To emphasize the widespread and representative backing for this bill, I would like to have included with this summary statement from the National Committee for the Extension of Labor Education, samples of endorsements received from community and labor representatives, from university leaders, State industrial commissioners, religious groups, and business executives as follows: Press: Washington Post. Community and labor: Atlanta Urban League; Harold Gibbons, United Distribution Workers, St. Louis; Laurence Rogin, director, education and publicity, United Textile Workers; Herbert T. Jones, local 1617, United Steel workers of America, Youngstown, Ohio; John Reid, Michigan State Federation of Labor; Clinton Golden, American Mission for Greece. Church groups: Roger J. Turrell, Bigelow Methodist Church, Portsmouth, Ohio; Gerald J. Connor, Catholic Labor Guild, Boston, Mass.; Jack R. McMichael, Methodist Federation for Social Action. University leaders: Arthur H. Compton, Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.; Vidkunn Ulricksson, assistant director, University of Wisconsin, School for Workers; Phillips Bradley, director, Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations, University of Illinois; Edwin E. Witte, economics department, University of Wisconsin. Labor arbitrators: Edward Corsi, industrial commissioner, New York State; Fernando Sierra Berdecia, commissioner of labor, Puerto Rico; George W. Taylor, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania; and 10 other conciliators. Employers: Cyrus Eaton, of Cleveland, Ohio, a distinguished industrialist who is noted for his enlightened attitude, in our judgment, in the field of labor relations. And also L. W. Moseley, of the Electric Storage Battery Co., in Philadelphia. I have these statements here for the record. Mr. BREHM. Without objection they will be included and made a part of the record. (The endorsements are as follows:) [Editorial, Washington Post, March 1, 1948] LABOR EDUCATION An education extension program for industrial workers on something like the pattern of the Agricultural Extension Service, which makes educational assistance available to the farm population, is so sensible an idea that it is a wonder it wasn't put into effect by Congress long ago. A Senate Education and Labor subcommittee has just completed hearings on a bill to establish such a program—a bill introduced in the last session of Congress by Senators Morse and Thomas of Utah. The AFL, the CIO, and the Railway Brotherhoods joined in supporting the proposal, and such progressive industrialists as Charles Luckman and Cyrus Eaton gave it their endorsement. It is to be hoped that the House Labor Committee will find time to consider the measure soon. The bill has been carefully drafted in such a way as to make Federal funds available as grants-in-aid for a Labor Extension Service while retaining effective control of the program in the hands of the participating universities and the industrial workers desiring its benefits. That great numbers of workers need and want such a service has been abundantly demonstrated. In point of fact, some 79 colleges and universities are now carrying on some sort of labor education program-Wisconsin, Michigan, Bryn Mawr, Harvard, and Yale among them. But these cannot, of course, begin to meet the demands of 42.000,000 wage earners. Under the Morse-Thomas bill, Federal funds would be made available only when a local labor group, having worked out with a local institution of learning a program approved by a State labor extension council, requested aid and when 25 percent of the funds required were made available locally. This program is not aimed in any sense at vocational training. Neither is it supposed to take the place of high-school or regular college education. Its concern is with labor problems and industrial relations-with the responsibilities of workers as union members and citizens. It would equip labor to carry out its share of the collective-bargaining process more effectively in its own interest and in the public interest. In doing this, it could serve greatly to promote more stable and peaceful relations between unions and managements. RESOLUTION ON LABOR EXTENSION SERVICE BILL, PASSED BY LOCAL 223, UNITED PUBLIC WORKRES OF AMERICA, CIO, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. Whereas the United States Congress, by passage of the Morrill Act in July 1862 and as amended in 1890, recognized the need and provided the means (through donation of public lands) for establishment of colleges to serve those engaged in agriculture and the mechanical arts; and Whereas the intent of the Morrill Act has been only partly realized through provision of educational and research services to farmers, without provision of comparable services to wage and salary earners, while the Department of Labor has equally failed to provide such services to workers as have been provided for employers by the Department of Commerce; and Whereas there is need among wage and salary earners for immediate development of a labor extension service which will provide for research, information, and educational extension services for workers through universities, colleges, and research agencies; and Whereas a labor extension service bill has been introduced in both Houses of Congress (S. 1390 and H. R. 4078) making specific provision for research, information, and extension services to workers: Now, therefore, be it : Resolved, That United Public Workers of America, CIO, Local 223, San Francisco, Calif., go on record in favor of the labor extension service bill; and be it further Resolved, That Local 223, UPWA, urge the subcommitte of the House Committee on Education and Labor to approve the labor extension service bill (H. R. 4078) as presented; and be it further Resolved, That Local 223, UPWA, request the House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor to recommend enactment by the House of Representatives of the labor extension service bill (H. R. 4078) as originally submitted. Congressman FRED A. HARTLEY, Jr., House Office Building, Washington, D. C. ATLANTA URBAN LEAGUE, DEAR CONGRESSMAN HARTLEY: I am writing to request that you use your influence in passing the labor extension service bill, H. R. 4078. This request is made because of my firm and sincere convictions that America, as never before, needs enlightened citizens relative to the contributions of organized labor. We need labor education as much, if not more, than we do business education. In America we have courses designed to train men to work in businesses. We have courses which enable men to construct many types of devices for manufacturing concerns. There are, however, relatively few opportunities for potential businessmen and lay people to study labor policies, organizational structure of unions, and the necessity of having a free labor movement as it is related to democratic processes. Full and comprehensive courses, in our colleges and universities, designed to serve workers will not only result in a stronger America, but may tend to lessen conflicts between labor and capital. I have written you of my own free will on behalf of a segment of our population and organized labor. I say let's further the efforts of organizations that have, through the years, contributed immeasurably to democracy. With best wishes for your continued success, I am Cordially yours, R. A. THOMPSON, UNITED DISTRIBUTION WORKERS, Mr. MAX SCHWABE, Representative, House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR SIR: I am writing to solicit your support for a piece of legislation which is of vital importance to our membership. I refer to the labor extension bill, which will shortly come before Congress for passage. This bill is based on the theory that labor relations are essentially human relations, as all of us in the labor movement have come to learn through experience, and that to bring harmony in this field it is much more productive to concentrate on education and understanding rather than mandatory legislation. We have in the history of our Nation had other experiences in the mandatory approach and have seen them fail miserably. We have also seen the results achieved in industry after industry where a constructive understanding approach by management and labor has resulted in industrial harmony. It seems to us that a widespread educational program which would throw light on the thousand and one problems involved in collective bargaining would be of tremendous value, and it is our hope that you will lend your support to this legislation. Yours very truly, H. J. GIBBONS, Director. FEBRUARY 20, 1948. Congressman EDWARD O. McCOWEN, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Education, Washington, D. C.: The Textile Workers Union of America, CIO, representing 450,000 workers throughout the Nation, urges that a date be set for hearings on House bill 4078 as soon as possible. Action on this measure at the current session of Congress would help us face the critical problems of industrial relations. LAURENCE ROGIN, Director, Education and Publicity. Hon. MICHAEL J. KIRWAN, Washington, D. C. LOCAL UNION 1617, USA-CIO, Youngtown, Ohio, January 5, 1948. DEAR MR. KIRWAN: At a regular meeting of our local union, the members unanimously voted to contact you and request that you support the bill for the extension of labor education (S. 1390-H. R. 4078) when it comes up for hearing sometime this month. Our members feel that it is only through education of this kind that we may be able to effect a better understanding between labor and management. We wish to convey to you our sincere appreciation, in advance, for anything you can do to support this bill. Very sincerely yours, HERBERT T. JONES, President. MICHIGAN STATE FEDERATION OF LABOR, AFL, Washington, D. C. Hon. EDWARD O. MCCOWEN, M. C., DEAR CONGRESSMAN: We are asking your assistance in scheduling hearings on H. R. 4078. This bill provides for establishing a workers' information service in the United States Department of Labor. Some work has been carried on along this line in this State by the University of Michigan Extension Service, but it does not meet the need for information services requested by workers in this State. H. R. 4078 makes provision for additional service through the Department of Labor and State and local educational centers. We ask you to assist in scheduling hearings on this bill so that we may have the bill reported favorably at an early date and make possible enactment at this session of Congress. Sincerely yours, JOHN REID, Secretary-Treasurer. To All Members of Congress: THE AMERICAN MISSION FOR AID TO GREECE, When I left the United States to come to Greece, I was active in the work of the National Committee for the Extension of Labor Education. Even while I have been working here in the midst of a nation which is crippled by war, that distant committee, its work and aims and basic philosophy are constantly in mind. In trying to forward the work of democracy here, I have been struck with renewed force with the old principle that democracy must rest on a widespread dispersal of facts, and reason to all citizens. Moreover, as you know, I was directing at home, and now in my absence abroad am still aiding, the study, The Causes of Industrial Peace. This study, conducted by the National Planning Association, undertakes to describe successful labor-management arrangements in 15 basic American industries. These studies are being made by trained investigators from American universities. The first study of the Hickey-Freeman Clothing Co., Rochester, is nearly ready. Investigators tell me that when labor-management relations are sound they are backed by a healthy program of education. I venture to send this communication from Greece to petition you to support S. 1390 (introduced by Senators Thomas and Morse) and H. R. 4078 (introduced by Representatives Tollefson and Madden) and sponsored by the National Committee for the Extension of Labor Education, a nonpartisan group representing CIO, AFL, railway labor, and independent union groups. I do this simply because I am aware of the vast need, even in democratic countries, of diffusing new knowledge and new techniques for the improvement of industrial relations. Won't you look into these bills and earnestly support them? Further information may be obtained from the National Committee for the Extension of Labor Education, 2117 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington 7, D. C. CLINTON S. GOLDEN, Labor Adviser. BIGELOW METHODIST CHURCH, Hon. EDWARD O. McCOWEN, The House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. DEAR MR. McCOWEN: I have been pleased to note the work you are doing for Federal aid for education. Has your committee held hearings yet on the labor extension service bill (House bill 4078)? This idea of establishing educational opportunities for the leaders of labor organizations strikes me as very constructive. In a small way, I have seen the inside of labor-management relations, having been one of those parsons who has been called on to mediate quarrels between management and labor several times. Often it has made me think of Carlyle's statement: "All war is misunderstanding." Anything which will help to increase the basis of understanding should certainly make for industrial peace. Over a period of years, the plan proposed by this bill should have a very marked and beneficial effect. A recent publication of the Federal Council of Churches, Pronouncements on Religion and Economic Life, contains a proposition on page 19 which might well be interpreted as a "plug" for this labor extension service bill. It reads: "Government agencies, the churches, employers, and workers are especially responsible * extending workers' education and developing a labor and industrial leadership competent to serve the general welfare in difficult years ahead.” Thanks for your interest and attention. for * * Cordially, ROGER J. TURRELL. METHODIST FEDERATION FOR SOCIAL ACTION, Representative FRED A. HARTLEY, Jr., Washington 25, D. C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN: The Methodist Federation for Social Action, representing more than 4,000 ministerial and lay persons in the United States, strongly supports the constructive and long-needed educational measures provided in H. R. 4078. The Methodist Federation sees in this bill the opportunity to give our working people the means to develop and increase their contribution to the community. Therefore, we urge that it be heard in the House without delay. Sincerely, JACK R. MCMICHAEL, Executive Secretary. Hon. GEORGE D. AIKEN, Washington 25, D. C. CATHOLIC LABOR GUILD, Boston, Mass., March 26, 1948. MY DEAR MR. AIKEN: I am very interested in the passage of S. 1390 and sincerely hope that you will use your influence and vote to have your committee take favorable action on it. While this matter has not yet been brought up for official action by the body, as secretary of the Catholic Labor Guild of Boston, I can assure you that the great majority of members of organized labor and their friends are much interested in a positive program to help resolve industrial disputes by the use of facts and reason rather than picket lines, and we know that this legislation will do exactly that. Your cooperation is earnestly solicited. Hon. GEORGE D. AIKEN, United States Senate, Washington, D. C. GERALD J. CONNOR, Secretary. WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, St. Louis, Mo., February 25, 1948. DEAR SENATOR AIKEN: As chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Education,. I want to urge your support of Senate bill 1390, with regard to the establishment of a labor extension service. I have been especially impressed by the objectives of this bill and the care with which its provisions have been drawn. It is designed to supply at a minimum cost for numbers of labor groups the type of education which they desire and which they need most in order to make them intelligent citizens of the national social body. You are aware of the fact that the bill provides especially for making available to persons regularly employed the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the part that labor plays in the Nation's economic program, the way in which labor can meet its opportunities most effectively, and the dangers involved in case there is a lack of balance between the forces of labor and capital. I am impressed also by the fact that the bill provides for making use of the educational facilities available in the various communities through universities and other educational organizations and calls also for cooperation in locations conveniently available to those who wish to attend. It would seem to me that announcement of the bill will provide economically for the type of education that will best enable labor groups to perform their proper functions as American citizens. Yours very truly, ARTHUR H. COMPTON. |