Evening star., 1946-06-22
Hobbs Measure
ToEscapeveto,
backers Predict
Senote Approves Bon
On Labor Rockets
In Surprise Move
BY the Assoeiotsd Prsss
(Tert OF Hobbs Bill on Page A-2.)

BY the Assoeiotsd Pras,
(Tert OF Hobbs Bill ON Page A-2.)
Congress thrust a new labor
dilemma on President Truman
today in the form of the So
called Hobbs "antiracketeering"
bill, long the target of violent
union criticism.
The measure, which has been bid
ding annually for passage since 1912,
surprised every one by whipping
through the Senate suddenly and
Unexpectedly late yesterday in the
exact form already approved by the
House.
Capitol Hill Immediately buzzed
with speculation whether Mr.. Tru-
man might veto it, just as he did
the Case bill last week. The latter
included the Hobbs measures pro-
visions in identical language. The
Senate Judiciary. Committee said
such legislation would prevent 'in-
reference with interstate commerce
by robbery or extortion."
Stiff Penalties Provided.
In the June II Case bill veto, MIR.
Truman said that while he was "in
full accord with the objectives, !"
Congress should expressly provide
that the measure does not make it
felony to strike and picket peace
fully and to take other legitimate
and peaceful concerted action"
AS 1t went to the President, to-
day, the Hobbs measure provided
maximum penalties of 20 years. i'm
prisonment and $4,000 fine or both
Tor persons who violate its provisions
making wrongful obstruction of in
terstate commerce felony.
sponsors said Its provisions were
designed to prevent union members
and others from hating trucks
carrying produce to market and fore
ing farmer-drivers to pay a union
members wage before they could
proceed to their destination.
Senator Hatch, Democrat, of New
Mexico asserted none of the pro-
visions would interfere with peace
ful picketing or other legitimate
union activity. It was Senator Hatch
who called the bill up in the Senate
yesterday and won its swift passage
Truman Approval Forecast.
He told a reporter he feels certain
Mr.. Truman will sign the measure.
Senator Hatch, a close personal
friend of the President, failed in an
effort to reach him by telephone be-
fore he asked for action on the
measure.
knowing the President as do"
the New Mexico Senator said. "I
am confident he will approve the
bill. I say this Notwithstanding the
veto message, because I am quite
confident that message was written
without considering the anti-rack.
eteering provision alone on its mer-
It's. That provision had been mis-
represented to him"
Chairman Murray Of the Senate
Labor Committee likewise told a
newsman he thinks the President
may sign the measure as it stands
Senator Wagner, Democrat. of
New York said he also thinks such
action Is likely, but Senator Pepper,
Democrat, of Florida asserted that
Mr.. Truman would be fully justified
IN returning it to Congress with a
Veto"
Pepper Sees No Safeguards.
Senator Pepper expressed the view
That the bill-first labor disputes
legislation to reach the President
since his Case bill veto-contained
none Of the safeguards" for legiti-
mate labor activities that CIO lead
ers had demanded.
Senator Ball, Republican, of Min
nesota told reporter the CIO chiefs
wanted language in the measure
conforming to the pattern set by
the Supreme Court in holding that
general racketeering prohibitions do
not apply to labor unions.
Il don't think the President can
afford to veto this BILL" Senator Ball
declared. He added that he believes
Congress would enact it over a presi-
Dental veto.
Representative Hobbs, Democrat.
OF Alabama, who was as surprised
as any one at the Senate's precip-
itous action, said he has every con-
fidence" that Mr.. Truman will sign.
Both Sides Caught FIat-Footed,
Senator Hatch called up the meas
ure at time when the Senate was
engrossed in passing routine ap-
preparations bills.
Senator Aiken, Republican. of
Vermont forced a quorum call, but
those on both sides of the labor
argument who had planned to pro-
pose amendments were caught fat
footed.
Passage came on a voice vote,
without audible dissent after Sena-
tor Hatch pointed out that the Sen
ate twice had approved the same
provisions, but never had acted on
the Hobbs bill separately since its
approval by the House several