Evening star., 1942-03-31
Action Follows
Charges
Of Obstruction
Committee Accused
Of Holding Up
Important Bills
Earlier Story on Poge Bill

The Senate rejected on a voice
vote today amendments to pend
ing legislation which would have
suspended the 40-hour week,
outlawed the closed shop and
made it unlawful to use threats
or violence to keep workers from
their jobs.
The amendments were offered by
Senator ODaniel, Democrat, of
Texas to a pending bill designed
to help small business concerns get
a greater share of war contracts.
Senator ODaniel sought unsuc-
cessfully to force a roll call vote
on his proposals.
Senator Byrd, Democrat of Vir-
ginia. told the Senate earlier that
its Labor Committee had sup
pressed labor legislation" He de-
manded Senate consideration of nu-
merous proposals such as the anti
strike bill of Senator Connally, Dem
ocrat. of Texas, and repeal of the
40-hour week law.
Il firmly believe it is the duty Of
Congress to meet these issues
squarely and to take the best action
that may be dictated by the sole and
single purpose of winning this war"
Senator Byrd said. adding that such
congressional action lis the only way
to stop the constant chickering's and
iealousies that exist between capital
and labor"
Answers Barkley.
Senator Byrd said he arose to dis
pute the statement yesterday by
Majority Leader Barkley that con-
sideration of labor legislation at this
time would disturb our national
unity
To the contrary. I believe that a
national labor policy adopted by
Congress would do much to unite
the people of America in the COM
mon effort and the common sacrifice
that we must make to win this war"
he continued.
I'VE should frankly face the fact
that today there exists in America,
in this hour of our desperate peril,
more disunity as affecting the prog
ress of our military preparedness,
more conflicting opinions, and
greater criticism of all branches of
our Government than has heretofore
existed. since perhaps the formation
of our republic"
The Virginia Senator also pro-
tested branding the people back
home" as sixth columnists because
of their efforts to increase the pro-
duction of vital war materials"
He said that 1t is the people
back home who will fight and win
this war. Washington may lose the
war. but those who will fight and
die to preserve the liberty of Amer
lea will come from every section
of our great country and from
every class of our population"
Outlines Action Wanted.
| Senator Byrd said all the public
asked was that IF the 40-hour week
interferes with production, that it
be repealed: that if the constant
chickering's between capital and
labor interfere with production. that
they be stopped; that strikes in
defense industries. even for one day,
will not be tolerated: that eXtortion-
ate profits of those who have war
contracts not be permitted; that all
the frills and activities not essen
tial to the war be dropped for the
period of the emergency
Senator Reed, Republican. Of
Kansas told the Senate he was
certain that most of the protests
from back home were not due to
campaigns organized by the United
States Chamber of Commerce nor
the National Association of Manu-
facturers He cited a telegram he
had received from the Pittsburg
(Kans.) Medical Association.
Senator O'Daniel said he was con-
vinced that there was no organized"
campaign for labor legislation. add
ing this springs from the hearts Of
the people of Texas"
In addition to expressing opposi-
ton to restrictive labor bills. Senator
Barkley said he favored attempting
to recapture excessive war profits by
high taxation such as proposed by
the Treasury rather than through
fiat limitation of per cent as pro-
posed by the House in an amend
ment to a pending $4,000, ,000,0
| military aDDrOpriations bill