The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1941-12-10
THE
WASHINGTON
SCENE
BY HENRY ION

Perhaps one Of the most important
developments of the past several
weeks in the capital is the growing
strength of the epublican-southern
democrat coalition In the house.
Evidence of the renewed vitality of
this group, which constitutes the
dominant group in the house, was pre-
scented recently during debate on the
price control bill. The republicans
and bourbon democrats ganged up on
the measure and made hash of it.
The same coalition has gone to
work on anti-labor legislation. Rep.
Earl c. Kitchener (R., Mich.) made this
fact plain in little speech to the
house as consideration of the anti
labor bills began.
Kitchener technically represented
opposition to consideration of the
legislation. Actually, of course, he
was very much for it.
He began his remarks by Gliding
the democrats. "Mr. Speaker" he
said, II think that the gentleman from
Virginia (Rep. Howard Smith, d.
can well say that this is the day he
has long sought.
when l look at the rule note that
it was reported on May IA, 1941, and
has been ripe for action ever since
that day. / want to compliment the
majority leadership of the house on,
finally, being able to get the consent
~ he 10 I..,,a F1v
consideration these bills.
"If persistency and patience are
virtues, the gentleman from Virginia
is indeed we'll endowed"
The role the republican party in
tends to play seems plain. 1t will go
along with the southern democrats
in writing the worst possible labor
bill Votes on such matters are not
recorded.
When the time comes for final pas
sage of the bill in the house there is
a good chance that number of re-
publicans will then turn about and
vote against the measure on the
ground that 1t is too drastic.
This game serves to embarrass the
democrats, placate the republican die
hards, and appeal to labor
Republicans, unlike southern demo-
Gratis, must stand the judgment of all
their constituents-not just those who
pay poll taxes-and large number
of their constituents are working men
and women.
If a drastic anti-labor measure
passes, republicans can tell their In
dustrial constituents that its passage
was due to their efforts while telling
labor that it was under democratic
administration that the bill was
passed
Should drastic legislation be de-
feated, the republican party can mere
ly switch It's tsories, telling industry
that it is the democratic administra-
ton that is "coddling" labor and tell
ing labor that republicans could not
support that kind" of legislation.
Another important factor in the con-
sideration of antiIabor legislation In
the house is the fact that labor is
strong enough now to prevent passage
of an entirely one-sided measure
The house can hardly pass Iegis-
lation providing penalties for the re-
fusal by labor to accept an arbitration
or mediation award without providing
penalties for capitals similar refusal.
The penalties may be unequal but
they are penalties none the less.
Thus the Chamber of Commerce
and the Natl. Assn. of Manufacturers
have come out in opposition to COM
pulsory arbitration and have ex-
pressed uneasiness at plant seizure
provisions.
Industry, as represented in its pub
locations, would prefer to have the
freedom to fight 1t out with labor on
a tooth and nail basis or have the
penalties levied solely against labor.
That neither of these courses will
be open to industry is a tribute to
the place that organized labor has
won for itself in the uphill struggle
Of the past few years.