The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-04-24

4hCIy SCt up Al
the Department of Labor, and not
under Sidney Hillman. It is an open
secret that opposition of the A. F..
of l.. and g. I. o. finally got"
Hillman. head of the labor division
of the War Production Board. Con-
ScientiouS, Woodworking Hillman
ran his jobs the way he thought
they should be run for the best in
terestS of the war effort. But he
would accept no dictation from the
labor leaders, though he tried to
make decisions which would not be
unpopular with. them. In the end
he was damned by both A. F. of L.
and C. I. o. leaders. and in the re-
organization of the War Production
Board, the labor division under
Hillman was reduced to such sec
ondary Importance that there was
only one step further in his career
Ito be kicked upstairs TO the posi-
ton of special assistant to the
President ON labor matters"
How long McNutt will remain the
darling OF the labor leaders is some
thing to make book on. McNutt is
still so politically ambitious he
wouldn't harm a hea-if 1t had a
vote. He win make a speech on the
slightest provocation before any as
Sembly - Of voters and you may
expect to see his name waving with
the Stars and Stripes on any plat
form where labor harmony senti-
mentS are expressed. His next ma
lor appearance will be at the joint
A. r. of Lie. I. o. BUY Bomber"
show in st, Paul April 20.
HIS CHANCE
TO TALK
There has been some speculation
in labor circles as to whether Nc
Mutt would reveal his manpower
program at this St. Paul speech.
There isn't enough of an opportun-
ity for the McNutt brand of oratory
in q speech of that kind, and be-
sides, 1t Is doubtful II the organiza-
ton win have been perfected by
that time.
The commission must be named,
meet, formulate its policies, decide
how it will coordinate the 10 gov
eminent agencies assigned TO, Its
care by the Presidents executive
order, and what 1t will do with
the several agencies like the Civil
Service scientific roster, the Labor
Departments apprenticeship train
ing program, and the training
functions of Hillman's labor divi-
sion of WPB.
This war labor training program
under Colonel Frank j. McSherry
has of course done a tremendous
Job in helping supply trained work.
ers for expanding war production
Industries. 1t can go on function
but some of the other functions Of
the old labor division may be killed
of in the manpower reshuffle.
LABOR LED HERE
The original idea was that labor
committees would sit In with COM
mittees from management and tell
how things should be done. Labor
wanted 1t that way, but never quite
put 1t over, In spite Of the fact
that labor has from the outset Of
the defense effort been about two
miles ahead of management on the
problem Of converting civilian in
dustries to war production.
There are today "a Of these la
Dor advisory committees, on paper,
corresponding with "a main in
dustry advisory committees which
represent management and sit in
with the War Production Board
industry branch chiefs in formu-
lating policy. But the labor COM
mittees have never met With the
management committees.
The Presidents order converted
WPBS labor division into La
Dor Production" division. Nobody
knew what that meant, and even
WPB boss Donald Nelson had to
90 to the White House to find out.
! And so, out Of the confusion OF
| washington, another government
agency war baby has been born.
Fortunately for McNutt's political
ambitions, as Manpower Commits
sion chairman he won't have TO
mess with any Of the really con-
troversal labor problems like
strikes and the union security is
sue, which vii remain with the
War Labor Board.