Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1947-02-28

NJ
! kAACP. testified before the y
| don, on February Goth.
MIR. Mitchell denounced Senate
resolutions s, 81. \. $50, :. l06
and :, 1888, introduced by Republi.
can Senators Joseph II. Rail-, Of
Minnesota, and by Robert A. Taft
Of Ohio. and II. Alexander Smith
of New Jersey. which contain pro.
visions which he charged would
provide machinery fur frustrating
unions with lnjunctions, wrrcking
their treasures with damage suits,
and sending their members shiver.
ing to jail"
Speaking not only for the more
than nnc and half million colorcd
persons IN the AL and the co,
hut also for millions Of unorgan.
IEed colorCd agricultural workers
now being encouraged TO join
unions &C.. and thereby raise their
standards 81 living aud increase
their security" Mr.. Mitchell point.
Hd out that the Elimmer ~ hope
which these people have from the
new efforts to organize them will
be cNtinguished II the iron clamp
of rigid federal control II applied
10 them" since these hills, II on
acted into law, would have the 81.
feet " giving legal sanction from
the federal government to organ.
tEed violence against them"
This Congress which has 50
many hills To regulate labor Ii
wanting In n drive 10 stamp out
lynchtng In this country" Mr..
Mitchell said, II is lethargic with
regard TO protecting the rights Of
minorttics through fair employ.
ment practice legislation.
These evils which are eating
away the foundations Of our de.
mocrRCy are the things which
should challenge the interest 81
all nj this time. and we call upon
those who have energy for passing
laws 10 turn their attention TO
these things rather than Ia the
punitive anti.labor legislation now
before us"
When Mr. Mitchell finished read,
ing n prepared statement. Senator
Robert A. Taft, ~ Ohio, committee
chairman, remarked that II take Il
YOU are opposed TO any Legislation"
That Ia correct" Mr.. Mitchell re.
piled, He modified his answer. how.
ever, saying that he was opposed
to any pending measure.
Are you In favor II any labor
legislation 7" Senator Morse asked.
In reply, Mr.. Mitchell attributed
TO Senator Morse q statement made
last Wednesday by Philip Murray,
president ~ tho Congress Of In,
duStriRl Organizations. that the
representatives ~ labor and some
members Of Congress get together
and map out labor program.
senator Morse told Mr.. Mitchell
that he was trying 10 be n pretty
cuIdblooded reRlist." that there was
mn overwhelming demand for leRis,
iation. that Congress was going Ia
vote for Il.
II hope ! can vote for some good
legislation" senator Morse said
but II have 10 make a choice DO.
tween no Legislation nj all and even
some Legislation that goes too far
I would vote for the leRiNIation that
goes too far"
when Mr.. Mitchell protested
this would be unfortunate" and
that pending bills were Intro
duced In an atmosphere ~
hySisTia." Morse interrupted him.
/ saying;
, You overlook the essence ~
the legislative process. We have
10 work out q conacIonabIe com.
/ promise. We just are not getting
any help from labor 81 all"
r Unless labor comes forward with
some constructive suggestions. Zen.
aior Morse said. the CongreEs will
have 10 do the best II can withou,
the help Of labor.
Earlier Mr.. Mitchell had rlRshsd
with SenRt0T Taft, who took eHrep
iiou Ia his statement that tbs bills
under confederation. III enacted into
law. would have the effect Of giving
legal sanction from the federal gov.
eminent 10 organized violence
against un0rganIEsd eolored agri.
cultural workers who are now being
encouraged 10 join unions.
II think you have certainly mn
extraordinary conclusion" Senator
Taft remarked.
Mr. Mitchell recitsd an ineidsn,
which William Green. president 81
the American Federation Of Labor,
had previously told the COMMITTEES
about, II concerned the abduction
and beating Of Willie Green in
Georgia during efforts 70 Organize
the cement. Inns and gypsum work
sTE.
What has this all got 10 do with
this bill7" Senator Taft asked
Mr.. Mitchell sought 10 explain
that there WAS a c1nnertiOn betWe