Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-11-22
Special Session Pleas
Increase, but Truman
Action Is Doubtful
BY III. Associated Press

~ the Associated Press
Demands for suspension of the
Wagner Labor Relations Act and
for coal mining under Army
guards resounded today amid
clamor on Capitol Hill for q spe-
cial session of Congress to deal
with the coal crisis.
Pleas for President Truman to
call the lawmakers into extraordi-
nary session came from both Repub-
lican and Democratic ranks. There
was no indication, however, that Mr..
Truman contemplated such step.
One of the Chief Executives clos
est advisers said the possibility had
not even been discussed. He pre-
dicted there would be no such call.
If special session were called, 1t
would be the 10th, or present Com
gress, which would meet, not the
new one elected November S.
Senator Byrd, Democrat, Of Viz
ginia, telegraphed the President late
yesterday asking that Congress be
called into session to back UP Mr..
Humans stand against John L.
Lewis, president of the AFL United
Mine Workers
Three Point Proposal.
In a statement, the ,Virginian pro-
posed legislation which would permit
the Government to:
/. Impound union funds to pre-
vent payments to strikers.
2. Take away from strikers any
benefits contributed by the Govern
ment or employers, such as unem-
ployment insurance. The UNIV has
millions in welfare funds built up by
5-cents-a-ton royalty on coal
mined.
3. Authorize the organization of
workers, under the Army's protec-
ton, TO reopen the closed coal mines.
1.-THE moral strength of the whole
Nation, led by the President and the
Congress, Senator Byrd declared, lis
SO great that 1t cannot be thwarted
by any group Of men. If a democ-
racy caEnot protect itself against
one man in a matter SO vital as this,
then democracy has failed.
Situation Called IntoIerable.
"The situation is intolerable and
menaces the very stability and foun-
dalton of our institutions.
Representative Hoffman, Republi-
can, of Michigan proposed that the
President call Congress back ito
suspend the Wagner Act until they
(the miners) go back to work" The
Wagner Act guarantees labor the
right Of collective bargaining.
From Senator Ball, Republican, of
Minnesota came a statement calling
the present situation very close to
instruction" He said that II the
Government sis proven impotent,
then Congress will be forced to
clothe the Government somehow
with sufficient power to meet such
a crisis which is likely to curtail
the freedom of all groups including
labor"
Senator Ball added:
"Or else Government will meet
the challenge by smashing not only
Mr.. Lewis. but the United Mine
Workers as we'll
Senator Wiley, Republican, of
Wisconsin suggested presidential APP
'pointmef1t Of an emergency coal
commission to, prepare eccnn1enda-.
lions TO Congress for machinery to
prevent recurrence Of the present
coal crisis"
Brown Favors Special Session.
Representative Brown of Ohio. a
House Republican leader, declared
the President should come back
from his vacation and come UP and
address US. We are ready to co..
operate; Sure I ann for special
session" 30 a.,-, !,
Representative smith, Democrat
of Virginia. co-author OF the
Smith Connally, War Labor Disputes
Act-designed to prevent strikes
against the Government-ssid: "A
special session suits me-" and added:
I'VE need something to quell the
dictatorship of John L. Lewis and
a few others. The sooner something
Is done the better"
But Senator Thomas, Democrat.
Of Utah, said he is opposed to a
special session, adding: ''This mat
ter now Is in the hands OF the courts
and the executive department and 1t
is better to keep it there
Carlson Warns Against Haste.
Similarly Representative Carlson,
Republican, of Kansas cautioned
against action while everybody is
mad" But he said: 1T is time for
constructive legislation. II Congress
can enact such legislation now it
should be called into session i'm
mediately."
The impact OF the situation was
brought close to the lawmakers now
in Washington when the Capitol
Dome was darkened to conserve fuel
-remindful Of the wartime black
out.
David Lynn, architect Of the Cap
itlol, said there is not sufficient fuel
on hand to keep the electrical power
and heating plants serving the Cap
itol and Supreme Court in opera
ton until the new Congress con-
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