Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-15
Democratic Club
Hears Tolan
At Luncheon
La,vmaker Is Greeted
By Mrs. Justin Miller;
Mrs. Le1vis Presides

The need for national legislation
to protect the migratory worker in
national defense activities was
stressed by Representative John H.
Tolan, Democrat, of California in
an extemporaneous talk yesterday
before the Woman's National Demo-
cratic Club.
Speaking at the clubs weekly
luncheon, he pointed out how war
has increased the problems Of mi
gratory workers who leave their
home States for work In factories or
on farms. He warned that hun
dreds Of workers would be stranded
In a postwar period when factories
would close and employees, non-resi-
dents OF the State in which they had
worked. would find themselves with
out relief.
ut will be the duty of the Federal
Government to take care Of them
until they can get work." he de-
clared.
Recalls Investigation.
The speaker traced the work OF
the Select Committee Investigating
the Interstate Migration of Desti-
tute Citizens two or three years ago
following shortly after the publica-
ton of Steinback's famous novel,
1.-THE Grapes of Wrath" While the
book was not the reason for the
appointment of the committee, it
had given a wonderful stimulus to
its work, he added
Although the migrant workers
were known as the "Okies" and the
"Arkies" they were found from every
State, he added, and their prob
lens should be government re-,
sponsibility and not that of any one
State, he commended. Pointing out
that the committees investigations
two years ago had affected invalidat-
ing a law which made 1t crime to
transport poor person across
State line, formerly existing in %
States, Representative Tolan de-
clared that while I'VE aresthe rich
est nation in the world, we are the
most backward when it comes to
human equation.
Congress has a standing COM
mittee on wild life that provides
feeding ponds for ducks in every
State and even in Canada but there
are no feeding places for our own
people who migrate from one State
to another in search of livelihood"
he added.
Moved Like Cattle.
Now chairman of the Special Com
mittee on National Defense Migra-
ton, Representative Tolan declared
that many migratory workers are
frequently the victims of private
employment agencies or contractors
who move the workers indiscrimi-
natelys over long distances.
1--WE have found contractors who
move these workers from Florida to
New Jersey or from Texas to Michi-
gan like so much cattle. In fact,
worse than cattle, who by law must
be given "a hours rest while being
transferred" The Representative
added that bill was now pending
to regulate private employment
agencies and contractors"
The speaker deplored the dis
acknowledgements of workmen who
cross a State border" and added that
provision should now be made to
take care of the postwar situation.
I'VE cannot neglect the home
front" he asserted and our boys on
the front lines can't be any stronger
than our morale on the home front"
Representative Tolan voiced ap-
proval of war savings and purchase
of bonds and stamps, adding that |
''the shock absorber in the postwar
period would be personal savings
Mrs. Lewis Presides.
The speaker was introduced by
Mrs. Justin Miller, a fellow CAL
ifornian and a personal friend.
Mrs. J. Hamilton Lewis, the sec
ond vice president. presided in the
absence of the president, Mrs. Curtis
Shears, and the first vice president,
Mrs. Paul McNutt.
Those at the speakers table in
cluded Mrs. Harry Englebright, Mrs.
Jack Nichols, Mrs. Ellen Woodward,
Miss Marguerite Rawalt, Mrs. Car
roll Stewart. Mrs. Kenneth Romney, |
Mrs. Charles NJ Harron, Mrs. Wood
ward Shade of Los Angeles.
\A/. N4>kor~ losn