CABINET MEETING, FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 1950
10:00 am
Chapman - absent
McGrath - absent
Perlman for McGrath
THE PRESIDENT
Informed Cabinet that he is getting ready to move in on coal strike.
SAWYER
Urged prompt action in the interest of the public.
JOHNSON
SNYDER
ACHESON
Agreed that the die should be cast.
TOBIN
Suggested delay until Monday. The question is whether the President can declare a national emergency. It is doubtful if the Courts would sustain the President. There is not actual hardship in the country. The existing facts in Tobin's opinion do not give the President a case under provisions of the Taft-Hartley Act.
BRANNAN
Thinks public is in the mood for government action.
PERLMAN
Telegrams to Lewis and operators should be worded to take notice of a scheduled meeting of both, scheduled next Wednesday.
BARKLEY
Suggested that messages not be sent before Monday. The President might be accused of moving in to take jump before meeting scheduled for next Wednesday.
PERLMAN
Asked if message would put weapon in hands of operators.
STEELMAN
Says it definitely will.
BARKLEY
Raised question as to whether operators would dare to use weapon.
TOBIN
Our economy will not stand more than 3.3 days of production.
SAWYER
St. Lawrence Seaway is moving forward. Hearings in House Feb 29th - Will have to put burr under Corps of Engineers who are dragging their feet as they are not for the project.
JOHNSON
Gordon Crary is taking over and he will definitely put the Corps of Engineers in line.
DONALDSON
P. O. receipts are up 14% over December of last year - 1 ½% increase in expenses of operations.
TOBIN
Employment and wages for next 6 months look to be excellent.
BARKLEY
Senate has reported out a D. P. bill which will be taken up soon.
THE PRESIDENT
The bill needs to be amended on the Senate floor. Sen. Kilgore is working on it.