Evening star., 1942-07-06


the kind of thing David Lawrence.
one heard extolled over the Fourth
of July week end, the preservation,
for instance, of individual liberty
and coercioniSm, the kind OF thing
that is bad only when Hitler tries
it but is somehow virtuouS when an
administration through its govern
mental agencies foists adaptations
of the same principle OF compul-
sion on protesting citizens.
The edict or decree has gone
forth that notwithstanding the fact
Congress passed no law to that ef-
feet and Notwithstanding the fact
there is nothing in the Constitu-
ton which remotely sanctions 1t,
anybody who wants to keep his
Job in American war production
where there's labor union organi-
cation around must now agree to
stay in that union, once he has
joined, or else lose his job.
theoretically a member is given
q chance to withdraw but actually
the constitutions of the unions do
not permit it. And, as practical
matter, once worker joins union
he cannot get out without running
the risk of being blacklisted by fell
low-unionists or else being discrim-
mated against in future employ
ment because of the existence OF
CLOSED shop" or union shop" agree
ments between unions and employ
ers in many trades.
Toilers Called Helpless"
Toilers are helpless against such
coercion because Congress while SEN
sitive about its own prerogatives re-
fuses to emancipate the workers
from this new form Of bondage.
No man, despite what the Declara-
ton of Independence or the Con-
stitution proclaims, can work where
he pleases In America, not even
on war-production job where
there's Government contract paid
for by all the citizens, unless he
pays, in many instances, a finan-
cial tribute to privately operated
organization which is immune from
all forms of governmental super
vision or control.
So there's evidently little else
to do but cheerfully conform to the
new order, to accept these execu-
tive. agencies as the real legislative
bodies and somehow convince one
self that all this is necessary to in
sure the steady production essential
to victory.
But isn't it equally essential to
keep Congress functioning steadily,
smoothly, producing the stream OF
legislation and appropriations de-
sired by the Chief Executive? What
could be more vital to winning the
war than to keep meddlesome Con-
gressmen from setting up irritating
obstacles to an Executive decree or
demand?
Why was it, for example, that
the President of the United States
our communicative chief, engaged In
mapping the strategy of the most
serious war in our whole history
had to beg last week for action on
agricultural appropriations and had
to denounce pressure group tao
tics? Why must there be pressure
groups in wartime?
To eliminate all possibility OF
manipulation of either or both po-
ltical parties by pressure groups
and to keep the powers-that-be in
power SO that no minority could
upset majority-which is after al
the true purpose of the mainte-
nance-of membership edict handed
down by the administration in the
case of labor unions-there is pos
sible corrolary. 1T is to maintain
existing memberships in political
parties at least for the duration oi
the war.
Political Parallel Proposed.
Employers could be compelled by
edict from Washington to deduct
from payrolls so cents person fol
dues and turn the money over tt
each of the party treasures. Every
citizen could be compelled to regis
ter now as he voted in the last cleo
ton or be given IS days to chang
his party afflliation. The War Labo
Board gives Is days to a worker Il
decide on permanent Membership
in a labor union where his who'll
economic future is at stake, so 1t l
probably ample to allow Is day
as the period within which one mus
decide ones political afiliation TO
the duration of the war.
The merit of the scheme, abov
all else, is that party funds here
after would not have to be obtaine'
from tll6 hlChCd 1ASiA Va 40
"kick-back" contribution from Gov
ernment contractors. Also Senator
and Representatives would not haV
to worry any more about the threat
from pressure group minoritles.
The party in power would, @
course, retain the big majority il
Congress it won in November, l94l
Chairman Flynn would be spare
the painful necessity of calling Re
publicans "appeasers" or "obstruc
tionlsts.' Nominations would
controlled by the bosses inside eac
party as in the case of labor union
Sitting members, assured of re-elee
ton, could then give their full tim
to the war programs needs.
The plan will, of course, be de
nounced as fascistic by those VIII
do not understand it. Maybe 1t i
So did one think the maintenanc
If membership formula for unior