Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-11
BY LEE M. COIN
Star Stan Writer


Political tension is rising as
the Senate digs in to start de-
batting union reform legislation
tomorrow.
Moderates and conservatives,
trading charges Of PARTISAN
ship, intend to sharpen the
labor issue for this falls cleo
ton campaigns.
Odds apparently favor pas
sage of a middle-road bill after
q bitter floor fight. But chances
are growing DINNER for House
action this year.
Majority Leader johnson.
Democrat Of Texas, has tenta-
lively scheduled the start OF
debate for tomorrow. He plans
to hold night sessions and meet
on Saturday to rush action.
Drafting Changes
Administration forces led by
Senator H. Alexander Smith,
Republican of New Jersey, are
drafting amendments to correct
SERIOUS shortcomings" in the
moderate bill cleared by the
Senate Labor Committee.
Senator Goldwater, Republic
can of Arizona, attacking the
committee bill as "a feeble
sham" yesterday introduced
the stringent measure he plans
to push in floor debate.
All the leading reform bills
aim at curbing corruption by
supervising union finances and
establishing standards for
democratic processes. But they
differ drastically in method
and degree of regulation.
Senator Smith took his cue
from a surprise statement by
Labor Secretary Mitchell.
blasting the committee bill as
completely ineffective" Late
Yesterday, the Labor Depart
ment issued an analysis de-
failing Mr.. MitchellS obJec-
tons.
lists Weaknesses
Mr.. Mitchell complained es-
pecially that the committee bill
unions, deny the Secretary sub
would exempt too many small
poena power and other tools
for enforcement, funnel finan-
cial reports to the Labor De-
partment instead of to union
members, curtail the right OF
union members to enforce their
rights in court and fail to close
4 the gap between Federal and
State jurisdiction in labor cases.
Senator Goldwater and Min
ority Leader Knowland, Repub-
lican of California, denied
rumors that they inspired Sec
rotary Mitchell to attack the
committee bill and insist on
passage of President Eisen-
hower's program.
But Senator Goldwater said
he tried to plead his case to
President Eisenhower and
talked instead to Presidential
Assistant l. Jack Martin, who
agreed with him that the COM
mittee bill was too weak.
Labor legislation was dis
cussed with the President at a
meeting of Republican Con-
gressional leaders yesterday,
and again in a meeting of the
Senate Republican Policy Com
mittee.
According to Senator Know
lands account of the policy
committee session. there was "a
general consensus that some ad-
ditional amendments are both
necessary and desirable" He
said no fixed position" was
reached on the extent Of re-
vision, but mo one wants re-
preSsive legislation"
Senator Knowland has made
labor reform a key issue in his
campaign for CALIFORNIA; Gov
ernorship.
Opposing Secretary Mitchell'S
drive for major amendments,
Senator Ives. Republican of
New York. lectured his col
leagues at the meeting on nom
partisanship.
Criticizes Mitchell
Earlier. he accused Mr.. Nit
chell Of trying to make a Re-
publican thing out OF this bill, "
and promised to fight such
political monkey business" 81
Reporting he received no ad-
vance tip on the Secretary s.
declaration. the Senator re-
marked in disgust: That's the
way we play ball in the Re-
publican Party"
Senator Kennedy. Democrat
of Massachusetts,, called the
Secretary'S objections to the
committee bill completely in
accurate and irresponsible" He
charged Mr., Mitchell's attack
may make an issue for him,
but endangers passage" of
labor legislation.
Defending the bill he drafted
in collaboration with Senator
Ives, Senator Kennedy listed IL
areas where he claimed his
measure was stronger than
the Administrators program
Included in these strong points
was the proposal to regulate
use of truSteeships to control
local unions.
While Senator Knowland
disavowed any partisan inten-
tions, Senator Goldwater told