Evening star., 1944-04-28

floor for consideration, de-
spite the opposition of Chair
man SABBATH.
Refusing to disclose the ex-
act committee vote, Mr.. Sab
ath said the resolution was
approved "by the slightest of
margins" and added:
"I don't know when the
resolution will come up in the
House. I'll have to consult
with the Speaker and by that
time I think everything will
be settled and adjusted"
BY the Associated Press.
In an uproarious session today
two Democrats Joined Repub-
licans and helped force imme-
diate House Rules Committee
consideration of a resolution for
a congressional investigation OF
the Governments seizure of the
Montgomery Ward g. Co. Chicago
plant.
Representatives Cox, Democrat
Of Georgia and Smith, Democrat, OF
Virginia, co-author of the antistrike
Act, joined with Republican COM
mittee members to obtain right-of-
way for consideration of the reso-
luton calling for a special congress
sional committee to investigate the
Ward seizure.
Opening the hearing over the OBJ
lection of Chairman SABBATH, the
Rules Committee called Representa-
tive Dewey, Republican, of Illinois,
author of the resolution, as the first
witness.
Mr.. Dewey termed the seizure a
"lligh handed and un-American
procedure" adding:
ST am not informed on the chars
acter of the labor dispute in Mont
gomery Wards, but there is an or
derly procedure for handling such
disputes. What want to find out
Is whether there 10 any authority
for the action that has been taken
there. I have had messages from
all parts Of the country saying
"Thank goodness, We have a Con-
gress to look after our rights"
Mr.. SABBATH asked if "those same
people who are complaining now
did not recommend seizure of the
coal mines.
Mr.. Dewey replied: "a coal mine,
when war Is on and coal is being
rationed, is war proposition. You
can't put merchandising in the same
class. Montgomery Wards is like
any little country store"
when is this thing going to
reach the hamburger stand and the
peanut vendor?" Mr.. Cox asked.
That's what want to know" Mr.
Dewey replied.
do the strikers in the plant call
the tune to which the Government
Is dancing?" Mr.. Cox inquired.
'T don't know, but what I want
to know Is whether there is any law
or constitutional power or special
emergency power existing to take
over private property" Mr.. Dewey
said.
Representative Allen, Republican
of Illinois, committee member, de-
clared: eff they can take a store
building, then they can take your
home"
SABBATH Sought Delay.
Mr.. SABBATH, who previously had
indicated the resolution might be
sidetracked, retorted:
"a mail order house is not greater
than the Government. Montgomery
Ward was on the verge of bank
ruptcy when the New Deal took
over, and I understand it made $20,-
100000 last year."
Representative Michener, Republi-
can, of Michigan said the Ward
seizure SIS a terrible thing, and we
must treat it as such a thing"
Mr.. SABBATH attempted to stave of
consideration of the investigation
resolution after Mr.. Cox had made
q motion, seconded by Mr.. Smith
that the Rules Committee proceed
Immediately on the resolution.
Other Matters Cited.
The chairman told the committee
he had invited witnesses to be hearc
today on a bill to require the Gov
ernment to pay for War Bond ad.
vertising in small newspapers, ano
he ordered the hearing on thi.
measure to proceed.
Mr.. Cox insisted there Is ur,
gency" about the Ward matter, anc
Mr.. SABBATH was overruled.
Representative Church, Repub.
llcan, of Illinois, meanwhile, an.
nounced receipt of a telegram from
Gen. r. E. Wood, chairman of thu
board of Sears-Roebuck g. Co., 6
competitor Of Montgomery Ward
protesting the seizure as IAN out.
rage" and violation of the Consti.
tuition.
Sees Law Violated.
zen. Wood, a resident of Mr.
Church's district, telegraphed from
New York:
THE action of the President IL
taking possession of Montgomer,
Ward & Co. is an outrage, a viola
ton Of the Constitution and a VIC.
lat.on of the law.
IF this action is legal, the Presi
dent can take possession of an,
merchants property or for tha
matter of any business in the United
States. / hope you as a Represent
ative from this great State will pro
test"
Along with Mr.. Dewey's deman,
for an investigation, Senator Byrc
Democrat, of Virginia said h
would call on the War Labo
Board to explain its action in order
ing Montgomery Ward to continu
(See RTTT EE PAGE A90