Evening star., 1937-06-12
MAIL LAW CHANGE
URGED BY BAILEY
Suggests Legislation to
Clarity Delivery Restriction
to Senate Probers.

CiarI1y UellVery RESTRICTION
to Senate Probers.
BACKGROUND
United States Steel, representing
some 10 per cent OF industry.
avoided labor troubles this Spring
BY meeting and signing agreements
tDtth c. I. o.
Jones d Ldughlin jolloDed suit,
but three Observation-Disclosures.
Youngstown and Inldnd-retused.
Latter tpo closed plants, but Re-
public elected to tight.
Controversy ope1 mail deliperies
arose In efforts OF company to fur
ntsh food BY mail to ,rorkers DON'T
ctled in plant Postal authorities
refused service.
BY the Associated Press.
Senator Bailey. Democrat. of North
Carolina, said today that legislation
to clarity restrictions on mail de-
livery should follow the Senate in
curry into the Midwest steel strikes.
Discretion in refusing to make de-
iveries IN cases Of danger, he said,
should be defined so as not to include
such man-made supposed dangers as
are involved in this strike situation. !"
Allegations Of interference with mail
service to strike-bound plants will be
one OF the principal subjects covered
IN the investigation, ordered yesterday
by the Senate Post once Committee.
Members may bring up any other
phases Of the strike they wish, for the
inquiry was designated as Z pre-
umtnary" one.
Chairman Mcclellan, in charge OF
arrangements, said he wanted to in
quire into reports that the Republic
Steel Corp. had offered to provide
guards to escort the mail through
picket lines.
THAT looks to me like an attempt
70 take the Government into partner
ship to break the strike" he said.
Denies Interference.
First Assistant Postmaster General
Howes told the committee yesterday
that abnormal" deliveries of food
packages to the steel plants had been
discontinued because the safety Of
postal employees was endangered. He
denied charges Of interference.
Senator Gufiey, Democrat. Of Penn
sylvania, at whose instance the in
quiry was broadened to include the
conduct Of both parties to the sarikes
and charges of illegal transport OF
arms and strikebreakers, had yet to
decide what witnesses he would call.
1t was expected, however, that Philip
Murray, head steel organizer for the
Committee for Industrial Organixa-
ton, and individual strikers might be
asked to testify.
Senator Bridges, Republican. Of New
Hampshire. said 1t was apparent from
testimony yesterday on hts resolution
70 investigate the postal angles Of the
strikes that there has boen . break
down Of law and order In strike areas."
Sees Dangerous Weakness.
Y believe Senator Bailey dealt with
Q dangerous weakness in our govern
mental structure" Bridges continued.
when he emphasized the vast powers
under which the Postmaster General
can curtail mail service.
THE only limit to his discretion
under present Ian Il that conditions
mtst b unsafe In his belief, to IN
woke the power.
He certainly should invoke 1t under
conditions Of Hood or storm, which
would imperil the lives Of postal en-
paoyes. but I DO not believe the statute
contemplated denial Of service when
individuals threaten to bar deliveries
which they deem adverse to their In
terests."
The dryt witnesses will Be postal
employees involved In the strike mail
controversy and Lewis j. Guarnieri,
attorney for Republic Steel.
Bridges said the testimony might
sufnce TO bring out all the facts with
cut further action.
He expressed concern, however,
lest lack Of funds make 1t impossible
for some witnesses to be called. II
this proves . hindrance, he said, he
win ask the Senate to finance the
inquiry,
The committees decision to hold
the inquiry came on . motion by
Senator Holt. Democrat, OF West Vir-
gtnia, . persistent critic Of the Com
mittee for Industrial Organization.
Holt was warmly supported by Bailey,
. leader several months Ago in urging
condemnation Of ht-down strikes
Arrangements for the investigation
were 1eft In the hands Of Chairman
McKeller.