Evening star., 1939-03-11

Army Bill Hits Snag
On Labor Practice
Amendment
Provisions Withdrawal
To Avoid Fight in
House Urged

To Avoid Fight in
House Urged
BY the Associated Press.
Opposition developed today to q
labor practices amendment to the
Army expansion bill on the ground
it might hinder the administrati ation's
business stimulation efforts.
The amendment, proposed by Sem
ate Majority Leader Barkley. would
deny Government armament con-
tracts to any one found to be in
terfering with collective bargaining
or other rights Of his employees.
On good authority, it was said that
Representative May, Democrat, of
Kentucky, a member of the Joint
committee trying to adjust House
and Senate differences over the
legislation, had urged Senate con-
ferees to seek Senator Barkleys as
sistance toward getting the amend
ment withdrawn.
Representative May was said to
have told Senator Logan, Democrat,
OF Kentucky, one of the Senate con-
ferees. that this might be the only
way to avoid controversy on the
House floor involving organized labor
and industry.
Several legislators said they
thought such a contest might nullify
much that had been accomplished
by the administration through its
recent assurances to business.
Compromise Sought.
Senator Logan said he thought 1t
might be we'll to avoid such con-
troversy at this time. He expressed
the belief some compromise might
be worked out which would be &C
ceptable both to business and to
labor.
The Kentuckian added, however,
that Senator Barkley had informed
him, before leaving Washington to
inspect the site of the proposed
Florida canal, that he intended to
stand pat on the amendment.
1t was proposed by Senator Bark
ley with the support of both the A.
F. L. and c. I. o. The Senate adopt
ed it. but House approval must be
obtained before it can become law.
Senator Logan said the National
Association of Manufacturers had
protested against the amendment,
and Secretary of War Woodring
wrote the conferees yesterday asking
its elimination.
Meanwhile, Senator Pittman.
Democrat, of Nevada is actively sup
porting a bill to authorize construc-
tion OF Warships in this country for
Latin American governments. The
measure is under study by the Sem
ate Foreign Relations Committee. of
which he is chairman
1T is fair bill and does not inter-
fere with our Government in am
way whatsoever" said Senator Pitt
man. adding that it had the support
OF Chairman Walsh of the Senate
Naval Affairs Committee.
Undersecretary of State Sumner
Welles said at his press conference
today he is heartily in favor of the
objectives of the proposal. He said
such action should make govern
ment shipyards available for naval
building by all Latin American ma
tlons on an equal basis, and should
provide for coordination of the use
Of the Government facilities with
this country's own national defense
program.
When Secretary of State Hull
asked Congress in 1887 to authorize
the leasing Of six over-age Destroy
ers to Brazil. and to make similar
privileges available to other Latin
American countries. Argentina and
Chile objected, and the proposal
was shelved. Brazil placed large
orders in this country last year for
equipment to be installed in de-
stroyers.
The Senate Naval Committee
paused yesterday in its considera-
ton OF the naval air base bill to
debate foreign policy. Committee
discussion turned from the proposed
harbor improvements at Guam,
American-oWl<d island in the Pa
clflc. to the proposal that vote of
the people be required before this
country could engage in wars
abroad
Chairman Walsh said "unfortu-
nately" there was a growing feeling
that Congress could not be de-
pended upon to preserve peace. The
result, he said, had been a gain in
sentiment for the war referendum.
Profit Limit Opposed.
On the House side of the Capitol,
an Appropriations Subcommittee
completed hearings on President
Roosevelt's request for about 1924
100000 for critical equipment needs
OF the Army, additional seacoast de-
lenses and for training 20, 900 civilian
airplane pilots.
Members said the proposals en-
countered no serious opposition, al
though a final decision was deferred
until next week.
In letter to the chairmen of the
Senate and House Military Com
mlttees Secretary Woodring said the
War Department opposed not only
the labor practices amendment to
the Army bill, but also a Senate
amendment limiting aviation ex-
penditures under the bill to $780,
100000. He contended 5000 limit
on the number of planes for the
Army was sufficient.
Because of the Army's require
ment that completed airplane be
presented by bidders competing for
Army contracts, Secretary Wood
ring said the War Department was
opposed to a Senate amendment
which would limit the profit of nlane