Evening star., 1942-10-22
Pacific Offensive
Called Second Front
By Forresta|
Naval Employees Told
U. S. Action Prevents
Jop Attack on Russio

Pacific as a second 'front.'" which
has kept the Japanese from at
tacking Russia.
The Navy spokesman, who re-
Gently returned from the Solomon
Islands, described the difficulties
which our fighters are encountering
there In a speech before a labor
relations conference attended by
delegates from naval shore estab-
hshments in the Interior Depart
ment auditorium.
He said that if the outcome of the
Solomons battle were measured by
the courage of those men down
there, there can be but one out
come, complete and final victory"
This war We are engaged in
in the Atlantic and Pacific, SAFE
guarding the lines of supplies to our
Allies, conducting a second front in
the Southwest Pacific which has
kept the blow from Russia, believe.
this summer, is an accentuated war
OF supply"
Jap Supplies Utilized.
He said that to supply our
Solomons troops ''is one of the most
difficult tasks ever undertaken by
any Navy in the history of the
world"
Pointing out that the Navy was
working from improvised bases, Mr..
Forrestal said:
When I visited the Solomons the
marines were living in part on
captured Japanese supplies because
OF the uncertainty of getting our
own in there.
I'VE are fighting in black, thick
Jungles in the blackest kind of night,
We are fighting without rest. The
men have been bombed and at
tackled from the jungles day and
night"
Secretary Perkins Applauded.
Secretary OF Labor Perkins ap-
peared before the meeting and drew
applause from the delegates when
she defended labor against "ill-con-
slcered people who don't know the
facts"
II think the working people of
this country have done magnifi-
Gently" she declared. "They have
shown more sheer physical courage
in facing what comes to them than
the average person"
The Secretary assured the labor
delegates that I'VE are asking that
every bit of machinery be utilized
for settlement of industrial disputes
conferences, negotiations, Govern
ment conciliation. No group, how
ever small, should strike, she said,
because some adjustment of every
disputed question is possible"
The conference, attended by about
100 delegates from shore establish
ments all over the country, will last
for two days and will be addressed
by leading figures in the Navy and
in organized labor. Secretary of the
Navy Knox will lead the list of
speakers tonight at the banquet at
the Willard Hotel.
Bard Lauds Heroism.
Heroism of soldiers, sailors and
marines on our far-flung battle
fronts will be of little avail unless
all at home do our part, Assistant
Secretary of the Navy Ralph A,
Bard told the delegates.
Commenting on a recent CONVEX
sation he had had with 1t. Comdr.
John Bulkeley, who told him that
his torpedo boat squadron had been
holding on by their teeth until the
people back home could send addi-
tlonal equipment, Mr.. Bard said:
That is why you're Important
because Comdr. Bulkeley, and every
one of your boys on the front line
Of action are willing to make des-
parate shoe-string catches in the
death struggle with the enemy-be-
cause they believe in you and the
rest OF industrial America"
Mr.. Bard reminded the representa-
tives that it is their responsibility
to deliver the goods to the fighting
men on the world outposts.
These sailors and marines out in
the Pacific are fighting for us, and
we cannot let them down."
He said a friend of his recently
returned from a trip to the Pacific
where he had visited a young sailor
in hospital there who was blinded
for life as a result Of battle action.
The blinded boy asked the visitor
eagerly of the news from home.
God spare us If ever a visitor has
to tell that boy that any one is lay
ing down on the job of supplying our
fighting forces at the front" Mr..
Bard said.
Rear Admiral Ben Moreell, chief
of the Bureau Of Yards and Docks,
said the conference was really de-
signed so that I'VE can know each
other better so we can pull together
in harness"
The Conference was opened by
Co-chairman Rear Admiral C. w.
Fisher, director of shore establish
ments of the Navy Department.
Others scheduled to speak today
included Capt. P. E. Phil, who accom-
panied Wendell L. Willkie on his re-
cent round-the-world flight; Civil |
Service Commissioner Arthur S.
Rear Admiral w. H. p.
Blandy, chief of the Bureau of Ord
nance, who recently returned from q
trip to the Southwest Pacific; Chair
man Donald Nelson of WPB, Leon
Henderson, price administrator; Paul |
v. McNutt, head of the War Man.
power Commission; Rear Admiral |
John S. Mccain, chief of the Bureau
Of Aeronautics; Rear Admiral Ben