Evening star., 1941-04-15

ing ldbor'S rights. With appoint
ment by President Roosevelt OF
National Mediation Board and
settlement of most major labor
disputes, advocates OF legislative
remedies no,0 are less pociterous.
By the Associated Press.
Secretary of the Navy Knox told
the House Naval Affairs Committee
today that he approved of a provi-
sion in the Vinson bill to provide
cooling off" period before strike
could be called in defense industry.
The Secretary had told the COM
mittee that I'VE are in the midst of
the decisive period of this World
War"
He was called TO testify on the bill
introduced by Chairman Vinson
which would, among other things,
give statutory status to the National
Defense Mediation Board.
Discussing labor, and warning
against being rushed into restrictive
legislation, Mr.. Knox said:
This most important ground to
occupy in this crisis lies in providing
an opportunity for both sides to cool
off and listen TO reason. This bill
does that, I think, and it will meet
with the approval of the American
people"
Nelson Testifies.
At the same time, Donald M Nell
son, o. P. M purchasing chief, told
the House Military Affairs Commit
tee, also investigating the defense
program, that public opinion should
be brought to bear "on the issue
and before the strike occurs" when
strikes were threatened.
Questioned by committeeman. Mr.
Knox said here was "a considerable
element in America who are trying
to sabotage our national defense"
and expressed the opinion that ma
chinery ought to be created to ferret
them out.
There is a deliberate conspiracy
of small percentage of the country
to delay the defense program" he
added.
Representative Vinson said he re-
garded Mr.. Knox's statement as "a
strong Endorsement" of legislation
along the line" of his own bill.
The Secretary interrupted to re-
mark that some features of this
bill I'd like to counsel with you
about"
I'D rely more than you who
drafted this bill do rely on public
opinion rather than compulsory pro-
posals," Mr.. Knox said. Il should
like to have sufficient compulsion for
an assured opportunity for discus
sion (of issues before strike oc-
curS."
Says Situation Has Improved.
He went on to say, however, that
the strike situation had improved IN
the last two weeks, and added I'VE
haven't reached a real test yet
Were "the situation to thicken
up," and should Germany use her
fifth column" as she might, the Sec
retary said he would not hesitate to
use any degree of compulsion.
As Mr.. Knox concluded his testi-
mony for the day, members were
asking him specifically If he indorsed
the Vinson bill.
THE spirit of this bill is right; it
needs to be pruned UP bit" he re-
piled. Wisely devised legislation
would be helpful if it doesn't 90 too
far"
Mr.. Knox said that Great Brit
aims labor mediation law, after
which he said the present National
Defense Mediation Board was pat
termed, "is admittedly the best labor
law that was ever evolved"
mo war was ever won by forced
labor" MIR. Knox said.
Five Major Purposes.
Mr.. Vinson said his bill had these
five major purposes:
Creation of machinery and pro-
cedure for mediation of disputes in
industry having naval defense con-
tracts; congressionally, statutory
recognition of the Mediation Board;
the giving of the same powers to
the board as the President set forth
in his executive order; provision by
statute of q policy on labor disputes
affecting naval contracts and max
ing inapplicable conflicting State
laws; direct jurisdiction vested In
(see DEFENSE, Ege A-5.)