Evening star., 1939-04-11
BY JOHN c. HENRY.

Coupling a promise of co-opera-
ton with sweeping defense of the
National Labor Relations Act and its
administration, Senator Wagner,
Democrat, of New York, sponsor of
the law, charged today before the
Senate Labor Committee that critics
who complain of its "one- -sidedness"
are guilty of economic astigmatism'
and are appraising the act in an "in-
tellectual vacuum"
Having taken no part in the bitter
controversies OF the past two years
over operation of the act, the New
Yorker broke his silence today as first
witness in public hearings on several
amending proposals. More friends
and many foes will appear later be-
fore the committee, with the issue
expected to reach the floors of Sem
ate and House before the session
ends.
Present as the hearings opened
were the three Labor Board men,
bers. Chairman j. Warren Madden,
Edwin S. Smith and Donald w.
Smith.
Committee Chairman Thomas of
Utah announced that Senator Burke.
Democrat, of Nebraska. sponsor Of
the first set of amendments in
troduced, would be the next witness.
Because of funeral services sched-
uled tomorrow for Senator Lewis of
Illinois, and previous committee
commitments Thursday and Friday,
the hearings recessed after Senator
Wagner's appearance until next
Monday.
AS an initial offer of his prom
lsed cooperation. Senator Wagner
declared he would support leglsla-
tive proposals to permit employers to
petition the board for employe elec-
tions.
Prohibited by Ruling.
Il have always said" the witness
reminded the committee, that there
is nothing in the present act which
denies this privilege to employers.
The prohibition rests upon ruling
of the Labor Board. This ruling
evolved before the current labor
split. to meet the situation where an
employer might attempt prema-
turely to freeze situation pro-
duced by long tradition of opposi-
ton to unionism.
While there should still be safe
guards against this situation, the
labor split has introduced novel
situation where well-intentioned
employer is caught between the COM
petition of rival groups. In such
cases, under appropriate safeguards
which these hearings should develop,
I feel that the employer certainly
should have the right to petition for
an election. 1t would seem that the
board could accomplish this under
its making power. But If not.
there should be Legislation toward
that end.
Although the board has not yet
seen fit to change its rules to permit
such petitions, it has been learned
that it will either do so in the near
future or offer no opposition to
change in the statute to effect this
end. The board has compiled a
lengthy report on its position toward
the act which is to be submitted to
the committee later this week.
In addition to pledging his ap-
proval for properly drawn revisions
on this one point, Senator wagner
promised further that If the need
for other changes is established
through full and open-ninded
inquiry, Il shall feel it my duty
to introduce or support the sub
stance of such amendments and to
help enact them into law"
Summarizes His Position.
Summarizing his position, Senator
Wagner concluded:
First, the proof is overwhelming
that the Labor Act has proved ar
effective instrument for economic
peace and industrial justice. 1t has
vastly benefited workers, employers
and the public at large. No one
challenges its objectives; no re-
sponsible party openly advocates its
repeal. Any diminution of its ef-
fectiveness would be national evil:
it's mutilation would be national
calamity.
Second, it is an established phe-
nomenon of American economic
life that very small, but amazingly
compact and powerful, minority has
fought the main objectives Of the
Labor Act tooth and nail at every
turn, in Congress and in courts, day
and night. These groups are per-
fectly within their rights as free
citizens in believing sincerely that
the act is unsound, and in trying