Evening star., 1945-02-20
Letters to The Star
Denies Labor Leaders Right
To Speak for Servicemen

To the Editor Of The Star:
I note with interest that J. q.
Luhrsen, executive secretary Of the
Railway Labor Executives Association,
has condemned national service legis-
lation, because 1t would be "a stepping
stone to future slavery" and asserts
that labor supports the view $50 that
the servicemen fighting abroad
may be encouraged to greater assur-
ance that they are not returning to q
slave-made Nation ="
Mr.. Luhrsen can support his gen.
eralization of labor's stand on this
issue, for no has but echoed the re-
marks Of other prominent labor leaders.
It appears, however. that he has ar
rogated to himself the privilege OF
speaking for the servicemen, and I
question that his political philosophy
has the support of the majority of the
men In uniform.
When labor leaders and other solici-
tors Of special privilege so freely invoke
the cause OF the servicemen, let Con-
gress and the general public realize
that they are referring to approximately
II ,0O0, 600 American citizens who have
been deprived Of every civil liberty as
an essential condition Of war. The con-
scription OF millions into q condition
Of complete servitude to the military is
universally accepted, because an army
Of volunteers and mercenaries would
be inadequate to carry warfare to the
huge conscript armies of the enemy.
Surely it must follow, il we are ir-
revocably committed to fight the war
to successful conclusion, in the
shortest time and with the least cost of
human life and suffering, that the
introduction Of the principle Of total
war" by the enemy. with the subjuga-
ton Of his entire population to the war
effort, eventually must require similar
sacrifice on our part.
Real Sacrifices Listed.
No serviceman seriously doubts, once
the war is won, and the justification for
retaining him in uniform is removed,
that he will be returned to the same
civil status that he previously had en-
joyed. Nor does he have any fear that
reasonable laws requiring support of
the war effort by the entire body Cf
citizens will be perpetuated. II there
are valid grounds for concern about
the latter, then certainly tho service
man has no hope. For q government
which would and could enforce COM
pulsory civilian service for all, in time
Of peace, will have no difficulty In re-
tanning its military in uniform 80 long
as 1t fancies, and without cause.
The serviceman is more interested in
the preservation Of his fundamental
rights and liberties in time Of peace
than any one else could be. for he has
learned what 1t means to live without
them. But right now he faces the cold
reality that until this war Is over he
must continue to fight on. to endure
misery, suffering, loneliness and
boredom; to see his family, in most
instances, impoverished and humiliated
because Of inadequate income; to risk
his life and limb daily. and to live, so
long as he Is able to live, far removed
from his family. and without normal
social activities or emotional outlets.
4AO WoAto W CoSatC tklGSG COl1uls
tions as soon as he can. He fears the
prospect Of \ long war And he is
resentful at the thought that the con-
f1ict should be prolonged one day, or
that one man should be killed or
manned. because OF the lack Of any
item Of materiel which was not pro-
vided because the right man was not
available at the right place on the
home front.
Why Military Want Law.
The highest military authorities have
reported that labor shortages do exist,
and that national service is the only
dependable method Of filling out che
ranks Of war workers, and keeping
them filled. Mr.. Luhrsen attacks ma
tional service with the statement that
the military are the only one who ad-
vocate its enactment. Is it remarkable
that the class which bears nearly all
of the burden of war should call for
help from others 30 that it may be
ended more quickly?
Any man exempt from service him.
self, who dons the cloak of the service
mans cause In order to do battle with
the advocates OF national service, in
vites discredit either to his motives or
his views. Is 1t not more likely that he
serves the interests Of himself and Of
those who have thus far enjoyed inn
murity from war, who violently fear
that national service will call for
sacrifice on their part-sacrifice, not Of
life. health, comfort or the privilege
Of leading = normal life at home; but
sacrifice only of the convenience Of
exercising free choice as to the place
he shall work, or the kind of work he
shall do?.
We expect labor leaders to speak for
the immediate interests Of labor, and
frequently to display a lack of fore
sight In so doing. But we cannot lis
ten in silence when they solicit public
support Of their views on national
service under the false pretense Of
protecting the seryiceman from "fu-
ture slavery" RALPH L. TRISKo,
Lieutenant q. g, q. 8. N. r.
Somewhere in the Pacific.
Golden Gate Conference
TO the Editor Of The Star:
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