Evening star., 1953-10-10
The Political Mill
Eisenhower Is Anxious
To Settle Tuft Law Row
CIO Halls Presidents
Choice for Labor Post
By Gould Lincoln


President Eisenhower obviously does
not intend to let the grass grow under
his feet in dealing with the problem Of
amendments to the Taft-Hartley Labor
Law. His prompt appointment Of new
Secretary of Labor is an important step
toward the final formulation of the
recommendations which the President
promised to send to Congress when it
meets next January. His new Secretary
OF Labor, James P. Mitchell, has long
negotiated with union labor. Walter P.
Reuther, president Of the CIO, was
prompt in saying that Secretary
Mitchell "enjoys good reputation
among the labor people who have dealt
with him across the bargaining table"
He added the CIO would Cooperate
with Mr.. Mitchell to carry out the pur-
poses for which the Department Of
Labor was established.
One Of the tough problems which
Secretary Mitchell will face relates, of
course, to the proposed amendments Of
the Taft-Hartley Act. The President
will naturally wish Mr.. Mitchelrs opin-
ion as man who has had much prac-
tical experience with organized labor.
And naturally, Mr.. Mitchell will be
weighed in the balance by organized
labor leaders and by the rank and Ele
of labor unions upon his position in
regard to the Act and the proposed
amendments. He is looked upon as a
moderate when it comes to labor legis-
lation, as friendly to organized labor.
A quotation from an address delivered
by Mr.. Mitchell before the American
Management Association outlining his
views on collective bargaining, for ex-
ample, is indicative of his position He
said: make no mistake, collective bar
gaining is here to stay in our business
economy. 1t is up to those of us on
the management side of the table to
learn to work with it and to recognize
that unions can become our partners
in this search for increased productivity
and improved morale"
Faces Decision.
The new Secretary of Labor has
dealt with labor, and as Mr.. Reuther
says, labor has found him fair. In this
matter of Taft-Hartley revision, how
ever. organized labor will have to make
up its mind whether it is willing to
accept beneficial amendments to the
act that correct inequalities, as pre-
Sented by President Eisenhower, even
though the recommendations do not
go as far as labor leaders demand.
Judging from Mr. Reuther'S statement,
some of the leaders Of labor believe
they have fair man in Secretary Of
Labor Mitchell. That is all to the good,
particularly in the light of the circum-
stances surrounding the resignation Of
former Secretary Martin Durkin, who
went out of office leaving a sour note.
He has charged Gen. Eisenhower broke
an agreement with him on a program
OF 19 amendments to Taft-Hartley. The
President has declined to 60 into per-
Sonal1tieS in connection with this
charge, but he has said with emphasis
that he never knowingly has broken an
agreement with any of his associates.
The country believes Gen. Eisenhower.
Apparently Mr.. Durkin was suffering
from misunderstanding and possibly
from bad advice. A wiser course would
nave been for him to await Gen. ESen-
hower'S final recommendations on Taft
Hartley, and If he could not go along
with them, resign and give his reasons.
Bipartisan Effort Seen.
The President during his campaign
promised he would do what he could
to bring about amendments to the
labor law which were fair. He has,
with considerable patience, waited
while representatives of organized labor
and management, members of con-
gressional labor committees and officials
of the Executive Branch mulled over
the problem. Senator Taft'S untimely
illness and death undoubtedly were
responsible in part for the long delay
and the situation which eliminated in
the resignation of Mr.. Durkin. One
thing now seems certain. The President
is intent upon coming up when Congress
meets with his own recommendations
regarding Taft-Hartley. After he does,
it will be up to Congress. 1t looks now
as though there must be bipartisan
efforts as suggested by Senator Ives,
Republican. of New York if any amend
ments to Taft-Hartley are to be
adopted.
Not all labor comment on the Mitch
ell appointment was favorable Al
Hayes, head of the International AS
sociation of Machinists, AFL, called 1t
incredible" and added: Nov even the
Department OF Labor has been turned
over to business" This does not come
with good grace. The Presidents first
choice for Secretary of Labor was a
labor leader.