Evening star., 1940-04-12
TIE EVENING WASHINGTON, G, FRIDAY
Il. |. 0. Official Asks
Congress 10 Restrain
Labor Saving Devices
Murray Fights Advances
OF Industry Thot
Displocs Workers
~ ths Associated Press.

~ ths Associated Press.
A request that Congress regulate
Introduction OF labor-saving ma.
chinery and other mass-producion
tactics was presented to the Monop-
oily Committee today by Philip MUIR
ray Of the Congress Of Industrial
Organizations.
Y "Why should workers and their
families be thrown to the wolves
today just because industry says 1t
has found q new machine that will
benefit society tomorrow" the
blunt-spoken labor leader asked.
Mr.. Murray, chairman Of the Steel
Workers Organizing Committee,
suggested 4 national conference on
unemployment" by leaders from in
dustry. Government, banking, farm
ing and labor to work on the most
crucial problem confronting our
economy. the failure Of en-
ployment to keep pace with produc-
tion."
"Ghost Towns" Claimed.
The steel union spokesman con-
tended that labor saving machinery,
such as automatic steel plate roll
ing mills. had permanently displaced
more than 10000 In this industry
during the last 10 years, created
ghost towns" and imposed a heavy
burden on society by adding to un-
employment and relief loads.
Mr.. Murray suggested Federal
regulation to include:
Compulsory payment Of adequate
dismissal wages to all displaced
workers;
Large-sca,e vocational training of
these displaced workers by the Fed
eral Government for other Jobs;
Measures designed to have indus
try re-employ workers displaced by
chronological changes;
Reduction of the maximum work
week to 80 hours "at prevailing earn
ings or more"
$500 Minimum 1T Dismissal.
He proposed that private industry
should agree to give displaced work.
ers flrst chance at Unemployment;
six months notice Of dismissal be-
cause Of chronological change; and a
dismissal payment Of not less than
$500.
Mr.. Murray said these charges
could be added to that of the new
machines or system and would near
a reduction in present taxes for re-
lief and unemployment benefits.
A study of the extent to which
machines are taking jobs away from
men and the effect which they are
having on prices and wages is being
planned by the Labor Department
The House already has consented
to such a study. Only Senate ap-
proval is needed. No opposition has
been threatened.
Save for few spasmodic glimpses
by w. P. A. few years ago and the
current hearings by the Monopoly
Committee, little has been done In
that field.
Lubln to Direct Study.
The idea originated with 1sador
Lubin and his Bureau of Labor Sta
tistics, and Mr.. Lubin will direct
the study.
That one fact helped to sell the
plan to Congress. Mr.. Lubin is re-
garded by most of those who know
him best as man not given to wild.
eyed ideas. He did not hitch hike
into Washington on the New Deal
He was making economic studie.
around here 20-odd years ago.
The present aim Is simply to hum
for the facts without any precon.
ceived idea Of what these may be
The Monopoly Committee received
q suggestion from Charles r. Hook
industrial leader, yesterday that
turn its attention to business deter
rents, such as taxes, If 1t wished t.
solve the unemployment problem.
Inquiry Not Pushed.
In friendly exchange with Sen
ator OMahoney. Democrat, of Wyo.
ming, chairman Of the govern
mental study group, Mr.. Hook re-
called that Congress had ordered FL
inquiry in this field when creating
the committee. but that public hear
ings had not covered this angle.
'The large pool of unemployment
today. in my opinion, is a result O
the lack Of capital and financing,
Mr.. Hook. president of the American
Rolling Mill Co. and former presi
dent of the National Association O
Manufacturers, testified.
He said he was certain numerous
business and industrial leaders wer,
/ anxious to offer suggestions alont
this line to get unemployed "of
Tsovor,, ~ ant raliAf ro11s and o,kI