Evening star., 1946-11-25
Letters to The Star
Readers Discuss Coal Strike And
Its ImpIication,

Readers Discuss Coal Strike And
Its Implications
To the Editor OF The Star:
In an editorial entitled "Thin Legal
Line" published on November 20, you
refer to how little there is in the law
to protect the American people at the
hands of Mr.. Lewis. You also refer to
"novel theory" on which the Govern
ment Is proceeding to prevent an In
reference with "the sovereign functions
OF the United States to result from
the ending Of coal production.
However, examination of decision Of
the Supreme Court OF the United States,
in a similar situation, rendered 81 years
ago, will show not only that there is
very much in the law to protect the
people, but also that 1t Is no novel
theory that the United States Of Amer
lea, in the Executive. Department and
the Courts, has ample power to prevent
the impending serious disruption Of in
terstate commerce.
refer to the case Of In re Debs, 158
U. s. 564, decided on May n, 1895. That
case dealt with an interference with the
operation Of trains at Chicago and else
where throughout the country; and the
Government brought injunction pro-
ceedings against Debs and others to end
the interference with interstate COM
merce, carriage OF the mails, etc. The
Supreme Court held that the injunc-
tion had been properly granted to pre-
vent interference with the sovereign and
exclusive right OF the United States of
America contained in the Constitution.
and independently Of any statute. to
control and regulate interstate COM
nerce. Two pertinent excerpts from
that decision, are as follows: "As, under
the Constitution, power over interstate
commerce and the transportation Of the
mails is vested In the National Govern
ment, and Congress by virtue Of such
grant has assumed actual and direct
control, it follows that the National
Government may prevent any unlawful
and forcible interference Herewith.
But how shall this be accomplished?
Doubtless, 1t Is within the competency of
Congress to prescribe by legislation that
any interference with these matters
shall be onenses against the United
States, and prosecuted and punished by
indictment in the proper courts. But is
that the only remedy?"
"The National Government, given by
the Constitution power to regulate In
terstate commerce. has by express stat
ute assumed jurisdiction over such
commerce when carried upon railroads.
It is charged, therefore, with the duty
Of keeping those highways OF interstate
commerce free from obstruction, for it
has always been recognized as one Of
the powers and duties of q government
to remove Instructions from the high
ways under its control"
RUSSELL HARDY.
To the Editor Of The Star:
Why, In the name of common sense,
should there be any question or dis
cussion about what to do with those
out-size pipe lines on which the Gov
ernment spent good many millions of
our dollars during the war to bring
gasoline and oil from the Texas fields
to the eastern seaboard? Why should
they not continue to be used for just
what they were laid for2
Give US the natural gas which Is
being wasted In Texas and Mr.. Lewis
and his poor miners fwho have only
some $60,0oo,0o0 and $40, 600 900 In their
treasury very soon would ind it to
their advantage to work at their present
excessively high wages and forget that
welfare tax they are forcing the Gov
ernment to pay them at present.
have been q member Of trade
union for more than So years: but no
one could detest Q highway holdup
manner Of getting better wages any
more than do.
ALBERT D. RUST.
To the Editor Of The Star:
This is a heart-to-heart talk to man
with coal heart. Many are suffering
from the coal these frosty mornings.
Winter Is bearing down upon us at a
swift gait. Many q coal bin will be
empty If the coal heart does not warm
up to the "fire" need of his fellow men.
Putting aside this "coa" introduce
tion, we get Gown to serious business.
There are few questions to be asked
Of the men with the "coar heart:
/. While you countenance q strike
against the United States Government,
don't you realize that you have struck
against the hearts Of your own fellow
citizens?
2. Do you realize that the average
citizen would rather go cold this winter
than surrender his rights to coal car?
And why do say this? Simply because
there are millions OF Americans who
believe that better is dry morsel. and
quietness Herewith, than a house full
Of sacrifices with strife" and "a little
with Righteousness than great revenues
without right"
CHARLES ALLEN RENTFRO.
To the Editor Of the Star:
II were President, would:
/. At once call special session Of
Congress.
q LII " 49,