Evening star., 1947-06-23
By J. A. O'LeoY

fT6SluSIlU ulIld1l Clllo "a
noon made an eleventh. hour ap-
peal to Senate Democrats to up
hold his veto of the Taft-Hartley
labor bill, calling it dangerous
legislation" which would do "se-
rious harm" to the country.
The Presidents appeal was issued
only a little more than two hours
before the Senate was to vote on the
bill and amid wide predictions, in
cluding one from a Democratic
authority, that the Presidents wishes
would be disregarded.
It was the second appeal of the
Presidents since he vetoed the bill
last Friday. The first was contained
in a radio speech Friday night.
Today's was in the form of letter
to Senator Barkley, the Democratic
leader. Only shortly before it was
made public, Senator O'Conor,
Democrat, of Maryland, previously
classed as doubtful, announced that
he will vote to override the Presi-
sent's veto.
The Presidents letter to Senator
Barkley follows:
Dear Senator Barkley:
'I feel so strongly about the labor
bill which the Senate will vote on
this afternoon that I wish to re-
affirm my sincere. belief that 1t will
do serious harm to our country.
This is critical period in our
history and any measure which will
adversely affect Our national unity
will render distinct dis-service not
only to this Nation but to the world
81 am convinced that such would
be the result If the veto Of this bill
should be overriden.
81 commend you and your associ-
ates who have fought so earnestly
against this dangerous legislation.
Il want you to know you have my
unqualified support and 1t is my
fervent hope, for the good of the
country, that you and your col
leagues will be successful in your
efforts to keep this bill from hecom-
ing law.
Very sincerely yours,
Harry S. Truman"
The Democratic source which fore
saw overriding the Presidents veto
conceded at noon that when the
decisive roll call comes supporters of
the bill still have a margin of three
or four votes.
Taft Sure of Victory.
Senator Taft of Ohio, Republican
leader in the labor bill fight, re-
iterated his belief, after meeting
of the partys Policy Committee this
morning, that the bill will become
law.
Senator O'Conor, who announced
this morning that he will vote to
override, was one of group of
doubtful Senators who were in
vited to the White House last Friday
for luncheon with the President. OF
this group, only Senator Sparkman,
Democrat, of Alabama has an
nounced he will switch from sup
port of the bill to support of the
veto.
Indications at noon were that SO
of the 95 Senators may be on hand
to cast their votes-an exceptional
turnout. One seat is vacant because
Senator ELECT Bilbo, Democrat, of
Mississippi never has been sworn in.
Senator Thomas, Democrat, of
Utah, is in Switzerland and Senator
Wagner, Democrat. of New York
is ill. Since two-thirds are re-
quired to override a veto, 81 on the
Affirmative side would make the bill
law if SO vote.
Senator OMahoney, Democrat, of
Wyoming, opened the final round of
debate this morning and charged
that the bills provision making the
general counsel of the new Labor
Relations Board and independent
Office would put "czar" over work
ers and industry.
Its first result will be to bring
about struggle for power within