Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-12-29
Lewis Gill, 81,
Meets. Industry,
Union Leaders
viii Seek More Speed
in Settling Of Disputes;
Native Of Michigan
BY FRANK MORRIS

Meeting with Detroit union lead
rrs@todayF andEindustriaiists to-
morrow. is 31-year-old New
Dealer" who is determined TO halt
interruptions in war production by
speeding fair and just settlements
OF all labor disputes as fast as they
arise.
He is Lewis Gill; who recently
was made director OF this region
for the War Labor Board and
thereby stepped into one OF the
hottest spots the government can
offer outside Washington.
Despite comparative youth, low
voice and Photographic features
Gill gave the impression that he
well understands the local prob
lem-and can find solution. I
BORN IN MICHIGAN
Gill was born in Michigan and
left his native state after high
school in Ann Arbor. He has been
climbing in the federal government
since being graduated with law
degree by the University OF Penn
sylvania six years ago.
Gill admitted that an important
factor in the stalled labor peace
processes here may be the fact
that the headquarters fnr-thiS
region is at Cleveland
But he held little hope for a
War Labor Board office soon in
this key area Of all war produc-
ton
With disafming frankness, he
said
II would like To duck com
ment on that.
There II tremendous pres
sure In Washington for n Detroit
office to bypass the machinery
at Cleveland. That decision can
he made only by the WLB.
CLEVELAND LOG JAM
ct know, however. that the
labor board wants Its 10 regional
offices to be functioning
smoothly before other offices are
opened. Not every one Is con-
WINGED the Cleveland office IL
running smoothly yet-and
neither am I.
We've got a log jam there
that must be broken"
Gill said production is slowed or
halted most frequently because Of
long delay in settling disputes
through Washington. To solve this
he is undertaking 10 create local
panels Of persons authorized 10
hear grievances and make recon-
nendations TO the regional board
ai Cleveland.
When dispute arises. a three
party panel will be chosen from
this list One member will repre-
sent labor. one industry and the
other the public.
A long list Of proposed panel
members --including many of the
citys best known citizens was
gone over by Gill with his regional
advisory board yesterday at the
Detroit-Leland Hotel.
The new system. TO be started
within two weeks, will work like
this:
MANY FROM DETROIT
When a dispute is certified 10
the WLB. a federal mediator i'm
mediately will attempt 10 make a
settlement. If he fails. n tri-party
panel will be created and will hear
both sides without delay.
II the panels decision is not
accepted unanimously by the re-
gionsl board an appeal could be
taken by either side TO the War
Labor Board.
I'VE hope to end dissatisfac-
tion caused by the frequent de-
lays In Washington" Gill ex-
planned.
He said WLB Is receiving about
400 labor disputes monthly
throughout the nation. large per-
centage OF them from this region.
Before Christmas. 675 applica-
tons were received from employ
ers in this region asking permits
sion 10 grant wage raises.
Each application involved q
group Of workers. not individuals
OF these. $40 were granted or
denied. Gill said. Action on the
others Is pending.