Evening star., 1947-03-10
Best Curb on Strikes
Is Forced Arbitration,
House Members Say
BY the Assoeiotsd Press

told the House Labor Committee
today that although representa-
tives of both unions and man
agement have expressed "horror"
at compulsory arbitration, no
one has suggested anything
better.
Representative Auchincloss, Re-
publican, of New Jersey said some
witnesses have expressed horror
and looked on compulsory arbitra-
ton as ."un-American." But, he as
serted in testimony prepared for the
committee, 1t is still the "only alter
native because the welfare Of our
country will not permit matters to
drift any longer"
Representative Case, Republican,
Of New Jersey said work stoppages
"can no longer be tolerated where
the public health and safety are en-
dangered." He said strike dangers
"are not past" and may return in
"acute" form in few weeks.
Representatives Auchincloss and
Case have joined with three other
Republican Observation-Disclosures
and Haselton of Massachusetts, and
Hale of Maine-in sponsoring a bill
for compulsory arbitration of dis
putes endangering public health or
safety, after all other methods have
failed
All five were scheduled to testify
today as the House committee began
its final week of public hearings on
labor legislation. The Senate Labor
Committee wound up its open ses-
sions Saturday and now will put
| down on paper its ideas-generally
less far reaching than those of House
members-for clamping some. kind
Of brake on unions.
Legal Compulsion Provided.
Compulsory arbitration means
that instead of interrupting work
both sides would be compelled by
law to let an arbitration board
hand down verdict.
The bill before the House group
would provide for such settlements
only in extreme cases. after the
President had proclaimed a pub
lie emergency. The arbitrators
then would be required to recog-
nize that the workers who had been
deprived of the right to strike
should have at least as favorable
a status in respect to wages and
working conditions as that enjoyed
by workers in other industries.
Mr.. Auchincloss said the attitude
OF management and labor leaders
toward compulsory arbitration re-
minds him Of the early 193Os, when
legislation was being considered
affecting stock exchanges and the
security business.
| At that time one of the COVER
nors of the New York Stock Ex-
/ change, Mr.. Auchincloss related
in his testimony today: "It was
the constant plea of the leaders OF
finance then that they be left alone
to correct existing abuses in thei,
own way and apply their own RENE
dies. did not agree to such pol
Icy then, nor do agree to such
a policy today"
One Of the sponsors of the com
pulsory arbitration legislation, Mr.
Herter admitted to reporters that
the plan isn't popular even with it,
authors.
Nothing Else Suggested.
"The only strength OF our posi-
tion," he said. "is that nobody has
suggested what else you can do
Labor doesn't like 1t. Industry
doesn't like 1T because it fears q
spread to other things. There are
arguments it might lead to social
ization or naturalization of indus
try, or to price fixing and wage
fixing.
But our interest is in protecting
the public interests in cases where
strikes shut off fuel, power, COM
munications and even food"
1t bells down, Mr.. Herter said, to
whether Congress is going to say
the Government should protect the
public interest or pass a law equal.
izing the powers of the fighters and
then let them fight"
Some sort Of general labor bills
are sure to come out of both the
House and Senate committees.
One More Session Possible.
The Senators signed of their pub
lie sessions Saturday. Chairman
Taft told reporters there may be
one more session-behind closed
doors-to hear Secretary of Labor
Schwellenbach again and possibly
A. F. Whitney, president of the
Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen,
who has asked permission to testify
But Senator Taft said the public
hearings have ended.
The Senate committee has heard
about 80 witnesses and perhaps S.
000, 900 to 100000 words OF testi-
mony.
Senator Taft said the group may
approve a bill by March 21-a week
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