The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-01-16
Facing The Facts
With PHILIP PEARL

itself and announced through the
Metal Trades Department of the
American Federation of Labor a SIM
pie and practical plan for eliminating
stoppages of work on national de-
fense projects.
The proposal of the metal trades
unions in breath-taking in it's clarity,
it's directness, and its applicability to
all industry in normal times as well
as in the present defense emergency.
1t calls for the negotiation Of agree
ments between employers and labor
organizations in each district Of the
nation to stabilize labor relations and
the terms of employment.
These agreements will provide that
there shall be no strikes or lockouts
during their operation. If any dis
pute arises over the terms of the con-
tract after it is signed, it shall vol
UNFAIRLY be submitted to arbitration.
Naturally, the response to this pro-
posal was overwhelmingly favorable.
Practically every newspaper in the
country printed editorials commend
liS VIC SOllSIluSClNC aNlloil ldhSli W
the Metal Trades Department.
The newspapers went further. They
pointed out that this plan makes Gov
ernment interference entirely un-
necessary. 1t permits labor and in
dustry to work out their common
problems in reasonable and sensible
way with the utmost freedom and
without Government dictation or reg
ulation. That is the way Of democ
racy.
The Press Applauds
Because the comments from the
press were so enightening and inter-
esting, we beg leave to reprint several
excerpts here:
New York Times.-The chief Off
GERS of thirteen international unions
in the metal trades affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor have
adopted a declaration of policy that
there must be no strikes in the metal
industries working on national de-
fense. This is a wise and patriotic
action. 1t will win instant approval
on all sides. More than that, it is the
sort of action which, in the existing
circumstances, can only result in
benefits to the cause of organized la
Dor generally. The metal workers,
through their union officials, have re-
sponded promptly to this demand of
the President. They have made it
plain that the policy of "no strikes"
in defense work is contingent upon
an agreement by employers to arbi-
trate disputes. That, Of course, is a
proper and natural condition.
Philadelphia Inquirer.-The slogan,
"No stoppage of work." sums up the
admirable plan proposed by AFL
metal trade union members engaged
on national defense orders. While
their program to keep the wheels
turning includes an agreement for
arbitration of any disputes arising be-
tween arrangements and employees,
this procedure would be applied only
after other indicated steps had failed.
"The methods of democracy applied
to national emergency" is the union
officials description Of their public
spirited plan. Agreements to let
nothing interrupt and endanger pro-
duction for defense express true
patriotism. Extension of such ar
rangements throughout American in
dustry would be the best possible
answer to proposals for legislation
decreeng compulsory arbitration Of
labor disputes as means of speeding
the defense program.
More LaudatOry Comments
Washington Post.-ln offering re-
alstic plan for dealing with the strike
and lockout menace, the metal trades
unions are seeking to forestall direct
Government action that might serious
ly impair their freedom of action, as
well as that Of employing industries.
They are trying to apply "the methods
of democracy" to a national emergen-
cy. AT the same time the plan permits
the unions to rely upon the aid of gov
ernment mediators, if their own eff
forts should prove unavailing. The
plan has the further advantage of be-
ing applicable to all representative
unions, whether they are affiliated
with the A. f. Of L., the C. |. O. or
an independent group. The plan, in
short, is well worthy Of consideration
as a genuine contribution to the cause
of industrial peace, and as tangible
sign that labor leaders are thinking
in terms of the national welfare.
Washington Star.-As the unions
statement Of policy points out, the
totalitarian menace is greater today
than at any time in the past. If its
threat to our democratic way Of life
is to be withstOod, successful resist
ance must come through demon
stration Of democracy's ability to
meet the extraordinary demands i'm
posed in times of great crisis. In the
light of the experience of labor
unions in other lands, where democ-
racy has given way to totalitaranism
it is difficult to understand why any
union in this country should hesitate
to subscribe to the enlightened state
ment of policy adopted by the metal
trades workers.
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