PRESIDENTIAL VETO

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24900, 13 June 1946, Page 5

PRESIDENTIAL VETO

U.S. LABOUR DISPUTES BILL (Rec. 7.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 11. Mr Truman has vetoed the Case Labour Disputes Bill, saying that strikes against private employers could not be ended by legislative decree. The bill could compel men to work for private employers in a peace-time democracy. The major provisions of the bill included the creation of a Federal Mediation Board, restrictions on any strike or lock-out while the board was seeking a solution of a labour dispute, and the prohibition of secondary boycotts. It also provided for court suits against employers or labour organisations violating collective bargaining contracts. Mr Truman coupled his veto with the renewed plan for his own emergency strike measure which the House of Representatives passed, but the Senate emasculated. ‘‘We at present are faced with an emergency which does justify temporary legislation, but it does not justify permanent legislation without a very careful study/’ said Mr Truman. Mr Truman's Emergency Strike Bill authorised the President to draft men into the, army if they defied the Presidential “back to work” order when striking against Government-seized plants. The Senate deleted this provision and then returned the bill to the House of Representatives, where it was hung up in the Rule Committee.

Mr Truman emphasised that the outstanding domestic problem \yas increased production, which must be achieved, otherwise ruinous inflation was inescapable. Strikes and lockouts were production’s greatest handicaps. He expressed the opinion that adequate unemployment insurance, health, and medical services for the lower income families, a fair minimum wage, and price control would greatly aid industrial peace. Mr Truman said that he had approached the problem objectively, free from the emotional strains of the time, and free of every consideration except the welfare of the nation and the world. The House of Representatives upheld the veto, voting 135 to uphold it and 255, to override it. The latter figure fell five short of the required two-thirds majority.