Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-08-07
Union Labor
Bills Ready
For Next Step :
Emanate From Hearings
Of Subcommittee
BY WESTBROOK PEGLER

Dt YVES lDhOOh ILOLT<h
THE humble working-stiff. the
employer and George Spell
win. American, may be pleased
to hear of two bills that ema-
mated from the hearings of the
subcommittee OF the House
Judiciary Committee on the
broad and seandalous topic OF
union racketeering.
One of the pending bills was
introduced by Representative
Francis Walter, Democrat.
from down in the Lehigh VAL
ley Of Pennsylvania. where
wrong John Lewis would have
you believe that all the miners
are his loyal followers. whereas -
most of them are not.
The other was put in by Rep
resentative Mike Monroney OF
Oklahoma City and both have
been referred TO the judiciary
committee rather than TO the
committee on labor, because IL
is recognized that there is no
chance of obtaining favorable
report on any anti-union legisla-
ton from the latter group.
DOTH bills would have the
II effect Of discrediting the
Wagner Act in important partic-
ulars and OF repudiating the
Clayton and Norris-La Guardia
Act wherein they have been
construed TO mean that the
H4nieHeeF HAY Jerk men out on
strike where no labor contro-
versy exists.
Representative Walters bill
leads off with three long ex-
planatory or whereas clauses
which declare plainly the intent
of Congress in adopting this
remedy. The purpose OF these
clauses is TO prevent distortion
of the congressional intent by
the Supreme Court
Such explanatory matter ~
more or less out Of style, but
Representative Walter went back
10 this old-faShioned procedure
for one definite and undisguised
purpose. namely 10 whereas the
ears off any clique Of the Sup
RENE Court which, in the alb
Senee of sueh declared intent.
might presume 10 say that Con-
gress meant something when il
meant anything else but.
LIE WOULD make IL unlawful
IL for any union or its officers
10 conspire in restraint of trade
for the purpose of forcing an
employer TO abandon relations
with another authorized union.
He would make liable 70
punishment any union or it's
officers for extorting money
from an employer or for i'm
posing unreasonable restrictions
on the adoption OF new and
efficient machines. equipment
or materials.
And he would forbid any COM
bination by a union with an en-
ployer TO fix prices, allocate
customers. restrict production.
stifle competition or monopolize
trade.
All district courts would be
authorized 10 issue injunctlons
where lawful labor detectives
arc absent and il is distinctly
provided that the stoppage OF
any defense work shall not be
regarded as a lawful labor OBJ
iective pending hearing before
the National Mediation Board.
The protection of inefficient
methods of production or distri-
button also is declared not to
be a lawful objective and a 30
day cooling off period is pro-
vided under injunction during
which a master or. in defense
Jobs. the mediation board. shall
determine whether a legitimate
labor objective is sought.
And. finally. every person,
whether unioneer or employer.
convicted Of conSpiring against
the act may be fined not more
than $4,000 or imprisoned for
one year or both.
Monroney'S bill is similar, but
apparently less extensive and.
moreover, lacks that declara-
ton of congressional intent.
by United Features synd Ina.