Jurisdictional disputes in the motion-picture Industry : hearings before a special subcommittee of the Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives, Eightieth Congress, first-session, pursuant to H. Res. 111 (1948)

MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES 269 issuance of subpenas and the reckless spending of the taxpayers' money in connection therewith. Because of the many factors herein described, the AFL committee makes the definite declaration that a considerable amount of Government money could have been saved through the simple expedient of having obtained all pertinent data in Washington during the time Congress was in session. Such action would have been more in keeping "with the so-called economy program of the present Congress. We reiterate that the Education and Labor Committee of the House of Kepresentatives, or any other congressional committee, will have ■our full and complete cooperation as stated in the telegram to Congressman Kearns, either with or without subpena. Our only request is that the rule of common decency be applied by giving all honorable citizens whose services are required at least 1 week's advance notice of any proposed hearing or investigation. Such action would be more in keeping with the dignity of Congress and in absolute conformance with American ideals and traditions. Now, Mr. Chairman, if it please the committee, I would like to proceed with a complete narration of the events as they affect the work of the special committee appointed by the A. F. of L. executive council. Mr. Kearxs. Xo objection, Mr. Doherty. Mr. Doherty. I have previously told our authority for having conducted this investigation of the jurisdictional dispute, which had been going on for quite some time in Hollywood, and I think it incumbent upon the committee to make it clear to your committee, Mr. Chairman, that the current difficulty at Hollywood is not something new, as has been alleged evidently by previously witnesses. As a matter of fact, this agreement was reached only after a long and hard situation that had been in existence here in Hollywood for quite some time, one wherein cit}^ authorities, State authorities, union officials, striking people, and everyone was involved. I think it was that factor alone that motivated the leaders of the unions, along with Eric Johnston and Donald Nelson, to come to Cincinnati during October 1945. The agreement was reached and, I think, accepted by all parties involved in good faith. It was looked upon as a possible medium of correcting the situation that prevailed at that time. Neither Chairman Knight, nor Vice President Birthright, nor myself sought appointment to this committee. As a matter of fact, we would have welcomed the opportunity to be relieved from such an arduous assignment because we all had responsibilities in our own right. We at that time, or at least Felix Knight was president of the railway carmen's union at that time, and Brother Birthright and myself are still presidents of our respective international unions. The agreement, Mr. Chairman and counsel, was such that there was a time limit placed upon it. It definitely stated that for a period of 30 days the international unions affected make every attempt to settle the jurisdictional questions involved in the dispute. At the end of that 30-day period 'our committee learned that very little headway had been made — I am referring to the 30 days after this agreement had been negotiated at Cincinnati, Ohio, in November of 1945 — very little headway had been made. Consequently the committee then . decided to move on to Hollywood for the express purpose of making