The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-16


 significant slap-down for
 In the last few years, during the rule of John L. Lewis, Pressman ran the committee with an iron hand.
 Because of his use of leftist tac- tics, PreSSman was diSliked on Capitol Hill and was repeatedly in hot water. But through his drag with Lewis, none of his numerous CIO foes was able to curb him and he operated as he pleased.
 His custer from the key post caused much jubilation among the antis, who have been muttering disappointedly for weeks over Mur- rays failure to use the axe on strategically placed left-wingers. But this pleasure was short lived. The next day Murray announced the appointment of John T. Jones, director of Labor's Non-partisan League, as CIO legislative repre- sentative on Capitol Hill. This was a Solar-plexus blow.
 A United Mine Worker official, Jones is one of Lewis most intim- ate henchmen and completely un- der his thumb. Jones owes both his UNIV and LNL jobs to Lewis, and he is one of the few UNIV leaders who followed Lewis in bolting to Willkie. Personally ami able and hail-fellow, Jones is no leftwinger, but he takes his orders from Lewis and will follow any party line" he lays down.
 In CIO circles the appointment was taken as clear evidence that the shadow of Lewis still looms potent over Murray and that he does not feel himself strong enough to be his own boss.
 GETTING READY
 Lewis, confined to his home the past few weeks with heart condi- tion, is spending his time culling over UNIV officer rolls. The in- side word is that there is a double purpose behind this:
 ONE to take vengeance on local leaders who refused to bow to his pressure to support Willkie. TWO: to put followers he can depend on into office in preparation for major coal strike April 1, when the present UNIV contract with the operators expires.
 Soothing with hatred of the President, and an extremist foe his foreign policies, Lewis is credited with planning to make strong demands on the mine owners. The order for special S2 assessment on all UNIV mem- bers already has gone out to pro- vide a strike fund if needed. And unless prevented by ill health, Lewis will head the UNIV negotiating grOup-a key position to churn things up.
 PRIVATELY, government labor chiefs make no secret of their concern over the situation. A major coal strike would play plenty havoc with defense produc- tion, particularly the spring when it will be greatly accelerated. ABORIGINAL
 A witness, testifying before the house committee Investigating, imi- grant labor, related how he, his wife and 12 children slept in small tent pitched in ditch along the roadside.
 Shocked at the story, Represen- tative John Toland, idealistic chairman of the committee, re- marked ironically, And suppose you has the latest sanitary con- veniences?"
 Whats that?" asked the wit ness. Poland explained.
 "N0, not the latest, was the reply. 'The earliest"
 GUMMED UP TRAINING Training workers for defense in- dustries, like certain other phases of the defense program, appears to have become gummed up with good intentions.
 The program is centralized in the public school system, which is applying the role of universal education and it isn't working out.
 When the program was launched last July 1, the schools enthusi- astically opened their doors wide on all applicants and turned over their vocational shops and staffs. They are now learning industry won't take some of the trainees on a bet.
 In one mid-western state, which has become 6 center of defense production, a check of the first