PREVALENT IN AMERICA

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 113, 15 May 1934, Page 9

PREVALENT IN AMERICA

LOST FAITH IN GOVERNMENT

STRIKES MAY SPREAD

Onlted Presa Assoclallon —Bj Electric Tele

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NEW YORK, May 13

The Washington correspondent of the "New York Times" says that nationwide labour unrest exists to an extent that is likely to produce a record number of strikes in the next few months.

The automobile labour agreement which President Roosevelt announced on March 25 has not been effective. Fur-1 thcrmore, it has caused workers to lose confidence in Government agencies, and they are more and more turning to their one "economic weapon," namely the strike, for redress of their alleged grievances. , .. ■ . Today, in areas between the two oceans and from Canada to the Mexican border, major strikes are now in effect covering long-shoremen, iron ore and copper miners, textile workers, petroleum refiners, shoemakers, and automobile mechanics. So far they are mostly localised, but are likely to spread rapidly if not checked by effective action in Washington. The crux of the situation is the varied interpretations of the collective bargaining clause in the National Recovery Act, which has been the centre of bitter controversy since it was invoked a year ago. The fact that automobile manufacturer's are not forced to recognise independent unions to the exclusion of so-caJled company unions, has had the double result of prompting other industries to demand similar privileges and of embittering independent labour unionists.