KTLA News: "Senator John F. Kennedy gives press conference in Los Angeles" (1959)

[Reporter] Would you say that we need a better system for helping bring about true negotiated labor agreements? [John F. Kennedy] Well I would say that the kind of Federal intervention which we have now before us really is one-sided. It breaks the strike at a crucial time... helps the companies and, therefore, I think it's important as chairman of the Sub-Committee on Labor we hope to do something about it. To try to rewrite the National Emergency Section so that the national interests can be protected but at the same time the intervention will not be one-sided which the present law is. [Reporter] Do we need changes which will force or cause both sides to give? [Kennedy] No, I'd...I'd...[unintelligible] forced is the wrong word. I would hope that both sides in a free society can get together. I see no advantage in the Federal Government dictating a settlement and the Federal Government should come in only when the national emergency is protected. I think these parties should get together. [Reporter] You think there may be steps that might help persuade them to give more than they have been giving? [Kennedy] Well... if the governmental intervention is completely unbiased then it would seem to me there'd be an incentive on both sides to reach an agreement without the Federal Government intervening. The present situation is as the Federal Government's action breaks the strike and, therefore helps the companies, that there is a stimulation to the companies not to really bargain because they know they're going to be taken care of by governmental action. [Kennedy] ...A more precise answer in January except I would say those general remarks? [Reporter] Tonight... you mentioned a moment ago the vice President... tonight the Vice President is coming into Los Angeles, do you think this has anything to do with your visit? [Kennedy] No... this is his home. I'm a visitor. So I think he's, well within his Constitutional rights... [Reporter] Senator, how is the Democratic Party going to tackle this matter? Do you think it would be better for [unintelligible]... [Reporter] Back to the religious issue for a moment. Uhhh... many people refer to Al Smith's defeat and say that he was defeated because he was a Catholic. I am sure that you may say that was not quite the full story. Would you answer then? [Kennedy] Well, I will say two or three answers. First, Governor Smith was defeated. I think the religion, his religion, did come into the campaign of 1928. I think the United States has advanced since that period. There were other factors... After all, Governor Smith did get more electoral votes than Adlai Stevenson in 1956 but nobody's suggesting that we not run somebody of Governor Stevenson's religious persuasion because Governor Stevenson was defeated in '56 or because Tom Dewey was defeated in 1948. I don't think that is the lesson that I learned from '28. or from '56. [Reporter] Were there not many other factors such as the Tammany Machine and concern...[unintelligible] [Kennedy] I would say the Democrats got overwhelmingly defeated in '24 and '20. But no comparable conclusion was drawn. [Reporter] Wrap it up... [Kennedy] Thank you very much. [Reporter] Thank you sir.. [Reporter] Miss Higgins...[unintelligible]... [Reporter] Miss Higgins, as the public relations head of the hotel, how do you feel about having Governor Brown here in the morning, Senator Kennedy in the late morning and Vice-President Nixon and evening? [Miss Higgins] Well, we're delighted of course, but I'm embarrassed now because I think the other gentlemen want to talk to Senator Kennedy. [Reporter] I see.Thank you very much. [Reporter] Senator, would you restate briefly your reasons why we should not recognize Red China at this time? [Kennedy] Well, I would hope that it would be possible for us to have normal relations with the Chinese. We do have it with other Communist powers that's not the reason we have not recognized them. Now I think that the Red Chinese are extreme in going through an extremely dangerous and militant phase of their national development. They're pushing through all South Asia and they intend to dominate it. I don't think that they would be ready to issue a declaration that they want to live in amity with the United States. I think in some ways they prefer the present cold relations because it serves as a means for them to harness the national discipline and use it as a means... hatred for the United States... use it as a means of uniting their people and and forcing them to great sacrifices. Now if they were forced to sign an agreement saying they wanted to live in peace and amity with us, to respect national boundaries and so on then they would lose this unifying force. We should in other words... it seems to me...go to them... express the hope that we can live in normal relations. My judgment is that they won't be willing to sign that kind of agreement and I don't think we should recognize them unless they do. [Reporter] Would you say that the Cold War, the strife and tension, serves Red China's purpose more than it does Russia's? [Kennedy] I do think so. Yes, because of the differences in their national evolution. I would say Russia would like to have...uh... some... uh... concessions in the Cold War to lower the temperature though they have not indicated as yet that they're ready to say anything more than general phrase... phase... phrases. They haven't agreed to nuclear testing or to an agreement on Berlin but at least there seems to be a desire to do so and I don't think the Chinese are ready to... have indicated that desire. [Reporter] Senator Kennedy, would you describe your meeting at the Litton home last night with Governor Brown as an amicable meeting [Kennedy] Very, very... Governor Brown's always been extremely courteous to me. [Reporter] May I ask what you discussed, sir? [Kennedy] Well, we discussed the dinner and how nice it was in California and fact that political life was very exacting and we never did discuss the California Primary. [Reporter] Did you by chance discuss religion, sir [Kennedy] No we didn't. [Reporter] May I ask you about your religion, sir? Do you feel it's going to help or hinder a possible campaign? [Kennedy] Well...I...I...my belief is it will have no effect on it nor should it. [Reporter] Here in California we have seen a literature...uh...in an antagonistic attitude toward Governor Brown. Is literature of this nature been circulated about use? [Kennedy] Oh yes there are always some but I will say that Governor Brown won by a million votes so I wouldn't think the literature was very effective nor will it be. In Massachusetts and all...There's every indication that the American people believe in the Constitution and its spirit which provides for separation of church and state and the right of everyone to go to the church he wants. Now what... that has nothing to do with his confidence to hold office. That's a separate matter and the problems are extremely serious in 1960 and, therefore, I think that that will be put in its proper place by the judgement of the American people. [Reporter] Do you think it would be politically sound to have both you and Governor Brown on the same ticket, sir? [Kennedy] I would think it quite unlikely... and I...I.. don't think that that looks to me like one of the possible pairings. [Reporter] I would be delighted [unintelligible] why you are in California? [Kennedy] I coming to speak tonight the Jefferson Jackson Day Dinner and because California is a state with a large delegation in the next convention. A large electoral vote. Is a dominant force in the west. Which is a... coming to be a dominant part of the Democratic Party. [Reporter] When...uh... [Kennedy] All of us who have any interest in this matter come inevitably to California [Reporter] Can you tell us when you will make the decision whether to be a candidate? [Kennedy] In early January at the time that the primaries begin. First primaries New Hampshire and the filing dates are the first part of February. [Reporter] When are candidates so reluctant to announce... [Reporter] Senator Kennedy, you mentioned a moment ago that you were visiting California. In your discussions with Governor Brown, has he indicated whether he's going to visit another important state, Massachusetts? [Kennedy] No. It is a strange and unhappy fact that everyone comes to California seeking support but nobody ever comes to see us in Boston. But they're all welcome but unfortunately not have knocked on our door yet. It may have something to do with the fact that we have about one-third the number of delegate votes that California has. But we'd be very hospitable if they come. [Reporter] Have you had a chance to look at the... [Reporter]... Kennedy? [Kennedy]. ...and it's much better to have the companies come to an agreement with the union than it is to have the Federal Government intervene and try to force yourself