Evening star., 1946-01-07

disclosed, but Mr.. Fitzsimmons was
to confer with Mr.. Beirne on the
matter today.
The Western Electric strike in 81
New York and New Jersey plants,
which began last Thursday for a
30 per cent wage increase, halted
manufacture of telephone equip
ment.
There has been no move toward
resumption of negotiations between
the company and the union, which
were broken off before the walkout
began.
Elsewhere plans were going ahead
for new strikes in major industries
that threaten to add 100000 work.
ers to the ranks of the idle in the
next week and raise the total to
! 100000.
Steel, meat packing and electrical
industries face shutdoWns and the
Associated Press said there was lit
tie expectation among Government
labor officials that the White House
would intervene in the situation.
GIN Report Due This Week.
One White House development
this week is expected to be submis-
sion of the report of the fact-finders
appointed by President Truman to
study the General Motors strike.
Under the reported compromise
version of President Truman's fact
finding plan, Congress would declare
that 1t favors a 30-day cooling off"
period before strikes could be made
effective, but would not make strikes
illegal during that time.
The power of fact-finding boards
to subpoena records would be limit
ed, with the extent of the limita-
ton still to be decided.
Johnston Suggested Similar Plan.
A House Labor Committee spokes-
man, discussing the proposed modi-
flcation, said:
IF a compromise can be agreed
upon whereby the boards are estab-
lished and given legal standing but
are denied subpoena authority. the
proposal will be accepted by man.
agement. Likewise. if the no
strike item is stricken, the plan will
be acceptable to labor"
| Legislation similar to the reported
compromise plan was suggested in
December by Eric Johnston, presi-
dent of the United States Chamber
of Commerce.
Mr.. Johnston told the House La
Dor Committee then that the meas
ure might specify congressional fa-
vor of cooling period, but
not specifically require one Like
wise, he said management would op-
pose broad subpoena power.
Belief that a compromise would
be required in order to get action
by Congress also has been expressed
by several legislative leaders
House Democratic Leader McCor.
mack of Massachusetts told a re-
porter yesterday that Mr.. Truman
realizes he must accept some changes
in his plan.
Speedy Action Unlikely.
Likewise, before resigning from
Congress January /, Robert Rams
peck, who was party whip and act
ing chairman of the labor group
said he expected the mo strike
clause would have to be dropped ir
order to win committee approval fol-
the proposal.
Prospect of speedy action on the
fact finding plan still seems unlike
ly, since both House and Senate
Labor committeeman have voted tC
continue hearings on a broader
basis. These will start shortly aftel
Congress reconvenes a week from
today.
Representative Randolph, Demo
crat, of West Virginia, who become
acting chairman of the House group
said before leaving for the holiday
that he doubted if legislation woult
be completed before mid-February.
With 100000 workers already idle
here was the situation today as re
ported in an Associated Pres
roundup.
Steel-Giant steel strike schedules
for January IA. 100000 CIO steel
workers involved; Government
fact finding board in United State
Steel dispute urges corporation ant
union to resume collective bargain
ing on unions So daily wage in
:, crease demand.
4 Electrical-CIO electrical worker
prepare for Nationwide strike, Sc
!. for January Is, of 100000 employe
}, Of General Electric, Westinghous
nes,e.Ie ennr rslnAA,