Evening star., 1939-04-06
Boost in Anti-Strike
Fund Is Charged
ToManufacturers
Metal Trades Association
Named in Report
To Senate
Sy the Associated Press.

DS the Associated Press.
The Senate Civil Liberties Com
mittee reported today that the Ma
tional Metal Trades Association
which includes some OF the Nation S
largest manufacturers. was increas-
ing its war chest" for use in fight
ing strikes.
In the first volume of four part
report on labor policies of en-
ployer associations, the committee
informed the Senate that, despite
1887 disclosures regarding its strike
breaking activities. the metal trades
agency still holds itself ready to
render assistance to members in
time of strike
The associations surplus, which
constitutes its war chest is on the
increase" said the report, prepared
e by Chairman La Toilette and Sem
ator Thomas. Democrat, of Utah.
1, The committee investigated the
Metal Trades Association in jan
. uary, 1887. At that time, it said,
the membership numbered 952
manufacturing plants. including
=, units of such corporations as Gen.
:, eral Motors, Yale g. Towne Manu-
featuring Co, Chrysler Corp, Con-
tinental Can Co.. Carter Aeroplane
- & Motor Co.. Allis- Chalmers Manu-
y featuring Co., and Wright Aero
nautical Corp.
g Autocratic Control Charged.
;. The investigation. the report
stated. brought out evidences OF the
use of labor spies and strlkebreakers
to prevent or wreck union organlza-
ton of member workers.
The. open-shop principles OF the
National Metal Trades Association. y
the committee declared. stand for
the autocratic control of all working
conditions of labor by the employer
and unqualified opposition to the
principle of collective bargaining
with employees,
Accusing the organization OF
stubborn opposition to the Ma
tional Labor Relations Act, the COM
mittee declared that when large
groups of individuals and economic
interests band together to achieve
a purpose that is in conflict with
national policy duly enacted by the
representatives of the people, then
the Congress must take cognlzance
of the dangers to orderly govern
ment'
In the opinion of this commit
tee" it continued, the National
Metal Trades Association creates
such a danger
Three Major Changes Listed.
The report said that following the
committees inquiry. the ASSOCIATION
had modified its activities. but the
committee said only three lmpor-
tant changes" occurred.
These. it said, were:
81. Elimination of the provisions
in the Constitution that limit the
freedom of action of members sub
ject to strike.
%. Ninety-six plants which were
members of the association in jan
uary, 1887, have since resigned and
6e new members have enrolled with
the association.
"a. As a result of this committees
exposure of the associations labor
spies, their usefulness was impaired,
and at least for time the aSsocia-
ton was without an effective espion-
age system
Homer D. Sayre. executive officer
of the organization, advised the COM
mittee the association discontinued
Its strike breaking aid and "surveil-
lance service early in 1887 because
of the enactment of restrictive State
and Federal laws.
Commenting on this, the report
Bald that lin spite of its communica-
tions to this committee. the associa-
ton did not discontinue its strike
breaking services in the early part
of 1897
The Bureau of Internal Revenue
found the report continued, that
in the period from December l,
1896, to November 80, 1887, the as
sociation had spent s7.5708O in &C
cordance with the provision of its
bylaws for furnishing watchmen
and guards to three members of the
, ,associa tion.''