Evening star., 1946-06-03

bill. but it is a sound one and it does
contain some corrective and regu-
latory features obviously in the pub
lie interests but vehemently opposed
by the labor lobby and radical press.
Instead of an emergency bill, such
as was passed by the Senate on Fri
day, the Case bill sets long-range
labor policy-the first of that kind
to be passed in a long time.
Urged to Veto Bill.
Now, despite the fact that in both
House and Senate more than a
majority of Mr.. Truman's own party
voted for this bill, he is being urged
by certain close advisers" to veto
it. Thus, it is claimed. he might
regain the favor of the enraged
labor leaders and professional lib
erals, who, though their shining
hero, the late Mr. Roosevelt, did pre-
cisely the same thing three separate
times, have been berating Mr.. Tru-
man like a pickpocket because, in
an emergency, he asked power to
draft strikers against the Govern
ment who thus imperil the lives and
health of the people.
It is further asserted by the afore-
said readers of the presidential
mind that, as additional appease-
ment of labor, Mr. Truman will
name as Chief Justice of the Su-
preme Court, Secretary of the Treas
ury Fred Vinson. the Kentucky po-
litician who in the last three years
has held more public positions for
a shorter time than any one else in
political history
Mr.. Vinson is represented as hot
favorite of the raging CIO bosses,
real blown in -the-bottle liberal" a
very forWard-looking man. indeed.
And, also against "stabbing labor in
the back which is the liberal way
of describing any effort to curb the
dangerous power which the union
bosses have acquired.
Whether or not this is an accu-
rate description of Mr.. Vinson is
beside the mark. But his appoint
ment, plus the veto of the Case bill.
are put forth as the price of
"labor's forgiveness" and the as
sertlon is solemnly made that Mr..
Truman (advised by, among others,
Mr.. Hannegan is about to pay the
price. 1t is to be devoutly hoped
that this, like some other recent
predictions. turns out to be wrong.
If it turns out to be right, three
unfortunate things will have hap
pened: Cd A sound piece Of great
ly needed legislation will have
been lost; co man will have been
put on the Supreme Bench for quite
inadequate, not to say extremely
unworthy, reasons; (3) once more
President will have demeaned him
self and his Office by obvious serv-
ility to a selfish and politically
powerful group
Hostility Would Remain.
IT Is, of course. more than little
Insulting to Mr. Truman to suggest
that he would be motivated in these
two important matters solely by a
craven desire to gain political sup
lOi u WI bctli1y. II ID
that he might consider the Case bill
bad and Mr.. Vinson good Also. II
seems a reflection upon his intelli-
gence to suggest that he should
think If he pays the price he would
get what he paid for. For, chat he
would not. The labor bosses would
accept his gift but retain their con-
tempt and hostility. Actually, these
would be enhanced by the knowl-
edge that he was afraid of them.
Naturally. he would lose the re-
spect and support of the millions of
citizens who warmed to him when
he denounced the arrogant men who
were threatening the Nation with
disaster and asked for drastic laws
to make such a threat impossible
again. Indeed, there seems no way
In which Mr.. Truman could do
himself more political harm than
by adopting these suggestions.
In addition, it would appear IL
logical and absurd to veto the Case
bill. for which more than three
fourths of Congress voted (and
which might be passed over his