Evening star., 1942-03-25
j. ). Chamber Led
Anti-Labor Drive,
Thomas Charges
BiddIe Calls Arnold's
Criticism Of Unions
Pretty Unfortunate
Earlier Story on Page A.1.)

BY the Associated Press.
The United States Chamber OF
Commerce was accused by Sen
ator Thomas, Democrat. of Utah
today of organizing a write-to-
Congress campaign which he
said would disrupt what he called
a voluntary agreement between
industry and labor to continue
the 40-hour week.
Senator Thomas, asserting he was
unhappy" to have to lay the in
formation before the Senate, de-
clared the national chamber sent
out letters to all local and State
groups March 20, urging them to
become "aggressive' in bringing
widespread opinion to bear on Con-
greSS.
Likening it to the recent bundles
for Congress" movement, Senator
Thomas declared that the i'll which
will be done will be even worse"
Unions Offer Notifications.
The C. I. o. and the A. F. L. last
night professed readiness to modify
their overtime pay scales in response
to administration efforts, but
House drive for legislation to
suspend the 40-hour week was still
being pressed.
In another governmental quarter
Attorney General Biddle said that
Thurman Arnold, Assistant Attorney
General in charge Of antitrust divi-
sion, did not express the views OF
the Justice Department when he
accused labor of "injuring and de-
stroying" business.
Mr.. Biddle was asked about the
matter at his press conference and
said he thought Mr.. Arnold's COM
ment was pretty unfortunate at this
time"
AS Senator Thomas was telling the
Senate about the United States
Chamber of Commerce. Representa-
tive Rankin, Democrat, of Missis-
sippi, told the House he was getting
tired of insinuations" that people
who have been writing their Con-
gressmen about the 40-hour week
are prompted "by ulterior motives" :"
Rankin Expresses Views
Mr.. Rankin made his declaration
after Chairman SABBATH OF the Rules
Committee had questioned the
source of complaints against exist
ing hours-of- work legislation.
The people who have been writing
him about the subject. Mr.. Rankin
told the House. ARE patriotic Amer
leans whose boys are bleeding and
dying because of the lack of mate
rials" for which labor racketeers"
are responsible.
The American people have right
to be heard" he added.
The Chamber of Commerce made
no analysis of any proposed labor
legislation, Senator Thomas said,
merely urging members to "just
write-write condemning anything" :"
isn't that a glorious way to unite
our country" he declared. Put
Congress on the spot. Condemn the
one institution which stands for
representative government in the
United States, making members of
that institution fidgety, wondering"
Voluntary Pact Praised.
He said he was sure that leaders
Of both labor and industry, whom
he praised for having come to a
voluntary agreement, would repu-
diate the campaign.
The commerce chambers only
purpose, he declared, was merely
to interfere with the unity of our
country" He said its action would
make the country confused-cause
it to become disunited."
Predicting that q great avalanche
of letters would descend on Con-
gress soon, Senator Thomas declared
its origin would be a marble hall
in Warrington, not the grass roots
of public opinion.