ANTI-STRIKE POLICY

Grey River Argus, 28 June 1943, Page 5

ANTI-STRIKE POLICY

ROOSEVELT’S WARNING Ballots Not Wanted [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l (Rec. 5.5) WASHINGTON, June 20. President Roosevelt vetoed the Anti-Strike Bill, but the House ot Representatives later voted by 244 to 108 for the measure, over-riding Mr Roosevelt’s veto. Then the Senate also voted by 56 to 25 to override the President’s veto. The measure thus becomes law. Mr Roosevelt said the measure was entirely praiseworthy in its purpose, but it would, in some cases, produce strikes in vital war plants, which, otherwise, would not occur, Mr Roosevelt declared that he intended to use his governmental powers to prevent interruption by strikes. He has formally recommended an amendment to the Selective Service Act, whereby men aged from 45 years to. 65 years could be inducted into non-combatant military service. Mr Roosevelt said that he would approve of the legislation dealing with any strikes harming to the war effort. Mr Roosevelt criticised the provision in the Bill for a secret ballot, after thirty days’ notice has been given of an intention to strike. He said: “This completely ignores Organised Labour’s no-strike pledge, an.d it provides, in effect, for strike notices and strike ballots. These would stimulate Labour’s unrest, and would give the Government’s sanction to strike agitations.” Mr Roosevelt declared his unalterable opposition to strikes in war time. He said he would unhesitatingly use his powers to prevent them. He concluded: “Labour and Business have kept well their No-strike—No-lockout pledge, except for the United Mineworkers’ Association.”' SENATE BARS SUBSIDIES ON FOOD (Rec 9.40) WASHINGTON, June 27. The Roosevelt Administration suffered its second defeat within two days when the Senate, by 39 votes to 37 prohibited a payment of Government subsidies to reduce retail food prices. The House of Representatives passed this Bill on Friday.