Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-05-22
Douglas First Of Party
On Senate Unit 10 Back
Change in Labor Bill
BY the Associo,ed Pres.

sy the Associoied Pres.
Senator Douglas, Democrat. of
Illinois said yesterday he favors
giving the President restricted
power TO seize strike bound or
strike threatened facilities in key
industries in national emergency
situations.
The Illinois Senator thus be-
came the first Democrat on the
Senate Labor Committee to call
publicly for a specific change in
the administrations labor bill.
Senator Douglas voted for that
bill in the committee when the
Democratic majority pushed it
through, 8 to S. after refusing to
consider amendments proposed
by the Republican members.
Since then some of the Demo-
Gratis have said they would be
willing to modify the measure
little. but there were no concrete
proposals from the group until
Senator Douglas advanced his.
No Injunction Provisions.
The administration bill would
repeal the Taft Hartley law and
replace it with a slightly revised
version of the old Wagner Act.
The bill has no provision for
court injunctions against strikes
which imperil national health or
safety, nor does it provide for
seizure. The Taft-Hartley law
provides for 80-day injunctions,
but not for seizure.
However, a Republican, written
substitute for the administration
bill provides for both courses.
But the seizure section of the
substitute is broader than Senator
Douglas is willing to back.
Senator Douglas told reporter
he objects to calling the change
he has in mind compromise. He
termed it an adjustment" and
indicated he might support more
than one.
Temporary Seizure.
Senator Douglas said he would
like to have written into the ad-
ministration bill provision au-
thorizing seizure ION a strictly
temporary basis"
He added he has not made up
his mind what the seizure period
should be. but said he has been
thinking in terms of 80 to so days.
The Republican-authored substi-
tute has no time limit.
The Illinois lawmaker stressed
that he would want proper safe
guards" included in the law to
limit seizure to key industries, like
the railroads.
Sen. Douglas refused to say
whether he personally will intro
duce an amendment providing for
seizure.
The administration bill provides
for a 30-day cooling off period in
the handling of national emery
ency disputes. and for creation of
emergency boards to investigate
and recommend settlement terms.
Instructions Opposed.
President Truman has said he
has ample power to deal with such
situations. If the boards failed to
work out a settlement. without
specific authority in the law.
Sen. Douglas said the authority
ought to be spelled out in the law.
Mr.. Truman has said he would not
object to that, but felt 1t was not
necessary.
Sen. Douglas said he still is OPP
posed to injunctions against ma
tional emergency disputes.
In coming out for restricted
seizure powers. Sen. Douglas took
a stand similar to the one the
American Federation of Labors
executive council decided on Fri
day. The council, in Cleveland,
agreed unanimously to four
amendments to the Administration
bill
One of them would allow presi-
Dental seizure for 80 days of ANY
struck plant or industry whose
idleness threatens to bring about
q national emergency"
The start of Senate debate on
the administration bill still appears
to be a month to six weeks away.
The House already has had one try
at enactment of labor legislation,
but it got no place. Indications
now are that the House will mark
time until the Senate acts.