Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1946-05-09

upon STRIKE Wnlle the boys III uIll-
form were struggling to hold for
us the freedom and liberty this
country had en-
Strikes! joyed for so
Strikes! many genera
Strikes! tions. With the
coming of VIC
tory and peace we hoped that
our fears were ended; that those
goods and services which war
needs had denied US would soon
be available again; that the
exasperating strikes would end.
But what have we had but strike
upon strike? Have we been able to
secure those goods and services?
Have we rid ourselves of the fear
engendered by scarcities? The
answer to all such questions is
obviously, NO!
Somewhere along the line since
last summer someone has been
sorely in error in high official
circles. Somewhere along the
line we have, as a people, been
guilty of letting time make adj
justments. President Truman
turned loose the foodgates of
higher pay and prices until now
there is a constant demand for
more pay and more price in
creases. Just where it will all
stop no one is qualified to fore
tell.
Worst of all, however, is the
stcDEeGe Of MANY industries by
one group of strikers. John L.
Lewis is admittedly one of the
strongest personalities on the
American stage.
Lewis Won't Unfortun a tie y
Meet With Mr.. Lewis knows
Operators his strength. On
more than one
occasion during the war he
defied Government authority
and now he defies the very
method for which he spent his
early years fighting. He even
refuses to meet with the coal
operators for a discussion of
issues at stake unless, in advance,
the operators grant certain de-
mands. He has used the authority
he possesses to withhold pro-
duction of soft coal since April l
thereby creating an acute short
age which is already causing the
shutdown of industries and which
threatens the coal supply for
heating next winter. We went
through the steel strike which
threw back the program of recon-
version and now Mr.. Lewis will
be the cause of our steel mills
closing for another period. All of
this leads to unemployment and
a consequent drain on our un-
employment reserves. Mr.. Lewis
is being permitted to do what a
financial wizard of Wall Street
would be publicly hung for. Mr..
Lewis has actually "cornered the
coal market" and refuses to per-
NIT further delivery of that basic
commodity unless his demands
are met.
Without debating the merits of
his demands it seems inconceiv-
able that our
Congress government is so
Should completely with
Take Action out authority to
cope with a de-
NAL of public services. 1t seems
preposterous that we are obliged
to undergo restrictions and sac
rifices merely on the whim of one
man. In fairness to members of
Mr.. Lewis union it should be
noted that they would probably
De willing to return to work and
have all grievances ironed out
.concurrentIy. But Mr.. Lewis will
not permit them to return to
work. Doubtless he would even
nefy Government operation of
.he mines. So we come right
PACK TO the prop sitfon that if
ml. Lewis is able to tie up our
neS well-being another union
head could do Likewise.
And if that be the case It is
hlgh time that our men IN the
Congress see to it that never
again will the United states. SO
strong and so proud among
nations be impotent to deal With
a strong Willed ;od;.,