Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-11-25
Lewis Action
May Yet Be
Applauded
Herrin Massacres Show
z Sides BIameworthy
BY HUGH S. JOHNSON


WITHOUT much regard 10
W the merits. of the case.
except to say that the United
Mine Workers strike in the
captive mines imperiled the
national defense, Mr.. John L.
Lewis has been castigated in
editorial and other comment,
including that by the President,
TO an extent that few Americans
have ever had to suffer during
peace-time.
This column has had no par
ticular brief for Mr.. Lewis in
this controversy except that it
has tried To- s..SS-7w.<that like all
other questions there are two
sides to this one.
The settlement of this trouble,
announced Saturday. will doubt
less be widely aScribed TO re-
treat by Mr.. Lewis for fear and
Under pressure. That is the
way Of the human animal under
stress of great emotion.
THERE will be few plaudits
L for the president of the
United Mine Workers action as
one of courage and patriotism.
At least this will be so for the
present.
/ venture TO believe, however,
that when the facts are known
the affair will be appraised in
a different manner. l think
that even the reSentful sympa-
-thctic strikers in the commercial
mines viii be appfauding Mr..
Lewis action as an almost per-
feet solution Of the problem
and as strategy without class
scifShness and without loss of
material advantage 10 the
miners ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF
all classes.
TT Is difficult 10 measure the
L feeling of relief that has come
+a-tAe- army in this unexpected
escape from one of the most
serious problems that has ever
confronted II the prospect Of
having 10 shoot down more or
less defenSeleSS American Clti-
zens IN the exercise of what they
felt. however enormously, 10 be
their rights.
II could have affected The
popularity of the army perma-
nently torn this country asunder
with diSunlty. and even made
our form of government, # not
laughing stock, a matter OF qHes-
ton as to its efficiency.
THE only doubt have heard
Il discussed by responsible Of
ficerS is as 10 whether this Is
settlement Of this trouble
ON this point l feel confident
in assuring them that il is The
only remaining areas Of dlssatis-
faction are among the sympa-
thetic strikers in the commercial
mines.
Among all such miners the in
Huence Of both Mr.. Lewis and
Mr.. Murray are so great that
there Is no cause for concern.
IN TIE villlfcation against MIR
L Lewis leadership, has been
dragged the so-called Herrin
in which members Of
an independent union were shot
down by representatives of the
United Mine Workers.
| once had occasion 10 receive
n delegation of leaders of that
union and spent half a day with
them. That was ample time 10
learn what anybody who knows
should have known
already. that in the controversy
there was no pink tea on either
side.
While wiping tears from his
eyes at the memory Of the death
Of one of his comrades. the
spokesman for those American
mine workers told me. in answer
to a question as 10 how Terry
Tor some such name) met his
death:
ooh, Terry had just blown
three heads Oft with an auto
matte shotgun"
This is no argument that Mr..
Lewis is geranium in any kind
Of fight, but when people begin
10 present one side of these
questions and there is nobody 10
present the other. we have al
ready gone too far in war n.y.
sierra which is the danger of any
nation.
Distributed by King Features synd Inc.
Reproduction in whole or In part
strictly prohibited.
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