The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-04-14
AN OPEN LETTER

I
born American citizen. citizen
with previous service in the U. S.
Army. a taxpayer and hometown.
or, defense worker in a defense
industry closed by "totalitari-
an aggression" and being, Mr..
President, a jealous lover OF my
country, diligently prayerful for
both its future and its freedom,
do hereby declare my full right
to speak, mako protests, advise,
request and demand, as representa-
tive Of my Colleagues. my Nation,
and the great American People.
As you yourself know full well,
Mr.. President, we are now as ac-
tually at war as any nation was
ever at war, and we are now fight
ing a war the outcome OF which Is
more supremely vital than any
war ever recorded In the annals Of
gence, self.sacrif1ce, toll, efficiency,
perseverance and speed with
which we fight will determine,
either the safety OF freedom. or
the most horrible fate that could
ever envelope the souls and des-
| tiny OF mankind!
And how, Mr.. President, Messrs.
Governors, and Congress-Mr: and
Mrs. American Public-tust how
are we really dealing with this
gigantic crisis7 In the name Of
heaven-let us at once take look
at ourselves-we, the Defenders Of
the Faith, Sacred Defenders of
Liberty, Champions OF the Under
dog, Model Nation OF all nations.
Co-Guardians OF Freedom and all
that is sacred to the hearts OF man
kind! Just how do we really look
before the Tribunal OF God? Or
the Tribunal Of our Fathers who
toiled. starved, fought, bled and
died that we might have what we
have? How do we look before our
own tribunal?
Can we see anything within our
selves that makes US worthy OF
keeping the freedom we possess?
Well might the Statue OF Liberty
hang her head In shame before the
people she represents.
| Folks-why don't we get TO
WORK!
Instead. defense factories are
idle. Militant. organized groups
OF men--sometimes minority groups
refuse to work. capture factories
with picket lines, swing iron bars,
clubs and sharp weapons OF steel
with murderous force upon the
heads of men and women trying TO
work. Freedom is not freedom any
more. Might makes right. 1t also
is now currently indisputable proof
of majority. Any body OF men, If
violent and murderous enough, can
force majority and make it stick.
1t also is apparently legal prac-
tice for them to enlist the aid of
henchmen from other states or
factories.
Our fighting youth are in the
training camps learning to fight.
The "Old Man Is doing the actual
fighting at home-bloody lighting
trying to get In to work to make
a gun for the youngster In camp
TO train with.
Yes, every morning the Old man
takes a club in his hand land his
life with it) and filings himself
again at the picket line. Beaten,
bruised and bloody, he staggers or
is carried home TO recuperate for
the next mornings battle.
Silly Old Man. isn't he? He
ought to know that he can't break
through. In fact, he ought to know
that he hasn't any right to get
through. But then. he really isn't
to blame: he was brought up
wrongly when he was youngster
you know, those old-fashioned
ideas about individual liberty Cor
was II life, liberty and the pursuit
OF happiness?") Anyway, the Old
Man had instilled in him other an
tiquated doctrines too, such as
patriotism, and the idea that a man
should exert every effort for the
safety Of his country in any crisis
OF peace or war.
Poor Old Man, But there IL
really nothing We can do for him,
except to continue trying to club
into his head the realization that
he is wrong. has always been
wrong, and that the big New
Order" OF Hitler and Stain is
moving too strongly into his coun-
try for him to resist. Any Nazi )r
any Communist could tell him that.
but he won't listen. Alss, the
thousands OF German, Russian and
Italian Consulates here in America
(who cannot be touched by law,
even for murder). by revealing
their vast subversive organization
OF espionage and sabotage, could
show him proof. But the final
word to blow the lid off America
has not yet come, and so the Old
Man must merely be dubbed till
he awakens to the realization OF
his place in the New order"
Mr.. President! Congress! Ameri-
cansl When are WE going to
awake?
How long are we going to toler-
ate, aid and abet, the subversive
elements which are throttling our
industry, defense, American free
dom, and the very breath OF our
national existence?
You. Mr.. President-who are 30
afraid OF losing what~ labor has
gained" II you crack down on I'm
ions and strikes-why not crack
down on labor and industry alike?
Why not crack down, not with a
powerless group OF men to 'dilly-
daily" around. negotiate and advise
flor there can and must be no ne
collation. nor compromise with I'M
Americanism)-but crack down, i'm
medlately and hard. with specific
law and legislation. upon both labor
and industry alike?
How much more sensible this