Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-01-02
Officials Blast
Al Strikes BRINGS
Varied Reaction
Need for New Labor
Lows Pointed to by
Some Legislators

The Capital debated over the
week end the assertion by an
eminent American figure in the
councils of the United Nations
that the labor troubles in rails
and steel have been seized on by
Axis propagandists to bolster
their tales of lowered civilian
morale in this country. The
spokesman said the strikes may
have cost the Allies all hope of
an internal collapse in Germany
and the occupied lands that
could have brought about the
downfall of the satellite govern
ments before spring.
The statement - from a source
that must for the moment at least
remain anonymous - said German
propagandists are telling subject
peoples throughout Europe that
chaos reigns in the United States,
with the Army having been forced
to take over and operate the rail-
roads. AS a consequence, it was
said, the subjugated countries are
reported hesitating again to start
the wild resistance which was
counted as major factor in the
overthrow of German domination,
This means, it was amplified, that
the war could be extended months
longer, and that the Allies still may
have to fight through the summer
at a cost of scores of thousands Of
casualties, before German can be
brought to her knees.
1t all adds up to a great tragedy"
the high official declared.
Some Blame President.
The reaction here was varied.
Some legislators suggested it is
up to President Roosevelt to take
the leadership if, the administers
ton thinks new laws are needed,
and others were critical of White
House handling of labor disputes.
Union men were indignant in
private conversations, but for the
time being were standing on the
public responses already made by
rail and steel labor leaders.
Three railroad brotherhood chiefs
ID. B. Robertson of the firemen,
H. w. Fraser of the conductors and
T. c. Cashen of the switchmen-
declared the unions were not to
blame.
Called Filthy Propaganda"
Had the administration permit
ted this case to have taken its
orderly course" they said in a state
ment, 80 in all probability q
satisfactory settlement could have
been worked out. - II this
situation has had any effect upon
the war or offers any psychological
comfort to Hitler the labor unions
are not responsible.
An official of the United Steel
Workers of America called the
whole thing "a filthy propaganda
. story designed to arouse people
against labor unions despite their
amazing production records"
Representative Smith, Democrat,
OF Virginia, co-author of the anti
strike law, and Representative
Manasco, Democrat, of Alabama,
were among those who said the
,, President should initiate any new
labor legislation.
One influential member of Con-
gress. however, said that regardless
OF administration action he con-
templated offering an antistrike
measure soon after the lawmakers
return January 10.
Few References Heard on Radio.
An owl official said so far as
, that agency has determined by
monitoring reports on the German
radio, Nazi broadcasters have not
greatly emphasized the disturbances
here.
), On December 90, the high official
said, one German home broadcast
by DR.. Josef Saal spoke of deep dis
satisfaction in Britain and the
United States. Saal, referring to the
strike threats, said this was par
tlcularly true in the United States
where domestic events during the
past few days are the best proof that
the utmost efforts are needed to
placate the rebellious masses"
i German propaganda has taken
three lines in the satellite nations,
the official said.
i First, 1t was asserted the German
propaganda line was that Britain
(See STRIKES, Page A-63