Evening star., 1946-12-10
Congress Seeks
New Labor Laws
Before April |,
Trumon's Program
Expected to Be
Ready by jan. ;
By Jones Y. Newton

John /. Lewis action in limit
ing the coal strike truce to April
l was being used today by both
Republican and Democratic
members of Congress as a dead
line for enactment of new labor
control legislation.
Measures to deal with possible re.
sumption of the economy-crippling
coal strike and work stoppages in
other basic industries such as steel,
transportation and utilities were
being discussed by legislators Of
both parties and at the White House
as well.
Top officials said President Tru-
man would have program designed
to deal with the situation ready
when the new Congress convenes
January 8, although it is not yet
complete. They said the President
does not wish punitive" legisla-
tion, but would like to have written
into law "a clear concept of labor's
responsibility to the people and the
government.
Mines Return May Be Delayed.
Meanwhile, officials concerned with
the big coal dispute admitted that
Mr.. Lewis April l truce deadline
probably would make it impossible
for the Government to release the
seized c.Nt coal mines to private
owners as soon as they had hoped.
In making the proposal for 60-day
negotiating truce to Mr.. Lewis be-
fore the strike, Secretary of Interior
Krug said the mines would be re-
leased January 16 regardless of the
outcome of contract negotiations.
There were no signs of confer.
ences to settle the coal dispute with
either the mine owners or the Gov
ernment.
The Supreme Court, in deciding
to review the contempt conviction
of Mr.. Lewis and the United Mine
Workers and subsequent fines Of
$3.50, 900, set January IA for hear
ing of the case.
1t was held unlikely that any
real settlement talks will be started
until after the high court ruling,
some time after the hearing date.
Await Truman Proposals.
Democratic members of Congress,
although differing as to the course
they should take, indicated gem
orally they viii wait for White
House proposals before taking labor
control action Of their own.
On the other hand, strong senti-
ment was developing among Repub-
lican leaders for some form Of COM
pulsory arbitration that would out
law strikes in any industry affecting
the public welfare.
A bill providing for such forced
arbitration was being prepared by
the Republicans. It was said that
1t might provide the framework for
an overall law covering many other
phases of labor management rela-
tionships.
Meanwhile, MIR. Lewis attorneys
began preparing their defense
against Virginia State Corporation
Commission charge that the UNIV
violated the State blue sky" law
through the sale" of union MEM
berships.
Hearing Called Friday.
Mr.. Lewis has been directed to
appear before the commission at
Richmond on Friday to show cause
why a temporary injunction should
not be issued. Associates said, how
ever. they expect the mine union
boss to remain in Washington and
let district UNIV attorneys represent
him at the hearing.
The unusual action is based on q
contention that union memberships
are a form of securities and that
Virginia law prohibits their sale ex-
cept under Corporation Commission
approval.
The Republican-backed compul-
sorry arbitration bill was described by
a party leader as proposing creation
of an independent labor disputes
conciliation administration. APP
pointed by the President and con-
firmed by the Senate, this body
would take over functions of the ex-
isting Labor Department Concilia-
ton Service.
1t would be advised by a labor
management committee, also to be
selected by the President.
On declaration by the President.
or by the Governors of at least
two States, that a dispute threatens
to harm the public welfare, the
Attorney General could obtain a
court injunction against a strike or
other work stoppage while the set
1See COAL, Page A-40