The Daily Alaska empire., 1947-08-02
New Labor Act
Washington Postl

Now that the Taft-Hartley bill is the law of the land the great obligation of the Government is to put it into operation with little friction as possible The overriding of the Presidents veto in both the House and Senate by substantially more than the two-thrds vote required in each instance leaves no doubt that the bill reflects in general policy the will of the people We think it should be accepted in that spirit.
 The clash between President Truman and the Re- publican maiorities in the Senate and House has doubtedly dragged the issue into politics. Yet the bill can scarcely be said to be partisan measure In the House 50 per cent of the Democrats voting were for even when carried the mark of presidential veto Tn the Senate 20 Democrats voted to override the veto and p to sustain it. Such liberal and fair-mnded men as Senators Hatch Fulbright and Holland were among those who cast the winning votes on the Democratic side. It is pity that, ln spite ol thls opposition from his party and in the face of cer tain defeat the President did not have better judg- ment than to imply that enactment of the measure will adversely affect our national unity AS for Senator Morses comment that organized labor ls go- ing to dig in along united front to prevent the application of this bill" we think that is gross insult to labor It implies that labor does not believe in democratic government and not willing to abide by the will of the majority in matters of broad public policy
 The Administrations last-ditch attitude in fight
 ing the bill puts it under especially heavy oblga- tion to take thoughtful view now that the measure has become law For purposes of argument the Presl- dent had put the most unreasonable and extreme
 
 interpretation many provisions. Now it becomes necessary to administer the act with fairness and temperate regard for the policy that Congress seek ing to effectuate It will not be pleasant task for the Administration for the National Labor Rela- tions Board But it is obligation that must be faced with sincerity good temper and diligence if the strength of democratic system is to be maintained in this critical period.
 Congress, too has acquired heavy obligation. It has written this act into the books without removing all of it's defects Modification of some of the more harsh and doubtful provisions will undoubtedly be needed. Congress unquestionably ease the prob lem of making the law effective by studying its operation To this task it ought to assign its most skilled and experienced members We think that the appointment of Senator Ives to head the joint con- mittee ito study and basic problems affect ing friendly labor relations and productivity would go long way toward assuring labor that legitimate grievances against the act will be carefully weigh ed and that corrections found to be warranted will be promptly recommended. The very nature of the task calls for of Senator Ives background and tenn perament It is especially important to name chair with whom organized labor will freely cooperate. the committees first task will be to smooth out the friction points of the present legislation and to adjust it's operation in the light of experience.