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

hlFe New \ Ork union drivers or pay tnelr
fees
Proponents Of Mr. Hobbs bill say It's
trial balloon to test House sentiment on
labor legislation.
Representative Colmer. Democrat. Of
Mississippi has introduced legislation
which would make persons who par
ticipated in strikes or slowdoWns in war
industries subject to induction by selec-
tive service regardless of previous CLASH
fcation. 1t also would set up criminal
penalties for persons responsible for such
strikes and slowdowns.
One authority willing 10 venture pre-
diction on the record is DR.. William NJ.
LeiSerson, member of the National Labor
Relations Board and for years arbitrator
III the garment industry. In recent
article he said:
1T takes no prophet to divine that the
inability OF the labor movement to rid
itself OF raCketeering will in the not dis
tant future lead to action by Congress
and State legislatures And If the ac-
ton mush come over the opposition Of
organized labor rather than at it's re-
quest, the legislation is not likely to
distinguish carefully between legitimate
activities of labor officials and racketeer-
| ing"
Two recent events, the anthracite
| strike and the Petrillo hearing, were
| watched closely for signs of things to
| come, but they provided less than the
| expected impetus and restrictive labor
| legislation. A few Congressman reacted
| to the strike with mutterings of "sabo-
| tage,' but it is suspected that many of
| them were a little fascinated by the
| spectacle of the miners revolt against
John l.. Lewis. The man-days lost, how
| ever, will stand out plainly when the
| January strike figures are announced a
| few weeks hence.
| When President James G. Petrillo Of
the AFL Musicians Union was called
before Senate committee to explain
his ban on recordings, some of his antag-
onists were loaded for bear BY most
accounts it was his best performance
| since he gave up the trumpet for the
gavel, and the antagonism appears to
have subsidized.
But Mr.. Petrillo's union would be
among the first affected by a law re-
| quiring democratic constitutions. His
provides that the president of the union
may enforce the constitution and bylaws
or may annul or set aside same or any
portion thereof ."
Most labor leaders sense the threat Of
destructive legislation. The attitude In
general is defensive. DR.. Leiserson COM
mented in his article that labor. having
achieved its major gains by congressional
legislation, now fears action by Congress
and leans heavily on the executive
branch, the independent railroad broth
erhoods excepted.
1T hardly seems the part of wisdom"
he said, for organized labor in it's mo-
ment of triumph to embrace the philos-
ophy OF its opposition. And when labor
| movement begins to distrust the repre-
sentative institutions of democratic
country and turns to executive power. it
is time to take thought Some European
labor movements had reason to regret
the growth of similar sentiment in
their ranks"
An exception is straight-talking George
@. Lynch, general president of the Pat
tern Makers League. a strictly craft AL.
union of highly skilled workmen. Mr..
Lynch warned in an article in his
unions journal against labors depen-
dency on government for maintaining
union membership and dues payments,
and recalled Samuel Gompers' philos-
ophy that what the Government gives
| the Government can take away.
Organized labor, said Mr.. Lynch.
should orient its position and face the
facts in this matter of Government labor
collaboration. 1t should not make the
mistake of the benefciaries of the new
capitalism by ignoring public interest
and public opinion.
Successful unions can be operated
under procedures consistent with good
public interest. The Pattern Makers
League publishes complete financial re-
ports, it has no check off Of dues, no
racketeers, and did not wait until June,
194l, to be right with America for a
wrong reason" (The latter crack OBJ
viously was aimed at Communists)
Ninety per cent of the pattern makers
in the United States and Canada" Mr..
Lynch continued ARE voluntary men,
|
Many other unions are equally demo-
cratic and financially responsible, These
labor organizations have not forgotten
that unions are only means to an end.
That end is better economic and social
conditions for the members. Some larger
unions promote education. art and
healthful recreation. Others have splen-
did homes for aged members and paw
substantial benefits to members in need.
All these things are endangered In lust
for power or gain by few union officials.
Substantial evidence of impendine
danger to organized labor was contained
in the records of the last Congress. The
incoming Congress portends an even
greater threat to organized labor and
without reference to merits.
"Organized labor must therefore put
It's house in order. To avoid drastic
regulation it must voluntarily be Ameri-
can, and it must be clean This is not
a pllrist viewpoint but an observation
based upon cold experience with Ameri-
can democracy in action"
Spitfire Best Fighter
| D..I.l