Evening star., 1945-08-21
Truman Assures vFW
Veterans Will Gel
Even Break on Jobs

Even Break on Jobs
BY CARTER BROOKE JONES.
President Truman Is determined
to see that veterans get at least an
even break In the scramble for post
war employment with those who
worked throughout the war and
amassed seniority, Jean A. Drummer,
commander in chief Of the Veterans
Of Foreign Wars, said today after
conferring with the Chief Execu-
tive yesterday.
But Mr.. Drummer and Omar B.
Ketchum, national legislative rep
resentative Of the VFW, who ac-
companied the commander to the
White House, had nothing to say
about the Presidents attitude to-
ward seniority legislation which the
organization Is backing. They indi-
Gated this would have to come from
the President.
The VFW Is sponsoring a bill
introduced by Representative Knut-
son, Republican, OF Minnesota
which would require employers to
give veterans seniority credit for
time they spent in the service, pro-
vided they otherwise qualify for
particulars jobs. The bill is before
the House Military Affairs Commit
tee.
Thomas Urges Amendment.
Meanwhile, Chairman Thomas o,
the Senate Military Affairs Com
mittee planned to bring to the at
.tention Of this group the probable
necessity Of amending the Selective
Service Act to extend a provision
requiring employers to give veterans
their old jobs.
The Utah Senator made public
about 10 days ago letter he wrote
President Truman stressing the
need for such legislation. The rea-
son for this, Senator Thomas ex-
planned today, is that section 8 OF
the act expires whenever the law
goes out Of existence, which occurs
on May is, 1916, or sooner II peace
Is proclaimed by the President or by
Congress-unless, Of course, Con-
gress meanwhile extends 1t.
Indications are that Congress will
consider soon, along with this pro-
vision. the larger question Of senior
ity rights for veterans who will take
new Jobs and are not protected by
the selective service law.
Not Asking Superseniority.
I'VE have never advocated super
seniority. placing veterans ahead
Of every one else" Mr.. Ketchum
explained. But we do feel that
legislation placing the veteran on
an even basis with other employees
is necessary. Otherwise the veteran
will be at the bottom OF the list,
and II there is unemployment he
will be the one to suffer"
Mr.. Ketchum said he thought any
unemployment following peace
would be temporary. followed by
several years OF full employment.
What will happen after that is
anybody's guess, he added.
Mr.. Drummer said President Tru-
man had assured them he would
accept II possible their invitation to
attend the 46th national encamp-
ment Of the VFW, to be held in
Chicago October "a. He added that
Gen. Omar N. Bradley, the new
veterans administrator, whom they
visited before going to the White
House. had definitely agreed to ad-
dress the opening session.
Serious Problem.
In discussing statutory seniority
with, the President, the two VFW
ofncials. said they expressed belief
that the great majority Of veterans
would be seeking new jobs rather
than going back to jobs they had
before the war. This would mean
colliding with union seniority rights
established for workers who had re-
manned on the job while the vet
erans were away, they pointed out
and this posed q serious problem.
They also told the President the
VFW believed he was right in favor
ing continuance of the draft fol-
some time, 30 that replacements
could be provided for men who had
served two years or more and should
be released.
In urging the President to address
the convention in Chicago, Mr.
Drummer told him that the VFW wa,
planning a preconvention conference
OF outstanding veterans of all the
United Nations.
1T is understood, of course" Mr.
Drummer wrote in his formal invi.
tation to the president, that thi.
proposed international veterans
conference is in no wise intended
to trespass upon or assume officia
significance in the relations be.
tween the governments Of tn,
United Nations. It is intended tt
perpetuate and maintain tn,
friendly relations which have ex.
listed between the armed forces O.
the various allied nations durinf
World War II and to develop a high
sense Of duty and responsibility o.
the part which veterans should play
in their respective nations in thu
postwar world"
Parades Are Out.
Mr.. Brunner explained that thu
first VFW encampment in several
years would be streamlined, with
attendance perhaps limited to 1,50t
and the sessions restricted to bust
ness. There will be no parades OF
social features. These measures are
intended to interfere with travel al
little as possible, he said. He and
Mr.. Ketchum planned to confer
with the ODT on these plans and
learn whether they were likely Il
interfere with homeward troop
YnOvAYn ante