LABOR EXPERT IS OPTIMISTIC

Describing the cooperation of management and labor with the Government and with each other as "much stronger than the press would lead us to believe," James J. Healey, teaching fellow in Economics, yesterday announced the results of his recent tour of industries east of the Mississippi.

Labor leaders, he said, have become convinced that some controls over wages and hours are necessary in war-time, while management, for its part, has realized that labor must have an important voice in the direction of industry. Both of these factors, he emphasized, have combined to produce this exceptional peace in the business world.

Principal problem now facing American industry, according to his observations, is an acute manpower shortage. Both management and labor have realized this, however, and are cooperating in training women workers to take the places of those called into the Army.

Industries Cooperate

In this connection, he remarked that industries as a whole are cooperating fully with the War Department in releasing their able-bodied men for military service. "This has been done only by a revolution in production," he said, which has been accomplished chiefly by breaking down industrial processes still further, so that, the responsibilities and skills of each worker may be as small as possible.

Healey makes a similar trip every year at this time, to develop cases on trade union problems for the Business School and to pick up information on labor conditions for the Economics Department. This year he has had the additional task of acting as scout for the Trade Union Fellows.