Evening star., 1946-11-21
Labor Leaders Reach
High Point in Defence
All. and CIO Chiefs Fail to See
Meaning of Recent Elections
By David Lascyencs

4
Meaning of Recent Elections
By Dauid Laurence
It seems incredible, but there it is In
plain print-the American Federation
OF Labor and the CIO each have issued.
through their top-leyel executives, q
statement saying that the Government
OF the United States has no right to
enJoin any labor union from violating
contract made with the Government
OF the United States.
The theory that the Federal Govern;
ment must sit by helpiessly and sur
render to the demands Of a labor union
chief who serves notice that contract
Is being terminated means merely that
labor union leadership has reached the
high point OF arrogance and defiance.
Maybe William Green was pushed
Into making hts statement for fear that
John L. Lewis may take over his lob.
Maybe the CIO felt that unless it made
firm stand Lewis would some day take
over the CIO unions. But whatever the
reasons of expediency. 1t is plain to
see that these two national organiza-
tions Of labor unions do not care what
suffering erlsues from work stoppage.
and their own answer to the broken
contract and Nationwide paralysis OF
industry. due to lack Of coal, is to in
sist That the Government surrender to
those who break contract.
Ballots Voiced Protest.
In the last election many millions of
workers turned to the Republican PARTY
and used their secret ballot in the cleo
ton as a means of yoicing their protest
against labor union domination. These
workers could not speak up inside the
labor unions without incurring reprisals.
The CLOSED shop" and the s.mainte-
nance OF membership rules and the
straitjacket imposed by the Wagner
LABOR Relations Act all combined to
intimidate workers. But when they
went to the polls to cast their votes
by secret ballot they knew they could
express themselves.
Labor union members who voted
against the tyranny Of thir leaders may
be Joined by others now in supporting
drastic action by the Truman admin
istration. The simple truth is that no
labor union leader or leaders should
be able to defy the orders of a court
OF the United States. To do so is, In
deed, to be in contempt. Unless respect
for the courts is preserved, the way Ia
open to anarchy.
The court order plainly warned all
persons in any way connected with the
miners union not to do anything to en-
courage disobedience of the order. The
miners union is an integral part Of the
American Federation of Labor. Whether
Mr.. Green was properly advised by at.
torneys. the fact remains that the effect
of his remarks to the country is to show
contempt for the courts order.
i The idea has been advanced thai
any one has right of free speech. bu,
this Is qualified-there can be no inter.
ference with the operations Of q cour,
BY public statement which encourage.
disobedience Of an order of the judicia,
branch Of the Government.
/ Playing with Fire.
/ Whether this phase of the controversy
Leads TO any prosecutions may become
secondary. American public opinion
knows now that labors leadership Is
self-centered and partisan and inter
ested in its own politics rather than the
public welfare. Labor union leaders are
playing with fire when they adopt such
an attitude. They are rapidly forfeitinr
support from quarters otherwise disposed
to consider effectively the demands Of
labor. Both the Wagner Act and the
La Guardia- Norris injunction Act
have been imperiled by the latest de-
fiance by labor unions. Amendments
wouldSeem inevitable.
The Federal Government has time N,
its side. To let the strike develop ii,
defiance Of court order, to let the public
suffer to the point where special ses-
sion of Congress will be called to enact
drastic legislation. Is about the poorest
strategy that union labor could devise
for itself. Whatever mistakes John q
Lewis has made In respect to his own,
miners controversy. the fact now stands
out that the CIO and the AFL, as ma
tional organizations, have expressed
their sympathy with Lewis and thereby
hurt their own cause
Labor union leaders apparently do
not know the meaning of the last elec4
tions. They are still living In the days
OF the past when anything labor wanted.
it got from subservient administra- !
ton. They are dealing now with an
aroused public opinion and In the end
will lose far more than they gained by
condemning the order of court Of the
United States seeking to protect the
Government against the breaking of 4
contract. This contract was made not
between a private employer and union.
but between union and the Federal
Government itself. II q citizen cas,
break faith with his Government, there
is no respect for law. Legislation to
make unions responsible for their con-
tracts will be paramount issue in the
next session Of Congress.
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