is a tribute
to the beneficent results of this law"
Mr.. Ogburn wrote that If there are
inequalities in the law, "Congresa,
labor itself and the friends of labor
can work out those inequalities" If
there are defects in administration.
he said, they could be called to the
attention Of the Labor Board privately
TOR correction.