Evening star., 1947-05-27
The Political Mill
Senate Labor Bill Due
To Beor Ives Imprint
Upper House Freshman Brought
About Final Shape of Measure
Bp Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
The labor bill, which has been going through
the conference stage preparatory to final
passage by both houses of Congress, viii bear
the imprint, in no small degree, Of q freshman
Senator. Irving Mcneil Ives Of New York. First
as member OF the Senate Committee on Labor
and Public Welfare, then In the Senate debate
and finally as member Of the conference
committee, Mr.. Ives has fought for remedial
legislation but legislation less drastic than that
proposed by Senator Taft of Ohio, chairman
OF the committee and by Senator Ball OF
Minnesota
In committee handling Of the measure, It
was his insistence, to q large degree, that
brought about the final shape Of the so-called
Senate bill-far less drastic than that passed
by the House. In the Senate, Mr.. Ives posi-
ton and a telling speech by him defeated,
A to 43, restrictions on industry-wide bar
gaining proposed again by Senator Taft, after
they had been beaten in the committee.
II the bill is finally in such form as President
Truman will sign, not veto, this, too, will be
due in part to the efforts of Mr.. Ives.
Won His Spurs Quickly.
1t took the Republicans of New York 20 years
to break the Democratic hold on the Office Of
United States Senator. Now, 1t appears they
have sent to the upper house an unassuning
representative, quiet in manner but with q
stiff punch in debate, who has won his spurs
in few short months. Mr.. Ives is 81 years
old, although he looks even younger. Before
he came to Washington he had had much
legislative experience in the New York Assem-
bly,, where for decade he was majority leader
Prior to that he had been minority leader and
speaker.
Mr.. Ives experience in the New York ASSEM-
bly, peculiarly fitted him for work on Federal
labor legislation While he was chairman Of
the New York State Joint Legislative Commit
tee on Industrial and Labor Conditions, he
sponsored bills creating the New York State
Department of Commerce and the New York
State School of Industrial and Labor Relations
at Cornell University He was appointed dean
of the industrial and labor relations school,
having decided to give his time and attention
to 1t, but he was prevailed upon to accept the
Republican nomination for Senator
Mr.. Ives is Dewey man--that is, he says
frankly he Is 100 per cent for the nomination
Of Gov. Thomas E. Dewey Of New York for
President next year. That does not mean,
however, that the New York Senator has been
listening to Gov. Dewey on the subject of labor
legislation. AS matter of fact he and Gov
Dewey in the past have not always seen eve
to eye on labor questions, but have differed
strongly, fact that has been admitted pri-
vately by both the Governor and the Senator.
Nevertheless, because of his strong support of
Gov Dewey, MIR. Ives is finding it difficult not
to be labeled a Dewey mouthpiece on the sub
ject of labor. Yet Mr.. Ives has deliberately
avoided taking up the question of Federal
labor legislation with Gov. Dewey while thu
nm IN rrls
he insists, are his own.
Unlikely to Be Lone Wolf"
Mr.. Ives, indeed, Is both progressive and
constructive. He believes, however in party
organization and party responsibility. For that
reason he is unlikely ever to become "lone
wolf" or to join, on many important issues,
with the Democrats during his service In the
Senate. His career in that body, though brief,
gives promise, and he will be man with whom
the leaders must reckon.
The new crop Of Republican Senator'S swept
into Office in the 1946 elections contains many
men of ability. OF them all, however, Mr. Ives
has been more prominently in the spotlight
since this Congress opened This Is due In
part to the fact that he became a member Of
the Labor Committee; that he was skilled in
labor management affairs and that labor legis-
lation has become one OF the major issues Of
the day
The New York Senator is also the author OF
q bill ito prohibit discrimination In employ
ment because Of race, religion color, national
origin or ancestry" The measure is similar
to the law enacted in New York which bears
his name. 1t has been dubbed an "FEPC" bill,
although Mr.. Ives denies this is a correct
description. While he introduced the bill, he
has with him number of co-sponsors, Senators
Saltonstall of Massachusetts,, Smith of New
Jersey, Morse of Oregon, Chavez of New Mex
ico Downey of California, Murray of Montana
and Myers of Pennsylvania-three Republicans
and three Democrats.
The bill has been referred to the Labor
Committee, and hearings on 1t are to begin
early in June. Here again, Mr.. Ives is tackling
subject that Is bound to stir I'D wide
discussion. :