Evening star., 1955-01-27
Righi-io.W
Advocates Find
Bill Sponsors
20 Prince Georges
business Leaders
Press for Action
BY Gene Goodwin
sfnr staff corrasnondani

BY Gene Goodwin
ssor Sfoff Correspondent
ANNAPOLIS, Jan. 27.-The
Maryland Right-to-Work Conn
mittee appeared today to have
found at least two State Sem
ators willing to introduce its
nuch-publicized bill to outlaw
the union shop in the State.
Senator william 8. James,
Democrat, Of Hartford County.
told reporters he and Senator
James Weinroth, Democrat Of
Cecil County probably would in
troduce" the bill. Legislative
Representatives Of the Right-to-
Work Committee said they have
found sponsors in both the Sem
ate and House, but declined to
identity any Of them.
The proposed legislation. which
would give Maryland the same
right work law in effect in
Virginia, has been the subject
of much controversy in Mary
land, although, until today, no
State legislator would speak out
In favor Of it publicly or agree
to introduce 1t.
Squads Of officials and work
ers from Maryland labor unions
stormed the State House earlier
this month urging opposition to
the bill.
Worked in Teams.
They employed a system of
teams. with union men from
Baltimore City and the counties
concentrating on buttonholing
legislators from their home
areas.
Now the businessmen Of the
State appear to be employing
the same device.
Twenty business leaders Of
Prince Georges County met for
two hours yesterday with legis-
lators from that county to urge
their support of the right-to-
work legislation.
John Fitzpatrick of Frederick.
attorney for the Maryland Right
to-Work Committee, accolnpan-
led the Prince Georges group.
The bill the committee has
prepared would make 3 labor
contract requiring union menu
bership ttle union shop IAN
Illegal combination of conspir-
acy.' It also would provide that
no worker could be required by
an employer TO become or re-
main a member of any labor
union" and any person denied
employment because he is not
q union member could collect
damages Ii the courts.
Curbs Checkon.
The bill would DECLARE It to
be the public policy Of the State
"that the right Of persons TO-
work shall not be denied or
abridged on account Of merfi-
bership or non-membership In
any labor union .
It also would affect the union
dues checkof system In a clause
prohibiting employers from re-
quiring any employe to pay
any dues. fees or other charges
Of any kind" to q labor union.
r. g. Harris, jr., of the South
ern Oxygen Co., Bladenshurg,
told the Prince Georges House
members that General Electric.
Westinghouse and Western Elec-
trio located plants In Virginia
because Of the rigft-to-work law
that State adopted In 1947.
What attracted them, he said,
was the assurance that they
would have "less trouble with
unions"
wage question Raised.
Carlton r. Sickles, q Prince
Georges delegate, who is q labor
lawyer, questioned whether the
real attraction wasn't the low
wages that result from q right
to-work law. All the business
leaders disagreed with this.
Samuel II. Harvey of Harvey
Dairy, Inc. Brentwood, said, "It
is the duty Of the State Of Mary
land to protect individuals who
don't want to be dragged into
unions"
A. H. Smith Of Smith Sand g.
Gravel Co.. Branchville, said
there is no bitterness In our
hearts toward unions, but we
believe they should not have q
monopoly on the labor market" !"
Delegate Perry o. Wilkinson,
chairman Of the all-D Democratic
Prince Georges House Celega-
ton. said. after the conference,
no one In his group will intro
duce d right-to-work bill.
The Senate meanwhile, killed
o bill proposing that the State
treasurer be elected by the peo-
pie instead Of the general as
sernbly. Senator Phipps. Demo-
crat. Of Anne Arundel unsuccess-
fully tried to upset an unfayor-
able committee report which was
adopted.
Floor Leader Turnbuii con-
ceded the .'bill has possibilities
but that It should have care
full thought and study. He sug-
gested the idea be presented to
the legislative council and II IL
approves the bin could be passed
next year and submitted to the
voters in 1856.
Senator Redden. Democrat, OF
Caroline referred to this years
reelection Of Hooper S. Miles as
treasurer by the general assem-
bly,. He was opposed by some
Deniocrats who comuiained ~