Evening star., 1942-09-03
Nelson 10 Get
Labor Demands
On WPB Today
Chairman Expected
To Grant Workers
Voice on Policy
Bvthe Associated Press.

Bvthe Associated Press.
Organized labor carried di-
rectly to Donald M. Nelson today
its demand for "a place at the
top" in guiding production policy
and for labor representation on
the War Production Board itself.
AS an outgrowth of representa-
tions made by the leaders OF 20 AFL
and CIO unions at last weeks labor
WPB conference on materials short
ages, WPB Chairman Nelson ar
ranged to sit down with a six-man
labor committee for what he called
an afternoon of "the frankest kind
Of talk"
Meantime, 1t was predicted MIR.
Nelson would grant labor a voice in
drafting production policy equiva-
lent to that of other board mem
bers. They also expressed belief the
council table chair vacated by Sid
ney Hillman would be filled by Wen-
dell Lund of Detroit.
Mr.. Hillman has not attended a
board session since the Labor Diyi-
sion, which he headed, was abol-
ished months ago and replaced by
the Labor Production Division under
Mr.. Lund.
Changed in January.
Mr.. Hillman was associate direc-
tor general of the Office of PRODUCE
ton Management and as head of the
Labor Division gave labor strong
representation. OPM was dissolved
last January and WPB formed in its
place In an effort to simplify the
administrative machinery and es-
taollsh one-man supervision over
war production.
Consequently, labor lost the power
1t had commanded in Mr.. Hillman's
once as the executive board creating
WPB placed all authority in Mr..
nelson's hands. While reported
willing to allow labor an equal voice
on the board, the WPB chief was not
expected to share his authority by
giving labor "a place at the top."
Speculation centered on Mr.. Lund
as a probable choice both because
ne is, in a sense, Mr.. Hillman's sue
cessor In WPB and because he has
no labor aflliation which would
make him Objectionable to either
ClO or AFL. Mr. Eund is a former
director Of the Michigan Unemploy-
ment Compensation Commission He
was named to his present lob with
approval of both labor factions.
The labor officials last week ac-
cused WPB Of being Unbalanced
and one-sided" in its approach to
war production because they said
key positions were held by men
whose experience and background
are those OF corporate manage
ment. This strong language was
subsequently stricken from a reso-
luton presented to Mr.. Nelson. but
not until it had been read to him In
connection with presentation of the
labor program.
Asks Specific Ideas.
Mr.. Nelson asked for more snec;fic
suggestions and ideas, to be pre-
sented by a smaller group, and gave
assurance they would get earnest
consideration, but made it clear that
WPB's program '.in any case must
oe Government program"
Besides direct and effective"
representation on WPB, the labor
statement asked creation of a "pro-
duction planning and co-ordina-
ton board in WPB having labor
representation with authority over
the planning and integration Of
the whole war production program.
joint policy committees of labor
government and management in
every WPB branch and division.
ana elimination of overlapping
jurisdiction among the Government
agencies responsible for war pro-
duction.
The six-man committee ebosa,
ny the labor officials to present their
program is the AFL-CIO Labor pol
ICY Committee created by Mr.. Lund
10 adVlse him on production policy
ana laoor's role in the war effort
Inc CIO members are Walter p
Reuther of the United AutonnobiIa
workers; John Green, head of the
Industrial Union of Marine and
SnlpDuilding Workers, and Clinton
3. Golden of the United Steel
workers OF America. The AFT, ren-
resentatives are Frank p. Fenton
director of organization; John p
Frey, head Of the Metal Trades ne
partment, and George Masterson
president of the Plumbers and
Steamfitters Association.