The Ely miner., 1942-04-02

There are still men in America who
are not afraid to speak their con-
victions and there stil are newspapers
in the country not afraid to publish
these convictions even If they do not
coincide with the opinions of the
powers that be.
Such an opinion was recently printed
In the Commercial Appeal Of Memphis
Tennessee, and republished since In
many of the leading newspapers of the
country. 1t had particular reference
to defense industry. The letter has
been read at Kiwanis and other Ser
vice Clubs meetings throughout the
land.
The letter was one written by John
G. Schefheld, a lawyer of Helena Ark
ansaS, to the Appeal. Mr.. Scheffield
served his country in World War ]
and MS son is now in the u. S.
marines, and unheard of since Janu-
ary The son was born while his
father was in France with the AEF.
Because the sentiments in the letter
are so much the opinions of the gen.
of those who have sons now in the
armed forces. it should be read and re-
read by the higher ups in Washington
and by all congressman without regard
ii party or cleavage.
John c. Scheffield spoke to America
and hit vulnerable spot when he
said:
To the Commercial Appeal:
My only son was born while I was
in France during the first World War
Today he is a member Of the United
States Marine Corps. He sailed from
California the first of January, end
We have heard nothing from him
since. We know he is somewhere in the
Pacific. We are anxious about him
Thousands OF other parents are like
us.
The President says we do not have
enough ships to send supplies to our
troops, and that we must build ships
In a hurry. Even as he spoke several
hundred shipbuilders refused to work
on washington's birthday because they
were not paid double time.
How can fathers and mothers Of boys
who are in the danger zone and who
are being called upon 10 sacrifice their
lives feel any "surge" of unity when
the President and the Congress per-
init a bunch Of shipbuilders and
munitions workers to quit when they
get good and ready,
Do our boys at the front get "over-
time" and "double time" in the fos
holes of the Philippines? Do our sons
who are giving their lives to protect the
lob of these and others like them
Quit on holidays? Like he'll they do
One of my friends, who Is a good
mechanic with a family to support
went to get job IN a munitions plant
Every day we hear on the radio anc
read in the newspapers that such mer
are needed to turn out munitions FOL
our soldiers, sailors and marines. Bur
this man was refused job until he
could get a union card. He could not
get a union card because he did not
have enough money TO buy one.
Is is the idea of our government thai
it is more important to preserve labol
unions than it is to preserve the Amer
lean Union? Why can't free-borr
American citizen get a job in a plant
where the government needs workers
without having to pay tribute to &
high-powered labor leader?
If our sons are to be drafted II
give their lives for their country, WIZ
should not labor and capital be draftet
to supply them with munitions of war
Why should Congress, which has powe'
to make laws, be so tender for th'
regard of laborers and management
who work and prosper in safety while
having an utter disregard for the live
of the boys at the front?
We don't like it, and we don't mine
saving so right out loud Maybe it j
time we were electing some senator
and congressman who will crack down
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