The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1939-04-13

The purpose OF the National La =
Dor Relations Act" declares John l.
Lewis, president OF the Congress OF
industrial Organization is 10 make
possible genuine collective bargain
ing in the public interest. Its tast,
has not been an easy one. But
nevertheless measurable progress
has been made In this direction IA
the last few years.
The benefits OF the MIRA. Mr.
Lewis points out. have afforded mil
lions OF workers chance TO select
genuine union representatives. En-
ploycrS have benefited BY being
able TO deal with responsible spokeS-
men for their employees once
employers have accepted and adj
iustcd themselves TO the law they
have been able TO enjoy better per-
Sonal relationships, TO count on a
guaranteed waee-coSt basis over a
definite period. and TO have some
assurance that orderly labor rela-
tons will continue.
IAN Of such progress Is now
greatly threatened by the pres
ent campaign TO amend and un-
dermine the National Labor Re-
lations Act. The agitation
against the Act comes chiefly
from people who are opposed 10
all genuine collective bargain
ing. or who seek 10 use the Act
a. an instrument to promote
their narrow special interests at
the expense Of the general well
fare Of labor and industry"
Attacking the MIRA are die
hard" induStrialistS who have
never obeyed the Act: also the pro-
icSsional agi;ators who seek Ia
profit by industrial warfare by SELL
ing the services" TO employers 10
help them against unions and who
really help themselves and not these
employers! and. finally. reactionarY
politicians. who are fighting the
Act as a means Of slspping the
Roosevelt administration.
"None Of those above men-
toned interests could make any
progress in their assaults ON the
Wagner Act" says MIR. Lewis. III
their position we're not strength
encd by apparent opposition 10
the Act from within the camp OF
labor. This type Of opposition
comes from backward looking
rraft-union leaders who oppose
the forms Of industrial uniOnism
which follow the lines Of mod
ern industry. and who are dis
gruntlcd al the workers obvious
preference for modern unionism
when given free opportunity
TO express their choice.
These craft leaders are will
Ing TO endanger the whole cause
Of collective bargaining 10 pro-
mote their narrow sectional in
terests. n they had their way
they would break up the salts
factory arrangement now exist
ing in most Of the basic indus
tries whereby an employer can
bargain with an Industrial union
representing all his employees.
thus promising stability in the
industry as well rs the general
welfare Of the employees. In
place Of this arrangement they
would substitute a regular crazy
quilt Of representation by So
varieties Of crafts"
Enumerating the benefits OF the
Act. Mr.. Lewis points out that over
1900 cases involving 1000. 900
workers. have been brought before
the Board since 1885. and owe:
three fourthS of these cases were
settled before November. 1898. The
right to join unions has been en-
forced by the reinstatements Of
thousands OF workers. Over 1900
elections have been held by the
Board, establishing collective bar
gaining In most cases. Strikes in
volving 10000 we're averted. In
thousands OF instances fair-minded
employers dispensed with spies and
recognized their employees repre-
Scntatives without any action by the
Board. Mr.. Lewis then turns 10 the
point made by some Of the oppo-
ncntS that tho Act Is all right, but
tho Board has been administerin:
It unfairly.
Administration
"AS TO the administration Of the