Evening star., 1940-01-05
Labor Board
Methods Held
Spur 70 Strikes
Regional Director
Charges Delays and
misunderstanding
BACKGROUND

Internal dtSSenSiOn OF the Ma
tional Labor Relations Board has
been disclosed by special House
Investigating committee, Which
began public hearings in Decem-
Der. Sharp differences concern
ing policy among members OF
much criticized board 1Dere re-
uealed. A former regional direc-
tor blamed his resignation on
failure to take Washington orders
to DiOlate Wagner Act
Reports were filed with the Ma
tional Labor Relations Board by
one of its regional directors charg-
ing it with promoting rather than
preventing strikes, because of de-
lays, red tape and lack of under
standing, it was brought out today
before the House committee investi-
eating the agency.
The regional director, Mrs Eli
more M. Herrick, in charge of the
New York Office, identified reports
in which she so charged the board.
She stood by the reports. but she
qualified the assertions in them by
adding that the delays which, she
said had so hampered the Labor
Relations Act, had occurred in the
earlier days of its administration
and had been eliminated to a large
extent.
Accused of SecretiveneSS.
In other reports presented in evi-
dence, Mrs. Herrick had charged the
board with secretiveness, declaring
its public relations section needed
Strengthening out and the public
should be taken into its confidence.
Later, it was disclosed to the COM
mittee, her Office was secretely in
vestigated by the board and she sent
a telegram of protest to Chairman
j. Warren Madden. declaring such
methods might be expected of "the
o. G. P. u"
Witt Is Excused.
The resumption of hearings after
a Christmas recess beginning De-
cember 18 was marked by clash
When Committee Counsel Ed
mund M. Toland called Nathan Witt
N. l.. r. B. executive secretary, as
the first witness. Charles Fahey,
general counsel of the board, pro-
tested that Mr. Witt had not known
until this morning that he was to be
recalled to the stand and had no
chance to prepare.
iply cl,n,,1I 1o tIie
discrimination between witnesses"
Mr.. Fahey said. Il ask that Mr.. Witt
receive the same treatment as other
witnesses, who confer with Mr..
ToIand before they testify"
Chairman Smith pointed out that
Mr.. Witt merely was to continue
testimony previously given.
Il want the record to show"
Mr. Witt began.
"You are concerned with nothing
except your own testimony snapped
the chairman.
You are excused said Mr..
Toland.
Mr.. Herrick then was called.
Mrs Herrick said she once was a
piece worker in Southern rayon
MILL later becoming a forelady and
finally a supervisor. Since going to
New York she has had wide expert
ence in labor relations work. Dur
ing the N r. A., she said. she was
a member of the New York City
Mediation Board.
Explains Procedure.
Mrs. Herrick explained the pro-
cedure which her Office followed
when charges of violating the Labor
Relations Act were filed. She said
it had been her policy to hold joint
conferences between employers and
unions wherever feasible.
Did you get any communications
from the board criticizing your poll
cies?' asked Committee Counsel Ed
mund M. Toland
There was a report critical of our
methods" Mrs Herrick replied.
The board did criticize your pol
icy of joint conferences between en-
ployers and unions?"
There was such a report" she
said.
Report Read Into Record.
Mr.. Toland read into the record a
report from Mrs. Herrick charging
the board with appalling delays"
in adjusting labor difficulties. The
report was headed How to Break
Strikes in Two Easy Lessons" She
wrote that speed is the essence
In II New York cases, she stated
in this report, an average of 81 days
elapsed between the time complaints
were filed and the date of hearings
condition for which she blamed
the Washington office.
Fifty per cent of the New York
cases were adjusted in less than 30
(See LABOR BOARD, Page A-3D