The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1943-02-11

THE FACTS
With PHILIP PEARL

theme of more representation on all
war agencies?
In the first place. because it hasn't
received real representation.
! In the second place, because with
out such representation the great army
Iof American soldiers of production
IcannOt give their best for victory
1t is shameful fact that after these
long months of war the Government
has failed to give labor voice in the
conduct of even the civilian aspects of
the WARMTH one notable exception.
That exception is the National War
Labor Board, which is composed of an
equal number of management, public
land labor representatives. On this i'm
portant board labor has a voice in
shaping policies and in making deci
IsiOnS.
Common sense dictates that labor
should be given a 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
land welfare of the workers.
Window Dressing Not Enough
These agencies claim they have ac-
IcOrded labor some form of repreSen-j
tation. The claims are false. At the
most, some labor official has been given
ia post where he has no authority and
serves merely as window dressing. Or,
las in the War ManpOWer Commission,
IA labor management committee is
formed and given only advisory
powers. This sort of representation is
a completely unsatisfactory dodge.
1t seems to us that America can
learn Il great deal from the experience
of Great Britain in the matter of labor
representation. Here our Government
IOllicialS feel that real labor repreSen-
tation is necessary only on bodies deal
ing with labor disputes. There, labor
is welcomed into the high councils of
the Government, is acquainted fully
with the facts about every ajor war
lproblem, is given voice in determin-
ling 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
hnInnI i,, A.,
Furthermore, because they are fully
informed and have become convinced
IOf the necessity of certain forms of
action, the leaders of labor in Great
Britain are better able to persuade
| their members to pake the sacrifices
required of them from time to time.
Danger Loom Ahead
Important decisions are approach
ling. America has reached the stage in
| this war where, more and more, we
will be forced to depart from our nor
mai way of doing things and resort to
stringent war regulation by the Gov
Iernment.
No one wants This to happen. Every
one will be incOnvenienced. 4 great
Imunv nnnnIo will fool th,t tbav ora
Ibein~ uunecessorjlv onnressed while
Iotbars oat off comp,r,tivolv Hnhtlv
FuIl Labor rnurpsentotion of nh war
IagencieS can help to smooth out the
enforcement of these new regulations,
Ito obt,in hettnr comnli,nce to avoid
Ihittarnos. and tn m.intoin nr,d,cti,u
land morale ON fine biyhest nlone
No one is GOING to like being told
Inv the cnvernmert tb,t be uu,st st,v