Evening star., 1941-03-16
Some in Congress
Are Skeptica| Over
Mediation Board
Fear Labor Rivalry
Will Prove Too Much
Of Stumbling Block
BY GOULD LINCOLN.

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tional defense orders are followed
closely by congressional leaders and
members of the House Judiciary
Committee, which has been holding
hearings on various bills designated
to set up systems of mediation and
to provide cooling off" periods be-
fore strikes and lockoutS are ac-
tually called
On Capitol Hill it was confidently
predicted yesterday that when PreSi-
dent Roosevelt appoints media
ton board in accordance with the
recommendations OF Secretary of
Labor Perkins and the heads of the
Once Of Production Management,
he will select Bernard M. Baruch
as chairman. Mr.. Baruch was chair
man of the War Industries Board
during the World War.
The President still has the plan
Tor the proposed board under con-
slderation, plan to which William
Green, president of the American
Federation of Labor. has agreed and
to which Philip Murray. president
of the Congress of Industrial Or
sanizationS, has objected.
Some in Congress Skeptical.
Some members of Congress are
frankly skeptical over the prospects
OF such a mediation board. They
fear the rivalry between the A. F.
L. and the c. I. o. will prove too
much OF stumbling block, even if
Mr.. Roosevelt is able TO change
the attitude of Mr.. Murray toward
the plan.
Labor leaders have made it clear
70 members of the House Judiciary
committee that they are not will
ing to go ahead or the basis of
maintaining the status quo-So far
as labor Is concerned-during the
present emergency. They intend to
continue to make such gains as they
can.
Inc situation presented in the la
Dor held is far different from what
IL was when the country entered
the World War. In 1917 there was
no Z. l. o. The A. F. L. and the
Rallroad Brotherhoods were the
slrong union labor organizations
Many OF the big industries. like
sleeI ana the autOmotive industry.
We're not organized. The rivalry
OF the G. 1. o. and the A. F.. L. for
control IN many industries and
plants did not exist.
Some Gains Made by Unions
1t was pointed out that in the
many strikes which have occurred
IN plants working on defense con-
tracts, the unions have made some
gains wherever there has been q
settlement, up TO date. This makes
the situation all the more difficult.
II the c. I. o. persists in fighting
the administrations plan for a
mediation board. Furthermore. with
the A. F. l.. acquiescing in the plan
Tor mediation. 1t does not seem like
ly the Z. l. O., If it continues to
oppose the idea, will work to make
IL a success. In fact, quite the con-
trary. The c. I. o. under these cir
cumstanceS would be almost COM
mltted to see that it failed.
President Roosevelt, however has
great facility, it also was pointed
out, for rallying public opinion. AL
reaoy the public is restive under
constantly recurring strikes in de-
tense Industries. The country is
committed to a program of national
oeIenSe and to program of vast
aid to the British. The belief was
expressed that the President would
be able to accomplish a great deal
with an appeal to labor and to the
people for cooperation in further
ance of the defense program.
Harrison Seen as Member.
From the same informed source
which predicted the appointment
OF Mr.. Baruch to head a mediation
board came the prediction that
George Harrison. president of the
Brotherhood Of Railway Clerks and
vice president Of the A. F. L., would
be named a member of the pro-
jected board.
1t Is expected that representa-
tive or representatives Of the C. 7.
o. also will be appointed, provided
the c. I. o. finally acquisces in the
plan.
Discussions regarding the number
OF members sue ha board should
have ranged from a board of three
to a board of eleven, with represent
atives of the public labor and man
agement all included. With labor
so divided, between the A. F. L. and
the c. I. O., it would be difficult to
limit the number to three and have
all parties represented, and 1t Is
believed that the membership will
be either seven or eleven.
Sentiment for Curb Develops.
AS strikes have continued to be
called in defense industries, more
and more sentiment has developed
IN Congress favoring legislation to
place curb on stoppages of work.
The hearings before the House Ju-
dietary Committee and the testi-
mony which has been developed
have followed as a consequence. The
committee plans to 60 ahead with
Its hearings, whether or not me-
diation board is appointed It's next
hearing will take place on Tuesday,
1t was said. and the list of witnesses
probably will be announced tomor-
row. There remains still a score
of witnesses which the committee
plans to hear and the number may
be added to in the future. depend
ing on circumstances.
The attitude of the committee
may be described as one of watch
full waiting. 1t is not yet ready to
commit itself to any particular
measure. but it will be in a posi-
ton to do SO if it becomes necessary.
During the World War the Ma
tional War Labor Board was ap-
pointed by President Wilson on rec
concentrations made by organized
labor and management. 1t dealt
successfully with the labor problem
of that day. On one occasion, how
ever. where no settlement seemed
possible, President Wilson declared
unequivocally that the men could
work or fight-work at the essential
industry or be drafted for military
service.