The Daily Alaska empire., 1946-10-18
LabOr's LeapfrOg
Washington Post)

ooNj
 If anyone wishes an example of how the nfa- tionary cycle works he need only glance at the continuing maritime strike Two weeks ago two AFT. seamens unions struck against ruling of the Wage Sabiization Board that they could not obtain an increase in excess of the $l750 monthly granted CIO maritime unions last June. One of the AFl argu- ments was that greater raise necessary to bring equality with the CIO because of other concessions the CIO had obtained The Administration receded from it's position, found new elastic interpretation of the stabilzation formula, and allowed the AFL unions to receive raises of $225o and $275o, re- spectively
 When this happened optimists thought the strike was over But ships still idle and our foreign commerce is at a standstil because three ClO unions took where the AFL left off Despite ther con- tracts signed June these unions seeking further increases from ship operators to bring parity With the raises won by the AFL. Even admitting failure of Congress and the Administration to hold the price
 line the shipping situation obviously has degenerated into game of leapfrog.
 There are, it seems to us, two conclusions to be answered from the demoralizing setback suffered by the Administration in it's wage stabiization policy One is that whenever a conceSsion-or bulge e'-ls made existing wage policy that Aggression becomes the pattern for labor demands and expectations throughout industry The second is that the lack o1 legislation granting the Administration specific pow CTS to deal positively wth labor disputes foredooms the Administration to defeat whenever it's hand is called by any strong combination
 The first of these conclusions is outgroWth of the very nature unions There is intense jealousy and competition between them. Whenever obtains concession, members of other unions immediately exert pressure to obtain the same advantages It Is patently foolish make exception to the stab- ilzaticn formula in case and not expect It to be used as lever by labor generally. It thus is not surprising that MT R. J. Thomas of the United Auto Workers has announced his intention to seek more raises if he finds that the 18l2-cent-an-hour pat tern set last spring has been altered
 Nothing is obvious from the Administrations retreat last week than that is powerlesS to act if It's authority is challenged It has nothing but its own prestige to back up it's dictates During the war this had a sort of moral force which prevented frequent shudoWnS. Now, however, this prestige has suffered a body blow. The Administration was bound morally to defend it's policy. It engaged in a slugfest anc emerged the loser. It backed into corner, and it proved beyond all doubt that it not armed with so much as a creampuff The door is now open for more of this type of performance by any group that feels itself able to defy the Government.
 There is only alternative to this kind of humiliation That is for Congress to act promptly and decisively when it reconvenes to overhaul labor legislation and give the President the power to act in disputes threatening the national interest Other wise we shall be treated to and more of these debasing spectacles until finally it will be cheaper for the Administration to give in beforehand.