Evening star., 1940-01-29
McNutt Commended
By Labor OfficiuI'
Says John l. Lewis Distorted
Foets in Denouneine
Use Of Troops
To the Editor Of The Star:


| To the Editor Of The Star:
The recent blast of Mr.. John L. Lewis
against former Gov. Paul v. McNutt Of
Indiana indicates some anxiety and
! fever Of mind. Does he fear that overdue
| fading to place of relative obscurity to
which he should have long ago re-
treated?
He may speak with some semblance
of authority for a segment Of our dues
paying population over whom he holds
dominion by virtue of his position, and
whose treasury funds he may lend or
give away with some abandon when the
net result means his personal advance
ment. But does he not presume lot
when he attempts to cry out with anger
on behalf of the voluntary membership
of the Democratic clubs of Indiana?
When he bellows his wrath must the
armament quake, the stars lose their
bearing and begin to shoot, and the
comets quicken their speed in their or
bits? But let him speak more, for then
he will hasten the extinguishment of
his dying flame. The serious, thinking
and unselfish element among the lead
ers and the rank and file of labor, or
ganized and unorganized, will do we'll
to consider the source of Mr.. Lewis bias
and the motives which may prompt him
to assail the fine labor record of Mr..
McNutt. These will come to the surface
Of the suds on wash day.
The writer has no ak to grind: he
does not have the pleasure of the per-
sonal acquaintanceship Of Mr.. McNutt,
nor Is he affiliated directly or indirectly
with his political associates, and has
taken no part to enhance Mr.. McNutts
ambitions. AS a responsible officer, how
ever, of carpenters union, affiliated
with the American Federation of Labor
and solely in the interest of truth and
fair play, he does want to indorse the
substance of what a president of a ma
tional labor organization affiliated with
the American Federation of Labor re-
Gently said: THE calling out of troops
in Indiana was an unfortunate incident,
but 1t may have been required. 1t may
weigh heavily with prejudiced person
who neither knows nor will trouble him.
self to become acquainted with the real
facts. However, any one familiar with
labor legislation and its progress in the
United States, or who is unbiased and
will honestly view the record, must say
that more beneficial labor legislation
was passed during the four years Of Gov.
McNutt's administration as Governor of
Indiana than during the administration
OF any other Governor at any other equal
time in any other State in the Union in
the entire history of the labor move
ment."
That record Mr.. Lewis cannot destroy.
1t is incompatible. I have taken pains
to acquaint myself with Gov. McNutt's
labor record Where, during four years,
and prior to great deal of national
legislation, have A separate laws, all
beneficial to labor, been sponsored and
approved in 125 legislative days any,
where else in the country? These laws
are on the statute books in Indiana.
Can it be that Mr.. Lewis, who attained
his place OF doubtful prominence in
America today by reason of his alleged
lifelong assistance to labor, Is Jealous
Of what Mr.. McNutt was able to accom-
plsh in the short space Of four years?
Is he willing to so discolor the facts and
dlstort the process of reasoning of Ia
Dor. and thereby discard these accom-
plishments because the Governor had
the courage to maintain his oath of Office
and answer the appeals of the State law
officers in Indiana with reference to a
difficulty for which in no way was he
personally responsible, either in its pre-
cipitation or continuance? Labor will
do well to look to the record, and not
be guided by the unjustified conclusion
OF Mr.. Lewis. Labor will do well to
weigh Mr.. McNutt's accomplishments
in its scales of justice in comparison to
the baseless criticism Of one item in the
record. LABOR OFFICIAL.
January o.