, 1941-01-16

Rogers. Editorial Advisor, William n. Chambers.
WHICH WAY AMERICA?
The course Of the Administration
WHERE IS THE DIRECTION OF POLITICS in our
nation today leading us? To what end, are the decisions
now being made taking us? Let us look beneath words and
slogans and headlines, for the answers to these questions.
American labor has called for eternal vigilance to
guard the peace of this nation, and for unremitting militant
activity to extend the frontiers of social benefits for all
our people, as U ONLY SURE DEFENSE of democracy.
Let US ask ourselves, hoO these ends fare in the
politics of the day.
IN SOBER FACT, despite labor's demands and word-service
to theses ends, they are faring badly.
Congress has passed no important legislation for social
welfare since the European war began A bill for public medicine
has been buried Appropriations for housing, essential relief, and
youth have been cut o. turned to military Sc. A new burden of
taxes has been unloaded ON those least able to pay, while great
corporations make up to 32R profit and escape extra tax.
Attacks on the rights of labor, the Wagner Act, and
the American right to strike, are frequent and menacing
Proposals come from Department of Justice officials to-
"conscript labor" and an informal conference between State
and Department of Justice officials plans measures for State.
legislatures which would destroy civil liberties and labor.
rights. Specific violations of civil liberties occur regularly
Dark clouds of anti-labor legislation threaten in Congress;
the Seven day week-no overtime" chatter grows louder
LABOR MUST ASK what place the ROOSEVELT
ADMINISTRATION itself plays in these events.
The Administration has not fought for extended social
legislation since 1889. The Administration has asked a reduction
of social expenditures, and all emphasis O arms. High places
have gone increasingly to representatives of big business and
reacdon-to Knudsen1 Stetinius, Knox, Stimson, and the business
big-shots ON the defense board The Administration has remained
silent ON restrictions of civil liberties and labor rights
Since the election, in which the Administration
courted labor support, labor has been further offended. The
Administration has failed utterly to sound any note for
progressive advance or the rights of labor. Immediately
after election the reactionary Harry Mills was appointed
Chairman of the NLRB. Immediately after election, hun
dreds of millions of dollars in defense contracts were granted
to the labor law breakers, Henry Ford and Bethlehem Steel
Meanwhile, the grim specter of involvement in val grows
ever nearer reality. Labor must ask, Has the Administration re
sisted the demands of figures close to the centers of financial
control, for "aIl-out" aid to the British empire, and even for
war? Labor must ask, will the progress of "al-out" aid from
goods to ships to planes, and now to the virtual gift of actual
weapons, end in sending SOLDIERS and in WAR? Has the
Administration forgotten American problems in it's soicftude
for o presumed war for democracy abroad?
Labor must investigate the phony claim, that Amer
lean democracy stands or falls by the victory or defeat of
the British empire. Labor must ask-What will happen to
our democracy if our problems and our people continue
to be neglected in the scramble for "all-out" aid to Britain?
What will be the fate of our democracy if we are Led to
Wal to enforce this "aI-out" aid? Labor must decide where
the Roosevelt Administration fits in all this.
Labor must think fast. 1t must assure itself on the
ans4Cers to many questions, and ACT on these Gnstcers, for
once the die Is cast, it trlI bind Is all In the future.