Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-11
SAYS NO ASSURANCE
WAS GIVEN TOLABOR
Lever Bills Author Declares He Has No Information to
Substantate Federation Officials Statement That Act
Was Not to Operate to Halt Strikes Curtaing Fuel

the court has relied in dealing with
the coal strike. was vigorously assailed
on ,ne hoor of the House by certain
representatives claiming to speak the
Inind of organized labor Throughout,
the country.
could not conceive at that time.
american citizens desired to be cx-
r'npted from the provisions OF an act
"hlch maize il criminal to limit pro
auction of food or fuel, the two vital
necessities Of life.
Admitted OF No Dispute.
Il resisted the attempt to strike the
provision from the bill. This resis-
.ancc was successful because the pro-
vision WAS so just to admit OF no
dispute. and in addition there was back
OF me the full administration support
and Endorsement. President Wilson
considered this provision as very
vital section of the food control bill.
Il have read Judge Andersons deci-
sion as reported, and feel that his
interpretation speaks fully the will OF
Congress. 1t should he borne in mind
that the terms of this act are apple
,plc TO the mine operators and min
crS."
The original draft of the bill did
not include fuel. explained Mr.. Lever.
fic said that the necessity for writ
ing It into the measure was realized
nurinS the committees consideration
uI the measure.
In the senate. Senator Thomas to-
day brought up the same subject. be-
ginning by reading EXCERPTS. from the
American Federation of Labor state
mcnt chHrS inS that assurances were
given 10y the then Attorney General
authori,y," obviously referring to the
President. that the Lever act would not
senator Thomas intimatcd. that il
such .assurances had been given, the
American Federation Of Labor's case
thereby, bu, he said that so FAR as
former Acknowledgement Gregory and
the senate committee were concerned
lie did not believe such assurances had
been given.
Quotes Congressional Record.
Senator Thomas then read from tho
files Of the Congressional Record.
spccincally to provide that the Lever
act should not amount to a repeal Of
tho Clayton law exemptions OF farmer
trust n law law From tiHS Record Senator
Thomas quoted statements OF senator
hollis; labor supp pG IN behalf OF
not adopted.
senator Thomas ,, also read state.
Chamberlain ON the. floor OF the SEN
ate at that time, showing agreement
tina; there was nothing in the Lever
suancc of antistrike injunctions under
II. According TO the Record. rs quot
ed by Senator Thomas, Senator Hol lis
NtiN 80 ltE bS W SHS lHdl WIS
formed by the committee that the in
tention was that njunctions might be
issued under tho law against strikes
during the period OF the war
In view OF this record. Senator
Thomas said he found it difficult to
hclicve that the Federation OF Labor
officials could have received assurances
that the labor injunctions could not be
issued under the Lever act.
senator Thomas then introduced n
resolution calling upon Attorney Cen
eral Palmer to submit to the Senate
the files of his office at that period
bearing on the matter. On objection by
senator smith OF Georgia, to imme-
diate consideration. the resolution
went over until tomorrow,