Evening star., 1949-09-24
Letters to The Star
Proposes Vacations
For Industries, Too


Proposes Vacations
For Industries, Too
To the Editor Of The Star:
During the past 20 or more years there
have been many strikes in the different in
duStrieS. These strikes have cost many
millions Of dollars to the workers and in
dustries and have created great hardships
for those who were in no position to bear
the same. It is true that a number of en-
ployes have benefited by the strikes but
untold millions who have suffered there
from exceed by countless thousands those
who have benefited.
My sympathies are with laboring men 100
per cent and my opposition to the leaders
bears the same percentage. I cannot see
why the leaders are permitted to build up
out OF the earnings of the employees such
funds as they have to their credit and are
permitted to expend such large sums in aid
ing those whom they wish to see elected to
run the Government There should be q
StOppage to such practices and the money
thus accumulated should be returned each
year to those who have contributed from
their earnings to these funds. This, II done,
would add to the earnings Of the employees
and thereby add to the compensation re-
ceived.
Those who are members of the unions
seem unmindful Of the hardships they in
flict upon the general public and also are
unmindful of the damage done to employees
who are willing to work, but are deprived
from doing 50 not from any desire on the
part Of the employees, but from the fact
that the employers are in no position to
utilize their services on account Of being
deprived Of the necessary implements.
suggest that this sword that constantly
Is being held over the heads Of industry be
sharpened on both edges. That is to say:
Let the heads of the different industries
notify the strikers that they, too, are en-
titled to holiday and intend closing their
plants for the same length Of time that the
coal strike has been in effect. There cer-
tainly Is as much reason and logic for them
to cause the public to endure hardstips for
a little longer as 1t is for the strikers to
cause the hardships they force upon the
people. I am sure that the public would
respond to the side Of the employers If they
had reason to believe (and am sure they
would have) that such Q condition would at
least put q stoppage to or cause q curtail.
ment Of the hardship.
CHARLES s. cuNEY.
thinking" and Decisive Action
Imperative to Survival Of Democracy
To the Editor Of The Star:
We, the people have accepted democracy
as our birthright and in this casual accept
ance we have failed to contemplate its
meaning and the personal responsibility Of
each American citizen to keep 1t alive. -,
A fortnight analysis Of our failure will
help US to realize that application Of the
golden rule" might prove synonymous to q
working democracy. Honest thinking as .
substitution for hypocrisy. and the moral
nber to voice the truth regardless Of conse-
quences seem to be the only hope Of sur
vtval. In q postwar world where so-called
honorable people subscribe to black-market-
ing. landlord bribery and many other shady
practices. the thoughtful analyst perceives
the disintesration Of democracy.
sudden awareness Of q venomous enemy
In our midst with its insidious threat to our
freedom, has brought startling reactions
Temporizing no longer is possible. The
steady f1ow Of American gold never wf1l be
the complete anxxsx. "The fault, dear
Brutus, Is not ip our 3tars but in ourselves" !"
Raeketecrsl and sgangsters easily are tick
lated md, becauss@they can be labeled. ara
less dangerous than ,.Mr. Noncommittal,"
who Is minus his identification tag
=. Against the growing list Of diabolical In.
Mentions thA spAe estFc ction, the challenge
must beetafe scASoad Oh Arthur with ar is
finer implications. Thssst strength Of rightress
must outbalance ths9qukntitative wronsness
that Is frightening M its overwhelming
aspect. : =
Straight thinking and decisive action have
become imperative II democracy is to live and
her new look" disappear.
MARGUERITE M. HAMILTON.