Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-05-12
BY l. A. OIEARY-

he was doubtful whether the new
wartime strike control bill reported
unanimously from the House Mill
tary Affairs Committee yesterday
can be disposed of by Congress be-
ends May Is.
Going much further than the Con-
nally Senate bill, which penalized
any one who promotes strike where
the Government has taken over a
plant or mine, the House version
erects a series of strong barriers to
head off strikes for the duration of
the war, regardless of whether the
Government takes possession Of the
property.
AS the Rules Committee prepared
to meet this afternoon to consider
special rule to get the bill up on
the floor. Mr.. Rayburn pointed out
that the Vinson naval authorization
bill is due for House action, prob
ably tomorrow, to be followed by an
appropriation bill Friday He added,
that the committee is anxious to
get the labor bill up this week. but
that way has not yet been worked
out.
Effect on Mine Row Feared.
The Speaker said some members
are anxious to pass it before the
mine truce expires, while others feel
its passage by that time would affect
the situation adversely.
However. there were indications
that the House will vote formidable
barriers against wartime strikes by
passing the bill approved unani-
mously by the Military Affairs Com
mlttee yesterday.
After a brief tilt in the Rules
Committee today over procedure,
Chairman SABBATH agreed to call an
other meeting at pm. to consider
special rule to get the bill before
the House, and supporters Of the
measure moved swiftly to have 1t
voted on by Friday.
The rules group had been called into
session this morning by Represent
ative Cox. Democrat, of Georgia, in
the absence of Mr.. SABBATH, who ar
rived from Illinois shortly before
the members gathered.
Chairman May of the House Mil
ltary Affairs Committee was ready
to explain the bill, but Mr.. SABBATH,
pointing out quorum was not
present, urged his colleagues to wait
until tomorrow. The bill was Just
reported yesterday, he said, and he
has had no time to find out what Is
in it.
Wants to Aid President.
Mr.. May said Senator Connally,
Democrat. of Texas, author of the
Senate version, had asked for prompt
consideration, and that the House
leadership had indicated it ought to
be disposed Of promptly.
The only purpose we have is to
aid the President in meeting a con-
tingency that is really an emer-
gency," said Mr.. May, apparently re-
ferring to the fact that the 15-day
truce in the coal miners walkout
expires next week.
Representative Clark, Democrat,
of North Carolina said the people
of his State ARE more interested in
this subject than in any question
now before the country, and I want
to express myself on it as soon as
possible, without losing half an
hour
Using as vehicle the Connally
bill, which merely would penalize
those who promote strikes after the
Government has taken over factory
or mine, the Military Affairs Com
mittee voted series of obstacles to
prvent strikes in any war industry
until six months after hostilities
cease.
Most Of these restrictions were
taken bodily from the bill of Rep
resenta tive Smith, Democrat. Of Vir-
ginia, which passed the House by
vote of 252 to 1876 on December 3,
1941, but died in Senate committee
last year.
Has Good Chance of Passage.
The fact the previous vote came
when the country was still at peace,
and that no committee member
went on record against the bill yes
terday, were taken as indications
the measure has a good chance Of
passage now.
The danger of another tie-up in
the coal mines is calculated to give
impetus to the bill. Strikes would
not be forbidden completely, but
here is what union, or group of
workers. would have to do before
a walkout would be legal:
Give the Secretary of Labor and
the employer 80 days notice of in
tention to strike, after which the
Governments Cancellation service
would conduct a secret ballot Of the
workers to determine how many
favor a strike, and publish the re-
suit.