Evening star., 1949-02-19
Labor

Continued From First Page0
to stick together on a lot of issues.
That is why Senator Taft. on
the one hand, and Senators Ives
and Morse, on the other, are try
ing hard to reach an agreement
on labor legislation. They figure
that if they do, and also can carry
along IL to IA Southern Demo-
crafts, they won't have to worry
about repeal or the rest of the
administration bill.
Closed Shop Problem.
The Taft-Hartley law bans the
closed shop, under which en-
ployers can hire only union men,
bers. In general, employers who
have come before the committee
have Endorsed the ban. Unions
have denounced it.
II don't know myself just what
we ought to do about the closed
shop" Senator Taft said.
He added that he is not entirely
sold on a suggestion that the
closed shop be permitted. but
regulated. One solution, Senator
Taft said, might be to authorize
closed shops in industries where
unions had them for years before
the Taft-Hartley law. But he in
dicated he is not enthusiastic
about that, either.
AS for national emergency
strikes, the Taft-Hartley measure
lets the Government get 80-day
injunctions in an effort to avert
them. Senator Ives and Morse
are against the injunction.
Il still think we ought to have
it," Senator Taft declared.
Senators Ives and Morse feel,
however, that Senator Taft can be
persuaded to give up the injunc-
ton weapon.
On the third big issue. penal
ties against secondary boycotts,
Senator Taft already has indi-
Gated he is willing to compromise.
Secondary Boycott.
In a secondary boycott. a union
having a dispute with one COM
pany tries to get other firms to
stop doing business with that
company.
The Taft-Hartley law author
ICES the Government to get an
injunction to block such boycotts.
even before the National Labor
Relations Board has ruled on a
complaint.
Senator Taft has said that per-
haps that provision is one-sided
in favor of employers. Dropping
it would leave the board free to
get injunctions to enforce it's Or
ders, once it has ruled. Senators
Ives and Morse have no objection
to that.
Late yesterday. q spokesman
for the United States Chamber Of
Commerce urged the committee to
keep what's good in the Taft
Hartley Act" and change what
needs changing"
Herman w. Steinkraus. vice pres
ident of the chamber and presi-
dent of the Bridgeport Conn
Brass Co., added that he does not
think any of that can be done ION
a political scrap basis. the way
I've seen in this committee"
Mosher Defends Present Law.
In a table humping session a
few hours earlier, Ira Mosher. a
director and former president OF
the National Association Of Manu-
facturers, defended the Taft-Hart-
lev Act and Democrat" S~~ators
replied with az angry attack On
the NAM.
Senator Pepper Of Florida called
the organization an enemy OF
Democracy" He said it Is "the
spearhead and symbol Of reaction
ary business forces in this country
which can't see beyond the end
of their noses"
At one point Senator Pepper
shouted:
ut was the workers sons who
died on the battlefields while the
sons of manufacturers stayed
home and got rich!"
Mr.. Mosher leaned forward and
snapped: Just minute. I'm
losing my temper"
Senator Pepper said. We'll, lose
it,"
Mr.. Mosher said: II lost three
| in my family during the war"
tMr. Mosher did not elabo-
rate, but NAM official told
reporter later that three
nephews of Mr.. Mosher were
killed in the war and a son was
shown down in action, but
escaped with his life)
Murray, Humphrey Join Attack.
Senators Murray, Democrat, OF
Montana, and Humphrey. Demo-
crat, of Minnesota, Joined Senator
Pepper in saying the NAM has
never supported any liberal legis-
Ilation." Senator Pepper COM
planned that management is max
ing the biggest profits in history,
yet is coming down here and
making a crusade against labor" "
l Mr.. Mosher said he is willing to
stand on MANS record concern
ing legislation. Then he added:
But when you talk about man
agement not contributing their
share in the war. I think that is
just pure abuse Of the witness,
and I resent it very much"
Point by point, Mr.. Mosher de-
tended the Taft Hartley law and,
4.