Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-01-24
n. [. R. B. Criticism
Byc.I. 0. Official :.
Revealed al Inquiry
Resembling Of Order,
Followed by Settlement,
Drew Fire, Probers Learn
BY CARTER BROOKE JONES.

BY CARTER BROOKE JONES.
Evidence that at least one official
of the c. I. O.. which has been con-
sidered friendly to the National
Labor Relations Board, regarded its
procedure such as Ito make all hon.
est-thinking people thoroughly dis
Eusted" was before the House COM
mittee investigating enforcement of
the Wagner Act today as hearings
were continued.
The snow delayed members of the
committee in reaching the Capitol,
20 that the hearings were resumed
more than an hour and a half late.
Representative Routzohn, Republic
an, of Ohio was the only member
who reached the hearing room ap-
pfoximately on time. He recessed
the hearing pending the arrival
OF other members of the committee.
John Doherty. district director
Of the Steel Workers Organizing
Committee, affiliated with the Con-
gress of Industrial Organizations,
wrote Labor Board Chairman J..
Warren Madden protesting in caus-
tic language against a consent de-
cree issued in the case of the Mount
Vernon In) Car Manufacturing
Co.
Involved Rescinded Order.
OF this case, in which the board,
after making finding upholding
the right of the C. I. o. to organize
the plant. rescinded the order and
effected settlement" Mr.. Doher-
ty wrote:
"* The conduct of your body
has become such as to make
all honest-thinking people thor
oughly disguised with your proce-
-dure. In all my dealings with the
board 1 have never in a single in
stance asked them to do anything
in our behalf other than see that we
get proper justice under the law. If
the destiny of the workers is to be
placed in the hands of three ap-
parent politically minded manipu-
latorS, I for one am fast becoming
~of the opinion that the workers
would be better served should we
vigorously join with the many, many
critics of the board in asking that
you be stripped of such power as to
allow you to use the workers as po-
litical paWns.
You need not lose any sleep in
wondering why Congress would del
egate committee to investigate
11tr
that the investigation is proceeding
in manner as to becloud the issue,
namely, for the protection of the in
dustrialists, who by virtue of their
position are adequately capable of
protecting themselves. The channel
that the investigation should follow
would be, at least to my way of
thinking, directed in finding out
why the board would issue an order
based upon the evidence in the case
and then would completely reverse
kself and give the workers the same
consideration as so many slaves"
Chairman Smith asked Commit
tee Counsel Edmund NJ Toland,
who offered the letter in evidence,
If the C. I. o. director referred to
this committee Mr. Toland said
he undoubtedly did, and Represent
>ative Smith asked, WAS the C. I. o.
invited to come here and present
evidence?'
among First" Invited.
Among the first invitations sent
out" the attorney replied, were to
the C. I. O."
No c. I. q. officer has appeared
thus far, though William Green,
president of the rival American Fed
Grafton of Labor, has indicated he
wanted to testify and is slated to
be heard soon.
Mr.. Doherty. organizer for the
steelworkers at st. Louis, wrote
that when the board order of Feb
ruary 81. 1889, was handed down he
Joined with the workers at the
Mount Vernon plant in rejoicing
at the intelligence displayed by the
board in uphdlding the law that
was believed passed for the pro-
lection of the workers." The or
ganizer added:
Il must be frank and admit that
as time went on after the board
order came down began to sense
taat the board was carrying water
on both shoulders and with no re-
gard whatever for the rights of the
workers in this particular plant. It
became apparent to me, and am
sure to the workers, that the board
was cropping for any form of settle
ment that would take the heat off
in connection with this decision"
The letter was presented while
Abraham ]. Harris, supervising
attorney in the boards review divi-
sion, was on the stand. Mr.. Harris
examined the record in the Mount
Vernon case, it was brought out
and filed a summary of evidence
with the board.
Three Cornered Fight.
In this case there was dispute
among an American Federation of
Labor union, the C. I. o. and the
company over collective bargaining.
Mr.. Toland read to the committee
one interofice communication in
which Chairman Madden wrote to
general counsel:
Il have been considerably dis
turbed by the Mount Vernon car
case 1t seems to be case where
the St. Louis Office thinks that if
it could hold hearing it might
. develop some evidence. wonder
why they would even seriously think
of such proceeding in reverse"
At first the board issued ruling
In the Mount Vernon case holding
the A. F. of L. union to be company
dominated. Later this decree was
substituted by an order for an elec-
ton at the plant. The case then
was taken to the courts.