The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1943-02-12
FACING
THE -
FACTS
With PHILIP PEARL

Why does labor keep harping on
the theme Of more representation on
all war agencies?
In the first place, because it hasn't
received real representation.
In the second place, because without
such representation the great army of
American soldiers of production can
not give their best for victory.
1t is a shameful fact that after
these long months of war the Govern
ment has failed to give labor a voice
in the conduct of even the civilian as
poets of the war-with one notable
exception.
That exception is the National War
Labor Board, which is composed of
an equal number of management,
public and labor representatives. On
this important board labor has a voice
in shaping policies and in making de-
cisions
Common sense dictates that labor
should be given similar opportunity
to participate in the operation of the
War Production Board, the Office of
Price Administration, the Office of
Civilian Defense and other war agen-
cies whose decisions affect the lives
and welfare of the workers.
Window Dressing Not Enough
These agencies claim they have ac-
corded labor some form of representa-
ton. The claims are false. At the
most, some labor officials has been
given post where he has no author
ity and serves merely as window
dressing. Or, as in the War Man
power Commission, labor-manage-
ment committee is formed and given
only advisory powers. This sort of
representation is completely unsat-
isfactory dodge.
1t seems to us that America can
learn great deal from the expert
ence of Great Britain in the matter of
labor representation. Here, our Gov
ernment officials feel that real labor
representation is necessary only on
bodies dealing with labor disputes
There, labor is welcomed into the high
councils of the Government, is ac-
quainted fully with the facts about
every major war problem, is given
voice in determining the solution of
these problems and is charged with
the responsibility of enforcing the
policies arrived at among British
workers.
That system has worked effectively
in Great Britain. 1t has eliminated
doubts and confusion. 1t has inspired
confidence among the workers, who
realize that their representatives have
helped to make the decisions.
Furthermore, because they are fully
informed and have become convinced
of the necessity of certain forms of
action, the leaders of labor in Great
Britain are better able to persuade
their members to make the sacrifices
required of them from time to time.
Dangers Loom Ahead
Important decisions are approach
ing. America has reached the stage
in this war where, more and more, we
will be forced to depart from our
normal way of doing things and re-
sort to stringent war regulations by
the Government.
No one wants this to happen.
Everyone will be inconvenienced. A
great many people will feel that they
are being unnecessarily oppressed
while others get off comparatively
lightly.
Full labor representation of all war
agencies can help to smooth out the
enforcement of these new regulations,
to obtain better compliance, to avoid
bitterness and to maintain production
and morale on the highest plane.
No one is going to like being told
by the Government that he must stay
on his present job at his present pay
when better opportunities offer. No
one is going to like being told by the
Government how to spend his earn