Evening star., 1949-01-31
Aiken Criticiizes
New Labor Bill
For False Teeth
Lacks Ways to Deal
With Lewis, He Says
After Tobin Testifies
AFL PREPARED TO ACT on World
Labor Organization. Page AS
BY J. A. OLeor

oClioUoI Alhtll, ncpuUllCdH, Ol
Vermont touched off an early
round of verbal fireworks today
over the administrations new
labor bill by suggesting it con-
tains nothing more. than "a set
of false teeth" to deal with John
L. Lewis.
Secretary of Labor Tobin had
just finished reading a detailed at
tack on the Taft-Hartley Act and
an explanation of the new bill, as
the Senate Labor Committee quick
ly got down to lively repartee.
Senator Aiken recalled that only
a few years ago President Truman
asked Congress for law to draft
workers during a threatened rail-
road strike. He said he is having
difficulty reconciling that step with
this one by the same President in
recommending a bill which has no
teeth "or you might say false
teeth"
IF the President has learned
from experience, let us hope the
Republicans will also" Senator
Pepper, Democrat, of Florida, re-
piled.
Aiken Rejoinder Causes Laughter.
I've been hoping that for the
past II or Is years." the Vermont
rejoined. His laconic
remark brought laughter from the
crowded committee room. Senator
Aiken is one of small group on
the Republican side which some
times differs with the party leader
ship.
Aiming his questions at the fact
that the administration bill relies
on moral force and public opinion
instead Of court injunctions to pre-
vent serious national strikes, Sena-
tor Aiken asked Mr.. Tobin if he
thought Mr.. Lewis, head of the
United Mine Workers, would re-
spond to the voluntary provisions
of this bill.
Mr.. Tobin hesitated momentarily
and then replied that the fact that
the country now has nearly 100
days coal supply above ground
creates different economic situa-
tion in the event Of another threat
ened coal strike.
Quizzes Tobin Further.
Senator Aiken Pursued the matter
however, asking the Secretary If he
thinks Mr. Lewis would be more
likely to comply with the wishes OF
this administration now than he
was near the close and Immediately
after the war.
II don't like to discuss personal
ities." Mr.. Tobin said.
Il think in the case of Mr.. Lewis
you have more of an institution
than a personality" Senator Aiken
rejoined.
Senators Pepper and Humphrey
Democrat. of Minnesota. then
sought to bring out by questions
that the President has certain gen.
eral powers that might apply in a
National emergency.
Mr.. Tobin suggested that those
questions relating to Mr.. Truman S
constitutional powers. including the
taking over of operations in
threatened strikes, should be an
swered by the Attorney Generals
Office.
Tho conop,it+oa roar,bare haooo ,
fast round of questioning as soon as
Mr.. Tobin finished a statement in
which he said the Taft-Hartley Act
"impairs the hard-won gains" OF
labor and has brought confusion
to The field of labor relations.
Smith Clashes With T0bin.
Senator Smith, Republican, of
New Jersey also clashed with Mr..
Tobin over the lack of protection
for individual workers in the new
bill, as compared with the Taft
Hartley Act.
There Is nothing in. here to pro-
tect the individual worker in a
closed shop the way we protect him
now in union shop Senator
Smith complained.
MY answer is that in 18 months
there has not been one complaint" :"
Mr.. Tobin replied. The Secretary
went on to explain that if indi-
vidual workers who, for example,
object to the check-off system of
collecting dues were protected in
that regard it would be the ENTER
ing wedge" to destroy the union.
He said that as long as majority
vote for the check-off that is de-
- the same principal on
which you gentlemen were elected
TO the Senate"
Mr. Tobin said this talk about
individual freedom is carrying 1t to
4 ridiculous degree"
Senator Smith said working men
have told him they had to pay $50
10 get a job, and he thought indi-
viduals should be protected from
such a possibility.
Most of that happened during
he war, with new labor leaders and
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