Evening star., 1959-12-13
Rockefeller Proposes
4-Step Strike Remedy

SOUTH BEND, Ind, Dec. II
(AP) Gov. Nelson A. Rookie
feller said today the President
should have legal powers to
order compulsory arbitration
when a protracted major strike
threatens the welfare of the
United States.
The steel strike, he said,
points up the need for legisla-
ton.
Mr.. Rockefeller added that
he is "basically opposed" to
compulsory arbitration in la
bor-management deadlocks and
does not believe it should be-
come "an automatic and gen.
orally accepted remedy"
However, he said in a written
statement:
I'm event of an extreme case
of complete stalemate which
affects the health and safety
of our country. it seems to me
we should trust the President,
regardless of party. with this
discretionary authority"
Gov. Rockefeller issued the
statement as he started off on
a weeks swing through In
diana, Missouri, Minnesota.
Wisconsin. Oklahoma. Texas
and Florida. Last month he
went to the West Coast on a
similar trip, making speeches
and meeting Republican lead
ers.
Strike Procedure Outlined
He again refused to be drawn
out as to whether he will try
for the Republican nomination
for President. But he said, Il
ought to give my decision some
time before the middle Of
January" He indicated the
announcement, yes or no, may
come before that.
In his statement recon-
mending laws authorizing
compulsory arbitration, Gov.
Rockefeller urged a four step
procedure:
/. When mediation has
failed, the Federal Mediation
Service should request a fact
finding board.
2. IF a report by the fact
finding board is not acted upon
by the parties involved within
a limited time, this board
should have the power to rec
ommend a settlement.
3. IF these steps fail toI
bring agreement between the
parties, the President would
ask them to agree to voluntary
arbitration of the dispute"
4. Failing in this, the Presi-
dent should then have the
power to ask for an injunction
as at present under the Taft
Hartley Act and /or appoint an
arbitrator or arbitrators who
would be charged with settling
the dispute strictly on its merit
and in the public interest for
the contract period"
Laws Recommended
Gov. Rockefeller recon-
mended that Congress enact
laws "along these lines at the
next session"
At a news conference here
the Governor said he would
make such a recommendation
regardless of whether a settle
ment is reached in the steel
strike.
His statement said such a
procedure should be used only
in extreme cases of deadlock
between labor and manage
ment. He said he believes in
settling labor disputes in the
democratic way through COL
lective bargaining"
But the steel strike has DEM
onstrated, he said, that there
is little question that Congress
must review labor laws con-
corning collective bargaining"
Gov. Rockefeller started his
Midwestern tour here with
speeches and receptions. He
scheduled a private luncheon
with the Rev. Theodore Hes
burgh, president. of the Uni
Versity of Notre Dame.
Purpose Explained
In a speech prepared for de-
livery at a Republican fund
raising dinner on the Notre
Dame campus, Gov. Rockefel-
Ter said the purpose of his
trips around the country is to
help his party win the presi-
Dental election next year.
He referred to speculation
over his personal plans, but
he said:
"All this is absolutely Sec
ondary in my political life
Sen. Capehart. Republican
OF Indiana, was among a party
which met Gov. Rockefeller at
the airport. Reporters asked
Gov. Rockefeller whether he
had encouraged" Senatorl