The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1941-02-13


ticI. PIC cuts problems of deep
significance and Of FAR reaching
importance. II VIII determine the
pattern for uur future domestic
and foreign policy and thereby
affects the lives and woll-bcing Of
every single american.
The Congress OF Industrial o..
CARNATIONS embraces and is CON
cerned with the interests of mil
lions OF working men and women
and the members Of their fam.
flies. We have vital stake in the
future OF America and are deeply
concerned in the consideration
and outcome of this proposed leg
islation.
At the outset / would like to
make two cardinal points which |
believe are uppermoSt in the
minds OF the American people:
I The people of the United
A' States cherish their democ-
racy and democratic institution.
Every true American dcspiscs and
loathes totalitarianism The poo
pie of Europe are at present en-
Quilted in q bloodbath for which
the leaders Of totalitarianism
through their ru;hlcssncsS and
rapaciousness. are responsible As
a result. innocent working men
and women and children are being
killed. manned and starved. ! be-
lieve / speak what is in the heart
and mind of every common man
and woman when ! say that the
burning desire of all Of us is TO
preserve democracy and to combat
every form Of totalitarianism.
For these reasons the American
nation supports the policy OF Civ
ing full aid TO Great Britain.
q The people of this nation
SO have demonstrated at every
opportunity that has been pre-.
sented 10 them i'm the recent
past that they are equally de-
termined not to be dragged into
the present foreign wars that
are raging throughout the world.
This does not mean that Amer
leans will insist upon peace at
any price, but II should be clear
that Americans are determined
10 remain nj peace rather than
he drawn into the blOOdbath of
Europe. The reason for this is
that We know war means an end
10 our democratic way of life.
our democratic institutions and
the very ideals which we are at
tempting TO preserve.
Problems of Bill
In the light of the foregoing two
guldeposts. the question is pre-
scented as to the wisdom OF S. 275.
/ do not pretend TO entertain any
expert knowledge as TO the intrica-
cies OF international law which is
furnished at length in the report
of the House Foreign Affairs COM
mittee in support of the COM
panion bill in the House. ! do not
speak as any military expert. ]
speak as an ordinary layman and
primarily as representative OF
labor, 10 discuss the uncertainties.
the questions and problems over
which American working men and
women are bordering in relation
to this proposed legislation.
(a) The basis for the proposed
legislation is the protection OF ma
tional defense. Under this de-
clared policy it should be antici-
pated that any Interpretation as
10 the powers bestowed upon the
President under the bill will al
ways be at the expense Of private
rights, whether they be OF labor
or property. rather than any cur
tailment of the authority OF the
President. This is true particu-
larry in the light of the growing
intensity of public fears regard
ing the International situation.
Effect on Labor Laws
Section OF the Act, which pro-
vides the authority for the Presi-
dent to obtain defense articles for
transfer to foreign governments,
specifically provides that such au-
thority may be exercised not
withstanding the provision Of any
other law" This specific quota
ton would appear TO set aside, If
Il is in conflict with this bill, any
other outstanding law. This
might include the National Labor
Relations Act, the Wages and
Hours Act. the Walsh-Healey Act.
or any other outstanding labor
legislation if, in the opinion OF the
President, such legislation If en-
forced bars an effective prosecu-
ton of the Presidents authority
under the proposed bill. For in.
stance:
Suppose the President were to
determine that In order TO
achieve the Objectives of the
proposed legislation II Is neces.
hary 10 alter certain relations
existing between management
and employees which were estab.
llshed under any of the fOrego-