The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1938-06-02
SEEN
HEARD
around the
NATIONAL
CAPITAL
II.
By Carter T ieId

idhEll 10y 0QS0pll ih@iiiit0J oo ~
what must be done about labor dis
putes in the merchant marine if the
United States is ever to get one has
been completely scuttled through
the influence of Secretary of Labor
Perkins and the national labor rela-
tions board while Joe tells reporters
he will wear long pants to the court
receptions.
The senate commerce committee,
which at first adopted the recon-
mendations of Kennedy for compul-
sorry mediation of labor disputes of
water carriers, and prohibition of
strikes until after the mediation
board had acted in such controver-
sizes, cut his stiff, mandatory pro-
visions from the new shipping bill.
The senate followed its committee.
Though striking out the substance,
the senate curiously enough re-
tanned the shadow. For in the
shadow were some lucrative
jobs, nice $4,000 commissioner type
jobs of the lame duck variety. Copy
ing the railroad mediation board.
the proposed new board (of course
the house may strike this out in
conference) would have no real pow
er at all. More astonishing, it is
deliberately short eircuited by
direct statement that the national
labor relations board is not deprived
of any of its functions
The substitute provisions provide
only for mediation in case both par
ties to the water controversy favor
it, and are not compulsory in any
sense of the word. They are much
more in line with the mild treat
ment of striking seamen and dock
workers recommended by Secretary
Perkins than with the views ex-
pressed by Joe Kennedy.
It was shortly before Kennedy left
Washington to take his diplomatic
post that he, as chairman Of the
maritime commission, and Miss
Perkins as head of the Labor de-
partment locked horns before the
senate commerce committee, of
which Senator Copeland, of New
York, is chairman. West coast ship
ping was tied up very generally by
strikes at the time.
AS Kennedy Saw 1t
Kennedy argued that the railroad
mediation board, which functions
satisfactorily in the settlement of
disputes involving rail carriers,
might widen its scope of jurisdiction
to cover disputes involving water
carriers. He recommended that the
provisions against strikes by the
railroad men until after the media
ton board had acted be made APP
plicable to the seamen.
Miss Perkins pleaded for main
tenance of the Status quo,' argued
that tolerance must be shown to
the various waterfront unions, be-
cause they are comparatively
young, declared that the shipping
industry was not ripe for COM
pulsory arbitration, and contended
that anything savoring of it would
be more harmful than helpful Pres
ident Roosevelt, consulted by sena-
tors, refused to take sides.
Then the committee senators pro-
ceeded to exercise their own judg-
ment. They sided with Kennedy. But
after this decision something hap
pened John L. Lewis is not without
resources when it comes to pulling
political wires. Especially as every
one in Washington knows that he
has it in his power simply by sulk-
ing after last weeks Pennsylvania
primaries to return anti-New Deal
Senator James J. Davis to the sem
ate, and throw the state govern
ment at Harrisburg, with 10000 en-
ployees, over to the Republicans.
The admirals who were so
anxious to get real auxiliary fleet
for the navy in the event of war are
frantic over what has been done to
the bill. They frankly admit, in pri-
vate, that the building Of merchant
marine is impossible under the SEN
ate bill, or without something like
the Kennedy recommendations
But there seems no prospect of
Kennedy and the admirals having
their way, despite the President S
very definite desire to do everything
possible to strengthen the navy, ev-
erything of course except 10 antag-
onize the labor leaders.
Real G. o. p. Problem
Connecticut is one of the real
problems for the Republican party,
and of enormous interest because 1t
is typical of a great many other
states, some of which have more
and some less electoral votes. II is
tower of strength to the New Deal,
and a staunch bulwark against the
menace Of the LaFollette move
ment.
The disease from which the Con-
necticut Republicans are suffering
is the same malady which affects
the Republicans in New York, Penn.
sylvania, New Jersey and Rhode Is
land. All four of these states were
always regarded as just about sure
Republican in a presidential cleo
ton, despite the prognosticators' sill
ly chatter during campaigns, tina
New York was pivotal and doubt