Evening star., 1943-02-27
WLB Labor Members
Revolving Against
Byrnes 'Dictation'
Internal Fight Develops
As DeodIine Set by
PIone Workers Neurs
By the Associated Press.

PIone Workers keors
ey the Associated Press
The War Labor Board today
found itself faced with internal
strife, union protests and out
side criticism-just as congress
sional interest in wartime labor
problems began to perk up.
In the midst of consideration OF
q West Coast aircraft case, an out
right revolt appeared to have de-
veloped within the board, led by
labor members who protested what
they termed dictation by Stabiliza-
ton Director James F. Byrnes.
AFL members were reported last
night to have declared in executive
session that messages from Mr.
Byrnes' ONCE had reached the point
where they felt the board no longer
could function democratically. One
non-labor member also was quoted
as saying he objected to being told
in advance how to vote.
Chairman Criticized.
simultaneously. C1O member,
r. J. Thomas, publicly criticized DR..
George W. Taylor, WLB vice chair
man. In statement issued at CIO
headquarters, the United Auto
Workers president said that DR..
Taylor, a public member of the
board, was fostering a distorted
version of the Little Steel formula
which cannot fail but create wide
spread labor dissatisfaction in war
industries"
Mr.. Thomas maintained that cost
OF living increases are permissible
under the formula whereas he said
Dr.. Taylor has been interpreting 1t
IS a wage freeze after workers re-
ceive a Is per cent increase over
their rates Of January, 1941.
The boards internal squabble
came at time when it faced new
Aroubles from the outside. Union
workers Of the Boeing Aircraft Co.,
Seattle-whose request for starting
scale Of IS cents an hour instead of
tae present 621a cents Is being con-
Hdered-have called for around the
clock protest meetings Monday un-
less favorable action was taken by
the board by Sunday night.
A board spokesman replied that
The WLB would not be coerced into
decision, while a district union
efncial said in Seattle there would
be no work stoppage and no strike,
despite the planned meetings.
From Senator Wallgren, Democrat
Of Washington came the charge that
he WLB has been sitting on it's
hands In the last few months" and
that the public should not be too
quick to condemn the workers in
the Seattle case. Interviewed at
Bethpage. N. Y, Senator Wallgren
said,. The WLB should have made
some decision long ago. If they
can't make such a decision, they
ahould fold up and so home"
Strike Legislation Mapped.
Concentrating attention on the
WLB situation was action on Cap
itol Hill to stop absenteeism and
curb any strikes which affect the
Nations war production program. ~
A bill authorizing the Government
10 take over any war plant where
production Is interrupted by 4
labor disturbance or any other
cause" was to be introduced Monday
BY Senator Connally, Democrat, OF
Texas, while Representative Pat
man, Democrat, OF Texas sought
quick House action on his measure
outlawing conSpiracies "for the pur-
pose of preventing, stopping, him
dering, delaying or interrupting any
work or service necessary to the ma
tional defense program"
Due for action on the House floor
the first of the week Is a bill by
Representative Lyndon johnson,
Democrat, Of Texas. requiring Navy
Yards to list every three months
With draft boards the names of all
employees absent without cause. Mr..
johnson, an administration sup
oorter, said he had introduced an
other measure setting up that
system for all war workers.
when I see men like Mr.. John
son. 50 close to the throne as I
know him to be, sponsoring legisla-
.ion like this, I take heart" OBJ
served Representative Cox, Demo-
crat, Of Georgia, at House Rules
Committee meeting.
Representative Smith. Democrat,
of Virginia. caustically inquired
whether Mr.. William Green and
Mr.. Philip Murray will let you pass
this legislation"
II haven't discussed it with them, {"
Mr.. johnson replied.
You'd better, you know" Mr.