Evening star., 1939-04-23
Labor Act Revision Unlikely
To Exceed Four Compromises
Lack of Unity Among Those Seeking Change Makes
1t Appear Congress Will Stay Within
Administrations Wishes
By.John C.. Henry.

action in the present session of Con.
gress.
While making concessions to pro-
ponents of the Burke and Walsh
measures, the board at the same time
has directed its most vigorous counter
attacks at these same forces, Chairman
Madden accusing the Senator of spon-
soring "class legislation of the most in
tolerable kind" and accusing the Al
OF L. of selfish interests quite divorced
from the public good
When the committee resumes tonor-
row, Mr.. Madden will return, probably
Tor another two days, with Charles
Fahy. general counsel of the board,
slated to follow for at least single day
Tor discussion of suggested procedural
changes. Board members Edwin s.
Smith and Donald Wakefield Smith
have been on hand daily and their ap-
pearance on the stand is expected be-
fore the N. L. r. B. completes its pres
entation on the question.
Figuratively straining at the leash
just outside the door are literally dozens
OF other organizations and individuals
whose emotions or reactions, or both,
have been deeply stirred by the much
discussed law, and who feel sure their
own message to the committee contains
the answer to the whole perplexing
problem.
The American Federation of Labor,
friend of the act in its inception and
rejoicing in 1t as the Magma Charta of
labor, is fretting to take the stand after
the N. L. r. B. to ask that the board
be put In straightjacket and that the
law undergo major rewriting in order
to guarantee it favored treatment. If
the committee sits late and frequently
this week, the Federation may make its
appearance before May !. William
Green. president, and Joseph A. Pad
way, general counsel, are to speak for
the labor organization on behalf Of the
behalf by Senator Walsh.
Standing next in the impatient line
are several business groups, foremost of
them perhaps the National Association
of Manufacturers Making no secret of
AVo OAA44hey CO"dlO IllC dCl, Illc ~. "A. Nl
has promulgated eight broad points on
which it wishes the Congress to revise
the present law. All are echoed by the
United States Chamber of Commerce
and for the most part incorporated in
the measure of Senator Burke.
N. A. NJ. SHES at Endorsements.
At the same time, the NJ A. M. has
pointedly refrained from granting full
Endorsement to the Burke bill or to any
others Of the pending measures, perhaps
an indication Of dissatisfaction Of the
"curatives" thus far proposed.
A time for appearance of farm groups
interested in the legislation has been
designated Immediately following that
of the business organizations.
Appearing next, and presumably well
into May, will be the railroad brother
hoods, who have disputed earlier as
sertions that they favor amending the
law and are now listed for appearance
among its friends. Among these friends
also will be several A. F. of L. unions,
including the Hotel and Restaurant
Workers, fourth largest in the Fedora
ton, who have refused to go along with
the Federation leadership in seeking a
rewriting of the act.
The Congress of Industrial Organiza-
tions, fatty opposing all changes and
mistrusting the motives of all who seek
modification, will conclude the case for
organized labor.
Several Independent labor experts"
are expected at this point and both the
Departments of Commerce and of Agri-
culture have requested opportunity to
be heard before the record Is closed
with the appearance Of Secretary of
Labor Perkins. To be sandwiched in at
some point before the finish are a num-
Der of witnesses to be called by Senator
Burke to lend specific support for his
amendments and the reasons advanced
on their behalf, and occasional rebuttal
by the Labor Board on particular cases
on which 1t Is accused Of misadminis-
tration.
Senator Bridges, Republican. Of New
Hampshire and another Of the caustic
foes Of things New Deal In general and
Of the Labor Board in particular also
has requested permission to be heard
and is to be granted an audience tomor-
row. Doubtless there viii be others de-
sirous Of bringing heat, If not light to
the nroreedipos