The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-02-21
Curtiss=Wright Plant Dis
pute Blamed for Serious
Situation
SOME ESTIMATES SAY
HUNDREDS PLANES HIT
Labor Disputes in Defense
Manufacturing Termed
Real Worry Now
BY LYLE c. WILSON
UNITED Press Staff Correspondent

tUmte0 FreSS Sta1f correspondent
Washington, February 81.
(UP) Some United
States airplanes were re-
ported today to be grounded
in the Far East, the Middle
East and in this country for
lack of parts whose produc-
ton may be further curtailed
by a national labor relations
board investigation of a dis
pute in two Curtiss- Wright
plants.
War and Navy representatives
were said to have objected to the
proposed labor board hearing on
grounds that it would hamper pro-
duction by disrupting the plants.
But the investigation now is
scheduled to proceed under author
ity of the board.
May Be Hundreds
One responsible official estimated
the number of grounded planes In
the hundreds and said half were IN
combat areas. Other sources, how
ever, informed the United Press that
the number was comparatively small
and that the parts situation-which
had been acute had shown recent
and basically satisfactory improve
ment. Information was conflicting
whether the planes had been shipped
to combat areas without necessary
parts or whether the shortage was
in spares which were now needed.
Labor board headquarters here
told the United Press that the Cur
Wright case was pending in the
New York regional office, but was
vague as to it's status or whether a
hearing would take place.
Complaint Authorized
Mrs. Elinor Herrick, New York
regional director advised the United
Press by telephone. that the board
headquarters here had formally au-
thorized the issuance OF a complaint
and that the hearing would proceed
at the boards direction.
Mrs. Herrick said she had taken
the initiative in attempting TO avoid
interrupting plant operations during
the hearings. 1t has been tentatively
agreed that hearings vii take place
in Paterson, N. j., as the city mosJ
convenient to employees OF both
plants. Provision will be made TO
hear the testimony of employees and
of plant executives at hours other
than those during which they
normally would be working on the
war time job of making the parts.
Mrs. Herrick said she had not been
told of protests from the War OF
Navy departments against holding
the hearings. The United Press was
informed that the protests were
made to the board here.
One of Controversies
The Curtiss- Wright problem Is
only one of several involving various
types Of labor controversies which
are greatly disturbing some persons
here. : The number Of disputes
striSes-was said to have increased
recently beyond anything recorded
in some previous months.
The two plants are the supply
source of parts Of two vital types
of United States battle planes. The
dispute involves an American Fed
Grafton of Labor machinist's union
complaint against an alleged COM
pany dominated union. This allege,
company dominated union was set
ND in both plants under authority
Of the labor board which now enter
tains a complaint against 1t.
The United Press was INFORMED
the board was unwilling to accept
the postponement suggestion and In
sisted upon the regular routine OF
hearings. The argument was ad-
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