Evening star., 1952-02-18
Senator's Study Views
OF Is U. 5. Leaders on
Curling Red Unions

A. Senate Labor Subcommittee
today had under study widely
divergent views of 26 experts in
the fields of labor, management,
government and public life on the
best way to cope with problems
lof Communist-d dominated labor
unions.
A majority Of the experts criti-
Icized effectiveness of Taft Hartley
Act provisions alone. but specific
recommendations ranged from let
ting labor put its own house in
order to proposals for sweeping
new legislation.
The subcommittee. which plans
to open hearings next month on
the communism -in-labor ques-
ton, solicited the views sin an
attempt to focus attention on the
significant issues" of the problem.
Chairman Humphrey said the
committee questions asked wheth-
er there is IAN effective legislative
approach" to the problem, and
what avenues Of inquiry" the
group should follow in its hear
lngS.
Administrative Action Urged.
A number of replies to the ques-
tionnaire held that further legis-
lation is not in order, but that
administrative action is needed to-
deal with Communist unions.
James B. Carey, president Of the
CIO International Union of Elec-
trical. Radio and Machine Work
ers, charged that such "oppres-
sive measures" as the Taft Hart
ley Act enhance rather than di-
minish Communist opportunities" :"
Assails Encouragement
He also charged that 'in many
instances" the electrical, radio and
machine industry has "encour-
aged the continuation of Com
munist control on the speciousI
and unpatriotic grounds that al
Communist union is a weaker
collective bargaining agent and a.
divided labor force is less Of al
menace to profits that a unified
body of employees"
Along the same lines, Benja-
min c. Sigal. Washington lawyer,
proposed that the Munitions
Board, which handles defense
contracts, set up a committee to
study charges of Communist DOM
ination of unions.
If charges are substantiated, he
SAID, the board should refuse tol
give contracts to contractors who
maintain relations with the union
involved.
The New York State Board Of
Mediation advised the subcom-
mittee that the Hmost promising
approach" to breaking Communist
control is in the theory that unions
controlled by authority outside its
own membership sis not q bona
fide union"
Urges Rights be Withheld.
Roy M. Brewer, Of the Interna-
tional Alliance of Theatrical Stage
Employees and Motion Picture Ma
chine Operators, wrote that the
"real job is to determine what is
and what is not Communist
dominated union"
The General Electric Co.. called
for special legislation to set up an
independent agency to identify
and publicly designate Communists
in labor unions" and take steps to
eliminate them from any vantage
points. -
Albert Epstein, economist for
the International Association of
Machinists. said new legislation
should provide for determination
of Red dominated unions, and
that the findings should be pub
lished in the Federal Register.
Reds "On the Rum" He Says.
Philip Murray, CIO president.
said Communists "are on the run
in the labor movement; their in
fuence is declining day after day.
Legislation, with all its inherent
dangers, is not necessary to keep
them on the run and to reduce
their powers to insignificance."
Deputy Attorney General A.
Dewitt Vanech urged passage of an
administration bill which would
require union leaders signing the
affidavits to swear they have not
been Communists for a year pre-
viously.