Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-10-29

NSbilIliluCo L AOlll 7 II 81 dSt.'
had under consideration new legis-
latian designed to cope with defense
strikes in general, but he avoided
direct comment on the captive coal
mine stoppage.
How much time do you think Mr..
Lewis should reasonably have to end
it?" he was asked.
Mr.. Roosevelt's answer was that
he had not thought in such terms
yet.
Another questioner asked what
existing powers the President had
to deal with the problem. He was
referred to the fact that the Gov
eminent in two cases has taken
over struck plants by executive
order and resumed production.
After Mr.. Roosevelt said that, how
ever. he was quick to add that his
remarks did not necessarily mean
that the Government was going to
take over all the coal mines.
President Won't Tip His Hand.
The President refused to be drawn
out on the subject Of what spe-
cif1c defense strike gislation he
was studying, and his answers to
questions on the subJectsled to the
belief that he did not intend to
tip his hand in advance, either on
the captive mine dispute or on the
defense strike problem in general.
At the Capitol, however, the dis
eussion Of legislation was more spe-
ciflc, and while some proponents of
anti-strike measures were encour-
aged by the disclosure that the
President was studying the subject,
others we're manifestly in no mood
to wait.
In House circles talk was heard
of seeking action on a bill by Rep
resentative Vinson, Democrat. of
Georgia, which would provide a
30-day cooling-off period and freeze
shops at their present open or closed
union status for the duration of the
defense emergency. Should this
effort be unsuccessful, there is a
substitute bill providing for COM
pulsory arbitration and a cooling-off
period.
In the other wing of the Capitol,
meanwhile, Senator Byrd, Demo-
crat, of Virginia told reporters that
he was comforting with several other
Senators and Representative Smith,
Democrat, of Virginia in an effort
to work out measure which would
be satisfactory to all and which
could be offered an an amendment
to the pending neutrality revision
bill.
Senator Bailey's Bill.
In that connection, he said that a
proposal by Senator Bailey, Demo-
crat, of North Carolina to impose
prison sentences and fines on de-
tense strikers and their leaders when
strikes were called with intent to
impede defense production was re-
ceiving consideration. Senator Byrd
remarked that he personally believed
the proposal had some merit"
Chairman Connally Of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee de-
nounced Mr.. Lewis bitterly and said
he would support legislation which
would permit the Government to
take over and operate any defense
plant closed by strike, including
units supplying raw materials for
defense production.
THE methods of dictatorship and
autocracy cannot be longer toler-
ated," Senator Connally said in
statement. John L. Lewis chal-
lenges the power of the Government.
He flaunts the requests of the Presi-
dent He makes a brutal demand
that his will must be observed. His
wishes must be paramount to the
interests of all of the other people
OF the United States.
1.-THE issue cannot longer be
evaded I refuse to accept the die
tates and the edicts of John L. Lewis.
The Government of the United
States cannot longer tolerate his
defiance"
Representative Hoffman, Repub
lican, of Michigan issued a state
ment calling for the President to
take action on defense strikes.