1 - American Memory

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The National Indnstrlal TraflBc League Is a voluntary organization of shippers,
shippers' associations, boards of trade, chambers of commerce and other entities
concerned with traffic and transportation service for all carrier modes. Our pri-
mary concern is to provide for our members a sound, efficient, weU-managed
transportation system, privately owned and operated. Members of The National
Industrial Traffic tieague are located throughout the United States and consist
of enterprises large, medium, and small which nse all modes of transportation by
land, river, sea, and air. Carriers are Ineligible for membership in the League and
since the membership has such a broad base the League is generally looked upon
as representing the shippers' point of view.
The National Industrial Traffic League throughout Its existence has alwaya
been dedicated to the development and maintenance of sound conditions in trans-
portation having in mind the needs of the nation, the carriers and the shippers/
receivers who are the consumers of transportation. The League has frequently
presented its views to Congress on proposed transportation legislation. Over the
years the League has also actively participated before the Interstate Commerce
Commission, the Civil Aeronautics Board, the Federal Maritime Commission
and the federal courts in major litigation affecting transportation.
The League's basic functions are performed through a series of committees
with clearly defined areas of responsibility. One such committee Is the Inter-
coastal & Coastwise Transportation Committee which has the responsibility of
addressing matters Involving "Domestic port terminal charges and ocean freight
rates, charges and services on traffic shipped between U.S. ocean or Gulf ports;
also, ocean traffic between ports of the United States and the insular or terri-
torial possessions of the U.S."
At its 1970 Annual Meeting, the membership adopted a policy which addresses
the situation of interruption of commerce due to strikes. The policy entitled
"Labor Negotiations, Continuity of Transportation Services" reads as follows :
"In recognition of the Indispensable nature of the services performed by inter-
city transportation companies and for the purpose of protecting the overriding
public interest, government historically has distinguished them from otBer In-
dustrial endeavors and imposes broad economic regulations on carriers, including
not only pricing regulation, but restrictions on the right to susx)end, terminate or
abandon services. For the same reasons, government, therefore, should, through
appropriate statutes, preclude the interruption of such essential transportation
services because of labor negotiations. Labor laws governing transportation
agencies and their employees should provide maximum encouragement of volun-
tary collective bargaining, but should also provide for finality of negotiations
and settlement of disputes without any interruption of carrier services."
At the same meeting the membership provided further direction by authorising
it officers to support the actions of the President of the United States and/or
the Congress of the United States when they seek measures to terminate trans-
portation tieups after all other existing legal remedies have been exhausted. It
was the thought of the League's Intercoastal & Coastwise Transportation Com-
mittee that League policy fully supports the thrust of S. 1566.
Hearings on H.R. 7189 began In June, 1973 before the Subcommittee on Trans-
portation and Aeronautics. I would appreciate your making this letter a part of
the record of these hearings.
Although time Is growing short, I urge you to lend your support to completing
these hearings and to favorably act on this important legislation prior to the
adjournment of Congress.
Very truly yours,
A. E. LETTREBKR,
Pretident.
NATIONAL FtDEBATiow or INDEPEKDENT BUSINESS,
Washitii/ton, D.C., September IS, 1974.
Hon. HARLET O. STAGOEBS,
Chairman, Committee, on Interttatc ani Foreign Commerce, Rayhum Uoute
Office Building, Washington, B.C.
DEAB MR. CHAIRMAN : Currently pending before your Committee Is H.R. 7189,
a bill by Rep. Spark Matsunaga and others which would provide relief to tboo-