The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1945-07-13

Sza'41 as&'aAAS@ beginning to happen
Donald to the legislation in
Richberg the probable alb
sence of Alabama's
Senator Lister Hill from the list Of
sponsors.
This was supposed to be a four
senator bill, introduced by two DEM
ocrats and two Republicans; in fact,
the same ones who sponsored the
declaration of senatorial peace
principles, Ball, Burton, Hatch-and
Hill. But on this bill, Hill says he
was "just too busy" to fill out the
B2H2 leadership, so it became B2H1.
Most people think the real reason is
that the CLIO was instrumental in
Hills recent reelection.
The "too busy" treatment is like
ly to be applied generally to the pro-
posal, because nothing in its an
nounced purposes can very well be
openly opposed by the unions, or
anyone.
Basically, the bill would re-
quire the arbitrary unions to
moderate their public be-
damned" policy. Descriptions Of
public service, such as in the
Fifth avenue bus showdown in
New York recently, where the
drivers just decided to run an
hour or SO late, as well as strikes
in public utilities, milk deliv-
cries, etc., would be prevented
by judicial compulsory arbitra-
ton.
This is in the sound interest of the
unions, because all now are suffer-
ing from the conspicuous public-be-
damned policy of a few unions.
The bill was not written by manu-
facturers or employers, but by an
old union lawyer, Donald Richberg,
who composed the most successful
labor law ever enacted, the Rail-
way Labor act. Under it the rail-
way brotherhoods have prospered
better than other labor unions, and
without strikes.
The senatorial sponsors are not
anti-labor people either, but some
what left-leaning. The way they de-
scribed their general purposes is
this:
ONE BOARD PLAN
They would break up the competi-
tive handling of labor through vari-
GUS government agencies now, and
put all Cancellation and mediation
activities in a new five-man board.
A second board of three would
handle complaints Of unfair prac-
tees by labor or employer, not just
labor alone, as now.
The Wagner act would be fur
Their amended to make unions
democratic and to limit the
closed shop to places where the
union controls at least rs per
cent of the workers and is open
to all members, and thus is mot
in itself a closed shop handing
employment down from genera
ti0n to generation in its own
ranks, or otherwise limiting
workers. rights.
Further logical limitations would
cut down the number of captious
strikes now expanding in the coun-
try.
Labor could stop all the national
opposition arising against 1t in many
states where laws or constitutional
changes are being advocated or
enacted, to protect public interest
against the unions, If they would take
the mild and reasonable purposes OF
this bill, or alter them to suit the
situation. If they would say the
word to senators like Hill, the bill
would 60 through In a minute.
Unfortunately too many labor
leaders now are shortsighted reac-
tionaries who want to defend the
status quo and prevent any reform
Iof existing unsatisfactory conditions.
So it Is quite possible congress-
win not only wait until the strike
horse runs away but the whole la.
Dor barn burns down, before taking
lup this key to lock the door.
Excessive use Of power always
kills itself by its own excuses. His.
tory is bullying with undertaking ex
bamples. Latest one is Hitler, who
|contrived his own defeat by carry.
ing his power to lengths which
caused an overwhelming opposition
Ito be aroused. Statesmen, labor
Headers or other humans seem I'm
liable to realize that power lasts
only as long as it is wisely used
Those who read this column week
lily on the legal power built VI
by the Black faction of the Supreme
court for unions to fix prices, re
alixe the trend Of this faction.
$780,