Evening star., 1942-01-01
Stoppages Of Work
Likely 10 Be Minor
Problem in 1912
New 24-Mun Bourd
Expected to Formulate
National Policy
By Cambridge Associates.

NutiOnuI TOiICy
By Cambridge Associates.
Whether or not legislation to curb
strikes Is adopted by Congress, 1t is
safe to expect that stoppages of
work on account of labor disputes in
1892 will be just as minor problem
in 1912 as it was major problem
in 1941.
Rightly or wrongly, the public Is
convinced that the chief cause of the
failure of the defense program TO
reach the desired pitch was due to
the inordinate demands OF union
leaders. While strikes for higher
pay were, In a measure, understand
able, strikes to enforce union reco2-
milton and to settle jurisdictional
rights we're incomprehensible and
infuriating to the majority Of anx-
ious citizens.
Under war conditions. organized
labor like other groups in the Nation
begins to realize the seriousness OF
its role and there is every reason TO
believe that responsible labor lead
ers are completely sincere IN their
recent declarations that strikes will
be kept at minimum for the dura-
ton.
New Board Formed.
MANAGEMENT. no less than labor
Is against compulsory arbitration
and both sides know that only by
working out their problems with
out interfering with war production
can Federal legislation be avoided.
The new 24-man board, represent
ing industry, the American Feder-
alton of Labor and the Congress OF
Industrial Organizations Is looked
to for a national, voluntarily adopted
policy to eliminate strikes and lock-
outs during the war.
There will continue to be disputes,
of course, between labor and man
aeement and year with no strikes
is virtual impossibility. During
the first World War, from April d,
1917. to November II, 1918. Depart
ment of Labor records show total
of 6.2O6 strikes and lockouts. II
serious strikes can be avoided
through a method to adjust differ
ences, voluntary cooperation WILL
probably accomplish more in speed
ing war materials than passage OF a
drastic anti-strike law.
When M-Day came on December
7. the union movement as a Whole
was pretty we'll satisfied with the
gains attained during recent years
Older, more experienced labor OH
cials, with few exceptions, were aware
that the Nations unions during the
past year enjoyed one OF the most
successful II months in labor MS
tory. Not only did both the A. F. OF
L, and the C. I. o. show great gains
In membership, but new organiza-
tional fields, hitherto considered un-
touchable were conquered at the
same time.
Wage Rates Raised.
Wage rates, especially for skilled
workers, rose appreciably While MIN
imum wage laws helped to RAISE the
wage standards of the unskllled ano
,,norganized. Another source OF
pleasure to many trade unlonls's
was the calling back to industry OF
mon of As and over who had preVl-
ouslv been considered too old 1or
modern industry.
Governments part in the settle
ment of labor disputes was, as y
will continue to be, an lmportan
one. The machinery for the arpl
tration of railroad disputes proved
it's worth when an agreement be
tween the roads and brotherhooo
was finally reached without trans
portation stoppage after strike Cal
had been issued.
The National Labor Relation
BOARD in the five years OF its exist
ence has quietly settled $4,000 cases
any of which might have lead u
damaging industrial strife. In
board noted this year an increas
in the number of petitions for laoo
elections and decrease in charge
of interference with attempts 10 or
ganize.
Public Unaware of Gains.
Finally the setting up OF the Ma
tional Defense Mediation Board an
the prompt placing of dozens o
labor conciliators in the fleld ma
ACCOMPLISHED many settlements O
which the general public is unaware
Estimates place the number OF case
settled by voluntary arbitration ma
chinery at 500. In these cases Wor
either did not cease at all or the tim
lost was negligible.
The President, exercising nj
emergency powers, has the power 7
take over strike-bound plants, as n
has demonstrated, but this solu
ton is not favored by either man
aeement or labor. With mutual in
terest in maintaining war production
neither side is likely to assume
stand that will make seizure by tn
military or naval forces a necesslt
In 1912.
AS the war lengthens, restivenes
may again be manifest. Particu
larly disputes are likely to arise 4
living costs mount much faster tina
wages. Should production be threat
ened, the Congress will undoubtedl
be ready to enact rather drastic leg
lslation, perhaps on the English wal
time pattern. In England certai
industries are designated as essen
tial. Strikes are forbidden in thes
industries and a man cannot lea'
his work nor be discharged withol
permission from the governing al
thority. An American version woul
probably not be so drastic but tf
distinction between essential an
non-essential industries might we
be adopted.