TRUMAN'S DRASTIC PROPOSAL TO STOP STRIKES

Chronicle (Levin), 27 May 1946, Page 8

TRUMAN'S DRASTIC PROPOSAL TO STOP STRIKES

Press Asm.

By Telegraph

-Copynght

Rcceived Sunday, 7.0 p.m. WASHINGTOXyMay 25. The railwky sttike was settled three niiimtes before the time President Truman set for troops to take over operations. The railways 'brotherhoods aecepted the Rresidential offer of 18 eeiits hohrly wage increase, coupled with a- year's postponement . of eonsidcration oi' changes in working conditions. The railways are expected to be operating norma] ly witliin a few hours. President Truman, addressing a joint session of Congress, demanded drastic temporary legislation to curb strikes in enterpriscs seized by the Government, including the draftiiig of strikers into the armed forces and crimiiial penalties for strike leaders. Ilis amiouncement that the strike was settled was greeted with cheers and his suggestion for strike legislation was immediately acted upon. . . , President Truman deelared he would kave sought legislation designed to stop sucli strikes earlier but was detefmined to' mahe cvery human effort to avert a strike without Iegaslative actidn. However, the time for negotiation had now passed and the time for action had arrived. Legislation was necessary for the preservation of government and to save the great masses of working men and women from the dangerous ei'fects of ill-advised and misguided acts of some of their leaders. Temporary legislation was needed to ciirb a handfiil of men who liad it in their power to cripple the nation 's economy. Permanent legislation was required which would lead to the formulation of a long-range labour policy designed to prevent a reeurrence of labour crises and generally reduce work stoppages in all industries. President Truman explained that the temporary legislation which the administration sought should be effective for six months and apply only to industries seized by the Government. The legislation should prohibit Union leaders from inciting a strike rfction and deprive striking workers of their seniority rights and make them liable to be drafted into the armed forces. It should also make botil employers and strike leaders subject to criminal penalties for violation of the legislation 's provisions. Wages in industries taken over by the Government should be fixed by negotiation or by Presidentially appointed arbitrators and made retrospective. The permanent legislation should be part of a comprehensive labour poliey which would tend to eliminate acts injurious to employers, workers and the population as a whole. Tlie general right of workers to strike against private employers should be prescrved. President Truman reeommended the creation of a' joint Congressional Committee to study the whole subject of labour rclations and witliin six months make recommendations on which permanent legislation could be based.