Evening star., 1944-01-12
Austin Tells Senators
Labor Draft Requires
Popular Approval
BY J. A. O'LEARY,


Vermont, told the Senate Mill
tary Affairs Committee today he
would not try to force national
service legislation down any
body's throat" because he be-
lieves to succeed it will have to
have popular approval.
Spurred by President Roosevelt,s
Endorsement of the long-pending
proposal yesterday, the committee
resumed hearings this morning.
with members debating the four
conditions the President attached
to his Endorsements realistic tax
law, preservation Of the Contract
Renegotiation Act, continued con-
troll OF food costs and early re-
enactment of the Sterilization Act
OF 1912. He told Congress he would
not recommend national service
law unless the other laws were
passed"
Senator Austins statement that
he would mot crowd" the national
service bill on Congress any more
than he has in the past came when
Senator Downey, Democrat, of Cali
fornia asked him to comment on
the Presidents other four issues.
Cites Labor-D Draft Polls.
Senator Austin declared that polls
and earlier hearings indicate wide
spread support for the measure. but
II any segment of the population
has not expressed itself, its views
should be ascertained.
Senator Revercomb, Republican
OF West Virginia CHALLENGED the
connection between national service
and the four other issues, and SEN
ator Lodge, Republican, of Massa-
chusetts said the crux of the oues-
ton Is whether the manpower prob
lem will be worse or better in 1914.
Senator Austin told Senator
Hevercomb he could not tell what
connection the President makes
between the flve issues he recon-
mended. The Vermonter added
however, he believed the Presiden,
was Justified in presenting the whole
economic picture as he sees it.
Cites Presidents Stipulation.
But the President goes so far as
to say unless the other four laws
pass he does not want this" Senator
Revercomb declared.
Senator Downey replied that il
the workers Of the country were
given assurance through the other
1cur points, that the cost of living
Will be stabilized and profits held
down, they might happily acoui-
esce" In national service legislation
Then 1t is your view the men and
women OF the country might be per-
suaded to accept conscription of
labor If the other four laws pas?''
Senator Revercomb continued.
Senator Downey said national
service would do away with the
right to strike and that. therefore.
economic stability should be coupled
with it.
You don't need such a law to-
day Ito prevent strikes),' Senator
Revercomb responded. Haven't
We already passed such a law?"
Presumably he referred to the
Antistrike Act, which imposes
heavy penalties for ENCOURAGING a
strike after the Government takes
over a plant.
Greater Manpower Needs.
Senator Austin said the need for
manpower will be greater in 1914
than In 1943 and cited a recent re-
port by Col. Lewis Sanders, Military
Affairs Committee consultant, that
manpower fell 10 per cent short of
requirements last year.
How is that possible, in view of
the contract cancellation that is
taking placer" Senator Lodge asked
Observing that you can lead q
horse to water, but you can't make
him drink" Senator Holman, Re-
publican, Of Oregon wanted to know
what enforcement procedure the bill
contains.
Exactly the same as you do with
any other law" Senator Austin re-
piled. "All you can do Is to bring q
complaint in court Of justice. am
entirely satisfied with the admins
tration OF justice in this country"
Senator Revercomb pointed out
that If man refuses to register
with selective service for military
duty he may be sent to the peniten-
tiary.
Not Penitentiary Offense.
Senator Austin argued the pen
atty clause in the national service
bill for assignment of civilian work.
ers is different. With a maximum
penalty of six months, he said, a
worker could not be sent to a peni-
tentiary, but admitted he could be
sent to jail.
The committee recessed until next