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

considered.
II this authority Is present I'M
der the bill labor should not be
asked to rely on the mere press
statement that 1t is not intended
to exercise It.
II is easy to say that Of course
this far reaching authority is not
contemplated under the proposed
legislation. However. I wish to
point out that where the rights
of patent holders are affected. a
specific provision Is incorporated
protecting these rights. From this
il might easily be argued that the
rights of any other private par
ties. whether they be Of labor or
other groups. may be set aside
where deemed necessary for the
successful prosecution Of the au-
thcrity granted under the pro-
posed bill.
Pattern OF Policy
(bl Congress is now considering
the establishment Of a definite
policy regarding its foreign rela-
tions. This proposed bill purports
to determine the pattern. Labor.
when considering the impact
which such contemplated legisla-
ton may have upon its rights and
its existence. must necessarily
take into account other legisla-
tive measures which are being
proposed at the same time under
the guise that they are necessary
to further the foreign policy pro-
gram.
have reference TO the clamor
which is made by a few vociferous
congressman demanding that the
right of labor be curtailed or elm
mated as an essential part Of
national defense program. l know
of no more fatal mistake that can
be made than such action.
Labor must necessarily look
askance at any program under
which II Is urged that for its
successful prosecution the rights
Of labor must be destroyed. This
is precisely what is being pro.
posed under the bills that have
been submitted by several Con.
greSSmen at this session Of Con-
gross. National defense must
include the protection and ex.
istencc of the economic and
political gains Of the people Of
the nation. II Is on this basis
that the support OF the people
has been solicited and Is forth
coming.
1t is therefore essential that in
connection with any legislation to
be initiated by Congress to guide
the foreign affairs Of this nation
there be Incorporated a fortnight
and unequivocal declaration that
the policies of the government
must guarantee the protection OF
the democratic rights Of labor and
OF all the people OF the nation.
No Limitations
(c) II must be conceded that
under the bill there are no limi-
tations as to the amount or kind
Of materials that the President
may transfer to foreign govern
ments other than that in his de-
termination it is necessary for the
defense of the United States.
There are no criteria imposed in
the Act as to what foreign gov
ernments should be aided other
than the single requirement that
the President decide that the de-
Tense OF such government is vital
to the defense of the United
States.
Under the section of the Act
which permits the Secretaries of
War and Navy to purchase or &C.
quire material in the foreign
countries. the President could
place orders in any foreign coun-
try. pay for such material and
have 1t delivered to the foreign
government. This cedure
would Of course eliminate the need
OF such country raising its own
funds from its own people at the
expense of Americans.
Under the Presidents author.
ity 10 procure defense articles