Evening star., 1945-12-04
'.StrikeCurbBi
MayBeGiiven
House Today
May Committee PIuns
Vote in Few Days
On Truman Request
AUTO UNION opposition indicates
rough road for Truman proposal.
Page AZ

rough road for Truman proposal.
Page Az
House leaders said today that
legislation will be introduced
this afternoon or tomorrow to
carry out President Truman's
recommendations for handling
labor troubles by banning work
stoppages in major industries
until the public can learn the
facts.
Speaker Rayburn, Democrat. of
Texas made the announcement at
his news conference.
Democratic Whip Ramspeck of
Georgia, said that the bill probably
would be submitted by Chairman
Norton, Democrat, of New Jersey,
of the House Labor Committee.
He added that hearings then
would be held by that group.
Rampseck Wants Hearings.
Asked by reporter if the leader
ship would oppose a reported plan
by the House Military Affairs Com
mittee to include the legislation in
a pending bill to repeal sections of
the Smith -Connally War Labor Dis
putes Act, Mr.. Ramspeck declared:
Il think we ought to hold some
hearings on such an important pro-
poSal"
Chairman May summoned the
House Military Affairs Committee to
closed-door session at 10 am. to
consider methods that would permit
House vote in a matter of days on
the proposed legislation, which
would be drafted along the lines
of the Railway Labor Act, and pro-
vide a 30-day cooling off" period
during which strikes or Iockouts
would be prescribed while fact-fnd-
ing boards operated.
There were indications, too. that
the committee might go even further
than the President requested by pro-
viding for arbitration machinery,
coupled with stiff penalties for
unions or industries which refused
to abide by recommendations Of
mediation boards.
Orders Steel, Auto Study.
In asking Congress for the legis-
lation, which would empower him to
name the boards and give them stat
utory powers, the President an
nounced that he was setting up SIM
liar boards to investigate the trou-
oleS In automobiles and steel.
At the same time he called on
General Motors and the striking
C1O Auto Workers Union to COM
pose their differences without delay
and sent similar message to the
CIO Steel Workers and big Steel"
where another strike is threatened.
Charles G. Ross, White House
press secretary, said today the
President would have the General
Motors Fact-Finding Board chosen
within the next few days. He said
that board would be named ahead
OF the companion board which will
investigate the steel dispute.
Uncertain of Furnishing Data.
In response to a question, Mr..
Ross said he did not know if the
President would furnish the board
the data on which he based his re-
cent declaration that industry could
afford to pay a wage increase based
on present prices.
Whpe the proposed law sought
by Mr.. Truman would do no more
than impose moral obligation on
dlsputlng factions to delay strikes
and lockouts, the President said he
believed it would be eficacious be-
cause the cooling off, period would
give the public a chance to get the
facts.
Labor generally opposed such
legislation and immediate reac-
ton was unfavorable. The "back-
to-Work" proposal also was received
coolly.
Favors Speedy Action.
AS the Military Committee pre-
pared to deal with the matter
Chairman May told reporters he
favors tacking the presidentially
requested legislation to bill which
will be eligible for House considera-
ton Thursday.
That measure would repeal major
provisions of the Smith -Connally
War Labor Disputes Act.
Strong support among both DEM
ocrats and Republicans formed be-
hind Mr.. Mays move. and several
committee members said they would
insist on a decision today. Mr.. May
supported the suggestion for adding
arbitration machinery to the Presi-
dents plan
The Presidents message affords
splendid opportunity for the Con-
gress to enact fair and just labor
statute covering both labor. and
management" he said.
On House Calendar.
THE pending bill just recently re-
ported (the War Labor Disputes Act
repealer) is on the House calendar
and should be so amended as to
carry into effect the Presidents
recommendations"
In the House also a move de-
veloped for joint Senate-House
committee to recommend national
labor legislation. A resolution for
such committee was introduced by
Representative Smith. Democrat, of
Virginia.
Mr.. Smith later introduced a bill
to set up, for industry and labor
(See LABOR, Page A-4.)
Reds Soy Armed Nozis