Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-12-01
ShipbuiIders
Slap NLRB
For Kaiser
Labor Dispute Promoted
by Federal Agency
By PAUL MALLON

government agency having any
thing to do with the vital ship
building end of the Mar-haS
privately protested to Mr.. Roose-
welt against the action OF his
own National Labor Relations
Board mot war Labor Board)
in the Kaiser shipbuilding case.
Complaining government au-
thorities include none less than
WPB's Donald Nelson, Presi-
dental Adviser Isadore Lubin,
the navy department, Admiral
Land and his assistants at the
maritime commission. They did
not see how another govern
ment bureau could do this 10 the
war effort.
II there was one employer and
one group of unioniSts in this
war of production who have
stood out above all others, il is
Kaiser and his workers IN three
West Coast Shipyards.
If there are any 10000 work
ers in the country whose con-
tinuous and undistracted atten-
ton 10 their jobs is needed
above all the others in a war
where the front lines IN Africa,
Guadalcanal and New Guinea
must be supplied daily across
vast seas. il is kaiser's 10000
men.
DUT here comes the National
~ Labor Relations Board actu-
ally promoting labor dispute
in those yards. 1t accepted and
ordered hearings on a complaint
made by the Go.
The yards are 100 per cent
union. all organized under AFL,
with a closed shop
The only question involved is
whether the Go should be al
lowed 10 muscle in on the AFL 5
war business there.
The Go side OF the story is
that Kaiser had 10 drop about
700 welders, who were Go men.
because they would not join the
AL, and that the remnants
of an old independent union Of
welders, who went on strike out
there year or so ago. is anti
ALL but must work under AL,
all OF which is no doubt true.
NO DOUBT this is the type OF
~ IN on organizer Admiral
Land had in mind in New York
W h Q n he overenthuSiaStically
said he would like 10 shoot
some Shooting is the usual
penalty for treasonouS acts.
But in this case Admiral Land
would be required by the facts
10 shoot the National Labor
Relations Board also, with a
water pistol al least.
of the great new independent
Shipbuilders in this war. first 10
disappear by government action
was Higgins of New Orleans.
He was 100 per cent AFL and
The country sang his praises.
BY government direct 10
shortage Of metal, they said
he was put out of the shipbuild-
ing business. and now he has an
airplane contract.
Some people scott az Kaiser's
records Of ships launched in
COMMUNICATING time. II is true
the parts are all pre-fabricated
and only assembled. but the as
Sembly system he has devised
could be. continuous If pre-fabri-
cation work could keep pace
with him. A. least, no one has
better record.
If any thing was needed 10
finally extinguish the National
Labor Relations Board. which
has been dead any way since the
war started, this should do il.
MESSRS. Bill Green and Phil
NI Murray were called into
the White House like a couple
of walking military secrets 10
get the news Interior Secretary
Harold lckes was 10 be the new
labor secretary. They went in
the back door.
Mr.. Roosevelt did not ask
them about his choice. He told
them. The idea, therefore, was
the Presidents own. which IS
all right in a technical way as
the cabinet is his personal bust
ness. although his selections
must be confirmed by the Sen
ate
II Mr.. Green had his fingers
lightly crossed when he went
out. he did not exhibit them.
While Ickes has seemed to lean
CIOward in his political activi-
ties. the ALL had no trouble
with him when he handled the
Public Works Administration,
dealing largely with ALL
unions.
And, after all the appoint
ment of any male adult would
mean that the labor department
Of this government would cease
10 be a womens and Children's
bureau. and assume the inn
portance of n labor ministry,
even if il did not handle man.
power and draft.
Nevertheless, you will have 10
give any political observer here
large odds if you want to bet