J. - National Labor Relations Board

INTRODUCTION 9.The Board has continued during the fiscal year to decide these Andother issues created by the split between the American Federation ofLabor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations, as required bythe statute. Again, as during the past fiscal year, the conflict hascreated problems which have taken a disproportionate part of theBoard's time and energies. The Board has no alternative but to decidethese issues when presented. The protection to the processes of collec- •tive bargaining afforded by the National Labor Relations Act are stillvitally beneficial to organized labor. A united labor movement wouldbe in a better position to. enjoy the rights protected by the act.E. HEARINGS ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ACTOn April 11, 1939, the Committee on Education and Labor of theUnited States Senate began hearings on a number of bills to amendthe National Labor Relations Act. The hearings continued duringApril, May, and June, 1939.At the opening of the hearings, the Board submitted to the Committeea report on the proposed amendments to the act. This reporthas been incorporated into the record of the Committee's proceedings. 213Chairman J. Warren Madden, Board members Edwin S. Smith, DonaldWakefield Smith, and William M. Leiserson (then Chairman ofthe National Mediation Board), and General Counsel Charles Fahyappeared as witnesses before the Committee.27In the report submitted to the committee, and in the testimony ofits Members and General Counsel, the Board made an exhaustiveanalysis of the proposed amendments, and of the act and its workunder its provisions, and stated its position on the proposed amendments.The hearings before the Senate Committee were still in progress atthe close of the fiscal year ended June 30, 1939. The hearings beforethe Committee continued through July and on August 1, 2, 3, and 4,1939. On that day, the hearings were adjourned until January 15,1940.On May 4, 1939, the Committee on Labor of the House of Representativesbegan hearings on a number of proposed bills to amend theNational Labor Relations Act. The hearings continued through Mayand June 1939.At the opening of the hearings, the Board submitted to the Committee.a Report on the proposed amendments of the act. 28 Chairman26 Report of the National Labor Relations Board to the Senate Committee on Educationand Labor upon S. 1000, S. 1264. S. 1392, S. 1550. and S. 1580. April 1939, printed in Hearingsbefore the Committee on Education and Labor. United States Senate. Seventy-sixthCongress. on National Labor Relations Act and Proposed Amendments (hereinafter referredto as Hearings). Pt. 3, April 26.1939, pp. 467 to 014, inclusive.27 Testimony of J. Warren Madden, Hearings. Pt. 1. April 18, 1939, pp. 90-159; Pt. 2,April 19. 1939, pp. 161-238 : Pt. 2. April 24. 1939. pp. 254-325.Testimony of Edwin S. Smith, Hearings, Pt. 9, June 5, 1939, pp. 1565-1627.Testimony of Donald Wakefield Smith. Hearings, Pt. 7, May 22, 1939. pp. 1203-1220.Testimony of William M. Leiserson, Hearings, Pt. 5, May 10, 1939, pp. 917-033; Pt. 6,May 15, 1939, pp. 991-1006.Testimony of Charles Fahy, Hearings. Pt. 2. April 25. 1939, pp. 327-393; Pt. 3, April 26,1939, pp. 395-473; Pt. 12, June 23, 1939, pp. 2319-2379.28 Report of the National Labor Relations Board to the Committee on Labor of theHouse of Representatives upon H. R. 2761. H. R. 4376, H. R. 4400, H. R. 4594, H. R. 4749.H. R. 4990, and H. R. 5231, ordered to be made a part of the record of the hearings ofthe Committee, Hearings before the Committee on Labor. House of Representatives,Seventy-sixth Congress. on Proposed Amendments to National Labor Relations Act (hereinafterreferred to as Hearings), Vol. 2, June 7, 1939, p. 626.