Evening star., 1937-04-07

Although the Supreme Court contro-
versy has stirred the country like no
other issue since the Civil War, it has
had to take a back seat for the agita-
ton churned up by the sit-down strike
Unless labor's strong-arm technique"
either is abandoned in consequence of
public protest or receives some form of
legalization, it is likely to dominate the
political scene until further notice. Sud-
den action against the sit-down either
by President Roosevelt or Congress
would probably soft-pedal the PROPOSE
ton, as far as popular uproar is con-
cerned. Pending such steps at the
White House or the Capitol, or both,
there is ample indication that the
Nation will continue to demand drastic
steps to suppress or outlaw sit-downers
Members OF Congress have seldom heard
from back home In more impressive
tone than the clamor for Wndication of
ohlcial authority and property rights
against the new methods Of gaining
workers objectives in industrial strife.
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Unless Congress takes firm stand
against the sit-down, House and Senate
are bound to create widespread popu-
lar impression that they lack the in
testinal fortitude to defy the massed
power OF John L. Lewis and his G. I. o.
cohorts. AS the Senates refusal to pass
the Byrnes amendment condemning
sit-down strikes was admittedly an ad-
ministration victory, denunciation of any
congressional kow-tow to the Lewisites
would, of course, also be visited upon
the White House, provided the President
maintains silence on the subject. Labor's
influence seems to have proved once
again to be a potent political factor.
Leaders of the organized workers always
keep close tab on the votes Of national
legislators, for the purpose of reWardlng
friends and Furnishing foes on election
day. With full House OF Representa-
tives and one-third of the Senate facing
a reelection campaign in 1888, and with
primaries in many cases just around the
corner, the reluctance Of members OF
either branch to court labors dlsfavor
on the sit-down is comprehensive, the
game Of politics being what 1t is.
Undoubtedly the political sensation OF
the sit-down storm is Senator James F..
Byrnes' captaincy of the movement op-
posed by the New Deal. The South
Carolinian, from the outset of the Roose-
velt administration, has rated as the
Presidents personal Senate lieutenant,
ranking in authority not far behind that
of Joe Robinsons official leadership.
There's no question OF Byrnes' enduring
devotion to F. D. r. and his program.
What is believed to have inspired the
Senator's zeal against the sit-down Is
Dixie's growing fear that the labor
methods typified by it threaten dire re-
suits for such basic Southern industries
as textiles, oil, tobacco and timber. Many
Southern Senators were lined up in
strong support Of the Byrnes amend
ment. Apart from the South's anxiety
as to the industrial effects Of the sit
down, old-line Democratic leaders are
not enthusiastic over the idea of too
close political alliance with John l..
Lewis and the c. I. O.
* +
Senator Ashurst, stage manager of the
Supreme Court drama now being en-
acted on the boards Of the Senate
Judiciary Committee, believes it will con-
tinue to play to more or less capacity
audiences for at least the better part OF
the next 60 days When public hearings
are ended, the Arizonan predicts that
the committee will 60 into executive
sesdon for not less than . monh. mus