The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-04-18
Fdcing the Facts
With PHILIP PEARL

Congress is in an ugly mood, es-
pecially the House of Representatives.
This is evident from the way the leg
islators have swung the axe on appro-
priations for the National Labor Re-
lations Board. And it is chiefly the
fault of the Board itself and its die
hard supporters.
The story should be an object lesson
in common sense. For more than a
year it has been apparent that the
overwhelming popular feeling in this
country demanded sensible, construc-
tive amendment Of the National La
Dor Relations Act. The weird record
of maladministration by the NLRB
shocked the sense of justice which lies
deep in the hearts of the American
people. But the Labor Board insti-
gated an elaborate campaign to block
amendments and the House and Sen
ate Labor Committees kept stalling
and delaying action.
These tactics have aroused the
angry impatience of the majority of
lawmakers in both houses of Congress.
Curtailment Of appropriations for the
NLRB was the only way the House
of Representatives could demonstrate
it's attitude, even indirectly.
President Green has repeatedly
warned that unless the way is opened
for constructive amendment of the
National Labor Relations Act now, a
future reactionary Congress may de-
stroy the entire law. We reiterate
this warning now. The false friends
of labor, like the CIO, have played la
Dor false again. They have deliber-
ately ignored public opinion and the
signs of the times. A reactionary tide
is setting in. The time to amend the
National Labor Relations Act is now,
when the friends of labor are in the
majority.
In Unity Is Strength
1t is also becoming increasingly i'm
perative that unity be restored to the
ranks Of labor. Because of the split
which was brought about by the for
nation of the CIO, public officials are
daily becoming more daring in their
disrespect for labor. The reaction
against the CIO and all it's works has
hurt all of labor. Lawmakers are
playing both ends against the middle
and trying to get away with it, They
realize labor is strong only when
united.
Unfortunately, there appears to be
no chance of labor peace while John
l.. Lewis holds the reins of power in
the CIO. He is determined to pre-
vent reunion with the American Fed
GRAFTON Of Labor because he refuses
to subordinate his personal ambitions
to the welfare of the workers general
ly.
But peace may be promoted and ex-
.pedited desGite Mr.. Lewis. His auto
cratic and dictatorial ways have dis
gusted even such union leaders as have
remained loyal to him up to now. He
is at this moment involved in bitter
conflict with most of his chief lieu
tenants. His alliance with the Com
munists has alienated every decent,
self-respecting organization still in the
CIO. His political policy has caused
a serious split with two CIO vice pres
idents, Sidney Hillman, president of
the Amalgamated Clothing Workers
and Emil Rieve, president of the
American Federation of Hosiery
Workers. Their allegiance to the CIO
is rapidly melting.
The Time Is Ripe
Opportunity now beckons to David
Dubinsky to lead the way back to la
Dor peace. The president of the Inter-
national Ladies' Garment Workers
Union, fearless and progressive la
Dor leader, can swing the tide away
from Lewis and leave him high and
dry. The time is ripe.
Next month in New York City the
annual convention of the International
Ladies' Garment Workers Union will
vote on the question of reaffiliation
with the American Federation of La
Dor. The only segment of that union
which opposes such action is the Com
munist bloc and it has been thorough
ly trounced in every local election for
delegates to the convention.
| IHC HlcIIlDtIS VI CIlS uIliOIl, Ill VIC
local elections, have given an inspir-
ing vote of confidence to Mr.. Dubinsky
and his policies. The members have
voted him the mandate he asked. Now,
with the full support of the garment
workers, Mr.. Dubinsky can triumph
antly lead them back home to the
American Federation Of Labor.
Following a consistent course, Mr..
Dubinsky was the first of those who
originally went over to the CIO to ex-
pose its hypocritical abandonment of
principle. He refused to go along
when Lewis demonstrated that his
real purpose was to destroy the A. F.
of l.. and become the czar of organized
labor. He withdrew from the CIO and
his union since 1888 has been unaffili-
ated.
Now Mr.. Dubinsky is all set to show
how labor peace can be achieved. Mr..
Hillman and Mr.. Rieve and all others
in the CIO who have become dis
II illuSioned with Mr. Lewis please take