Evening star., 1939-01-01
BY JOHN C., HENRY.

MAJORITY DESIRES Peace.
In 1i:yins the responsibility for
continuance of the feud upon the
top men involved, Miss Perkins
pointed out that there Is over
whelming evidence that the vast
majority of union members of both
factions want peace and desire to
cooperate with each other
I'm fact, it is a striking observa-
ton that in many areas, cities,
States. and so forth, the two groups
do act as though there were no
breach, cooperating in multitude
OF ways for the improvement of
labor conditions. When this be-
havior in the field is so we'll estab-
lished, peace between the officers
and at the top cannot be far behind.
"A careful canvass Of the situation
leads me to the conclusion that there
are no very difficult intellectual
problems and no insurmountable
organization problems in the labor
peace situation. Only the will to
peace needs to be deeply and per-
sonally felt by leaders to realize re-
union and the strength and progress
that go with it."
Sets Forth Objectives.
AS for labor and industry, aided
by Government, Miss Perkins set
forth the following detectives:
l. High wages on a national basis;
2. Continuity of income:
3. Stability of employment;
4. Reasonable profits;
5. Opportunity for investment of
savings in expanding industries and
6. The conservation and adequate
utilization Of natural resources, in
cluding human life and happiness.
"Organized labor, which has had
such a remarkable growth in men,
bership and public significance in
recent years. has every incentive to
assist IN bringing about realization
OF this program. Labor now has a
certain security against unfair in
reference and coercion by employ
ers and has in turn a desire to de-
velop responsibility for informed
participation with employers and
the country generally to achieve and
stabilize an expanding national pros
perity. Labor unions can build up
self f-disciplined, self-educated organ
izations for this purpose It is part
OF labor unions job to develop a
broad understanding on the part of
all workers of the problems and pat
tern Of the industry. The productive
capacity of American wage earners
Is high and they are proud of their
skill and stamina. Status in our
society derives from this skill for
the well-being of the Nation. This
status, now largely recognized, will
inevitably develop craftsmanship in
the field of employer -employe rela-
tionS. This Is challenge to the
labor movement and to employer
groups and it will be met realistic
| ally. The signs are clear in American
life that intelligent, patriotic. and
far-sighted employeds, and in
formed, patriotic, forward looking
labor are already building the struc-
ture Of an American way of labor
relations of which we will be proud
because it will be effective, produc-
tive and democratic"
Cites State Cooperation.
Reviewing the enactment of social
legislation during the last five years
and administration of important
parts Of it by the Department of
Labor. the Secretary devoted partic-
ular attention to the development
OF such legislation by the States in
cooperation with the Federal Gov
ernment.
That she has hopes of accelerating
such development was indicated by
her further remarks.
"On the debit side we still have
% States without minimum wage
legislation, 30 States without a legal
limit of hours, even for women.
and rs States with a legal weekly
limit in excess of 4S hours Gnclud-
ing States with none at alb. We
have to face the fact that most
hours laws fall short of covering
all workers, and that the various
exceptions and omissions are based
not so much on the nature of the
work, as on the pressure of special
interested groups.
"TWenty-eight States still leave
occupational diseases uncompensat-
ed under workmen's compensation
laws-and very few of such laws as
we have compensate for all dis
eases arising out Of employment.
Yet coverage of few diseases onlv.
named In the law, is unfair both to
the employer and the employe who
are not covered, for it exposes the
former to damage suits and leaves
the latter without regular income
provision at the time he most
needs it.
Perhaps most disconcerting of
all is the fact that while workmen's
compensation is our oldest form of
major social legislation, and 46
states have such acts, actually to-
day not more than half of our
workers enjoy the protection of these
laws. One Of the reasons for this
Is that many Of the acts are elective
rather than compulsory, and anoth-
er Is the generally prevailing practice
OF exempting particular industries,
as well as establishments with small
numbers of employees. In some in
stances these numerical exceptions
run as high as 10 and in one
State 16.
Possibly our greatest lack at the
moment is one that is extremely
difficult to dramatic to voters and
taxpayers. We need State agencies
adequately stated and financed to
administer the state labor laws
fairy and thorouohiy."