AN INTRODUCTION TO LABOR.

ByClyde E. Dankert '40h. New York: PrenticeHall, 1954. 605 pp. $6.75.

Professor Clyde E. Dankert has joined the ranks of textbook writers in the field of labor problems, and there are cogent reasons for believing that his volume will be adopted by a good number of teachers in the beginning course in this subject. Professor Dankert conceives the function of an introductory text in the following terms: "comprehensive, but not superficial; scholarly, but not dull; interesting, but not frivolous; stimulating, but not exhaustive." Conducing to the attainment of these objectives is the happy combination of institutional and theoretical material found in the book. In addition, the voluminous footnote references and comments provide an invitation to the reader to partake of more intensive investigation and, also, serve to attest to the scholarly background that Professor Dankert brought to the writing of his book.

The organization of this volume for the most part follows the traditional format for texts on labor problems. Part I is concerned with matters relating to employment and unemployment. After dealing with the composition of the work force and problems bearing on the efficient allocation of that force in our economic system, the author launches into a moderately lengthy description of the various types of unemployment encountered by American workers in our dynamic economy. Separate chapters are accorded to an analysis of and remedies for seasonal, cyclical, and technological unemployment. The last, on technological unemployment, may be singled out as particularly meritorious, and reflects the many years of interest and investigation by the author in this by-product of economic progress.

Part II comprises the bulk of the volume a three-hundred page description, analysis, and critique of unions, of management, and of their dealings with one another. This section is opened with a brief historical review of American unionism. This is followed by a comprehensive survey of labor unions - principles which guide them; structural organization; membership; government; and their social, political, and economic activities. Collective bargaining, the most important union concern, receives extended treatment. Emphasis is given to the economics of collective bargaining and a description of the content of collective bargaining agreements. A very illuminating chapter delineates the role of government in the collective bargaining process with special attention given to the TaftHartley Act. The important topic of indus- trial disputes and methods of settlement is presented at some length. This section concludes with an interesting discussion of the relationship of unions to the state and society. While moderate in tone, this chapter offers many provocative suggestions for a re-appraisal of the role that unions play in presentday America.

Part III is concerned with the subject of wages and hours. Various theories, past and present, that throw light on the process of wage level determination are presented and weighed critically. The impact of unions on wages and the effect of union wage policies on the goals of economic stability and growth serve to illustrate the careful and judicious approach of the author on controversial matters. In this connection Professor Dankert hazards the guess that, "national income and average real wages are somewhat higher with unions than they would be without unions."

Separate chapters on the pros and cons of minimum wage legislation; employer solutions for some aspects of the labor problem in the form of incentive wage schemes, profit sharing, stock ownership, etc.; and the economic, social and legal considerations that bear on the length of the work day round out Part III. The book concludes with two chapters on the subject of security for the unemployed, the aged, the sick, and the injured.

For all those persons interested in gaining a knowledge and appreciation of the content of the beginning course in labor problems, Professor Dankert's book will serve as an admirable introduction to this field of study.