U.S. STRIKE AVERTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 140, 15 June 1936, Page 15

U.S. STRIKE AVERTED.

AUCKLANDER AS MEDIATOR. MR. W. J. FRENCH APPOINTED. A threatened strike among the employees of three railroad systems in California was averted last month by President Roosevelt appointing a special mediation board to deal with the trouble. No strike, according to the law, may be proceeded with until at least 30 days have elapsed following the meeting of the board, its hearing of testimony, and completition of its report, with recommendations for ending the dispute. One of the three nominees of the President for this special board is Mr. W. J. French, a former Aucldander, but for many years a resident of Berkeley, California. Mr. French has had long experience in adjudicating upon labour disputes. Two years ago he was one of the three members of a commission which successfully adjusted a dispute on the Denver and Rio Grande railroad. He has also held the responsible positions of director of the State Department of Industrial Relations and chairman of the State Industrial Accident Commission, and was for five and a half years a lecturer in economics at the University of California.