Evening star., 1941-11-18
Defense Production
Unha|ted by5trikes
Held Vital 10 j. ).
Herring, in Forum,
Says America Stands
Where France Stood

Fearless and immediate steps to
safeguard the Nations defense in
dustries against stoppage of work
and interference with the defense
program for any cause were urged
by Senator Herring, Democrat, Of
Iowa in the National Radio Forum
last night. The forum, arranged by
The Star and broadcast over a
National Broadcasting Co. network,
was heard locally over Station
WMAL.
The text of Senator Herring's
address follows:
First, my thanks to the Washing
ton Evening Star and the National
Broadcasting Co. for the opportu-
nifty to make this broadcast tonight.
! hope I may justify this courtesy
by contributing something that will
be helpful in what I believe to be
the most crucial moment since
America determined to defend itself
against aggressors, from wherever
they may come.
Last Thursday I introduced INTO
the Senate of the United States
Senate Joint Resolution ia, desig-
Sated as the National Defense
Labor Act Of l941'
The purpose of this proposed leg
islation is to expedite the national
defense program by providing
method for the settlement OF labor
disputes in defense industries, to
prevent strikes or stoppage OF work
in such industries and 10 provide a
lawful and orderly procedure for the
settlement of diSagreements between
employers and employees in defense
industry. to the end that our pro-
duction of necessary materials shall
proceed uninterruptedly. Events OF
the past few hours indicate the
RAPIDLY increasing necessity Tor such
legislation.
No Choice for Selectees.
Sleeping on the ground through
out many parts of the United States
tonight are hundreds Of thousands
of fine young Americans. who are
undergoing training maneuVers 10
prepare them to protect this coun-
trv should it become necessary.
These young men had no voice IN
their selection, no choice as TO their
service or compensation. They are
entitled to the same unselflsh serv-
Ice from defense industry as they
are giving without complaint.
It is a fundamental principle IN
this land of ours that no man shall
be compelled to work against his
will, and I believe it to be equally
sound and fundamental that no man
shall be compelled to pay tribute
to any man or organization IN order
that he may be permitted TO work.
The act which l have introduced
Is intended to apply only to those
employed in defense industry ana
the measure expires by limitation
upon the termination of the present
emergency, declared by the Presi-
dent on May 27, l94l. I am not, by
this act, denying any man the right
to stop work, but this measure does
make it unlawful for any labor
organization or any officer or agent
thereof to instigate, promote, further
or in any way support a strike or
organized stoppage of work by en-
ployes or any group thereof against
any national defense industry un-
less: First, a pleblsclte OF such en-
ploves upon the question Of whether
or not they should strike has been
held through secret ballot super
vised by the Federal Government at
a time not less than 80 days after the
National Defense Mediation Board,
created by executive order Of March
10. 1941, has rendered report and
finding upon such labor dispute.
This provides at least 30-day So
called "cooling-off' period during
which the Cancellation Service Of the
Department of Labor, the National
Defense Mediation Board and, if
desired. a national defense arbitra-
ton tribunal shall have opportunity
to determine the rights of both con-
tending parties.
Bars "Mob Picketing."
The provisions against strikes and
stoppage of work apply equally
against lockouts. However, it should
be understood that the Federal law
already provides that industries
owned by employers who do not CO.
operate in the defense program may
be Immediately taken over by the
Federal Government. Because juris-
dictional strikes place an intolerable
burden upon the public, employers
and employees, such strikes are dis
Couraged. 1t is regrettable that stop
pages of work in our defense pro-
gram have been occasioned because