The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-09-20


 The peace Or truce = was reached at 8 recent secret White House conference, which required a month of maneuvering by mu- tual friends to arrange. Lewis was willing, in fact very eager to be invited to call, but Roosevelt defin- itely was not.
 He knew he had the top CIO chiefs and practically every CIO union behind him, so he saw no reason to go out of his way to honey up Lewis. He told the self appointed intermediates that Lewis could get White House appointment any time he wanted it, but he would have to do the asking.
 But that was exactly what Lewis did not want to do. In the past, when leaving a White House conference, he has never failed to stress on newsmen that he was invited to call. So he firmly insisted on this face- saver. Roosevelt was equally firm in refusing to grant it.
 Kindly, astute Bishop Shell of Chicago, intimate aide of the late Cardinal Mundelein and a warm friend of both men, finally pro- posed compromise: Roosevelt would extend the invitation, but Lewis would come informally to the residence part of the White House, not to the executive offices. Thus the meeting would not be covered by newsmen. This was acceptable and General "Pa" Wat son, White House secretary, tele- ptoned Lewis to call on the Presi- dent at 6 p. m. The talk took place in the Oval Room, the Presidents study, on the second floor of the White House.
 STRAIGHT TALK
 Both men were friendly, but frank.
 Addressing Lewis as "JOhn" Roosevelt said he was willing to let by-gones be by-goneS, but that henceforth Lewis should come to him personally whenever he had some complaint to make. Lewis could always get an appointment and there was no need. for rhetori- cal fireworks.
 "You and I know, John," the President said, "that in our hearts we both are working for the same thing = the greatest good for the largest number. We don't have to shout at one another. When you have some thing on your mind, you come direct to me about it. The door is always Open."
 Lewis agreed there was no req son why they couldn't "get to- gether," and Roosevelt could make a start by doing something about firms getting defense contracts who are hostile to labor. You can make these big corporations comply with the National Labor Relations Act and other New Deal labor reforms" Lewis said.
 "We are doing just that" re- piled Roosevelt. 'In a few days the Defense Commission will officially lay down a set of basis rules that will not only protect labor to the hilt, but also agriculture, the consumer and the taxpayer. These rules were drafted by Sidney Hillman and they are going the whole way" (The rules were sent to Congress a few days later.)
 "What about such firms as Bethlehem Steel" said Lewis, tone of the worst enemies of la- bOr and the New Deal? Bethle- hem has been awarded some of the largest defense contracts"
 'Yes, but what can you do?" demanded Roosevelt, in effect. "We've got to have these ships and we have to use the plants available. Bethlehem has re- ceived big orders. but it's t0eing the mark in meeting the law. KHiiIman and his Labor Advisory Board are seeing to that"
 The President told Lewis that he planned soon to call Q national unemployment conference of labor, business and farm leaders. This is Q pet scheme of Lewis and as Q conclllatory gesture toward him. it was included aB q plank in the Democratic platform. Roosevelt alSo impariod to Lewis that he expected to Fe-nppolnt J. Warren Madden aa chairman of the Nee ticnal Labor helallons Board, which which Lsw's has been strongly