Evening star., 1941-07-20

camps say that Mr.. Hlllman is no
true labor representative, that Hill
man represents only Hillman."
But many an observer within the
administration says that Mr.. Hill
man has done a signal service for
labor and the country in his posi-
ton as o. P. M. director. 1t was
because of his foresight in estab-
fishing programs year ago to train
skilled workers that industry now
is fairly well supplied with them
they say.
Furthermore, they continue, he
has carried on a ceaSeless battle to
bring labor men into o. P. M. as
advisers and minor officials, seizlng
every opportunity to insist that they
be brought in, so that today there
is hardly an activity of that great
defense agency in which a labor
expert does not have a voice.
Mr.. Hillman would take a strong
hand to see that labor was given
high administrative positions, they
declare, if it were not for the split
NllIllIl lIlC 1cbOA az
tically all important leaders except
Railroad Brotherhood men are in
the A F. L. or the c. l. O.. and as
soon as a man from one camp was
placed in a prominent position, a
demand would go up from the other
side. Were leaders from both sides
brought in, there is a question
whether these feuding chieftains
could work together harmoniously.
See Different Status.
Citing points at which the paral-
lei between the labor situation here
and in Britain breaks down, some
officials say:
Labor organizations in Britain are
older and better established. Con-
flict with employers there usually is
settled by negotiation and seldom
develops into strikes with the acri-
mony and violence of American la
Dor clashes. Consequently, the Brit
ish labor men deal primarily with
problems of management and ad-
ministration. Here the successful
leaders are usually the organizers,
men able to sell bill of goods to
stir up inert and unorganized
masses.
A few American unions, 1t Is con-
ceded, have progressed to the stage
in which the British now find them
selves-notabIy Mr. Hillman's own
union, the Amalgamated Clothing
Workers. which has elaborate staffs
to study business conditions and
problems of management. 1t is able
to advise employers on sound busl-
ness practices and thus can help
labor by keeping alive struggling
companies. Clothing industry bosses
often consult Mr.. Hillman's man
ayers and his union has loaned
money to employers Of its members
in order to tide them over a dlft1-
cult period.
Britons Make Sacrifices.
Another difference between the
British and American labor situa-
tions, it has been argued, is that
American labor is not expected to
make the concessions demanded of
labor in the British Isles. A cardinal
of the administration, often
reiterated, is that labor is not to
be asked to relinquish any of its
gains, that wage and hour standards,
the right to organize and bargain
collectively and all other labor re-
forms are to be maintained. Labor,
moreover, has made it clear that it
does not intend to give up its right
to strike.
On the other hand, Ernest Bevin,
Minister of Labor and National
Service, promulgated an order which
forbade practically all strikes and
compelled submission of disputes to
the national arbitration tribunal.
Bevin also has the authority, under
the emergency powers acts of 1882
40, to compel any person in the
United Kingdom to perform spe-
Gifted services.
Many highly placed persons here
agree, however, that some conces-
Sions must be made to labor's de-
mand that it be accepted as a full
partner in the defense effort.