Evening star., 1945-12-18
Poll of Stockholders
On Issues Suggested
Observer Sees Interesting Prece.
dent in UAW Proposal to Attles

Observer Sees Interesting Prece.
dent in UAW Proposal to Attles
By David Laurence
When the auto workers union chief
asked Prime Minister Attlee to express
his opinion on the issues in the auto
mobile strike on the ground that the
British government held upward Of
100000 shares out Of the 40 900 900 issued
by General Motors, an interesting
precedent was established-the desire
Of the union executives to hear from
corporation stockholders.
Surely if the opinion of British hold
ers Is sought, there is every reason to
believe that the opinion OF American
citizens who own almost all Of the
General Motors shares would be equally
interesting to the union. Some Of these
stockholders may be reticent about ex-
pressing themselves but, since this is
democratic country and the views Of
workers are canvassed with the help
Of the Government under the Smith
Connally law, 1t might be worth the ex-
pertinent to have the Federal establish
ment take vote among the stockhold-
ers, too.
May Find Hostility.
Such a course might possibly rebound
to the disadvantage Of the union side,
because stockholders rarely favor the
granting of concessions which might
conceivably affect their dividends. In
deed, modern managements in some
large companies have quite difficult
time justifying their attitudes toward
labor and the chances are that stock
holder groups would be found even
more opposed to the wage increases at
this time than are management execu-
tives.
But, in any event, there is merit in
having the views of both sides compre-
henslVely stated. Thus General Motors
Is large corporation with tens of
thousands of stockholders from every
walk OF life. To canvass them might
cost some money for postage but the
fact-f1nding panel might be justified in
asking the views or votes of the stock
holders just as the Government does
now with respect to strike votes. for
which the National Labor Relations
Board bears the cost.
Labor Objections Foreseen.
The thing might prove to be a con-
structlve step, because if stockholder
opinions are sought it might lead to
some method of going over the heads of
the union officers, too. The labor union
objection to this would be vehement.
yet the auto workers chief has gone
over the heads OF the management
representatives in dealing directly with
stockholders in Great Britain, SO DOS
sibly there is equal merit in allowing
the fact-hnding panels now to 20 di-
rectly both to the rank and file of the
workers and stockholders.
Collective bargaining up to now has
been confined wholly to representatives
OF the unions and of the employers,
The Wagner law virtually forbids any
dealings between the employer and his
employees, confning the contact in the
case OF recognized union to the union
committee Of negotiators only. If, how
ever, the stockholders are to become the
principals-and apparently the auto
union chiefs communication to the
British stockholders can be so con-
strued-it might turn out that, under
the new precedent. the stockholders
might feel that they should be asked
hereafter always to approve or disap-
prove what the management offers.
Democratic Method.
This might consume more time and
could prolong strikes but it's a demo-
cratic method and gives the union as
surance that they are dealing with the
true owners and not mere representa-
tives of management. Maybe the auto
workers chieftains will not be so happy
over their proposal when they consider
what Pandora's box of complications
it opens up.
AS for the Presidents fact-finding
proposal, here is an opportunity for a
Federal agency to get the views of
stockholders, union chiefs and manage
ment Curiously enough, labor leaders
who have accepted the fact-finding
panel for the study of the General
Motors strike do not wish to give such
panels statutory authority. If the lat.
ter had the backing of Federal stat
ute, there would be no limit really
to the information that might be gath
cred In connection with work stop
pages.
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