The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1940-07-25
Facing the Facts
With PHILIP PEARL

America, deserted by his former
friends and supporters, ridiculed by
every newspaper in the country, the
leader Of vanishing army. This man
has lost the loyalty of his followers
because he never was loyal to anyone
but himself. He has lost the respect
of his associates because he never re-
spected anyone's views but his own.
He has lost face because he could not
be self lf-effacing. He has lost the C1O
because he could not see in it anything
but stepping stone for his personal
ambition.
John l.. Lewis is through. He may
hide away in his office and cut him
self off from contact with the outside
world but he cannot dodge his fate.
He may still dream about power and
glory but the realities that face him
are defeat and disgrace. He may not
yet see the handwriting on the wall
but he ought to be able to read it in
the newspapers.
Let us read it to him with any in
depreciation that may be necessary.
The keynote is sounded by Philip
Murray, CIO vice president and always
regarded as Lewis closest lieutenant.
Mr.. Murray in an interview reported
in the New York Herald Tribune diff
fered sharply with his chief on the
third-term question and said "that so
far as he knew Mr.. Lewis was the only
majo CIO leader who was opposed to
President Roosevelt's denomination"
He denied that this augured any move
to oust Lewis from the CIO presidency
"at this time" The newspaper re-
porter went on to point out that it
was doubtful whether such a move
could be made until the next CIO con-
vention.
In former day if Murray were
merely to think in the privacy Of his
own mind about ousting Lewis he
would have considered such thoughts
treasonous. Now he discusses the
subject publicly. That, in our opinion,
indicates the handwriting on the wall.
'On His Way Out"
But let US go further. In the city
of Rochester, N. Y, CIO officials were
even more outspoken than Murray.
The CIO industrial council, which
passes as a central body for local
unions, held an indignation meeting
against Lewis which was reported in
the Rochester Chronicle and Democrat.
The paper quotes Fred Bum, council
vice president, as saying:
"John l.. Lewis is on his way out. "
John H. Cooper, president of the
council, said:
'In my opinion he (Lewis) has done
more harm to the CIO throughout the
country than he haAlone good in or
ganizing workers. The CIO has be-
come a laughing stock in the country
because of his silly remarks. Some
thing must be done to check the man.
He's not going to humbug me-"
Mrs. Anna Rosen, delegate from
the Amalgamated Clothing Workers
Of America, said
81 think we should let him Uewis)
know he doesn't speak for labor"
The council proceeded to do this by
adopting a resolution condemning
Lewis political policies. Only two
delegates voted against the resolution
In Washington, the authors of the
Washington Merry Go Round, a syn
dicate column, have for years been on
friendly terms with Lewis and have
given him oceans of favorable public
ity. But the othed day the column con-
tanned this significant observations:
"No matter how much he may dc
for labor, no one can please John L.
Lewis"
Paul Mallon's syndicated column
also from Washington, refers to Sid.
ney Hillman's attitude toward the CIC
United Construction Workers. Hill.
man called this a paper organization
and cleft the impression" that he hao
opposed its formation.
High And Dry
Now, to Chicago. There the CIC
United Auto Workers came out with g
statement endorsing Roosevelt which
the New York Times said, twas in.
tended by it's authors to spike any
third-party movement or other indie.
pendent action contemplated by Johr
l.. Lewis"
And then, along comes Senator Bur,
ton X. Wheeler who for months has
been flirting with Lewis and was the
latter's choice for president on a thirc
party ticket. And what does the sen
ator do? Just when Lewis thought he
had Wheeler all popped up and ready
to go, the senator fatty refused tt
start. He issued statement eliminat
ing himself entirely from the presi
Dental race.
Perhaps Mr.. Wheeler had hearc
from back home, where the Montana
State Federation of Labor had refused
to endorse him. Perhaps he heedet
the warning that the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor would oppose any
Lewis candidate. Perhaps he sudden
ly realized that Lewis had no votes tt
deliver. At any rate, he got out o.
the picture in hurry and left Levi!
high and dry.
That's where Lewis is now higl
and dry and alone. The only support