Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-12-31

many persons in the Government
here feel should never have been
added to the Army's burdens on top
of its already big tasks, especially in
these critical months before the in
vesion of Continental Europe.
The sentiment from the soldiers
and sailors overseas is bitter. and
it is known that unprintable epithets
about strikes and union leaders are
being used in letters from the serv-
ice men to their families and friends.
News of the coal strike was bad
enough, but news that a group of
unions actually voted for and threat
ened rail strike and called it off
only after the Government seized
the roads has created a sensation
In camps in this country among off,
GERS and enlisted men.
President Roosevelt'S advisers have
been telling him that he has been
losing popular support on account
of his weak attitude on the strike
question. 1t was his objection that
prevented the Congress from putting
OSSS3I 111to lllC law.
The conference committee was told
that Mr.. Roosevelt would veto the
bill unless it removed the penalties
on wartime strikes. The bill was
toned down, but the veto came any,
way and the Congress overrode the
veto only to find that the labor
unions have since conducted a cam
paign attempting to defeat members
of Congress who voted for the
Smith-Connally law.
This statute has many defects in
1t which should be corrected, but
the principal weakness in it is that
strikes can be called and men can
be out on strike before the Govern
ment takes over-aS was the case
with the recent coal strickland
there is no way to assure a return
of the workers to their jobs even
when the Government has seized the
properties where the strikes occur.
To cure the whole situation for
the duration Of the war the Presi-
dent is being urged to say he will
sign a measure forbidding wartime
strikes of all kinds, with special
reference to common carriers. The
language Of the recent executive
order will doubtless be a basis for
the drafting of a new statute.
Just what the Presidents decision
will be is not yet known, but it is
believed Mr.. Roosevelt is giving
much thought to the idea and will
let Congress know his views when
the session reassembles.
Looking at the problem solely
from a political point of view-and
few things affecting labor are looked
at from any other viewpoint these
days in Washington-the President
would find that If he took a strong
position against strikes he would
recover much of the support he has
alienated this year, especially among
the soldiers and sailors overseas. It
Is their principal subject 81 CONVEX
sation and their bitterest topic of
protest, whether in the Pacific or in
Africa or Italy.
Coupled with the antistrike legis-
lation there may come at the same
time some move for more definite
control of the whole manpower stu
alton, which has been left in the air
by the action of Congress in dele
eating full power over selective
service to Gen. Hershey, but leav-
ing the duties performed by Paul
McNutt and the War Manpower
Commission subject largely to exec
utive order. This anomalous stu
alton has resulted in an effort to
propose law which will not 90 as
far perhaps as universal service pro-
posals Of the past but will do much
toward clarifying the relationship
OF workers to any possible interrupt
tons Of work in war plants.
The President will have some
recommendations on these matters
In his forthcoming message, and he
will find congressional leaders ready
to vote overwhelmingly for any bill
he may support that outlaws strikes
during the war.
Reproduction Rights Reserved.)