Evening star., 1940-02-09
Evidence Labor Board Quizzed
Prospective Witnesses Probed
Lobbying to Safeguard Act Is
Defended by Madden

The chairman said he did not re-
call the letter, but must have read
it, and added that he had conferred
with Mr.. Wolf concerning some
scheme the former secretary had to
defend the Wagner Act.
The letter urged the regional di-
rectors to rally American Fedora
ton of Labor unions against pro-
posed amendments to the act which
were being discussed in Congress
and agitated elsewhere.
"Unofficial" Action Advised.
II realize" said Mr.. Wolf. that
the board itself cannot openly lead
any such move as I have suggested,
but doubt If your actions along the
lines outlined will be disapproved by
the board. Certainly anything you
do would have to be unofficially."
Mr.. Madden admitted that he had
telephoned David I. Dubinsky, head
of the International Ladies Gar
ment Workers, an independent
union, who was in Kansas City,
urging him to appear before the
Senate Labor Committee, which was
considering amendments to the
labor law.
IT did suggest to Mr.. Dubinsky
that he should come here and tes-
tify," Mr.. Madden added, though
if I had known his position
wouldn't have called him."
The board chairman added that
he had written a number of educa-
tors and others suggesting they ap-
pear at the Senate hearings in de-
fense of the act.
Your function as see it," Com
mittee Chairman Smith interposed
sis to administer the act. I am
wondering whether you think it is
fit for you to lobby for amendments
Isn't it the function OF Congress to
consider amendments"
Mr.. Madden admitted it was q
problem how far employees of Gov
ernment agency should go toward
protecting an act from attack, but
he added that he considered the
administrators Of such an agency
had the duty of guarding the law
against its enemies as well as en-
forcing it. When an amendment Is
! proposed, he pointed out, the board
members ask permission to 60 before
the congressional committee con-
sidering it, which might be con-
strued as form of lobbying.
Questioned on Propriety.
I'm talking about this pressure
on the regional directors, saio
Chairman Smith, (which was in.
itiated by Mr.. Wolf, certainly with
the consent of your board. Do you
think that was proper?"
Mr.. Madden said he thought II
was a matter of pointing out to the
workers, with whose protection the
board was charged, how they could
protest against attacks on the ac1
and whom they could address.
do you think it was a helpful.
gesture on the part of your board tc
help create dissension among the
different branches of the A. F
of L.?"
mot at all"
can you put any other conStruc-
ton on Mr.. VOLTS letter."
Il suppose" said the board chair.
man, "the primary purpose was te
let them know what their people
really think of the act"
At the demand of it's counsel the
committee ordered subpoenaed al
correspondence relating to lobbying
in regional offices.
Mr.. Madden conceded that re-
gional directors had been active II
bringing pressure to bear on Con-
gress to pass adequate appropria'
tions for the board.
The four-day recess was taken ts
give the committees staff more tim.
to sift its evidence. Mr.. Madder
will resume the stand Tuesday.