Iowa Gripe

One Roosevelt agency which has no cash donations with which to smooth the path of Federal domination over State Governments is NLRB. Last week, Iowa's Governor Nelson G. Kraschel and NLRB collided in a test of State v. expanding U. S. sovereignty. In paternalized Newton, where C. I. 6. employes of The Maytag Co. are striking against a pay cut (TIME, July 25), Governor Kraschel had declared martial law, closed the recently reopened Maytag plant. Reason: Maytag rejected a settlement proposed by Kraschel arbitrators, started the plant against the Governor's wishes, precipitated fighting between non-union and C. I. O. men. While Kraschel troopers ruled Newton and the Governor garnered much labor support in his campaign for reelection, NLRB Examiner Madison Hill heard testimony that Maytag, local authorities and Judge Homer A. Fuller wanted to smash

C. I. O.'s United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers local.

Thereupon the Governor took his drastic step. He ordered his soldiers to halt the NLRB proceedings, explained: "It is vital that the opposing parties . . . centre their attention on settlement of their differences." Said Maytag Attorney Edward Ford: "Rehashing the gripes of the men before a large crowd does not make for a peaceful atmosphere." Convinced that the company was trying to starve out the strikers the union professed to welcome martial intervention, said all that prevented settlement was Maytag's refusal to negotiate. Equally convinced that a State Governor lacked power to interfere with a Federal proceeding, NLRB ordered Examiner Hill to ignore Iowa's soldiers, go on with the hearings this week.

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