"On a Cross of Falsehoods"

Even though they can expect precious little support from the leaders of organized labor, Republican politicians remain generally reluctant to take on the union bosses in direct conflict. Last week Pennsylvania's Governor William

Scranton proved himself a notable exception to that rule.

In a speech to the state legislature, Scranton blasted Pennsylvania labor officials as "demagogues" whose actions are "blatantly political and frankly hypocritical," whose weapons have been "distortion, half-truth, and a complete disregard for the future of Pennsylvania and its people." Indeed, said Scranton, these labor leaders "crucify both the unemployed and the working men and women of Pennsylvania on a cross of falsehoods."

At the time, Scranton was arguing on behalf of a bill that he proposed to reform the state's unemployment compensation laws. Unemployment among Pennsylvania's 4,584,000 work force stands at 8.2%, well above the national average, and the state compensation fund seems headed toward bankruptcy. Scranton would close loopholes in the laws, require large firms to contribute an extra $138 million to the fund over five years. Some 30,000 small businesses, with little labor turnover, would pay less than they do now. Maximum benefits would be increased from $40 to $45 weekly, but fewer people would be eligible, and benefits would end after 30 weeks of unemployment instead of 60.

Scranton named no names in his assault, but Pennsylvania A.F.L.-C.I.O. President Harry Boyer felt certain that he knew whom the Governor was talking about. Boyer retorted that he would like to discuss the issue with Scranton "in a dispassionate and objective manner--singularly absent from his address." Boyer's organization, of course, vowed an all-out fight against Scranton's reform proposals.

Since Scranton is prominently mentioned as a possible G.O.P. presidential nominee, his speech set off speculation about how it might affect his national chances. The likely answer: no harm done, and perhaps some good. Big Labor, after all, sends few delegates to Republican conventions. As for his political position in his own state--well, he won election in 1962 by nearly 500,000 votes without the help of organized labor's leaders.

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