GREAT HANDICAPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26177, 13 June 1946, Page 5

GREAT HANDICAPS

STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS PRODUCTION IMPEDED WASHINGTON, (Rec. 7 p.m.) June 11. President Truman vetoed the Case Labour Disputes Bill, saying that strikes against private employers could not be ended by legislative decree. The major provisions of the Case Bill included the creation of a Federal Mediation Board, restrictions on any strike or lockout while the board was seeking a solution of a labour dispute, and prohibition of secondary boycot’s. It also provided for court suits against employers or labour organisations that violated collective bargaining contracts.

Mr Truman coupled the veto with a renewed plan for his own emergency strike measure, which the House passed, but the Senate emasculated. The President said: “ We are at present faced with an emergency which does justify temporary legislation but does not justify permanent legislation without very careful study." Mr Truman’s Emergency Strike Bill authorised the President to draft men into the army if they defied a presidential “back to work" order when striking against plants seized by the Government. The Senate deleted this provision and then returned the Bill to the House, where it was hung up in the Rule Committee. Mr Truman stressed that the outstanding domestic problem was increased production, which must be achieved, otherwise ruinous inflation could not be escaped. 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 declared that he approached the problem objectively, free from the emotional strains of the time and free of every consideration except the welfare of the nation and Ihe world.

The House upheld the veto, voting 135 to uphold it and 255 to over-ride it. The latter figrue fell five short of the required two-thirds.