The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-01-02
LOOKING AHEAD

INCREASINGLY defense production will dom
mate our economic situation, and this fact Is
of Importance to those guiding union policies.
PI1OrltleS In defense production have already
been arranged for without mandatory authority.
but, if needed mandatory power may be exercised
by the President cOmmander-n-chief of de-
fense
Compusion once invoked will be applicable to
the whole production unit. There is at present
no indication OF need to exercise cOmpulslOn, for
cooperation has been generous and intelligent. Co
operation must, Of course, be based upon under
standing in order to create and maintain mutual
confidence and goodwill, for cooperation is pro-
duct of the spirit. Cooperation can be maintained
only by providing the channels for conference and
agreement.
Should compulsion become necessary, the
nature of our people and our institutions requires
representation for labor in the determination of
policies whether administration deals with vol
untary or compulsory regime.
The right of labor to representation is in
aienabe right if we are to continue a demo
cratic people. 1t becomes more imperative
if we must accept decisions holding in abeyance
during the emergency ght to strike
The basic duty and service of the labor move
ment continue to be organization of workers into
unions for collective bargaining and assistance
to those unions in directing their course con
structlVey. Unions are basic for democracy
which ceases to exist the moment unions fail to
function.
Whatever the nature Of industrial control
representation for labor must continue to CON
tribute facts on the needs and welfare Of labor
Unions must remain free to govern themselves
if they are to make their contribution to demOc-
racy.
They cannot be free if burcauclats direct what
kind of unions to form, how unions shall be con
Quoted, then records, their discipline, or their col
lective bargaining operations.
The American Federation Of Labor has de-
veoped discipline through our organization that
is of primary Importance in this situation.
While discipline is not as perfect We
would like it, it represents genuine democratic
effort toward orderly progress which can be
creditably compared with the progress Of any
other organization.
Our first responsibility is to strengthen oul
unions and their discipline as basic for service tC
members and to the nation.
Two developments out of defense should be
carefully Notwithstanding Of defense workers
and the increasing practice Of contracting out.
Defense production requires workers in add
tOn to those employed in production for pcacetimC
interests and for craftsmen in numbers greatly in
excess Of normal needs.
Craftsmen cannot be produced at order Time
is essential to development of craft skill.
Apprentice training programs should be kept
continuously under way In an emergency what
is commonly called 'dilutOn" may be necessary
Labor insists that all plans for diluton must be
made with the participation and cooperation OF
the union concerned.
Benciiting from English experience in the air:
craft industry Chat output increased more sharply
when parts contracted out what cOulC
be produced by expansion of single pants), in
dustries are farming or contracting out as mucI
of production and OF parts as Is practical.
Such decentralization of industries makes
maintenance Of uniform standards moro difficult
because responsibility and collective bargaining
will be spread over more people and over widen
areas UnSound policies and practices dcvClol
more easily. The situation calls for better coord
nation Of experience and pooling Of information
for the service Of union representatives.