Evening star., 1944-01-18
Warning From WLB
Brings Defiant Reply
From Printers Head

Of the hands of the War Labor
Board newspaper panel If 1nterna-
tional typographical Union oficials
continue strong arm" methods and
encourage work stoppages was served
today on 1TU President Claude M.
Baker by William H. Davis, chair
man of the National War Labor
Board.
Mr.. Baker. declaring that this
threat has been held out against us
on other occasions" replied that if
WLB takes that attitude there will
be newspapers down all over the
country"
This exchange featured the first
hour of WLB public hearing today
to ascertain why work stoppages by
printers have been permitted by the
international union. Mr.. Davis said
that records Of the ITU Executive
Council show mo evidence that the
ITU Executive Council approved or
disavowed these work stoppages."
Stoppages have occurred since last
July in Washington. Newark, N. j.;
San Mateo, Calf: Providence, r. l.;
Salt Lake City and Birmingham,
Ala.
Charges Defiance"
In his opening statement, Mr.
Davis said ITU members had acted
! in defiance of established law, by
violating the no-strike war pledge
Mr.. Baker termed ridiculous, un-
democratic and un-American' Mr..
Davis statement that the news
paper panel possibly would no
longer be allowed to handle future
wage disputes. Members OF the
newspaper panel sat with the board
today.
Mr.. Davis denied the WLB was
taking an arbitrary attitude. but
wanted to know whether the ITU
will comply with law in established
procedure or seek its end through
strong arm methods"
| Mr.. Baker said that shortly after
his last appearance before the WLB
newspaper article claimed that
warrants for my arrest" were
sought from the Justice Department
by the WLB. :"
Stands Behind Unions.
Mr.. Davis replied 1T Is utterly
ridiculous that the War Labor Board
would take any such action"
Mr.. Baker emphasized that the
ITU does not authorize strikes
which, he added. are the result OF
action by local groups.
I'VE do what We can to prevent
strikes" he said. But I'll stand
behind the union when 1t is impos-
sible for them to achieve 4 reason
able wage adjustment"
For Is months, Mr. Baker con-
tinued, we have held our hat in
hand, pleading with the War Labor
Board to make publishers comply
with WLB directiyes. The publish
ers are still thumbing their nose at
the Government. while our printers
haven't got the money"
Reiterates Stand.
you need not worry about the
WLB not ordering publishers tc
obey board orders. Mr.. Davi.
replied.
Mr.. Baker rejoined: That's wha,
I was told year ago"
Mr.. Davis reiterated that printers
were following wrong policy
through "coercive efforts against
publishers In defiance Of the Wal
Labor Board"
Mr.. Davis said wage stabiliza ton
governs WLB decisions, regardless OF
whether proposed wage increases are
disputed or mutually agreed on by
the parties at stake.
Morse Warns ITU.
Wayne L. Morse, WLB public
member, said the Government would
meet any defiance if the ITU wanted
to test the no-strike rule in wartime
Van A. Bittner, C1O member OF
the board. said the ITU was making
mistake in not submitting cases
to WLB procedure. Asserting he was
a warm friend of labor, Mr.. Bittner
emphasized that I'D rather have
workers sitting in their homes wait
Ing for WLB decision than to have
them six months on a picket line
awaiting a decision from God knows
whom
He added that every enemy Of
union labor in America wants to
see the War Labor Board destroyed
because there are labor members
on it."
The board was told by Robert K.
Burns. newspaper panel chairman,
that salary increases average l1.6
per cent in voluntary agreement
cases submitted and II per cent in
disputed cases He felt that the
panel had acted with reasonab BILE
dispatch.
Davis CHALLENGED.
Mr., Baker challenred tho acc,