Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-03-13
Defense Plant
Strikes Worry
Mr.. Roosevelt
Troubled More With That
Than With Lend Bill
BY PAUL MALLON

MI. INObStNtil lids CONtieu
over one of the most hectic
struggles of his administration
by recent side remarks belittling
the import al" EFF defense
strikes so far. Actually he has
had more trouble the last few
weeks with that problem than
with Hitler or the lend-lease
bill. and is now on the verge
of a solution.
Once before, about two weeks
ago. a solution fell fat, so it
may yet be unwise to accept
too confidently the terms of the
arrangement. But as recently
as "a hours ago a final draft of
an executive order contained
these following terms:
Institution of a federal medi-
alton board to be composed of
four representatives of labor.
four of industry, and three of
the public.
The public representatives to
be Bernard Baruch, who would
act as chairman of the board,
former Gov. Lloyd Stark of
Missouri. and a third person of
similar outstanding calibre yet
to be chosen.
The four labor seats to be
divided equally by AFL and
Go.
The board would not be given
compulsory powers and would
act only in the most difficult
defense labor cases submitted
voluntarily. 1t would not. there
fore. interfere with the con-
Citation service of the labor
department of the labor board.
IT MAY now be related the
L idea was worked up by the
Hillman organization. the Ma
tional Industrial Conference
Board and Undersecretary of
War Patterson some weeks ago.
The administration chose Dan
Tracy, assistant secretary of
labor. to go to Florida and sell
it to the ALL at the Winter
executive council meeting.
In that m e ing William
Hutchinson of the carpenters
union expressed some apprehen-
sions that compulsion might Turk
somewhere in the background of
the idea. and that the concilia-
ton service, which has been
efficient. would be supplanted.
Upon Tracy's assurance that
~ both objections would be
met in a final draft, the council
approved the idea.
But then the labor co-ordina-
tor, Mr.. Hillman. ran into fur
Their obstacles when he presented
it. February %, to his labor
policy advisory committee,
group of Is labor leaders who
meet with him each week.
The CIO groups were hesitant
and some further doubts were
expressed by AFL delegates. Hit
by objections from both sides,
the plan fell fiat.
MR.. HILLMAN went over to
N1 see CLOS president, Phil
Murray. after which conference
it was even flatter. Murray was
advocating the Clio council plan
which went much farther than
mere mediation wanted a
council representing manage
ment and labor appointed for
each industry with powers to
run that industry as it pleased.
One specific duty it would
have was to promote industrial
labor bargaining arrangements.
The automobile council, for
instance, dominated by CIO.
could tell Ford presumably he
would have to take a Clio con-
tract. Obviously the plan was
designed to promote Clio organi-
cation rather than labor peace.
MR.. MURRAY was thereupon
1'1 called over to the White
House for lunch. After a long
argument he emerged with the
limited suggestion that the Presi-
dent would adopt his plan.
Next day Mr.. Roosevelt limited
the CIO would adopt the admin
istration's mediation plan.
But shortly thereafter il began
TO appear Mr.. Roosevelt's hint
was nearer right. The whole
hearted approval of the AFL
was confirmed by direct negoti-
alton.
Mr.. Murray was left with the
alternative of changing his mind
or taking the responsibility of
letting kes weaken the
American defense effort.
Distributed by King Features synd., Inc
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