The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1945-01-18
CONGRESS Baking On FDR
Plan For Fill AS United /.
Opposition Jells

Washington, D. C.-With opposition
crystalizing from many source
President Roosevelt's recommendation
for immediate enactment of compul-
sorry national service legislation ap-
peared doomed to defeat by Congress.
AFL President William Green led
the attack on the proposal, declaring
results have proved that free labor,
operating under the American volun-
tary system, can and will outproduce
the enemy's slave labor methods.
Mr.. Green insisted that every effort
be made to improve utilization of
available manpower by cooperation
between management and labor be-
fore compulsion is exerted by the
Government.
Spokesman for industry and agri-
culture agreed wholeheartedly with
labor's position. In the first AFL
radio program of the year, america
Unit d." representatives of the
United States Chamber of Commerce
and the National Farmers Union de-
manded that boarding and wastage of
labor be eliminated before recourse
is taken to extreme methods.
In the face of this united opposition
to compulsory service, members of
Congress were dubious that the law
recommended by the President could
be passed and they were inclined to
go ahead with other portions of his
manpower program before tackling
national service legislation. Thus the
prospects appeared to be that action
would be delayed and the measure
finally defeated, especially if the war
situation improves in the next few
Meanwhile, the AFL pushed ahead
with its own program for transfer
ring needed workers from non-essen-
tial industries to war plants making
critically needed supplies.
Lewis G. Hines, in charge of this
program, declared reports from the
field have been "very encouraging"
He said the War Department has SUBJ
mitted list of eighty-four plants
requiring $4,000 workers.
More than third of these workers,
he estimated, already have been as
signed by affiliated unions and are
on the new jobs.
President Harry Stevenson of the
Molder's Union reported to Hines that |
two Of the plants on the list had been |
tied up by local strikes and that he
had successfully negotiated settle
ments. With production resumed,
Stevenson came to Washington to
confer with War Department and
War Labor Board officials regarding
new wage regulations which are de-
signed to encourage more workers to
take jobs in foundries.
President H. A. Bradley of the
Chemical Workers International
Union, informed Hines. that he had
rushed more than 100 workers into
plants and laboratories designated as
critical" by the War Department.
He declared that the union was ready
and willing to fulfill all assignments
Of this nature.
The Metal Poishers Union also an
nounced clean slate on it's portion
Of the program, having sent group
)f workers at the War Departments
request to plant at Belleville, N. j.
The International Association of
Machinists and the International
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
received the heaviest calls for more
lelp and are facing the toughest job
n finding workers, Hines disclosed.
While hesitant about national serv-
ce legislation, Congress jumped into
action Immediately on the Presidents
'equest for "work-or-fght" legisla-
ion affecting AZ draft registrants.
Immediate hearings were scheduled
IN bill introduced by Chairman May
If the House Military Affairs Com
nittee requiring IFS to take jobs in
'ital war industries or face induction
A. =