The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-10-23


spect for neighbors they regard as
evidence of national decadence
viii Defense Commission
Carry Out New Labor Policy
Impartial labor men here are in
clined to the belief that much good
will come from the recent declaration
of policy by the National Defense Ad-
visory Commission that "all work car
ried ON as part of the defense pro-
gram should comply with Federal stat
utory provisions affecting labor, wher-
ever such provisions are applicable"
despite the efforts of Rep. Howard
Smith and his House NLRB inyesti-
eating committee to nullify Attorney
Jackson's ruling that the findings OF
the Labor Board are binding on gov
eminent agencies until these findings
are reversed by court of competent
jurisdiction"
While it is realized that there is
large gap between the declaration Oh
a policy and actually carrying that
DOllCy Out, lutlC 10 q othOtNS $780,
here that firms which have been Vlo-
lating the national labor relations act
the wage-hour law, and the Walsh
IIealey act will not find themselves
in as favorable a position Tor getting
government contracts as formerly. Al
though complexion of the Defense
Commission is such as not to inspire
too great confidence in labor that 1t
will zealously pursue the new LABOR
policy, nevertheless, Sidney Hillmans
influence ON the Commission is con-
siderable - AND ANY INFERENCE
THAT HE WILL NOT GO THE LIN
1T >PO PROTECT LABOR is MALL
CIOUSLY INSPIRED.
Labor, however, is certain to keep
a very close watch on the awarding
of all defense contracts, and to speak
out if the government procurement
officials disregard the new policy.
While Representative Smith and his
crowd raised loud cry that the new
labor policy, if carried out, would seri-
ously interfere with the defense pro-
gram, evidence introduced in hearings
before his committee showed that de-
Tense interests can best be served
when firms obey the labor laws, thus
assuring industrial peace, uninter-
rupted work, and greater efficiency.
Committee witnesses, however includ-
ing members of the Defense Commits
sion, did not stick to their guns as
labor would have desired, trying in
stead ito ease over the rough spots"
Just why they considered the spot
trough" it is hard to say, as they were
on firm ground.
Said Rep. Abe Murdoch, Utah, lib
eral and minority member on the
Smith committee after the hearings;
mo person, firm, or corporation
should be permitted to use the ma
tional defense emergency as an ex-
cuse to violate the labor laws. | re.
gard such violations as form of SUBJ
versive activity. The interests of ma
tional defense are best served when
all laws are lived up to-"
Who Will Crack First?
The bombs dropping on British
heads today are unwelcome by ex-'
pected messengers of death and de-
struction. But the bombs dropping
on German heads tell them that the
stories fed them by the nazi propa-
ganda machine are not altogether
true. The war, military men here be-
lieve, may yet resolve itself into
question of whether British Or Ger
man morale will crack first-and the
British are the better steeled for a
long, hard struggle.
Current Capital Chatter
chronological unemployment is not
the only result Of the growth of me-
chanized mining in the bituminous
coal industry. According to DR.. R. R.
Sayers, director of the bureau of
mines, department of interior, me-
chanized mining has also increased
lust hazards, thus increasing deaths
and i'll health from pulmonary dis
eases of the miners. ;. Because Gov
srnor Stassen of Minnesota used a
military plane for political trip to
Rhode Island, Representative Harter,
Ohio, has asked the War department
o investigate the use of war equip
nent by governors and others for po-
itieal purposes. :. Prisons do not |
'ehabilitate inmates, says Howard
Iill, technical advisor to the director
If the bureau of prisons. That's what |
advanced students of penology have
been saying all along. :. wilkes
attacks Oh Roosevelt give !
very Indication Of man who IS be-
4 ming very desperate. There is an
I'D Greed proverb which says, Whom
he gods would destroy they first
make mad" =. The Senate will /
Undertake an investigation to deter
nine to what extent American indus
ries essential to defense are foreign
ontrolled. The investigation was de-
handed by Senator Wheeler, Mon