The Dayton forum. [volume] (Dayton, Ohio) 1913-1949, 1941-05-02
The Stupor OF
National Complacency

WASHINGTON, DC" The simplest
right III a democracy is the rlght 70
work was the declaration last week q
David Lawrence, nationally known col
umnist, IN describing some OF the chaouc
conditions now existent in the world OF
labor
Attention was being called By Mr..
Lawrence to the time when Law and Or
der was an American boast. Also, ne
was referring to the internal dlslntegra-
ton which follows when law and order
are disregarded and when men who wish
TO work and need to work are prevented
from doing SO BY unruly, riotous groups
which do not, themselves. wish TO work,
and do not intend that others shall do
SO. This is anarchy.
After nearly 3 years Of the Roosevelt
Depression. when 100000 to lo,0OO,-
900 men, annually, were hungry depres-
sed and discouraged it would appear
that when the wind-fall Of defense Jobs
became available something approach
ing felloW-feeling Of sympathy and
good will would prevail, and that organ
lied efforts would not be made to stand
in the way of any man, capable, willing
and efficient, who sought opportunity to
earn his living that his family might en-
10y some of the comforts of life.
An effective defense program is being
interfered with by sit-down, overt, out
law, and showdown strikes inspired III
many instances by alien agitators. In
the meantime, Secretary Perkins Of the
Department of Labor, fittingly dismissed
these eruptions as being Of minor impor-
tance and on the wane, despite the fact
that for the first three months OF this
year Ill 500. 600 man-hours of employ
ment have been lost These precious
hours could have been used for produc-
tion, and more production.
What all this means to White labor in
dollars and cents staggers Imagination.
What it means to Negro labor is some
thing else. It is tragic, battling, dis
conraging and killing
The tacit agreements Of the Roosevelt
Administration, Labor and Industry have
effective conspired to keep Negro labor
on the outer. outer rim of industrial en-
ployment.
The power to breakdown could have
been exerted months and months ago b.
the Roosevelt Administration with it's
enormous powers, and proportionate
share of recognition afforder ii the Ad-
ministration had desired to exert its pow
er in behalf of an element of the popu-
lation it was SO businly cajolng short
five months ago when the Administration
was battling for its continuance in po-
litical power
The few gestures Of the present, grudg
ingly made under the fire of Negro and
white public opinion, the Negro Press,
and organized bodies serving the cause of
the Negro. have not yet freely opened
the gates that American citizens of dark
er hue may have some of the privileges
and opportunities of defense employ
ment
It is conveniently overlooked that the
lower-income bracket, Of which Negroes
are so large, too large a proportion, are
to pay an appreciably large part Of the
costs Of defense preparation
These people have suffered unbearably
during the past 8 years Of the Roosevelt
Depression. They need the stimulus Of
q little fair-play and just consideration at
the hands Of their Government They
need some quickening Of spirit. some dis
play Of that Americanism of which we
boast that assures faith in Government
its principles and practices.
No government can afford to be indif-
ferent to the needs and concerns of 12,-
100000 to 100000 Of its population
The diverse wants of such group de-
serve the thoughtful cooperation of all
Whs would have this nation great and