Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1949-04-01

ulSS, tne Dill COulQ De passed by
both houses. Because of the war
fever still existing, such law
seemed to be destined to meet with
general public favor. President
Wilson stated that should congress
pass the measure he would veto it.
The good offices of Col. E. M.
House, then the Presidents
mOst-trusted adviser, were soil
cited. He convinced Mr.. Will
son that universal military
training was desirable and
would receive general public
approval.
Still the President would not ap-
prove of the bill as a Republican
measure. He said he would ap-
prove "a" bill if the one then
ready for passage was withdrawn,
given new title and a new num-
Der, then reintroduced and passed
as an administrative measure.
There need be no changes in the
provisions the bill contained. AS an
administrative measure it would be
credited to the Democratic party,
though passed by Republican
congress.
Under such conditions the Re-
publican congress refused to pass
the bill. 1t created situation the
proponents could find no way to
surmount. Partisan politics had
blocked the enactment of a law the
people, at that time, wanted. It
was not the interests of the people,
but what was best for the political
party that was given first consider
alton.
The 80th congress, controlled
by the Republicans in both
houses, passed the Taft-Hartley
law. That it has proved popular
with the larger percentage of
the voters has been demon
strated. T he President has
asked that the Republican Taft
Hartley law be repealed and a
new law passed by DEM
ocratic congress, and to be
signed by Democratic presi-
dent. At the time this
is being written am sure
new law will be passed.
With some slight changes in
phraseolOgy and a few unim-
portant changes in provisions,
the new law will be the Taft
Hartley act with but a new
title and a new number and
with a Democratic rather than
Republican sponsorship.
Such are the tricks of partisan
politics. To us, the rank and file
of both parties, it makes little if
any difference who gets the credit
or who gets the blame. Regardless
of which party may enact it, if it
is a good law, we approve it and
enjoy the results it produces; if it
is bad, we howl to high heaven for
its repeal.
The one loud howl that was heard
against the Taft-Hartley law came
from the leaders of organized labor.
1t interferred with their interests.
1t was these individuals who pro-
nounced it a 'slave labor law" The
new law when passed will, in
effect, have practically every pro-
vision of which they complained.
and they, and they only, now will
condemn the Democratic party in
stead of the Republican party as
the "whodunit" To the vast major
ity of us, whether we be Democrats
or Republicans, it will make no
difference as to which party gets
the credit or the blame. What we
want is practical and workable
labor and management regulation,
one that will be fair to all, includ-
ing us, the rank and file.
A number of Republican leaders
are insisting that their party, to be
successful, must be progressive"
What do they mean by "progres-
sive"? Henry Wallace designated
his party as progressive" and
claimed his platform presented a
progressively-forward movement.
He polled bit over a million votes.
Whatever term may be used to in
dictate Republican policies will need
definite, clear cut, interpreted
ton that will have one, and one
only, meaning to all of the party's
candidates.