◆ SpookStack

Lavy any Bills favorable to us. I think srother Kulacu suo worked with oe in Washington up until a few weeks ago will bear oat my statement when I sey we have been pressed for tine at this session of Congress. I woula like to bring to the attention of «ll tie Lelegates present the Importance of having all proposed Pills broujht to the atten- tion of the membership in all Ports so that a traly aemocratic opinion can be obtained before such Eilis are finally introduced. I have founi in several instances at this session of Congress *hat when I sent notices of hearings on gome Kills to 411 Ports that no suggestions or reconmenda— tions were fortheomineg from these Port3 as to the stand to be taken by us tere, This situation hus forced ne at various tines to use cy own judgment on questions that would in the regular order of democratic union business be unsterec by tre membership theuselves. U1 course there are tines then I nave been called Lefore Congressional Comilttees at short notice and wren such mas been the cace, I have ucopted the line which in ny o;inion would best serve the interests of the menter- ship as a whole. The value of having a representa:ive present to take care of such emergencies hus teen proven ut this session, as sometines a bloc of Senetors or Congressmen will try to "reilroyd" sore pot measure of theirs through in a hurry. BOR Ti ohGanl TO PPOrG Ei LEGTCLATION pry JS This measure war introduced by Congressman Velgren of Yashington on April lgtn, which is three months ayo. The Departuent of Comperce and the Maritime Cowaission have heen requested since then to make a re.ort 4S to their opinion of the Bill, Whilst I have never geen any re:ort from the Department of bomearce I can imagine what it would be. They certainly would not send in u very favorable report on any Lill thay woula give us any advantages, as ar. hoper has never done anythin for us unless ne was forced to. Eawever, it will be notes that since the introcuction of our Bill, two other bilis, affecting parts of & wool have been dntrocuced and action hus Leen taken on tien. To refer snecifically to the "school ship" Bill and the 411 revardin: ihe boatmen, etc. These Bills received favorable recons-naation by tae De- partsent of Coamerce, However, we do not necessarily, nesd a favorable recomzenaation troa Mr. Koper or any of Bis stooges to .et action on / any of our proposed legislution - the only thin’ Ue; cun do ls to f slicntly celay sending in their reports on the Pills. Sow since tue / {ntroducticn of EP, fi. 6499, there has bee. Litwle eriticiaa of the / clauses in the Kill regarding the request for 100% American erevs on OD te ey -34-