Evening star., 1946-06-25
PAC Would Dominate
Government Policies,
Senator Byrd Says
BY the Asseeioted Press

Senator Byrd, Democrat, of Virginia
described the Political Action Com
mittee Of the CIO last night as an
organization formed ito dominate
the policies of the Government of
the United States" equipped with
a huge political fund" and exempt
from the Corrupt Practices Act.
The Virginian, who said he was
No. l on the CLOS senatorial purge
list" declared in a radio talk that
America cannot tolerate a dictator
even if elected by the people, and
certainly We can not tolerate a
dictator of labor leaders who have NO
responsibility to the people and who
are concerned only with the ad-
vancement of their own selfish in
terests."
The speech was carried over Vir-
ginia radio stations as Senator Byrd
continued his series Of Monday nigh!
discussions in behalf Of his candi-
dacy for denomination in the August
6 Democratic primary. He was to 60
to Cumberland Courthouse for an
other campaign speech this after
noon, and he announced the Mon
day night addresses would continue
until primary day. .....
Calls for Equal Rights.
He called for equal rights in law
to establish standards to prevent
and control future strikes and said
he regarded legislation to attain
peace between labor and industry as
"the gravest problem" now facing
the American people.
But he devoted much of his speech
directly to the PAC-CIO because, he
said, II cannot but have a feeling
that unless the great mass of our
citizens realize and are aroused to
what the PAC is doing, and how
they accomplish their objectives,
we may wake up some morning and
find that the dictatorship of labor
leaders has been so firmly estab-
lished that the people will be a long
time In recovering control of their
own government"
He outlined his conception "of
those equal rights which must be
written into law on basis of justice
to all by establishing standards to
prevent and control future strikes
in this seven-point program:
FIRST. mutual responsibility by
law must exist in labor contracts
responsibility on the part of the en-
ployer to pay and on the part Of
labor to perform.
Second, a union, like an en-
ployer, must be liable for civil dam
ages, in the event of nonperfor-
nance Of contracts or damage to
property.
Continuous Operations Vital.
Third, essential industries must
be kept in. continuous operation,
even though it is necessary in vital
utilities to induct the employees into
the military service In order to pre-
vent the collapse of an industry on
which the Nation depends for it's
very existence, but such means
should be employed only when the
danger is great.
Fourth, the Corrupt Practices Act
must be applied in politics against
labor organizations as well as busi-
ness corporations.
Fifth, labor unions should be re-
quired to incorporate, to hold hon.
est elections, and to account for
their funds, and welfare funds, if
mutually agreed to by the employer
and employe, should be controlled
jointly.
Sixth, remove any and all spe-
cial privileges, that now exist under
the law, for either labor or industry.
Seventh, within these limitations
of national welfare and equal re-
sponsibility, the right of workers to
organize and bargain collectively
should not be impaired"
Seeks State and Local Control.
Senator Byrd said the PAC "is a
political organization, the
like Of which has never before been
experienced in America" and that
in addition to seeking to dominate
the policies of the Government 1t
seeks to control State and local elec-
tions.
The Political Action Committee
Of the CIO is organized in military
fashion," Senator Byrd charged.
Sidney Hillman, an exceedingly
able but unscrupulous and ruthless
man, is its supreme commander
He is a hard master. Time and time
again I have heard the expression
coming from PAC-supported Sena-
tors and Congressman that, l quote,
You can vote for the PAC 90
times and against 1t once, and you
are punished
II cite this because the settle
ment of one strike does not in any
sense mean that the same labor
leaders will not soon call another
strike" he said. They have learned
they can obtain their demands by
calling Nationwide strikes. I sub
NIT. that such Government appease-
ment constitutes an invitation to
continue the strike practice. As
usual. 1t is the public that pays the
BILL"