Evening star., 1939-12-19
Perfection ofN.l B.
Act Is Goal Of Probe,
Says Smith in Forum
House Member Cites
Points Of Complaint
Aouinst Law and Bourd

Forum, arranged by The Star and
broadcast over a Nationwide net
work of the National Broadcasting
Co. The text of his address follows:
Good evening, ladies and gentle
men. I am very grateful to The
Washington Star for this opportu-
nifty to explain to the public the
purposes and functions of the spe-
cial committee, created during the
last regular session of Congress by
the House of Representatives, to
investigate the National Labor Re-
lations Board I think 1t desirable
to do this because I have refrained,
for obvious reasons, during the pre-
liminary stages Of the investigation,
from making any public statement
that might be construed as pre-
judging the questions involved.
Whatever the facts may develop
to be, there is widespread opinion,
prevalent throughout the country,
that the National Labor Relations
Act drafted, designed and adopted
by Congress to free American labor,
is being used to impose additional
and heavier shackles upon the labor
ing man.
Neither Party to Blame.
During the last regular session Of
the Congress. I offered the resolu-
ton In the House OF Representatives
for a full and complete investiga-
ton OF the operation Of the National
Labor Relations Act. 1t was this
feeling, that the act is not operating
in the interests Of either the labor
ing man or of industry, that induced
the House to order the investigation
by a vote of almost two to one. And,
In this connection. should like to
say that the investigation is purely
nonpartisan and non-political. If
there is anything wrong with the
National Labor Relations Act,
neither political party can blame
the other, for both Democrats and
Republicans advocated and voted
for the passage of the act, irrespec-
tive Of party lines, and the same was
true in voting for the resolution
directing this investigation which
my committee is now conducting.
The committee consists of Repre-
sentative Arthur D. Healey of Mas
sachusetts, Representative Abe Muir
dock of Utah, Representative
Charles A. Hallect of Indiana. Rep
resentative Harry N. Routzohn of
Ohio and myself, Howard w. Smith
of Virginia, as chairman.
Objectives of Inquiry.
We are directed by the resolution
to investigate:
First. Whether the National
Labor Relations Board has been fair
and impartial in its conduct, in its
decisions, in its Interpretation of the
law particularly with respect to the
definition of the term interstate
commerce"D and in its dealings be-
tween different labor organizations
and its dealings between employer
and employe.
Second. What effect, if any, the
said National Labor Relations Act
has had upon increasing or de-
creasing disputes between employer
and employe; upon increasing or de-
creasing employment and upon the
general economic condition of the
country.
Third. What amendments, if any,
are desirable to the National Labor
Relations Act in order to more effec-
lively carry out the intent of Con-
gress, bring about better relations
between labor unions and between
employer and employe. and what
changes, if any, are desirable in the
personnel of those charged with the
administration of said law.
Fourth. Whether the National
Labor Relations Board has by in
depreciation or regulation attempted
to write into said act, intents and
purposes not justified by the Ian
guage of the act.
Fifth. Whether or not Congress
should, by legislation, further de-
fine and clarity the meaning of the
term interstate commerce" and
whether or not further legislation is
desirable on the subject of the rela-
tionship between employer and en-
ploye."
Functions of Committee.
The functions of the committee
are, chiefly, to make general in
vestigation of the act itself and the
conduct of the National Labor Re-
lations Board in constituting and ad-
ministering the act, and to suggest
any amendments to the act which
may be considered desirable, or any
new legislation touching the sub
-ject of relations between employer
and employe. 1 desire to emphasize
this statement because there has
been much confusion as to the pow
ers and duties of our committee. We
have received thousands of letters
from individuals and organizations
urging us to intervene in particular
labor disputes. The committee has
no power or authority to interfere
or attempt to settle labor disputes
or to do anything other than in
vestigate in general the operation
Of the act and the conduct of the
labor board and its employees ano
to report its findings and recon-.
mendations to the House of Repre-.
sentatives.
I wish 1t further understood tha,
the comments which 1 have to make
this evening are made solely upor
my own responsibility as a member
OF the House of Representatives ano
I am not authorized to speak for the
committee or any member thereof.
1t is my purpose, and am SURF
the purpose of each member of thu
committee, to conduct this investi.
CATION with the utmost fairness to al
parties concerned and, with that enc
in view, the committee has sought
the cooperation, the assistance ane
the suggestions Of all labor organiza.
tions, of every local union, and O.
every business concern that has hae
dealings with the labor board. Th<
board, itself, has been most coop.
erative in making available to thu
committee information from its file
and we have received valuable sug
gestions from labor organizations
H. ~,k