Evening star., 1949-02-03

get q good look 1t how the Ameri-
can Government functions.
Told that they were spending o
month in New York, he commented
joktngly and said that was too long
that New York is only the entry
and exit" for the United States and
that they should see the country
west OF the Appalaehians. Speak
Ing for the students, Anthony
Demetriadan Of Athens, Greece,
thanked the President and said that
"a piece Of information in Novem-
ber, 1s4S, was received with en-.
thusiasm all over Europe"
The reference was to the Presi-
dents election victory.
point which he said might wipe
out the Presidents powers to halt
so-called paralysis strikes.
He referred to a section in the
administrators bill which he SAID
reinstates the Norris-LaG Guardia Act
and makes it binding against all but
one section Of the new labor bill
That section deals with unfair labor
practices. (The Norris-LaGuardia
Act was enacted to end the use OF
injunctions in labor disputesD
Repeal Of Powers Seen.
There is a question in my mind
whether the Norris-La Guardia Act
has not repealed these broad pow
ers," said Senator Taft, referring
to the emergency powers Of the
President. "No court has held that
the Norris-La Guardia Act does not
apply to the Government. except
when 1t is dealing with its own en-
ployes."
The exception referred to by
Senator Taft was the Governments
successful court action against the
miners in 1947. In that case Sena-
tor Donne!l brought out, the Su-
preme Court held that the Gov
ernment was dealing with its
own employees because the Presi-
dent had taken over the mines
in an executive order that referred
not only to his general power but
to the Smith, Connally War Dis
putes Act.
Senator Taft's claim that an ef-
fort is being made to please both
labor and the public on the injunc-
ton issue came after Senator Doug
las, Democrat, of Illinois had de-
Tended leaving the Presidents pow
ers broad and indefinite rather than
spell them out In the new labor bill.
Two Conflicting Viewpoints.
Senator Douglas suggested that all
Of the argument has grown out of
two conflicting viewpoints on the
handling Of labor relations. On one
side he placed the Republican Sen
ators who say the law should spell
out a detailed remedy for every
possible labor situation"
On the other side, he placed the
Administrators supporters who be-
heve that II the new labor law
merely sets up the machinery TO
encourage free collective bargain
ing. most disputes will be settled
amicabiy.
E.. But, Of course, in the background
there are always powers to protect
the health and safety of the people"
Senator Douglas continued. And Is
it not better to leave it that way?
Is not their vagueness the source OF
their strength?"
Warns Of Complications.
II Congress attempted to spell out
all these powers in the law, Senator
Douglas argued, 1t would run into
interminable complications regard
ing the right of the Government to
seize property. the payment of COM
|penSation and similar matters. He
stated all these views in the form
,of question, and Secretary Tobin
replied, Il absolutely agree"
Senator Donneu asked whether
Mr.. Tobin was aware that Mr..
Clark had been asked to submit q
letter to the committee.
Eyes, I talked with him CLARK
on the telephone about 1t, but I did
not know what his opinion was 60
ing to be-" Senator Tobin replied.
Senator Donnell then said:
Il say 1t was the purpose Of the
letter TO allay fear all over the
United States that the right to
obtain all injunction was to be
abandoned by Congress"
The Clark letter fell like a bomb
shell into q night session last night.
Mr.. Tobin had testified earlier In
the week that the Truman bill relies
on the force Of public opinion to
stop national emergency strikes,
such as mine walkout.
Second Difference Of Opinion.
The Attorney Generals statement
appeared to have opened up the
second difference of opinion in Gov
ernment ranks over the scope Of the
new labor bill.
The first disagreement came Tues
day when Cyrus s. Ching, director
of the independent Federal Media
ton and Cancellation Service, op-
posed placing the service in the
Labor Department. He argued that,
no matter how impartially the serv-
ice acted, Its presence in the Labor
Department would weaken 1t In the
eyes of some disputants.
Senator Taft was denouncing Mr..
Tobin's criticism Of the injunction
power in the Taft-Hartley Act last
night when Chairman Thomas took
the Clark Communication from
folder and read part of it.
Il disagree with the Attorney
General, and I think he is certainly
wrong" snapped Senator Taft. Il
don't know of any inherent right of
the President to get an injunction.
II you want to do that, you ought
to say so in so many words. You
ought to say 1t in clear law"
Senator Morse Joined Senator Taft
in calling the Attorney Generals
letter "a most unsound opinion"
Mr.. Clark wrote that under the
bill 1T may be expected that, in
most instances, differences will be
settled quickly and no recourse to
the courts will be necessary" Then
he added:
Should, however, the parties not
obey the mandate and should this
result in a national crisis. it In nv