Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-06-12
California
Outlaws
Union Devices ,
Law Checks Hot Cargo.
Secondary Picketine
BY WESTBROOK PEGLER

WHEN the California Legisla-
ture adopts measure lin
iting in any way the privileges
of organizations calling them
selves labor unions, that's news.
So, when the same body not
only enacts a law but turns the
car around and runs over the
carcass TO prove that the first
performance was no accident.
that may be accepted as reas-
surfing evidence that there n
still a strong sentiment for free
government in the one state
which, more than any other. has
suffered from the arrogance OF
the professional unioneer.
That happened last week In
Sacramento when the lower
House. by a two-thirdS majority.
OVERRIDE Governor Olson's veto
Of bill 10 outlaw the device Of
the hot cargo and secondary
picketlng.
The Senate already had re-
huked the governor. who Is q
strict unioncer OF the New Deal
school, by vote Of "a 10 ), and
the bill is now a law of CALI
fornia.
A THOUGH OLSON based
his veto on representation
that the law would violate both
the state and federal constitu-
ton. his stated reasons may be
divided by his record and afflia-
tions.
He is one Of those who have
indicated belief that unions
have special rights and who
have placed the rights OF the
unions above the welfare OF the
people.
His packed Supreme Court
some time ago made a decision
consistent with bis policies.
II held that the union had q
right 10 picket. as unfair 10
labor. an employer who merely
F refused 10 compel his employees
10 Join or TO fire them for re
fusal so 70 do.
Governor Olson. having known
for years that the California
unions contain many Commu-
nists. and as chief OF an Ameri-
can state, sought and found rea-
sons 10 reject a measure which
the Legislature had passed in
the interests Of American gov
eminent and internal peace.
TIVE hot cargo device vas
busted off recently by tho
San FranciSco-Oakland outpost
of the Newspaper Guild.
During negotiations between
the guild and the United Press.
when the dispute apparently
reached deadlock. the San
Francisc o-Oakland Guild
adopted a resolution threatening
10 refuse 10 handle United Press
news as hot cargo.
This was possibly a violation
Of the employment contract OF
the San F'ranClSco-O X land
Guild and tho employers. but,
more important II was a
declaration that nonunion news
could not be published
II was not the first time In
guild history, however. that the
organization had attempted 10
intImidate the free press.
BY secondary picketlng. or
boycott of advertised goods il
had frequently attempted to in
fluence publishing companies
through their advertisers.
II had also placed picket lines
around stores which refused 10
stop advertising in struck papers.
thus reSOrtlng TO the very
weapons, financial pressure Of
the advertiser, which il had
often deplored as a vice OF
American Journalism.
THE United Press case. how
Il ever, directly affected tho
presentation OF news 10 the pub
lie. and II may be regretted that
the negotiations finally did bring
agreement. for showdown
probably would have given a
clear understanding Of the guild
and Of its contempt for freedom
Of the press.
California is not lost 10 the
unions, although there have been
times when the fight seemed al.
most hopeless.
The people themselves de-
feated the ham n eggs dictator-
ship plan proposed by adven-
turers. some of whom had GRIM
inal records, although the Go
and the guild gave it their en-
thusiastic support.
And now. with this act OF the
Legislature, hope rises that the
public government will eventu-
ally recapture the functions and