Evening star., 1947-01-03
Members Of Congress,
In Both Parties Open
Drive 10 Halt Strikes
BY the kssoeiuted Press

Members of Congress from
both major parties opened a
drive today to prevent strikes
which affect the public health
Or safety--including coal strikes.
The drive faces strong opposi-
ton.
All proposals to compel unions
and employers to settle their dis
putes short of walkouts or lockouts
are being fought not only by or
ganized labor but by wide segments
of industry as well.
Representative Smith. Democrat,
OF, Virginia introduced lengthy
labor bill Immediately. after open
ing formalities were out OF the way.
Would Outlaw Closed Shop.
One provision is designed to force
arbitration Of disputes in the most
essential industries.
Another would outlaw the closed
shop. And a third would forbid
collective bargaining on an industry
wide basis--such as autos and steel,
both of which suffered Gripping
strikes last year.
Mr.. Smith said IN an interview
before the session started: THE
public interest must be paramount.
think it's mistake to pay too
much attention to the special de-
sires of either labor or industry"
Five House Republicans were
ready with another bill-a repeat
measure-which also would require
compulsory arbitration as last re-
sort in order to prevent strikes af-
fecting the public health or safety.
These five are Representatives
Auchincloss of New Jersey, Clifford
Case of New Jersey, Herter of Mas
sachusetts, Hale of Maine and
Heselton of Massachusetts,.
Mr.. Herter told reporter: Since
first filing this bill last June we
have reviewed it very carefully and
are more than ever convinced that
1t Is essential. We see no other way
of protecting the public interest" :"
Senate Waits on Truman.
In compulsory arbitration, the
Government would require a dis
putting union and employer to let
some third party settle their argu-
ment. Senator Ferguson, Repub-
lican, of Michigan is writing a bill
to do this through separate syS-
tenn of labor courts No bills of any
kind will be introduced in the Sen
ate, however, until after President
Truman's state of the Union mes
sage is received next week.
Proposals for compulsory arbitra-
ton, though they will have much
steam behind them, are considered
to have much less chance of passing
than legislation which would merely
restrict unions in various ways
without removing their privilege of
striking as al last resort.
It is virtually certain that Con-
gress will revise the labor laws in
some fashion withip the next three
months, but whether strikes will
be outlawed is another question.
Many Democratic lawmakers are
waiting ferh Mr.. Trumanss Labor
views. which some officials, have1
predicted will include the threat ef1
a asrequest Tor restrictive o1egislatiorf|
unless unions and management
settle their differences by them
selves. .,a-
Four Suggestions Offered.
in this connection, the new three
member Council of Economic Adj
visers to the President offered follr3
suggestions for Inclusion In the.
Chief Exeeutives economic report
tTGongTesss assesss'a''s''a''''--. : -
While skirtfng the legislative
field, the council proposed:
4. A comprehensive study Of la
bor-industry problems by joint
congressional committee.
q The formulation by 'abor and
management of "guidepost" pay
standards to simplify wage negotia- |
tions The objective would be to
key wage rates to each industry's |
economic prospects, and to iron out
inequities which precipitate labor
troubles.
3, Establishment of a continuous
labor management conference
which would seek to find the. rem
edy fer labor strife. President Tru-
mans month-long labor industry
conference in November. 1945, made
such a suggestion, but no further
meetings have been held.
Enlarge Cancellation Service.
4. Strengthening of the United
States Cancellation Service. This
was recommended by the 1945 con-
ference, and several steps toward
enlarging the service and boosting
the pay of conciliators have been
taken.
Representative Francis Case, Re-
publican, of South Dakota, author
of Ithe Case bill which Mr.. Truman
vetoed in June, said today he is
working on a new measure which
he expects to introduce soon He
refused to describe it's provisions.
Senator Ball, Republican, of
Minnesota is ready with bill to
outlaw the closed shop. He may
introduce this Monday
Representative Miller, Republican,
of Nebraska, who said he has talked
with CIO and AFL officials, has
dr$fted a number of billsSto ID ban
thd closed shop, co set up a system
of Federal labor courts, (3) forbid
sedpndary, or sympathy, strikes and
(hh require unions to observe con-
traft terms.
AHis-ChaImers JAW Local
TdFight Vote on New Union