Evening star., 1947-10-20
PetriI|o Cited as Proof
Labor Needed Curbs
OF f1aft-Harf|eyLaw
Wide implications Seen
If Bon on Recordings
Is Left UnehoIIeneed
By David Laurence

Is Lett UneholIenged
By David Laurence
James G. Petrillo, czar of the
musicians union, has demonstrated
convincingly why Congress passed
the Taft-Hartley law and why its
provisions now must be enforced to
protect scientific progress in
America.
For Mr.. Petrillo has issed a de-
cree that after January / next, there
snail be no more recordings for
music for use on the radio or else
where.
II MIR. Petrillo fsally has the
power to ban the making of musical
records because he can control the
musicians and order them not to
play, then 1t is logical for any union
to attempt to stop the manufacture
OF any article whatsoever which
might be considered a competitor.
The coal miners could refuse to al
low coal to be used in plants that
manufacture oil-burnlng equipment.
Could Have Baked Radio.
Thus. If the ban had been in exist
ence a few years ago when radio
frst came into being, the union
leaders could have forbidden any
musicians to play for the radio be-
cause it might interfere with the
sale Of records: or they might to-
morrow take the position that any
form OF entertainment requiring
music shall not be allowed to pro-
ceed because the union considers it
competitive.
If Mr.. Petrillo is right, then the
workers in the railroad unions could
band together and refuse to work on
freight cars which transport parts
Of automobiles which could be used
In competition with them, or they
could try to bar buses and other
vehicles Of transportation.
The Taft-Hartley law was written
to prevent the growth of any such
monopoly power in the hands of
labor unions. Not only will the
musicians union come in conflict
with the section of the Taft-Hartley
law enumerating unfair labor
practices" but also that section
which forbids secondary boycotts." I"
Law Permits Suits.
The latter provision permits law
suits for damages by any aggrieved
or affected parties.
Because the employers Of the nu-
sicians are managers or orchestra
owners who do not themselves make
records but operate under contracts
or agreements with broadcasting or
recording companies, Mr.. Petrillo
thinks this exonerates his union
The law specifically says, however,
that 1t shall be unlawful for any
labor organization ito engage In, or
induce or encourage the employees of
an employer to engage in strike or
a concerted refusal in the course of
their employment to use, manufac-
. ture, process, transport, or otherwise
handle or work on any goods, arti-
, cleS, materials or commodities or to
perform any services where an OBJ
iect thereof is forcing or requiring
an employer to assign particular
work to employees in particular
labor organization ="
Secondary Boycott Ruling.
The foregoing Is contained in the
section OF the law entitled Sec
ondary boycotts and other unlawful
combinations.
Some orchestra owners may be re-
luctant to bring suit. but the situa-
ton can be brought to the attention
Of the National Labor Relations
Board by any worker and can then
be investigated by its staff and by
the general counsel Likewise the
broadcasting companies affected can
bring suit.
In view Of the specific language
OF the statute. it would appear that
the musicians union leader is trying
to find basis for better contract
later on or else has been advised
that he can cause considerable dam
age to the managers of recording
companies which conceivably might
persuade them subsequently to pay
higher royalties than they pay now
to the musicians union for record
4tAio, lioWCfCI, WOulo
some ingenious circumvention of
the law which forbids that form of
royalty or assessment.
Will Stiffen Congress.
Mr.. Petrillo has dramatized the
monopolistic power of labor unions
and given new connotation to
the phrase, slave labor" For the
musicians are powerless to resist
their boss. The Petrillo action will
intensity the determination of Con-
gress not to weaken but really to
strengthen certain provisions in the
Taft-Hartley law designed to get
rid of union bossism and dictator
ship.
America could not expand if all
her inventive genius were to be
,strangled by the threat that the
manufacture of a labor saving de-
vice shall not be permitted. This
is the most reactionary doctrine
that has ever been proclaimed in
America and to have it championed
by labor union will help materially
to impair the argument of those
who resent the suggestion that the
Taft-Hartley law can aid in eman.
cipating the workers from the yoke
Of union bosses.