Evening star., 1946-01-26
Letters to The Star
Readers Continue Their Discus.
sion of Labor Troubles
To the Editor Of The Star:


sion of Labor Troubles
| To the Editor Of The Star:
| How long must the public be forced
to tolerate the legalized racketeering Of
American labor unions? How long must
our legislative representatives hesitate to
institute legal restrictions upon union
activities? How long must the people see
strikes, like cancerous growth, eat away
at the heart of our economic structure,
our industrial progress?
During the war our industrial efforts
were turned to production Of vital ma
terrell for use against the enemy, result
ing in curtailment or complete cessation
Of manufacture of other products we had
come to accept as matter OF fact. Now
when 1t should be possible to place these
much-desired and necessary items on the
market again we are confronted by un-
due agitation by union leaders. parasites
who at the slightest provocation call
strikes, not only against capital that
provides jobs for the working man but
strikes against the national welfare as
well.
Throughout more than four years of
war and consequent occupation of con-
quered areas our servicemen have been,
and still are, spread across the face of
the earth, each doing his bit for his
country and what it represents, freedom
and democracy. Why must they return
to what they have every right to expect
to be haven Of peace and prosperity
only to find industrial strife the order
OF the day? These men have devoted
some of the best years of their lives to
the defense of their heritage, the right
to provide a livelihood for themselves and
their dependents. the right to work at
their chosen professions without undue
interference or interruption. This heri-
tage also belongs to those who served SO
magniflcently on the home front. Our
forces were victorious on the battlefield,
but do we not still face a great enemy
in the guise of union heads who lead the
workers to believe they benefit from
union membership as it now exists?
Except in few professions citizen
is more or less forced to join a labor
union and pay portion of his wages
into the union treasury if he is to follow
the vocation of his choosing. Whether
he wishes to become union member
is immaterial; the union slogan seems to
be: mo union dues, no work" American
corporations are prevented from creating
monopolies by an antitrust law. Why,
then, do we allow labor unions to monop-
olize the labor market? Why can there
not be more stringent regulations gov
erning union activities?
Is it not time we ceased to mollycoddle
labor unions and placed a restraining
hand upon their efforts to gain control
of our industry and Government?
Tc the Editor of The Star:
Quite recently, one of our far-seeing
and successful industrial leaders ex-
claimed in regard to the steel strike
situation: 1T is time to love America"
If both parties in this dispute would
accept this thought and action, and the
steel companies agree to the plan of
President Truman. even at real sacri-
flee on their part, the darkening outlook
would in the twinkling of an eye be
frightened. The confidence thus liberated
would find ready response in the hearts
of the workers as they learn of the sac
riflces necessary on the part of the COM
panies in meeting the terms of agree
ment for their good, and would result
r,n nv,11 if, mr. I'D inn wv
duction, but in new and more righteous !
point of view, SO necessary for the future
of America and of the world. 1t is indeed
Time to love America" r. S. w.
To the Editor Of The Star
Standing by practically empty meat
case the other day, remarked to a
woman: The farmers of these United
States should 60 on strike and raise
only enough food to pay their taxes and
supply their family tables. Then only
would strikers in great and essential in
dustries realize that they are well taken
care of in wages and hours!"
She was Mortified and said: why we
wouldn't have anything to feed our FAM
answered: mo we would not. The farm
ers have to work from early dawn till
dark (no eight-hour day for them) to
produce the food to feed the world, in
cluding the strikers and their families"
(Mrs.) SOPHIE CLAGETT CLARK.
Criticizes Southern Senators
To the Editor of The Star:
How much longer are we, the people,
going to stand for this child-play by our
Senators?
With our Nation at the most danger
Gus crossroads it has had to face in
years, our Southern Senators make fools
of themselves and laugh about it while
they fllibuster on the FEPC. And all
the time our Nation rocks along in more
and more dangerous waters like ship
without rudder
If, as the Southern Senators say, the
majority of people do not want the
FEPC, then why are they afraid to let
it come to vote?
Let us vote on the FEPC and then
get on with the other pressing business
at hand.
If the Southern Senators are guilty
of trying to obstruct majority rule in
the United States, just so are the other
Senators guilty of not voting to limit
debate.
When is the Senate going to stop
playing and go to work?
HARLAN MENDENHALL.