Evening star., 1943-05-02
Coal Strike Stiffens
Congress Sentiment
To Curb Labor Unions
Senote Will Consider
Measure Tomorrow to
Hit at War WuIkouts

where tie-ups threaten the war ef-
fort.
Comment in both branches of
Congress. from Republicans and
Democrats alike, strongly supported
President Roosevelt's firm stand for
continued operations of the Nations
coal mines.
Senator johnson, Democrat. of
Colorado, a powerful supporter of
union labor, said he believed the
President had no other choice, but
Il don't consider this a full solu-
tion. The situation is very ticklish." ="
Senator Nye, Republican, of North
Dakota, consistent foe of the ad-
ministration, conceded, no other an
swer was possible, adding Il hope we
can avoid any kind of hostilities that
might be invited by the arbitrary
action"
Connally Bill up Tomorrow.
The Senate tomorrow will con-
slider the bill introduced by Senator
Connally, Democrat, of Texas,
which would give the Government
great power to deal with strikes.
Senator Connally declared yester-
day:
THE President, taking over the
mines, followed the only practical
course open to him. The American
people will support the action of
the President in such further moves
as may be necessary. If he deems
the use of troops necessary, they
will support and applaud him"
There was talk on Capitol Hill of
amending the Connally bill in order
to curb drastically strikes during the
war. and Senator Vandenberg, Re-
publican, of Michigan, expressed
what appeared to be a growing re-
action when he told reporters he
did not believe Congress can sit
Idly by and let a situation of this
kind jeopardize the very lives of the
lighting forces of this country"
'Labor's right to strike is funda-
mental American freedom, but when
1t collides with the national security
1t must give way to the public well
1are, be declared.
Threatens New Law.
This ought to be possible without
the passage Of new laws. but if the
need for new law is precipitated by
labor leadership, we shall write new
law which effectively accomplishes
the purpose. even If it has to. be
criminal law he said.
One Senator who declined use of
his name said he is drafting an
amendment which would prohibit
any person from persuading or in
ducing another to quit work in a
war industry.
Other comment on the Presidents
action included:
Senator Brewster, Republican,
Maine:
Il have great confidence in Mr..
1ckes. If any man can do the job
he can. OF course, it is an extreme
measure. I assume the same pro-
cedure will be followed as was done
when the Government has had to
take over war plants at one time and
another. The mer may be more
willing to work for the Government
than for the operators
Chavez Deplores Strike.
Senator Chavez, Democrat, New
Mexico:
THE coal strike is deplorable. 1
am sorry to see the coal miners 20
out on strike. There is no oues-
ton in my mind but that they do
have a justifiable complaint. How
ever, in war times injustices and in
equalities should lot be and must
not be settled by strikes"
Senator Mcclellan, Democrat, of
Arkansas:
I'm ready to cooperate. I'm
ready to pass Immediately any law
necessary to support the President
to the limit"
Senator Revercomb, Republican,
Of West Virginia.
Il want to see how it works. MY
view is that the individual coal
miner is not chargeable with the
situation. The unions exercise such
domination over the miners bread
and his life that he accepts the
unions orders without question.
They are very patriotic citizens and
good Americans, and their children
are in the war"
Comment by Guffey.
Senator Guffey, Democrat, of
Pennsylvania:
Il do not see how the President
could have taken any other action
than that which he has taken. I
have been friend of the miners
not only of the State of Pennsyl-
vania but of the entire Nation for
many years and I urge them to do
their part in our war effort by re-
turning to the mines and producing
the coal which is SO vital to our
success in winning the war"
Representative Disney, Democrat,
of Oklahoma:
There is no doubt that stern
measures are the need of the hour.
I heartily approve of the Presi-
dents action"
Representative Sparkman, Demo-
crat, of Alabama
I'm mighty glad to see the Presi-
dent take action. I hope he stands
his ground and doesn't give an inch.
The strike is absolutely uncalled for
and in time of war Is pretty close
to treasonable action"
Representative Rivers, Democrat,
Of South Carolina:
II think it's shame we have to
fight TOTO, Hitler and Lewis at the
same time"
Representative Mahon, Democrat,
OF Texas:
Lewis action is outrageous and
REASONABLE. He ought to have been
put in his place two years ago."
Representative Knutson, Repub-
lican, of MinneSota-"That shows
the Federal Government is stronger
than any individual or group. In
time of great national emergency
Specializing i.