Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-07-22
Kennedy Wants ICC
To Decide on Rails
Asks Action
In Message
ToConeress
BY LEE M. COIN
Star Staff Writer

President Kennedy today
drafted legislation designed to
prevent a Nation wide railroad
strike by referring the dispute
over work rules to the Inter-
state Commerce Commission for
disposition"
The" White House announce
Iment of the Presidents inten-
ton implied that the ICC would
have the power to make binding
decision on any issues not re-
solved voluntarily.
This would amount to COM
|pulsory arbitration in the nor
NAL sense of the word. But the
White House drew a distinction
between the Presidents pro-
posal and compulsory arbitra-
ton, which is anathema to
organized labor.
Unlike compulsory arbitra-
tion," the White House state
ment said, "this proposal
would preserve collective bar
gaining and give precedence to
its solutions"
Meaning Unclear
The meaning of this state
ment could not be determined,
pending submission of the
actual proposals to Congress
later today.
1t was possible, however, that
the legislation would leave
room for further attempts at
negotiation and mediation and
that any issues not then
resolved would be arbitrated
by the ICC.
| If Congress enacts the legis-
lation by 1901 am. July 80, a
strike threatened for that time
will be averted. The legislation
would provide for maintinging
the status quo during proceed
ings by the ICC.
But there is great doubt that
Congress will complete action
on the emergency anti-strike
legislation in the one week re-
naming before the deadline.
Meets with Leaders
The White House statement
was issued after the President
met with key Democratic and
Republican members of Con-
gress and with negotiators for
the railroads and the five
unions representative 100000
train-operating employees. 1t
said:
1.-The President at 8 pm. this
afternoon will send to the Con-
greSs legislation which will re-
fer those railroad work rules
issues which are still in dispute
| to the Interstate Commerce
Commission for prompt hearing
and disposition. Provisions for
employee security would be con-
tanned in any ICC order of APP
prevail"
Then the statement went on
to draw a distinction between
the proposal and compulsory
arbitration.
Congressional leaders said
they understood the legislation
would require the railroads to
submit their proposals for new
work rules to the ICC for APP
Iproval.
Broad Powers Expected
Some Democrats said this
procedure would avoid compul-
sorry arbitration, but a Repub-
lican who attended the meet
ing with the President said the
legislation would authorize the
ICC to impose a compulsory
settlement.
The members Of Congress
apparently did not see the text
of the legislative proposals and
we're vague about whether the
ices disposition" of the is
sues would be binding.
J. E. Wolfe, chief negotiator
for the railroads told reporters
earlier that the railroads will
put new job-cutting work rules
into effect at 1901 am. July
30. unless Congress enacts leg
islation before that deadline.
He left open the question Of
whether the railroads might
delay action If Congress were
ION the verge Of enacting leg
islation.
The unions have said they
will strike as soon as the new
rules take effect.
Mr.. Kennedy disclosed his
legislative proposals TO the
union and management negoti-
See RAILS, Page IA