Evening star., 1945-08-03
SchweI|enbachP Plans
Talk With Truman on
Labor Industry ParIey
BY GOULD LINCOLN.

is expected to discuss with Fresiden
Truman on his return from the Bi,
Three Conference the proposal o
Senator Vandenberg, Republican, O
Michigan for a conference of labor
management and Government
spokesmen to seek industrial peace
If such conference is approved
and Mr.. Schwellenbach already ha!
indorsed the plant probably viii
come late in the summer or early
fall, and presumably the call will bt
issued either by the President or the
Labor Secretary.
The administration is expected tt
watch public reaction to the Van.
denberg proposal, made public yes.
terday, as well as the reaction Of
organized labor and of management
before it decides on course of ac-
tion. However, a proposal that seeks
a basis for peace with justice" In
the industrial world Is admittedly
difficult to attack.
Murray, Green Approve.
Phillip Murray, president of the
CIO, said today his organization
would be glad to attend such an in
dustrial peace conference.
Similar expression was made by
AFL President william Green and
indications at the United Mine
Workers headquarters were that
the proposal, if Government-spon-
sored, would gain the support and
cooperation of John L. Lewis. Eric
Johnston, president of the United
States Chamber of Commerce, said
that group would welcome such q
conference.
The CIO will be pleased to join
with business in meeting for the
purpose of giving overall considera-
ton of problems affecting the eco
nomic well-being of the Nation and
its people Mr.. Murray said in a
statement through his Office here.
We have long advocated such a
meeting and are actually supporting
the labor management charter now
outstanding.
Fears Serious Trouble.
1t is no secret that Secretary
Schwellenbach believes that a SER
ious situation will confront the Ma
ton on the home front as soon as
the war with Japan ends, and per-
haps before, with the possibility of
Industrial warfare running wild.
The main purpose of such con-
ference as outlined by Senator
Vandenberg-and in great measure
concurred in by the new Labor
Secretary-iS to arrive at agreement
on a definite policy on labor-man-
agement relations during the critical
reconversion period.
1t is the opinion of Secretary
Schwellenbach that a United In
dustrial Peace Conference will re-
quire time; that when the repre-
sentativeS Of the groups meet they
must be prepared to take all the
time needed to reach fair and rea-
sonable decisions. There can be no
enduring policies or agreements un-
less they are based on justice to both
sides, he believes.
May Bring About Change.
The agenda for such a conference
may include policies to be agreed on
between labor and management, and
between the Government and both
labor and management. 1t also may
include amendment of the national
labor laws-particularly in the hope
that both sides may reach some
common ground.
Secretary Schwellebach at present
Is giving his whole attention to re-
plans for the Labor
Department. Until those are COM
pleted, he will not attempt to reach
any conclusions regarding labor leg
islation. He has not yet given any
consideration to the bill introduced
in the Senate by Senators Hatch
Democrat, of New Mexico. Ball, Re-
publican, of Minnesota and Burton
Republican, of Ohio, to amend the
National Labor Relations Act in
many particulars.
1t is his opinion, however. that
if organized labor is wise, it will
help draft such legislation rather
than oppose all change. 1t is pos
sible to visualize the enactment of
drastic legislation by a Congress
aroused over industrial war in this
country-much as the Smith, Con-
nally Labor Disputes Act was pushed
through Congress when feeling ran
high over strikes in war plants. 1t
is his belief, however, that any law
which is totally opposed by labor
would be useless in the long run,
because it could not be made to
work.
Follows Two Lines.
Plans for departmental reorgan-
ization run along two lines. First,
within the department as it now
stands. Second, the outside agencies
dealing with labor which should
come under the Labor Department.
Secretary Schwellebach has practi-
cally completed the first part.
The National Labor Relations
Board, at present independent, is
considered as one of those which
should come under the department
so far as all administrative func-
tions are concerned. It's judicial
functions should remain entirely IN
the hands of the board.
What to do about the War La
Dor Board is admittedly puzzling
The issue is whether it should be
taken over by the department or
allowed to die a natural death at
the conclusion of the war. Eventu-
ally, however, there must be board
or agency to take its place in peace
time, to deal with industrial dis
putes. Such board undoubtedly
would be placed under the Labor
Department, in accordance with
plans to strengthen the department
and to make it the central Federal
agency dealing with the labor prob
lens. ORGANIZATION of SlIch a neace.