Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-02-07
New Labor Lobby.

lie ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS llOlll FllIllp
Murray. president of the Congress of
Industrial Organizations, that four
major union groups. claiming to
represent 100000 workers, have
banded together to resist any and all
"anti-labor" legislation is an inter-
esting and possibly important de-
velopment.
In addition to the CLIO, the partici-
pants In this movement are the
American Federation Of Labor, the
railroad brotherhoods and the Ma
tional Farmers Union. Conspicuously
missing are the United Mine Work
ers, headed by John l.. Lewis, and
the older farm organizations.
Mr.. Murray's announcement makes
it plain that it is intended to have
this coalition function as a sort of
super lobby, both in Congress and,
apparently, in the administrative
agencies which will exercise great
influence over the living conditions
Of all Americans during the war Evi-
IDENTIFY, however, the major emphasis
will be on the legislative side I'm
this present session of Congress-" as
Mr.. Murray puts 1t, IAN unholy al
lance of poll-tax Democrats with
the most reactionary wings OF the
Republican party has served notice
Of its intention to ride roughshod
over any considerations Of national
welfare, war policy, national unity
and health for war workers." Mr..
Murray did not particularize In this
sweeping indictment OF those men,
bers Of Congress who are advocating
certain labor law changes. But, since
labor spokesman have registered OPP
position even to the proposal to
amend the misunderstanding law to
penalize few union activities which
Chief Justice Stone said would have
amounted to robbery at common law,
1t may be supposed that Mr. Murray
and his associates intend to resist
anything which smacks Of restrictive
labor legislation.
The CLIO chieftain is less definite
when 1t. comes to the function OF the
coalition with respect to the admins
trative agencies His statement
points out that the War Labor Board,
the Office of Price Administration,
the Department of Agriculture and
other agencies are engaged in war
activities which vitality concern every
worker, and adds that "au of this
has placed on the shoulders of the
C1O and its members an increased
responsibility which goes far beyond
wage negotiations and grievance ad-
justments." Thus, while there is no
discussion Of the nature Of this as
serted responsibility nor of the man.
ner in which it is to be discharged,
it seems fair inference that Mr..
Murray believes the new organization
which has been set up, In addition to
shaping congressional policy, should
also exercise more persuasive in
f1uence In the formulation of ad-
ministrative programs.
The big question, OF course, is
whether this coalition can bring to
bear political influence commen-
surate with the number of people 1t
claims to represent, or whether 1t
will achieve something less than
complete unity on the various issues
which will arise in the future. II the
former proves to be the case, it Is
going to be most powerful factor
in national politics, and, even in the
latter event, it should be able to
exert considerable influence. Ger
tainly, it is significant that these
major labor elements, for the first
time, have been able to band to-
gether in their own interests. If
they are even moderately successful
this year, it will be an achievement
which may be expected to have far
reaching consequences for the UNI
organized majority In this country.