The Wilmington morning star., 1946-05-26

and to its victory in war, is at least
as great as that of any other group
IN u population. Without well
paid, well housed, and well nouri-
shed working men and women in
this country, it would stagnate and
decay. l am here not only to urge
speedy action to meet tae imme-
date crisis, but also deliberate and
Welghty consideration of any legis-
latlon which might affect the rights
of labor.
Must Preserve Benefits
The benefits which labor has gain
ed in the last thirteen years must
be preserved. 1 voted for all these
benefits while I was a member of
the congress. AS President of tae
United States I have repeatedly
urged not only their retention but
their improvement. I shall con-
t1nue to do so.
However,, what we are dealing
with here is not labor as a whole.
We are dealing with a handful of
men who are striking against their
own government and against every
one of their fellow citizens.
We r dealing with a handful of
men who have it within their pow
err to cripple the entire economy of
the nation.
I request temporary legislation
to take care of this immediate
crisis. I request permanent legisla-
ton leading to tAe formulation of
a l~ong-range labor policy designed
to prevent the recurrence of such
l crises and generally to reduce stop
pages of work in all industries for
the future.
| request that the temporary leg
lslation be effective only for a per-
lod OF six months after the declara-
ltlon by the President or by the
congress of the termination of hos
tllltles. 1t should be applicable on
ly to those few industries in which
the President by proclamation de-
clares that an emergency has
arisen which affects the entire
economy of the United States. 1t
: should be effective only in those sit
uatlons where the President of the
United States has taken over the 3D.
Grafton of the industry. In such sit
uatlons where the President Asa
requested the men either TO re-
main at work or to return to work
and where such a request is ignor-
ed the legislation should:
CAD authorize the institution Of
mJuctlve or mandatory proceed
lngs against any union leader for
bidding him from encouraging or
melting members of the union to
leave their work or to refuse to re-
turn to work; ~subjecting him to
contempt proceedings for failure
to obey any order of the court
made in such proceedings;
OBJ deprive workers of their sem
lorlty rights who, without GOOD
cause, persist in striking against
the government.
90 provide criminal penalties
against employers and union lead
ers VINO violate the provisions of
the act.
1he legislation should provide
that after the government has TAX
en- over industry and has directed
ue men to remain at work or re-
turn to work, the wage scale be fix
ed either by negotiation or bv ar
oltrators appointed by the Presi-
oent and when so fixed, it shall be
retroactive.
This legislation must be used in
a way that is fair to capital and
labor alike. The President will not
permit either side - industry or
workers-to use it to further their
own selfish interest, or to foist up
on the government the carrying
out of their selfish aims.
Net profits of government opera
ton, If any, should go to the Treas
ury of the United States. AS a part
of this temporary emergency leg
islation, I request the congress
Immediately to authorize the Presi-
dent to call into the armed forces
of the United States all workers
who are on strike against their
government.
Word has just been received that
the rail strike has been settled on
terms proposed by the government.
These measures may appear to
you to be drastic. They are. l re
peat that I recommend them only
as temporary emergency expedi-
ents and only in cases where work.
ers are striking against the govern
ment.
I take this occasion again TO re-
quest early action by the congress
to continue the price control and
sterilization laws in ar effective
form. The stoppage of work in
many industries has brought about
a decline Of production which has
caused great pressure upon price
levels. We must protect the work
ers whom we ask to remain on their
jobs, as well as the millions of
workers who have remained on
their jobs and the many millions
of other American citizens, against
the extraordinary initiation which
may come upon us. Delay by the
congress is daily increasing these
pressures and I urge immediate
action.
I have said that I am most anx-