Evening star., 1943-06-03
Anti-Strike Bill Up
For Action in House,;
Note Seen Tomorrow
Bockers Show Surprising
Strength; Number Of
Amendments Sought
: the Associated Press.

&by tne ASSOCIATED Press.
= Backers of an anti strike bill,
Showing surprising strength in
the House, forced the measure to
a strategic position for a vote
today, but stack of time-taking
amendments threatened to delay
final action until tomorrow.
/ Many of the amendments were in
kpired by the coal strike The bill,
nf enacted, would outlaw strikes
against Government-operated in
flustry in wartime-such as the
mines.
/ The House after an hour of sharp
lebate voted yesterday. 21l to 1863,
10 take up the proposal-knoWn as
The Smith -Connally bill-in the face
pf testimony by five high ranking
Government officials that it would
promote rather than diminish strife
: In labor ranks.
!. The pile of suggested amendments
contained number that by their
nature indicated stormy debate was
ahead.
Wide Split on Two.
On two Of them the Military
Affairs Committee, which unani-
mously approved the bill almost a
month ago. was split wide open.
BY vote of II to II in executive
session. the committee refused to
eliminate two sections requiring a
30-day cooling off period and a
secret ballot of workers affected
before strike or lockout could
become effective.
Members who opposed these pro-
visions in committee said they would
fight them on the floor.
Numerous other amendments were
drafted by individual House men,
bers.
: Representative Colmer. Democrat.
OF Mississippi announced he would
seek to make felony for any one
to consplre to interfere with war
production, Representative Dirksen,
Republican, of Illinois drafted
substitute bill removing most of the
new strike settlement machinery the
bill would set up.
Debate yesterday centered around
contentious OF supporters of the
bill that it was up to Congress
to act to stop strikes during the war
because of what they called the fail
ure of the no-strike agreement to
prevent the current coal walkout.
Opponents Deny Need.
Opponents insisted there was no
need for the measure. and termed it
an insult" to labor. They cited the
Nations war production record since
the Pearl Harbor attack as evidence
of labors loyalty
The name of John L. Lewis en-
tered into the debate several times,
Mr.. Colmer and Representative
Gore. Democrat, of Tennessee as
sertl'lg 1t was time for Congress to
decide whether the mine union boss
or President Roosevelt was to be
followed in time of war.
Referring to Mr.. Lewis as
homegrown Dictator Mr.. Gore
told the House it must make the
labor leader "amenable to the law"
He warned that unless Congress
acted immediately. Mr.. Lewis will
continue to regard himself above
the law, thus degenerating democ-
racy to mobocracy."
Both Mr.. Colmer and Chairman
May OF the Military Affairs Com
mlttee denied that the bill was anti
labor.
Mr.. May challenged opponents to
point out one clause in the bill
which harms organized labor"
Asked If the President or heads of
war agencies had requested the leg
lslatlon, he said they had not. but
his committee decided to give it to
them when it decided that THE war
effort was being impeded by the lack
of it,"
Representative Fish OF New York,
ranking Republican on the Rules
Committee, complained that labor
had been given no opportunity to be
heard on the bill.
This proposed legislation he
said in plea that its consideration
be refused, lis of such vital impor-
tance that it should be more care
fully considered, free from war hys-
terra and personal rancor, for the
hest interests of the country, in
creased production and winning the
war
Chairman Norton OF the Labor
Committee said the bill would
"shackle labor" and retard produc-
ton.
Political Chicancry Charged.
Both Mr.. Colmer and Mr. Gore re-
ferred to the entrance of politics
into consideration of the measure,
Mr.. Gore condemning what he called
political chicanery on a very vital
national issue" and Mr.. Colmer ac-
cusing members of both political
parties of political maneuvering
and machination" to gain the favor
Of labor leaders.
Referring to a published threat by
the American Federation of Labor
to seek the defeat of any member of
Congress who supported the bill,
Representative Smith. Democrat. of
Virginia said the same old labor
leaders COON squad has invaded
Capitol Hill again.
In spite of the no-strike pledge,
the public knows that strikes have
been occurring" Mr.. Smith said,
and is getting impatient
The American people demand &C
ton now." declared Representative
Short, Republican. of Missouri.
In sense" he said, the legisla-
ton was unnecessary because the
President now has the wartime
power to stop these strikes, if only
he would exercise it,
why does he fail to act?" Mr..
Short asked. Gould the half mil
lion dollars raised by John L. Lewis
for his 1896 campaign have any
influence upon him? If some peo-
pie were as interested in winning
this war quickly as they are in a
fourth form tho co,,,,fr,, xr,o,,ld nat