Evening star., 1947-01-06
Five Republicans Ask
Law Curbing Strikes
PeriIing Public Safety
BY the Assoeiossd Press

Five House Republicans today
demanded a law to prevent
strikes which endanger public
health or safety-a proposal
omitted from the No. labor bill
on the list for debate In the new
Congress. - s< te'fa7a@
Representative Herter, Repubh..
can, of Massachusetts,, speaking for
the five, called for enactment OF
their strike-prevention measure.
asserting to reporter:
"You can talk all you want to
about the right to strike, but the
public doesn't recognize any right
to strike in essential public util-
ities-or in coal either If public
health is threatened"
Ball-Taft- Smith Bill Sped.
On the other side of the Capitol,
Senate Republicans pushed for
ward with their plan to speed the
Ball -Taft-Smith bill to the Sen
ate floor after only brief hearing.
This measure Is slightly differ
ent version of last years Case bill,
which passed Congress but died in
the White House.
The new draft, sponsored by Sen
ators Ball Of Minnesota, Taft Of
Ohio and Smith Of New Jersey
would outlaw strikes for certain pur-
poses-such as to beat out another
union, organize a plant or to force
one company to stop dealing IN the
products Of another company.
Also it would create a Fedora.
mediation board with power to de.
lay a strike go days; make it easier
to sue a union or company fol
breaking a contract, and wipe Out
collective bargaining rights for su-
pervisors.
It would not, directly, prevent coal
or public utilities walkouts.
Smith Asks Action.
New labor legislation is necessary
to protect workers from the actions
of uncontrolled labor leadership, -
Just as the Wagner Act protects
them from oppression by employers,
Senator Smith, q co-authoy Of the
bill declared at q press conference
today.
Although President Truman We
toed the Case bill last year, Senator
Smith said he believed the Pre-
ident could sign the new draft be-
cause the penalties for violations
have been toned down. II the Pres
ident does not sign 1t, Senator
Smith said the only course open to
Congress will be to pass it over a
veto.
The New Jersey Senator said
three controversial questions have
been left out Of the new bill, but
probably will be discussed separately
in Congress. He listed them as:
/. Whether the closed shop should
be prohibited.
2. Whether compulsory arbitra-
tion should be required.
8. Whether industry-wide bar
gaining should be restricted.
General Legislative Outlook.
The general congressional outlook
on labor legislation was reported to
be as follows:
/. Senate Republicans decided to
put the Ball. -Taft-Smith bill first
md then study other proposals
more leisurely,
Q. House Republican leaders de-
termined to move fast to change the
abor laws, but had not decided
whether to follow the Senate STRAIT
egy and give an immediate green
light to q revised Case bin.
8. Congressional Democrats were
;pnt. Some joined the Republican
eaders In seeking new labor legis-
alton. Others, like Senator Wag-
1er, Democrat, OF New York, pro-
ested against santilabor" proposals
md began trying to strengthen coll
ectiye bargaining - . means OF
strikes.
SIichter PIan Followed.
The public protection" bin In
,rodHced by Mr.. Herter and four
,ther Reuifhlicang n hased On nj