Evening star., 1947-03-23

more than 100 votes in fighting most
any proposition, believe the House
would override a veto. The yard
: stick, of a two-thirds vote, how
ever, imposes rather strict limita-
tions on Senate advocates of tough
labor bill.
i Pro-labor members Of the Senate
generally agree with Senator Pepper,
Democrat, of Florida, who told this
reporter he thought drastic anti
labor legislation likely will get
through-the temper of Congress is
such that it will pass it," A men,
Der of the Labor Committee, Mr..
Pepper said he thought the group
will report fairly moderate" bill,
which will be Strengthened" great
deal on the floor of the Senate and
in conference with the House. He
said "if it's too strong, the Presi-
dent will veto it and then it will be
touch and go whether the Senate
| OfC1l
The Presidents own labor legis-
lative program, outlined at the
opening of Congress, proposed a
ban on jurisdictional strikes, certain
types of secondary boycotts, strikes
by minority groups against National
Labor Relations Board certifications
of bargaining representatives, and
a study of remaining problems by a
joint congressional industry COM
mittee.
1t is not known how much beyond
that modest program Mr.. Truman
would be willing to go. He has been
careful not to show his hand in the
matter. The issue of labor legisla-
ton might we'll bring the first show
down battle between the President
and the new Congress, with the out
come having considerable bearing
on next years elections.
Some Sure Things.
Under the heading of sure thing
changes and additions to labor law
are ban on jurisdictional strikes
quarrels between unions as to who
will do the work or represent the
workers, and a compulsory method
of adjudicating such disputes; the
outlawing of at least certain types of
secondary boycotts; regulating the
closed shop and other forms of union
security; strengthening of Federal
machinery for mediating disputes;
provisions for handling disputes in
public utilities and such industries
as coal and steel, and probably in
Guiding cooling off" periods during
mediation.
There also will be a number of
amendments to the Wagner Act
setting forth unfair practices by
unions as well as by employers;
giving employers the clear right to
free speech in dealing with a union;
equalizing the responsibility of both
union and employer to bargain.
Unions also probably will be made
subject to suit for breach of con-
tract.
Congress seems to be shying away
from the outright denial to FORE
men and supervisory workers of
the right to bargain collectively
with their employers, but it still
seems certain there will be a ban
on bargaining by such groups which
are affiliated with unions of produc-
ton workers or rank-and file en-
ployes whom the superiors are sup
posed to boss. This probably would
outlaw John L. Lewis foremen's S
union which is a part of District so
of the United Mine Workers.
i The Matter of Finances.
The Supreme Court recently held
that under the Wagner Act in
dependent unions of foremen have
the right to bargain on wages and
working conditions. A case invclv-
ing the rights of the mine foremen's
union is on the way to high court
test.
/ There almost surely will be a
corpulsion on unions to publish
financial statements and register
in some form with the Government.
CIO and ATL leaders testified that
most of their unions already make
their finances public, except in the
case of locals where such statements
might be a play into the hands OF
employers.
The idea of giving the power
finally to decide jurisoictional dis
putes to the National Labor Rela-
tions Board, or a special arm OF
the board set up for the purpose,
has been growing. 1t has consid-
cradle Senate support and some
in the House.
The House committee heard a
lot about boycottS, and the use OF
force and violence against nom
union employers to force them and
their employees into line. A large
number of the complaints were
against the AFL Teamsters' Union
The House undoubtedly will press
hard for Federal action against such
practices and for some ban on mass
tpicketing where it is alleged such
activity is used to prevent access
, to a plant. However, the consensus
seems to be that the prevention Of
. such practices is more in the ma
ture of a local law-enforcement
problem.
Senator Ives Proposal.
| In the almost sure thing" cate.
CORY can be placed an idea for &
long term or continuing study o.
|, industrial problems by joint com.
mittee of Congress, rather than &
group including labor and manage.
ment representatives as suggested
, by President Truman. Senate,
Ives, Republican. of New York ha!