The Washington times., 1919-11-13
ISSUE.
UP TO HOUSE
U. S. Workers Will Find Help
From Us, Say Congressman
VINO Garry Cards.

Congress To-Day was racing new
labor issue-whether employees Of the |
Government should be permitted affli- |
alton with unions.
Congressman Blanton of Texas to-
day prevented the police pay bill from |
going to conference.
Mr.. Blanton said he would not OBJ
ject IL Chairman Mapes. of the House |
District of Columbia Committee, would |
guarantee that the conferees would |
report out the Myers amendment and 1
give the House an opportunity TO vote |
on it.
Mr.. Mapes said he could not bind |
the conferees to any such agreement. |
"The only course left is to 60 before |
the House Rules Committee and get |
rule by which the bill can be sent |
to conference" Mr.. Mapes later said. |
Mr.. Mapes agrees with Congress |
man Gould that hearings should be |
had next with union representatives, |
who would appear before final action |
Is taken on the Myers amendment to |
bar Government employees from men, |
bership in unions affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor.
The Senate, at a session Tuesday
night, wrote IN the bill a clause pro-
hibiting Government employees from
holding memberships in organizations
affiliated with the American Fedora
tion of Labor.
chairman of the House subcommittee
that prepared the police bill and con-
Quoted hearings on the police depart
ment some time ago, today announced
he had assured a delegation of union
officials that a hearing would be given
them before the conference report Is
finally agreed on.
Would Hear Unions.
There was no question about for
bidding the police and fremen from
holding membership in unions, Mr-
Gould said today. "As to extending
this provision to all branches of the
Government, / believe the conferees
should take no definite action until
representatives of the unions have
been heard.
"If the union officials can show me
that the efficiency Of the Government
employe is increased by his union
affiliation, I will oppose the Myers
rider to debar them from unions.
Congressman John 1. Nolan, mem
ber of sAe Iron Molders' Union, and
twelve years an officer of the ma
tional organization, declared he was
astounded by the action Of the SEN
ate. There were twelve members
present when the vote was taken.
seven favored the Myers rider. Five
opposed it.
Slap In Face For Labor.
what can we expect of the work
ing people OF this country. IL they
are to be accorded such treatment as
given by the upper house OF Con-
gressy asked Mr.. Nolan
The soft coal miners demonstrated
their Americanisn by obeying the
mandate of the court 1t was a great
sacrifice they made.
within forty-eight hours after the
miners officials had taken steps 10
bring about peace and partially set
tie the industrial unPst tnat was
sweeping the nation, the Senate gave
organized labor a slap in the race
that was staggering.
How is the working man 10 con-
strue such action by the Iawmakers
of the land?
"For years the thousands of en-
ployes of the Government, here ana
elsewhere, have been ekeing out
kare living from the niggardly wages
that Congress grudgingly has given
them.
us Congress to deny them living
wage. and then rob them Of all they
have left-their union and its limited
social and benefit features?
Lays Unrest To Congress-
CONGRESSMAN Patrick McLane OF
Pennsylvania, many years a union
man and still a member OF the Brotn-
,rhood of Locomotive Enginemen and
Firemen, declared that 1--WE can look
ror no industrial peace in this coun-
try so long as the Congress that de-
nands obedience to law continues TO
rritate, by revolutionary Legislation,
ne very people who are putting forth
very human effort to prevent unrest.
There are several members OF the
louise who have long been union men,
md who today carry union cards and
ray their dues regularly.
Among the union Congressman are
McLane and Burke OF Pennsylvania,
ieIler and Carss of Minnesota, Nolan
u California, and Cooper of Ohio.
Since certain members are eager
. legislate government employees out
5f their unions, il would appear that
hey would include members of Con-
ress," Mr.. McLane said.
Sees Rider Doomed.
"I do not believe the House ever
ill agree to any such rider as the
'enate has seen fit to hitch onto the
,olice pay bill"
Conferees on the part Of the House
probabIy will be named today. Mr..
.ould. chairman of the subcommittee
hat drafted the bill, will be one Of
he conferees. ard it is likely that
hartman Mapes. of the House Dis
rict Committee, and Mr.. Woods. OF
irginia, also a memper of the spe-
.ial police committee, will serve with
aim.
Should there be protracted hear
ngs there is no prospect OF final a@-
ion on the police pay bill at this ses-