Evening star., 1945-01-29

lew DAYS ago Is Sdlu W nave Ddltly
an even chance of getting through.
1t Is true-and not to their credit
eitheI-that the National Associa-
ton of Manufacturers and the
Chamber of Commerce are opposed
but the effective opposition comes
from the labor lobbyiSts-partlcu-
larly. the CIO-who have more po-
litical influence with both executive
and legislative branches of the Gov
ernment than all the business or
ganizations combined
No one is likely to dispute that,
and no one is likely to dispute that
but for the labor lobby the enact
ment of real national service act
would be assured.
Closed Shop Clause.
The elimination by the House
committee of the provision allowing
a man ordered to work in a plant
with closed shop" agreement to
decide for himself whether or not
to join the union is evidence of the
labor lobby power.
The committee voted This in one
day, but jerked 1t out a few days
later on the ground that 1t was "dy-
Mantle" by which it meant the bill
stood no chance of passage with it
in. AS it now stands. men sent by
their boards to closed shop" plants
will be compelled TO join the union
whether they like it or not.
AS the "closed-shop" plants are
increasing all the time and the drive
of the CIO to make them the rule
is supported by the administration,
the effect of this elimination prac
tically puts Congress back of the
closed shop too.
That it abridges the freedom of
the individual, extends the power
of the labor bosses, is American
and unfair are things which did not
seem to have been considered by
the committee.
The dynamite" idea appeared to
be the controlling one. The merits
of the amendment, obviously, were
secondary. 1t was a typical per-
formance-and not unexpected.
1t Is true that the recent election
increased CIO strength in the
House There are more members
anxious to placate the CIO lobby
and more who keep in mind the
CIO-PAC threats to still further
"organize" in the congressional
districts so as to insure that only
our friends" are returned in 1916.
The House debate last week
showed cheap rivalry among GER
tain Representatives to be recognized
as the CIO champion. 1t is true,
too, that in the White House and
in all the executive departments the
CIO influence has been enhanced
since it delivered in November.
So far as the executive branch is
concerned, this has become not a
labor Government but certainly it
is almost the Government of one
labor faction.
When Mr.. Roosevelt appointed
Mr. Wallace, the political reward
was not so much for Mr.. Wallace
as for the CIO, whose special pet
Mr. Wallace is. Actually, Mr.. Wal
lace did not bring Mr. Roosevelt
any votes he would not have had
anyhow-because, like Mr. Wallace.
himself. the Wallace supporters had
no place else to go.
Pay for Services.
But the CIO-PAC, with it's large
campaign fund and its precinct Or
carnations, got to the polls great
many Roosevelt voters who other
wise would not even have been
registered. 1t is natural the CIO
should want and expect to be paid
for such political services and
support.
1t is primarily interested in push
ing the closed shop and preventing
anything in the nature of restric-
tive legislation, such as national
service. But it is almost equally
interested in getting our friends"
into the key executive positions,
which is the chief reason it is SO
ardently in favor of Mr. Wallace
as successor to Mr.. Jones.
Another radlcal WnOm 1t Is sup
porting and whose confirmation is
pending is Mr.. Aubrey Williams, for
Rural Electrif1cation Administrator
Mr.. Williams, former left-wing
social worker, until its abolition,
was head of the National Youth
Administration. He is special
favorite of Mrs Roosevelt.
With Mr. Biddle as Attorney
General, and a few more Wallaces
and Williamses in high positions,
the CIO will be sitting very pretty,
indeed, for the next four years
that is, If there is not a big and
untavorable reaction among the
people after the war-particularly
among the returned soldiers.
Members of Congress who are