Evening star., 1941-12-06
Fairmont Officials
Tell Of Success With
.CiN'S Union Contract
Municipal Law Officers
Reflect ChunIer at
Institute Session

Two city officials of Fairmont, W.
Va, today told the National Insti-
tute of Municipal Law Officers at the
Mayf1ower Hotel that their city had
favorable experience with contract
negotiated between the city and a
c. I. o. union of city workers.
Mayor Fred T. Wilson and City
Attorney Albert j. Kern outlined
their situation at some length be-
fore the institute, which recently
had issued report concluding, on
the other hand, that cities have no
power to enter into collective bar
gaining agreements.
The three-day institute, which
elected officers late yesterday, was
to come to a close today with con-
sideration of many municipal prob
lens, including some other phases
of the relationship between the mu-
nicipality and its employees.
Chanler Reelected.
The institute changed its consti-
tuition, which had prohibited more
than one term for its president. and
reelected William C. Chanler for q
second term. He is corporation
counsel of New York City. Other
officers elected were City Attorney
Horace H. Edwards of Richmond,
Va, vice president; City Attorney
L. E. Latourette of Portland, Greg.
second vice president; City Solicitor
Philip H. Hill of Charleston, w. Va,
treasurer. and the following as
trustees: City Attorney Joe w. An
derson Of Chattanooga, Tenn; City
Attorney Ray L. Chesebro Of Los
Angeles, Corporation Counsel James
c. Tormey of Syracuse. N. Y; City
Attorney Walter J. Mattison of Mil
waukee and City Attorney Walter E.
Helmke of Fort Wayne. Ind.
Mr.. Kern. explaining the union
contract at Fairmont, said his COM
munity was strongly unionized, and
the prevalent influence found ex-
preston, in somewhat the same
fashion, in the union contract with
the city government. Since there
does not now appear to be decision
by court of last resort in our coun-
try relating in point to contracts of
this kind he saids another field
opens for judicial review and de-
termination, and doubtless decisions
will soon be forthcoming.
Sees Service in Contract.
Mayor Wilson said the principal
reason for entering into a contract
with the union was because we
thought that We could effect bet
ter working organization and serve
the city best by cooperating with
the union since practically all OF
our employees already were union
members. So far we have had ex-
cellent cooperation from union off,
cials."
The Institutes legal research re-
port on Power Of Municipalities to
Enter Into Labor Union Contracts
Survey Of Law and Experience"
concluded that there was an inher-
ent difference in public and private
employment. that cities have no
power to enter into labor contracts
with unions of municipal employees
and the city employees have no right
to strike against their employer city.
The recent strike among Detroit's
street railway employees and the
cfyrtlr ~,
City transportation system were to
be discussed before the institute to-
day by Corporation Counsel Paul E.
Krause Of Detroit and President
Chanler of the institute.
La Guardia Speaks.
Mayor La Guardia of New York,
addressing the luncheon meeting
yesterday. said that although it was
now tough time" to be in gov
ernment. this was nothing to what
it will be after the present emer-
gency is over" He recommended
planning to meet the
dislocation of industry, business and
labor, which will take place suddenly
~iiCii liic cilicl SCilCy CIluS. dhcS
must be streamlined, the number of
tax collection agencies must be re-
duced, proper apportionment and
return of certain excise taxes should
be arranged with only one tax COL
lection agency.
He warned against what he called
gradual encroachment of the Fed
eral taxing power on municipalities.
A vivid picture of wartime Eng
land under bombing raids from the
Germans was painted by Emil
Davies, chairman of the London
County Council.
Reporting success with city feed
ing of its residents in all classes. Mr..
Davies predicted this would be in
some form or another a permanent
factor of London life.
The annual banquet last night
was addressed by Col. Louis L.
Roberts. on leave as city attorney
of Evansville, Ind, and now COM
of the 139th Field Artillery.