Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-02
Labor's Vital Role
In Defense Stressed
In Holiday Messages
Leaders Pledge Union Aic
In Preparedness Program,
But Hit Druft Bill

In Preparedness Program,
But Hit Druft Bill
By the Associated Press.
1t was labor's day today, and it
was labor's vital role in the task
of national defense that gave the
day its keynote.
The holiday message President
Roosevelt issued to the Nations
workers appealed for the co-opera-
ton OF all to strengthen and de-
fend the American way Of life.
Labor leaders, great and small,
pledged the loyal efforts Of unions
in furthering tn, preparedness pro-
gram, and expressed readiness to
shoulder whatever responsibilities
might come.
These expressions, however, were
frequently coupled with attacks on
the pending CONSUMPTION legisla-
tion-opposed both by the American
Federation of Labor and the Con-
gress of Industrial Organizations.
Wendell L. Willkie, Republican
presidential nominee, added another
note to the days statements, charg-
ing that there was a present trend
toward placing labor unions under
Government control"
President Roosevelt in his mes
sage told workers that they would
lose nothing by helping to build q
stout national defense.
I'm its accomplishment" said he,
"wage earners, well aware of the
great economic and social gains they
have made in the last seven years,
may be assured that their contribu-
ton will not be at the cost of low
cred labor standards or impaired
social advances"
Green Hits Draft Bill.
William Green, A. F. L. president,
In his annual Labor Day address at
Denver, said that the Federation,
realizing that lat a time like this
= industrial conflict would be stupid
and dangerous" was ready to do its
full part.
He attacked the Burke Wadsworth
CONSUMPTION bill, however, declaring
that President Roosevelt should tell
Congress what military manpower
Is needed and recommend a definite
program to fulfill those needs" be-
fore further action on CONSUMPTION.
John L. Lewis, leader of the rival
c. I. O., said In a statement that
his organization stood second to
none in its determination to defend
this Nation and its democratic way
Of life"
He charged, however, that "the
enemies of labor seek, in the guise Of
promoting national defense, to re-
sumo their attacks on labor's rights.
liberties. They would erode the
right of collective bargaining. They
would increase the hours of labor.
They want to conscript into the
Army millions Of workers"
Mr.. Willkie, in his Labor Day pro-
nouncement, promised, If elected, to
halt what he termed the trend to-
ward bringing labor unions under
Federal control. He also appealed
for national cooperation In "over-
coming our present economic stag
nation and wiping out unemploy-
ment."
Lewis and Perkins Speak.
In addition to Mr.. Green's speech
at Denver, the days program calls
for another radio address by Mr..
Lewis IN. B. c., 4 pm, E. S. TO and
one by Secretary of Labor Perkins
&C. B. S., 7 pmD.
The Wage Hour Administration
made the annual holiday the occa-
sion for a review of its operations
In the last year, and reported that
the labor standards law had brought
increased wages to 100000 workers
and shorter hours to 100000.
The report stated that employers
had been required to pay workers
s2,616,6l7 in wack wages and over
time.
Col. Philip Fleming, wage-hour
administrator, said: 1--WE have done
this in the democratic way and 1t
works."
In another report, the National
Labor Relations Board summarized
| activities since its creation five years
ago. These included 2,128 strikes
settled and 857 others averted.
Strikes settled put 277,286 persons
vented 199,086 from interruption of
their employment.
The boards summary also showed
26,774 cases handled, and reinstate-
ment of 2O,845 workers found to
have been discriminatory dis
charged, principally for union &C
tivity.