The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-01-26
ANOTHER REBUKE TO N. L.R.B.
THE National Labor Relations Board h

THE National Labor Relations Board has not
been able to maintain an impartial role neces-
sary to even-handed justice in the unfortunate la
Dor civil war precipitated in this country by the
unions seeding from the American Federation of
Labor. 1t has issued and timed orders to the ad-
Vantage of those seeking to undermine or weaken
the American Federation of Labor. A life or
death struggle on between the International
Seamens Union and the National Maritime Union,
ia new organization seeking to replace the older
unon. The Peninsular and Occidental Steamship
Company had operated under contract with the
International Seamen's Union. A labor dispute
developed in Florida and Cuba. Organizers of the
National Maritime Union spread propaganda
International Seamens Union and to join the
National Maritime Union A st-down strike fol-
lowed which delayed sailing two days Somewhat
later the company dismissed 145 seamen, members
of the National Maritime Union and hired men,
bers of the International Seamen's Union which
did not sanction sit-dOwn strikes.
The National Labor Relations Board inter-
vened and held that the discharges were illegal
discrimination against the National Maritime
Union and ordered their reinstatement. The
Board charged that the company did discharge
the at the time of the sit-down but had talked
against the National Maritime Union and had
urged the seamen to retain membership in the
international Seamen'S Union. In order to ASSURE
control over Their ships IN operation and the safety
of their passengers, the company discharged all
who retained National Maritime Union member
ship and replaced them by international Seamen's
Union men. DiSregarding the fact that st-doWn
strike was in effect mutiny, the Board claimed the
company discriminatory against the National
Maritime Union.
The Circuit Court overrued the order of the
Board with the following statement:
The owners of the vessels, their masters and
other officers are required to exercise the highest
degree of care and skill for the preservation of
passengers and crews and so safely transport the
cargo
This duty is superior to all other consider
atlons in the operation of ships. Implicit obedi-
ence to the lawful orders Of the master is re-
quired on vessel. Without that there would be
no safety.
Engaging in sit-down strikes in defiance of
their officers was at least prima face evidenced
that the crews were guilty of mutny 1t would
be difficult to imagine any greater grounds of
than disobedience of the lawful or
ders Of the master and the possibility of mutiny.
1t would be gross negligence for vessel to put
to sea with that kind of crew.
1t is the duty of the Board to decide the case
before it on all the evidence 1t is not at liberty
to rely upon part of the evidence in support of
its findings, and put aside all other indisputed
evidence.
The u. S. Supreme Court refused to reopen
the case Although justice is done, the damaged
done by the Board in this and similar orders un-
Andrew Furuseth and his sailor companions had
been built up through years of concerted effort
cannot be undone The Board is responsible for
human institutions which it may harm by lgnor-
ance as well as by prejudice.