Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-05-28
Criticizes Unions
For Power Abuses
Writer Contends Wagner Act
Shelters Strong Arm Methods
And Exploitation Of Workers

To the Editor Of The Star:
In a letter to The Star, j. j. Bridges
declared that union protection under
the Wagner Act allows employees to Or
ganize their business" for protection of
their profits" This is the theory of
unionism and certainly it was the pub
lie understanding of union purpose at
the time of the passage of the Wagner
Act, but union activities under protec-
ton Of that act amply have demonstrated
that such purpose is not the practice
of unions. There would be no quarrel
and little opposition if unions actually
pursued such an objective. Neither
would employees need to be forced by the
strong-arm methods employed in the re-
cent International Harvester. the Allis-
Chalmers and the Ford strikes to &C
cept such protection"
Some of the older established unions
in days gone by sought to better the
life prospects Of employees. The Brother
hood of Locomotive Engineers built an
ambitious project for retired railroad
engineers in Florida. The Typographical
. Union offered courses which made a
printers apprentice a skilled printer.
Homes for the aged were built and others
had generous insurance against old age.
But these examples are few and far
between. Certainly they do not explain
the present purpose of union fees, dues
and assessments Unions have loudly
clamored for public funds to provide
them with welfare programs Social Sc
curity, old-age pensions, housing-even
defense housing-better working condi-
tons, educational facilities are all de-
manded of the Government and out of
the United States Treasury. The unions
do not expect to contribute funds for
these purposes. Even some of those who
had insurance protection to offer have
repudiated that obligation, for many
elderly employees upon reaching retire.
ment age find the expected pension non
existent because the insurance companies
went out of business.
Union activities during the past few
years, under governmental protection,
have included huge campaign contribu-
tons to elect labor friends" to office, to
corrupt public officials, to maintain ex-
pensive lobbying" of State and the Ma
tional Legislatures and even to control
Investigations. This statement is sup
ported by numerous municipal, State
and congressional records. Are these the
things the public expected from the
Wagner Act? Are these the things which
friends of labor are called upon to
support in municipalities, in State Legis-
latures and in Congress? Are these the
things which eminent educators, leaders
OF peace and social organizations, dwell
ing in roseate world of theory, advo-
cate? Are these the things the Execu-
tive protects and the Supreme Court
upholds?
Both Hitler and Mussolini rose to
power via the trade union movements
in their countries. Once gaining power.
they repudiated the unions. knowing full
well that none could contest their power
II the ladders were destroyed by which
they climbed. 1t is still true that Russia
maintains her trade unions, but they are
the instruments through which a small
Communist party minority, said to be but
two per cent, maintains control over all
Russia. The recent Allis- Chalmers and
Ford strikes demonstrated the method
by which control is exercised by a few
individuals strategically placed. Russia
is also still characterized by periodic
purges to take care of the ambitious
This writer has no quarrel with unions
protecting the business" of employees.
If the employees get protection, but she
has no patience with union exploitation
OF workers. Industrial or social abuses
are not corrected by adding abuse to
abuse, or substituting worse abuses for
those already existing. The recent ST.
preme Court ruling upon the Phelps
Dodge case simply adds abuse to abuse.
making it clear that the union worker
Is the legitimate victim OF unions and
non-unlon workers have no legal stand
ing. EDNA M. COLLARS