Evening star., 1937-06-11
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE,

Both administration and Congress are
undeniably disturbed by the industrial
unrest in Ohio, Michigan and Illinois.
There are fears it may prove epidemic,
infect other trades than steel, motors
and power, and spread into regions far
remote from the Middle West trouble
zone. Unless tranquility is restored in
the meantime, the current upheaval is
likely to give considerable impetus to
passage of the Black-Connery wages and
hours bill. Proponents, It's thought,
are sure to urge prompt enactment as
a means of pacifying workers and as
evidence of the Governments readiness
and ability without delay to improve
their lot. Senator Copelands proposal
for broad Senate investigation of
labor turmoil reflects large body of
Capitol opinion that the time has come
to find out without fear or favor just
who and what are behind industrial
conflict which is now prevalent on
scale more virulent than at any time
since recovery set in and raging to
degree that threatens seriously to arrest
that movement.
Wholesale clamor of labor for better
working conditions may favor the for
tunes of the Black -Connery legislation,
but the bill unquestionably faces the
stormiest sort OF antagonism. Railroad
labor has just piled fresh fuel on the
controversial fire by its decision to seek
exemption for rail workers from the
wage and hour provisions of the pro-
posed law. Thus, the powerful brother
hoods join the c. I. o. and the A. F. of L.
in raising objections to vital sections
of the project With important indus
tries also lining up in opposition, the
measure is now assured attack from
both workers and employers, to say moth
ing Of the hostility that will be offered
on constitutional grounds. Gen. Hugh
Johnson's contention that the scheme
amounts to tenfold intensified N. r. A.
will provide foes of the bill with some
deadly ammunition. Altogether, the
stage is set for one of the red-hot con-
gressional combats of the New Deal era,
especially if there's any attempt to rush
the proposition prematurely to vote.
President Roosevelt's latest political
headache results from efforts of New
York City Democratic leaders to embroil
him in the mayoralty fight. Their par
ticular objective is to influence F. D. r.
to persuade Senator Bob Wagner to take
the nomination. Tammany insists upon
a Wagner candidacy as the only one
capable of guaranteeing Mayor La
Guardias defeat for reelection. Jim
Farley, who has just been in confab
with party bosses in the big city, is
supposed to bear their mandate to high
pressure the White House, with view
to breaking down Wagner'S resistance.
The Senator is understood to feel he
can be more useful at Washington in
promotion of Roosevelt social reforms
than in being Mayor of New York. The
situation is complicated by La Guardia's
reported intention to contest both the
Democratic and Republican primaries,
although it's believed he would not enter
the lists against Wagner. Mr.. Roose-
velt's embarrassment is not relieved by
the fact that he feels kindly toward
La Guardia, a consistent New Deal sup
porter.
Mary Roberts Rinehart, distinguished
authoress and playwright, contributes
a merry Wisecrack to the controversy as
to whether taxes are a matter OF morals
or law On returning from Europe this
week, the novelist was asked for COM
ment on j. P. Morgan's recent opinions
on tax matters. II could find no leaks
in the tax laws" Mrs. .Rinehart said.
Last year wanted to deduct the cost
ok ny opezatton 6am my income tas