Imperial Valley press., 1939-12-17
BY RALPH II. TAYLOR
Executive Secretary, Agricultural
Council of California;

Council of California;
California vitality needs a board,
basic declaration of public policy
with regard to labor relations-a
new Magma Charta of sound fun
damental principles which will safe
guard the rights of the public at
large. as we'll as those Of workers
and employers!
In that statement almost every
thinking. unbiased California citizen
will concur. for public patience has
worn thin under a constant batter
ing from selfish minorities, con-
temptuous of the public's rights and
the states welfare.
It has become painfully apparent,
however. that both the Wagner Act
and the National Labor Relations
Board. instead of renedying a bad
situation. have served to aggrevate
it-due to the fact that both are
one-sided and incapable of protect
ing the public interest. And 1t Is
even more apparent that labor czars
of the Harry Bridges stamp, despite
growing public indignation, are still
arrogantly determined to trample
on the rights of others in pursuit
of what they consider their own
rights and the rights Of their follow
ers.
Frisco Tieup
The recent tie-up on the san
Francisco waterfront-one Of long
series of labor wars in the bay area
which has eXacted heavy toll from
agriculture, merchants, the buying
public and tens Of thousands OF
others who are rot party to the
1isputes-is a current example OF
the condition that must be remedied
if California ever is to re-achleve
any measure of prosperity and
security.
Representatives of California farm
groups. in an effort to cope with
the problem, recently drew up
tentative declaration OF policy Tor
submission to their respective or
7anizations. which charts a course
toward definite bill of rights"
that recognizes the rights of every
one concerned.
New independence
Basic principles Of this new
Declaration of Independence are:
/. That every individual should
be free 10 Join or not to join any
organization without coercion Of any
kind.
2. That every American citizen
has the right TO work when the
orpnrtunity offers, without paying
tribute TO any individual or organ
ization, unless he freely and with
out coercion chooses to do so.
3. That the people of the state
have major interest in strikes
because Of the economic effect upon
the lives Of all the people, and have
a right TO know the facts about
strikes and a responsibility TO see
that fundamental justice is adhered
TO in all settlements.
4. That the owners Of any busi-
ness have the inalienable right TO
manage their own business, free
from dictation by workers or any
others not responsible for the sue
cessful outcome of that manage
ment.
With these basic principles in
mind. the farm representatives-in-
cluding leaders from the Farm
Bureau Federation, Agricultural
Council of California, Agricultural
Committee Of the State Chamber
Of Commerce. the Associated Far
rners. Consolidated Milk Producers,
California Wool Growers association,
and other farm groups-also drafted
three specific recommendations,
which will be submitted to their
memberships for concurrence and
as a basis for an active campaign
Of education.
These are:
First-No compulsory closed shop
or hiring hall
Second-No secondary boycott or
hot cargo.
Third-F'ree flow Of commerce and
no stoppage Of public services pend
ing settlement of controversies.
Are Others
DoIst,ess there are other planks
which could be properly added TO