National Affairs: Dropped

Secretary of Labor James Mitchell stood before the C.I.O. convention in Los Angeles last week (see above) and came out against “right to work” laws on the books of 17 states (mostly Southern). C.I.O. delegates applauded because these statutes, which outlaw the union shop, have hindered labor organization in the South.

President Walter Reuther called on the White House to back up Mitchell. But the next day, in his press conference, President Eisenhower made it clear that Mitchell did not represent the Administration view. It was plain that the matter would drop there. Secretary Mitchell had no intention of proposing legislation that would abrogate the state laws against union shops.