Evening star., 1941-04-03

UuS CCG up tb tCO SULNt " ~
duction Management. Increasing
number OF strikes called for eUen
further mediation machinery,
holCeUer, 1Uith result that Presi-
dent created 11-member National
Defense Mediation Board.
By the Associated Press.
House Majority Leader Mccormack
agreed with a questioner on the
floor today that it was about time"
for President Roosevelt to speak out
on the defense strike situation.
The exchange came shortly after
Stephen Early, White House secre-
tary, told reporters that the Presi-
dent was waiting and watching" the
situation.
Representative Mccormack took
the floor after criticism by Repre-
sentatives Taber. Republican. of
New York and Cox, Democrat, Of
Georgia of the administrations at
titude toward the strikes.
I'm satisfied that he (the Presi-
denD will bear down-in a consti-
tutional way" Representative Nc
Cormack replied.
Labor in general are not ingrates
and when the President speaks, as
I believe he will, labor will respond
to his leadership"
Dykstra to Be Called.
Doesn't the gentleman think it's
about time for him to speak," in
terrupted Representative Woodrum,
Democrat, of Virginia
Yes" Representative Mccormack
replied. amid applause.
Acting promptly after the House
authorized it yesterday to conduct
a broad investigation of the de-
fense program. the House Military
Affairs Committee voted in secret
session today to begin the work
Monday. Members said the inquiry
would include strikes affecting the
armament program.
Chairman May told neWsmen the
committee would call as its first
witness Clarence A. Dykstra chair
man of the new National Defense
Mediation Board: William S. Knud-
sen, defense production chief, and
his associate, Sidney Hillman, and
Secretary of Labor Perkins.
A few minutes later Representa-
tive Faddis, Democrat. of Pennsyl-
vania, a member of the committee,
told the House the question of de-
fense strikes would be given prompt
attention.
Pledges Thorough Quiz.
Representative May promised "the
best damn investigation the House
has ever had"
Representative Vinson. Democrat,
of Georgia, said after White House
call that he had discussed with Mr..
Roosevelt the ouSe-approved in
vestigations of the general defense
situation.
He said the House Naval Affairs
Committee, of which he is chair
man, would meet April l5 on COM
pletion of the House Today recess.
to start its end of the inquiry.
In response to questions, Repre-
sentative May said the military
committee would look into every
thing we've dug up and into
anything that seems to merit fur
ther study" He said the ArmyS
acquisition of land for a new T. N. T.
plant near Weldon Springs, Mo-, and
it's subsequent action of starting
condemnation suits for some of the
land already optioned would be one
of the topics
Mr.. Early said the lengthy confer
ence yesterday between Mr.. Roose-
welt and nine military and civilian
advisers involved some labor dis
cussion" as well as aid to Britain and
her allies lin all forms"
AS congressional demands for Fed
eral action to curb strikes in de-
fense industries increased, Sem
ate Majority Leader Barkley told re-
porters that ''it would not be easy"
to draft restrictive legislation.
Federal Action Demanded.
Senator Barkley said that while
there have been some conversa-
tions" among congressional leaders
regarding methods of dealing with
such strikes, no legislation was yet
| in sight
Senator Byrd, Democrat, of Vir-
ginia, who called on the Democratic
leadership to obtain effective and
immediate" action yesterday, as
serted today that he favored giving
the new National Mediation Board
full power to deal with strikes in de-
fense industries"
At present, the board which Presi-
dent Roosevelt established by ex-
ecutive order can act only when a
labor dispute is certified to it by
Secretary of Labor Perkins. Senator
Byrd called on Miss Perkins yester-
day to explain why she had not
certified the Allis- Chalmers strike in
Milwaukee and declared she had
been exceedingly derelict in the
performance of her duty" in failing
| to do so.
Not "Wise or Practical"
Late last night she certified the
! strike to the board and offered the
help of the United States Concili-
alton Service in settling the dispute.
Secretary Perkins replied later
that she had been fully prepared
to certify the case" to the board last
Wednesday, the day after it organ
lied, but Secretary of the Navy Knox
and William S. KnudSen, defense
director, then sent their appeal to
the strikers and management for
reopening of the plant.
Naturally with another branch Of
the Government apparently on the
verge of securing a settlement it was
not wise or practical to certify the
case to the board at that time"
Senator Byrd suggested that the
board should be given authority to
intervene in any strike situation and
seek voluntary settlement. If that
| (See LABOR. Page A-2)