The Commission should be charged with investigating and making recommendations upon certain major subjects, among others: 

First, the special and unique problem of nationwide strikes in vital industries affecting the public interest.  In particular, the Commission should examine into the question of how to settle or prevent such strikes without endangering our general democratic freedoms.

Upon a proper solution of this problem may depend the whole industrial future of the United States.  The paralyzing effects of a nationwide strike in such industries as transportation, coal, oil, steel, or communications can result in national disaster.  We have been able to avoid such disaster, in recent years, only by the use of extraordinary war powers.  All those powers will soon be gone.  In their place there must be created an adequate system and effective machinery in these vital fields.  This problem will require careful study and a bold approach, but an approach consistent with the preservation of the rights of our people.  The need is pressing.  The Commission should give this its earliest attention.

Second, the best methods and procedures for carrying out the collective bargaining process.  This should include the responsibilities of labor and management to negotiate freely and fairly with each other, and to refrain from strikes or lockouts until all possibilities of negotiation have been exhausted.

Third, the underlying causes of labor management disputes.

Some of the subjects presented here for investigation involve long-range study.  Others can be considered immediately by the Commission and its recommendations can be submitted to the Congress in the near future.

I recommend that this Commission make its first report, including specific legislative recommendations, not later than March 15, 1947.

Restriction Of monopoly and promotion of private enterprise

The second major policy I desire to lay before you has to do with the growing concentration of economic power and the threat to free competitive private enterprise.  In 1941 the Temporary National Economic Committee completed a comprehensive investigation into the workings of the national economy.  The Committee’s study showed that, despite a half century of anti-trust law enforcement, one of the gravest threats to our welfare lay in the increasing concentration of power in the hands of a small number of giant organizations.

During the war, this long-standing tendency toward economic concentration was accelerated.  As a consequence, we now find that to a greater extent than ever before, whole industries are dominated by one or a few large organizations which can restrict production in the interest of higher profits and thus reduce employment and purchasing power.

In an effort to assure full opportunity and free competition to business we will vigorously enforce the anti-trust laws.  There is much the Congress can do to cooperate and assist in this program.