WASHINGTON -- One of the country's top industrialists told congress today that it put the nation an "important step" on the road to prosperity by enacting the Taft-Hartley labor bill.
C. E. Wilson, president of General Motors Corporation, told the joint congressional economic committee at its first hearing that to achieve prosperity the country must be protected from "organized unemployment," ... "monopolistic strikes that paralyze whole vital industries."
And the Taft-Hartley bill's enactment over President Truman's veto, Wilson said, was "an important step in this direction."
Other congressional developments:
Appropriation -- The house passed and sent to the White House a $72,236,257 money bill to keep several government agencies functioning for the remainder of the fiscal year ending June 30. The largest items were $28,400,000 for the veterans administration and $12,000,000 for emergency flood control.
Sees Wool Bill Necessary
Wool -- Sen. Joseph C. O'Mahoney, Democrat, Wyoming, said that presidential veto of the wool price support bill would mean abandonment of U. S. wool growers to "the British state 'monopoly." O'Mahoney said the bill is needed to enable American producers to compete with the British monopoly.
Refugees -- The House Republican steering committee agreed in formally to permit house debate on a bill to authorize U. S. participation in the United Nations' international refugee organization.
Radio -- Rolf Kaltenborn, son of Radio Commentator H. V. Kaltenborn, told a senate committee that congress must assure fair division of broadcast time in the airing of political and public issues. Representing a "committee to insure nonpartisan radio," Kaltenborn said it is the function of congress to "legislate fairness." Network representatives claim it is not.
Vote to End Controls
Credit -- The house banking committee voted to wipe out government controls on installment buying. The federal reserve board has been requiring one-third down payments on such things as automobiles and washing machines, with the rest to be paid in a specified time.
Repealer -- The senate passed and sent to the house a bill to repeal 60 wartime laws en masse. Among other things it would abolish wartime military death penalties for deserters and spies. It also would, end government authority to hire $1 -a -year men.
The Taft-Hartley bill was law, but discussion of it continued. A coauthor said he had "serious doubts" as to how effective it would be in preventing a threatened coal strike next month.
