Evening star., 1951-02-17
WuIkinq Out on Defense Mobilization

Walking Out on Defense Mobilization
Organized labor's representatives no doubt
have found cause for disappointment, disa-
greements and ruff1ed. feelings in the defense
mobilization program Some of their complaints
may be valid. But regardless of whether they
are valid or invalid, they have chosen an in
excusable method of demonstrating their griev
ances. They are not conducting themselves as
responsible citizens upon whom the Nation leans
heavily in time of peril They are conducting
themselves as strike leaders. We shall have our
way, they say, or we quit
Labor's three representatives on the tripar-
tite Wage Stabzation Board, finding themselves
in a minority, outvoted by the three public rep
resentatives and the three industry representa-
tives, have walked out. Their walkout is sane
toned by the United Labor Policy Committee
This committee sees the Sterilization Boards
majority decision on wage increases merely as
one of other things it believes are wrong. 1t has
issued manifesto of revolt, in highfalutin
rhetoric, which boils down to the warning that
If labor does not have its way in defense mobi-
lization labor quits.
There are some advantages to the trpartite
approach to problems in adjusting the Nations
economy to mobilization for possible war, but
the system has its limitations. The conduct of
labors spokesmen illustrates them. The system
provides a reasonable method of reconciling
conflicting points of view But it is completely
unworkable when the representatives of any of
the special interests involved assume an omnis-
cient attitude refuse to abide by the decisions Of
the majority and refuse to credit anybody else
with motives as high as their own
One of the great disadvantages of tripartite
representation is the emphasis placed on serving
two masters When George NJ. Harrison, for
example, was appointed special assistant to the
Economic Stabilizer, Eric Johnston, he said: II
will give as much time as possibly can" to the
stabilization program In saying 1t he exposed
one reason why Charles E. Wilson, director of
defense mobilization, has not been able to accede
to organized labors demand for top places In
the high command.
Mr.. Harrison is a vice president of the
American Federation of Labor. He is president
OF the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks, a COM
petent and respected labor leader. But the time
he can devote to defense mobilization is limited
by the time he can spare from his union activi-
ties His views in shaping the defense mobili-
cation are influenced by his responsibilities to
his labor constituents whose votes keep him in
office. Can man in such position faithfully
serve two masters? Should he even try to do it?
Labor's spokesmen are harshly critical of
Mr.. Wilson for his alleged neglect of labor
representation. Yet there are other things than
labor representation that Mr. Wilson must con-
slider. One Is whether a man who is selected
chiefly because he represents labor can render
some genuine service in the mobilization OF
industry. Another is that the man so chosen
must be top-fight man, who carries political
weight with his special group. And another is
whether the labor representative Is willing to
sever his union connections when he enters the
service Of the Government The same consdera-
tions must arise in selecting men who come from
industry. Mr.. Wilson's effort has been to get
men who can do job, rather than to select
them on the basis of what special interests they
represent
Mr. wilson's selection of DR.. Arthur S. Flem-
ming, known in Washington for his long service
with the Civil Service Commission, has riled
labor's spokesmen. The reason they are upset
is that in appointing DR.. Flemming, MIR. Wilson
chose not to place manpower controls with the
Secretary of Labor who is, in sense, represent
atve of organized labor. AS between DR.. Flem-
ming, responsible to no group, and the Secretary
of Labor, Mr.. Wilson'S choice was manifestly de-
termined by an effort to keep manpower con-
trolls independent of any special interests. But
this is choice which labors spokesmen resent,
and to extent that is accompanied by
threat to walk out on the whole program for
the defense of the Nation
The legitimate interests of organized labor
like the legitimate interests of all the other
special groups in America, must receive full and
fair consideration. Labor's part in the defense
program is second to none. But this does not
mean that organized labors representatives must
run the works, and it does not mean that the
people selected by Mr.. Wilson for responsible
positions in the program are representing only
the industrial ownership and management of
the country at the expense of labor's interests.
The one interest to be served in this great
undertaking is the public welfare Labors spokes-
men, unfortunately, have shown that they do
not agree. Furthermore, they have indicated an
responsibility for the country's welfare that
raises grave doubt as to their qualifications as
spokesmen for American labor.