The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1950-12-28
Strike In House
Forces Delay On
Union Shop Bill

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Washington OPA) - The anti
labor Observation-Disclosures coal-
tion staged an unprecedented
"strike" in the House Dec. 21. OBJ
ject: To stall action on the bill to
permit the union shop on the rail
roads. The bill has already passed
the Senate.
The commercial press at first re-
ported as a routine item that there
was no quorum present because so
many Congressman had rushed
home for Christmas. The fact was
that many Congressman were in
the Chamber, and simply refused
to answer when their names were
called. Others were in the corridors
or their offices. A quorum "a
simple majority of the members)
was obtained only after the Dixie
crat- Republican coalition had fore
ed an agreement that the rail union
shop bill would not be taken up.
Labor leaders, shocked by the
action, pointed out that if labor
had staged a similar sit-down
strike, and refused to work until
certain legislation were enacted,
the nation would be mortified.
AFL President William Green
condemned the maneuver. Said
Green: "This legislation already
has been approved by the Senate.
1t has been given the green light
by the House interstate and for
eign commerce committee. But to-
day a group in the House conduct
ed sit-down strike and refused
to answer to their names in quorum
calls until they were given assur-
ances that the legislation would not
be brought up for vote. That IS
a distinctly undemocratic method
of conducting the work of Con-
gress. The merits of the bill are un-
questioned. This is merely an at
tempt by a minority to overcome
the will Of the majority and to kill
the bill by delay because the 81st
Congress is nearing the end of its
sessions. | urge the leaders of the
House of Representatives not to
submit to minority dictation and to
make certain that the bill is
brought up for vote before Con-
gress adjourns."
The union shop bill had been
bottled up in the Rules Committee,
and it's proponents had to use a
40-year-old rule to bypass that
Committee, and call the measure
up. Rep. Andrew j. Biemiller Cd,
Wis.) sought to get approval of
the measure and Rep. Howard w.
Smith Cd, Va.) Immediately raised
the point of no quorum. Smith, an
ally of Byrd of Virginia, does not
like the bill.
Although the House often trans
dClS DuoliltSS WllilOuL a dNtoiu uiiJ i"
rollcall must follow if the point
is raised. 1t took three hours, and a
quorum was mustered only after
Speaker Rayburn had agreed that
the measure would not be taken up.
The result was that the measure
will not be taken up until Jan. /,
Just about the time the 81st Con-
gress is expiring. Since the House
then must also act on President
Truman's request for extension
war powers, the slick trick pulled
by the Dixiegops dims chances for
the union shop bill unless labor
yells loud and long. Even then,
House members can plead that the
war powers Legislation come first.
The union shop bill would permit
railroad management and labor to.
sign contracts calling for the union
shop (employes must be members
of the union) and the checkoff
collection Of union dues). The rail
unions have pointed out that other
unions already have those rights
under the Taft Hartley act, but the
union shop at present is forbidden
under the Railway Act. The mea-
sure before the House would amend
the act to permit the union shop.