Evening star., 1954-01-12
The PoIiticoiMM
Bottle Is On for Votes
Of Former and Worker
Presidents PIon Significant
Politically and Economically
Rx Gould Lincoln

Politically and Economically
By Gould Lincoln
The battle for the farm vote and the
labor vote in the coming congressional
elections between the Republicans and
the Democrats has been finally joined
with the submission Of President Eisen-
hower's special messages to Congress-,
proposing changes in the existing agri-
cultural and labor relations laws. While
there is no absolute line of demarcation
and some Republicans will be found OPP
posing certain of the Presidents recon-
mendations on these subjects and some
Democrats supporting the Presidents
proposals, the COP. and the President
himself will be judged, first in the con-
test over the legislation, and second, in
the effect which the legislation, if en-
acted, will have.
The Presidents proposals are impor-
tant because of the tremendous impact
upon the American economy which fol-
lows any major decline in the farm in
come or any bitter and prolonged strife
between American labor and industry.
In his farm message, the Chief Execu-
1854 of the 80 per cent price supports
for six basic commodities. Thereafter,
he proposes that price supports become
flexible" le"-between IS and 80 per cent
of parity, in order to meet the problem
of continued annual overproduction.
While this proposal will suit many OF
the farmers and their organizations,
others will be strongly opposed. The
latter are demanding permanent 80 per
cent price supports. The existing law.
enacted in l949, provides for the flexible
price support system at the close Of the
present calendar year. What the Presi-
dent is recommending are certain i'm
provements, designed to deal with exist
ing and future surpluses of crops and
giving aid in new form to tobacco and
wool producers.
Bill Already Offered.
The Eisenhower labor law changes. as
recommended for the Taft-Hartley Act,
are embodied in a bill promptly SUBJ
mitted to the Senate by Senator Smith
of New Jersey, chairman of the Senate
Labor Committee. They are intended to
carry into effect promises which the
President made during the 1852 cam
paign-to have the anti-Communist
provisions of the law apply to business
executives as they do now to officials Of
labor unions, and to guarantee to men,
bers of labor unions on strike a right
to vote in any election for union repre-
sentation. In his message. the President
made it clear he believes the Taft
Hartley Act is sound. that in its provi-
sions 1t is fair to organized labor and
to industry. but that experience "indi-
Gates changes can be made to reinforce
it's basic objective" One of the Presi-
dents proposed amendments. however.
raised an immediate roar Of protest
from some of the labor leaders-a pro-
posal that before strike is called,
members of the union have a secret
ballot to determine whether they wish
to strike. held under the auspices of the
Federal Government. Such a vote. con-
Quoted by the unions themselves, is held
before many strikes today. The Presi-
dents interest lies in the fact that the
individual employe is vitally affected
by loss of wages when he is called upon
to srike. The President believes the en-
ploye is entitled to have his say, there
fore, before the officials of his union
place him on strike
Fewer Suggestions.
The amendments to the Taft Hartley
Act, proposed by the President, are i'm
portant. although they are not so many
as were included in the memorandum
whose failure to reach Congress last
session caused Martin Durkin. Presl-
dent Eisenhower's Secretary of Labor.
l1n hoaY1
ble-crossed by the President. The Presl-
dent Indignantly rejected any SuggeS-
ton he has not lived up to his promises
at all times. When Durkin resigned,
Democratic leaders rushed to support
him. and so did the heads OF the big
unions. It has been clear for some time
that the Democrats are intent upon
making the Taft-Hartley law an issue
in many of the congressional districts
in the coming campaign. Some OF the
Democrats. however. have never been
willing to recognize that the Taft-Hart-
lev Act became law over President Tru-
mans veto, with half or more Of the
Democrats in Congress supporting the
law.
The Democrats in 1948 won sur
prise victory by virtue OF the farm vote.
They hope to repeat in 1854. For Re-
publican victory. the COP. must have
farm support So the agricultural leeis-
lation becomes of great political as we'll
as economic Importance. The President
insists that his program is designed for
peace and prosperity for the farmer and
the laboring man and the businessman.
If it works out that way. many people
Democrats as we'll as Republicans. will
be satisfied.
Nuae+;one md Aneweys