Evening star., 1947-07-27
Important Tasks Await
Labor Study Committee
Industry Wide Bargaining and Union
Member Rights Top List
BIZ Gerard D. Reillu

By Gerard D. Reilly
For the first time since 1940 Congress Is
about to embark on an exhaustive Investigation
Of industrial relations. In the closing days of
the session the Joint committee created by Title
Nv of the Taft-Hartley Labor Act held an or
ganization meeting to select a chief counsel
and map out program for its proceedings
during the recess
The committee will be headed by two men
who devoted considerable time to the work OF
war investigating committees, Representative
Fred Hartley of New jersey vice chairman,
and Senator Joseph H. Ball, general chairman.
Despite the fact that the Minnesota Senator
was the principal architect Of the new Labor
Management Relations Act which goes into
effect on August %, the final form of that
legislation failed to deal with one problem which
he felt clamored for regulation. This is the
monopolistic trend brought about by industry
wide bargaining, which is making itself felt in
the form of rising prices particularly in the COAL
steel and clothing industries. Since the effect
of such bargaining practices upon the national
economy is one of the subjects which the COM
mittee has been directed by the statute to study.
it is foregone conclusion that the hearings
will focus public attention upon this issue.
Another controversial matter, which was
dropped by the wayside in the course of the
legislation must also be explored by the COM
mittee. This relates to the internal organiza-
tion of labor unions and the impact of their
rules upon the rights OF individual workers.
The House bill had originally contained sec.
tion requiring unions to afford members hear
ings when expulsion and suspension were
threatened and granting the membership
secret ballot before the union leadership could
call strike or levy any special assessment.
Most of these proposals were deleted in con-
ference On the compulsory membership aspect
OF the matter, however, a compromise was
reached which prohibited the old-fashioned
closed shop but permitted unions to enter into
other kinds of agreements which made union
membership a condition of employment II o
majority OF the employees so desired
Several popular polls taken since then have
indicated that the "bill of rights" idea was more
acceptable to rank and file employees than was
generally thought. In any event. the coming
investigation will bring this subject to the fore
front again
Senator Ives, who conducted several impor.
tant investigations in the New York Legislature
believes that one Of the primary functions Of
the joint committee will be to scrutinize the
practical operation of the new act. He proposes
to examine at close range the application Of
its provisions by the National Labor Relations
Board and to use the machinery of the com.
mittee to discover any defect in the statute
or its administration. At the hearing on his
confirmation, Robert N. Denham. the exper-
fenced career man who has been appointed
general counsel of the board promised to seek
the advice of the committee on problems OF
into Tofo
This pledge will mean that for the first time
in the history of the board, working liaison
will be established between Congress and that
agency.
Other topics on the committees agenda in
clude such fields of study as "dD the means by
which permanent friendly cooperation between
employers and employees and stability of labor
relations may be secured throughout the United
States;
"(2) The means by which the individual en-
ploye may achieve a greater productivity and
higher wages. including plans for guaranteed
annual wages, incentive profit sharing and
bonus systems;
"(3) The desrability of welfare funds for the
benefit of employees and their relation to the
social security system"
During the 1930s two congressional commit.
tees made the headlines by investigating labor
matters. One was the La Toilette committee,
which brought to light the widespread use Of
labor spies, private munition makers, and
strikebreaking agencies in industrial disputes.
The other was special House committee
headed by Representative Smith of Virginia,
which revealed many curious instances Of par
tisanship and abuse Of the administrative proc
ess on the part Of subordinate personnel OF
the Labor Board. While the results of these
hearings brought about many reforms, the
somewhat one-sided character Of the work Of
the rival committees detracted from the support
Congress might have accorded their recon-
mendations for legislation
In view of the variety and complexity of the
matters which have been assigned to the joint
committee, however it is unlikely that its hear
ings will be attended by the fireworks touched
off by the Smith and La Toilette investigations.
Moreover Thomas E. Shroyer, the chief counsel
Of the committee. while seasoned trial lawyer,
Is no sensation seeker. Upon his shoulders rests
the responsibility of directing the staff Fortun-
atey he is familiar with labor conditions in
many sections of the country so that the prepar-
atory work which will precede the hearings
Of this important committee will be Informative
and impartial.
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