Evening star., 1936-07-31

The query was as to what was
meant by ANY other person" and
labor critics we're quick to contend
that this meant denial of the right
of organizers to go into an unorganlzeo
industry and get members. Mr.. Lam
don, in his letter to Norman Thomas,
makes it clear that he did not mean
to exclude union organizers.
In every union controversy in which
violence occurs it is not intrequent
that persons who are not connected
with the employers or directly affiliated
with the employees engage In various
activities that amount to coercion or
intimidation. Landon now apparently
wishes it to be understood that he
did not think there should be coercion
by anybody when the right of work.
ing men to work and to choose repre-
sentatives are being asserted.
Approves missionary" Work.
But more important than any clari-
fication of his original statement as
to what he meant by coercion is the
affirmative comment now given that
the Republican nominee pledges him
self to the doctrine that all workers
have a right of self organization and
have the right by lawful and proper
means to send thier organizers into
an unorganized industry.
The incident is illustrative of
trait in Landon's character which is
bound to attract more attention as
the campaign progresses. Time and
again in the past the Socialist candi-
date or some other opponent would
address an open letter to Republican
or Democratic nominee only to have
such a letter ignored. Landon is not
likely to engage in any widespread
correspondence with persons who write
him open letters but when, as in the
case of the communication from Nor
man Thomas, a courteous request for
amplification of view is received it ap-
parently is going to be Landon'S pro-
gram to give full and frank answer.
Delivers Fair Blows.
There are many persons who dis
agree with the political and economic
philosophy Of Norman Thomas but in
all the years he has been in the public
eye he has not been guilty Of hitting
below the belt in any campaign. His
letter of inquiry about Landon's labor
views was in line with the doubts
expressed by many people who did
not happen to be sympathizers with
the Norman Thomas doctrines.
The labor issue is one of the most
important raised in q generation. The
efforts of John L. Lewis to obtain
control over labor unions generally
through his industrial union campaign
has stirred up strife of q different
kind than is usually to be observed
in a political campaign. Thus the
skilled workers are today pitted against
the unskilled worker. If the Lewis
type of industrial union prevails, the
skilled workers wages may have to be
reduced to conform to the political
power of the numerically greater num-
ber of unSkilled workers in given
industrial union.
Expected to Gain Votes.
PRESIDENT 6OOSeVelL eSpOuShl UL
che Lewis side of the controversy has
made many laboring men hostile to
the reelection Of Mr.. Roosevelt for
fear it would mean q complete con-
quest by Lewis. But the laboring men
of the skilled crafts, on the other
hand, have wanted to be sure that in
Landon, if elected President, they had
O true friend and not a tool of EN-
ployer interests. That's why Landon's
frank avowal of the rights Of union
organizers represents a milestone in
the labor controversy of the hour and
tends to improve the Republican nom
inee's opportunities to get larger
share of the labor vote than might
have been the case had he left un-
defined the phrase which it appears
was unintentionally ambiguous in his
acceptance speech.
Copyright. 193oI