The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-02-26
BY Roger W. Babson

Babson Park, Mass, Feb. 25-
F some years. nave felt that the
so-called union security" clause
would inevitably follow collective
bargaining. | say this because the
CLOSED shop" has some justifca-
tion howeyermuch employers ma
turally resent il.
Use CLOSED Shop" Methods
Stockholders already have a
CLOSED shop. That is one stock
holder cannot act apart from the
others except once a year at a
stockholders meeting. II a stock
holder does not like the policy OF
the company, he can sell his stock
and get OF The same privilege is
granted TO all members of closed
shop labor union: IL they don't like
their Job, they can resign and work
elsewhere.
Stockholders always have been
represented by their president who
exclusively speaks for them, which
is what the labor unions have had
TO fight for. Both groups should
equally have the right TO employ
outside counsel. Hence, when
looked at impartially, the labor
union members are not asking for
any more privileges than stock
holders now have. The big ques-
ton is whether or not the labor
union officials are as wise, fair and
frank as the company officials.
Recent WLB Decisions
My real purpose this week is to
show readers that this CLOSED
shop" or union security" clause,
for which labor leaders are now
fighting, may be a blessing in dis
guise to employers and investors.
This say because the War Labor
Board is now asking that unions, to
which it grants this security
clause, must comply with certain
rules and make reports the same as
is required OF the employers. 1t
$50 believes that strike votes
should be by secret ballot of the
entire membership involved.
The Genera, Chemical decision
OF the War Labor Board was very
hopeful. Here an ALL union was
denied any form of union security
or closed shop because the union
called a strike in violation OF the
national no-strike agreement. The
opinion OF Dean Wayne L. Morse Of
the WLB in this case should put
heart into discouraged employers
and investors.
Honeymoons Don't Last Long
The case of the Western Cart
ridge Company at East Alton, H.,
was even more hopeful. Here the
WLB, in unanimous decision.
took away an already existing
closed shop clause because the
union did not play fair. After six
months OF good behavior the union
may apply for a return OF this Sc
curity clause. In the case of the
Pontiac Plant of the Yellow Truck
& Coach Mfg. Company, the closed
shop was granted with the under
standing that it will be revoked UNI
less strikes are eliminated.
or course, labor is now having a
honeymoon. However, this does
not worry me as all honeymoons
come TO an end. This will espe-
cially be true after the war is
over when there will be an over-sup-
ply of all kinds OF labor, instead OF
shortage. The laws OF action
and reaction and of demand and
supply apply to wages the same as
TO prices.
Wait Until World War II Is over
II the military--instead of the
politicians-make the peace terms,
which | hope they will, they also
may then put an end to racketeer.
ing labor leaders. In fact, the
chances are $3.50 that the Army
and Navy, after the war, will con-
tinue operation of certain factories,
shipyards and food supplies as long
as necessary to give work to re-
turning soldiers and sailors. Frank
ly, | would rather see the military
in charge OF unemployment and
relief than to have half-baked New
Dealers. These latter, however. l
think are already on the way out.
am not writing in the interests
OF employers or union labor; but
rather solely in the interest of the
people OF the United States and
Canada. AS far as the closed shop
may result in greater justice, well
and good; but when it is abused, so
as to handicap any entire industry
OF community, then 1t becomes
treason. This explains why the
anti-racketeering bill, approved by
the House Judiciary Committee
last year but sidetracked by the
Rules Committee. has been re-intro-
duced. This would make the work
OF labor racketeers robbery and
extortion in interstate commerce"
and hence a federal offense.
Prepare for Postwar Problms
After the war. the good old
days" will be gone for both union
labor and prohteering employers.
II any group then interferes with
what is best for the nation as a
while, that group will be swept
aside. Otherwise, we will lose the
peace, after we win the war.
Readers must not be fooled by
talk about this war necessarily
ending all wars and bringing
peace for everyone. This is i'm
possible as long as present easy
living continues in America. Furth-
ermore, TO let down the tariff bars
with our present wasteful pleasure
loving and security-seeking ways
would necessitate lower wages and
longer hours. Hence, after the