Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 13 May 1943 — Page 16
PAGE 16 The Indianapolis Times
ROY W. HOWARD RALPH BURKHOLDER President Editor, in U. S. Service MARK FERREE WALTER LECKRONE Business Manager Editor
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THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1943
CIGARETS FOR SOLDIERS
N the name of Ernie Pyle, and a good many thousands of American fighting men whose lives he shares and whose deeds he describes each day, we thank the people of Indianapolis who have just sent them more than five million cigarets. There have been many proffers of gifts for soldiers and for individuals from enthusiastic readers of this brilliant Times war correspondent. On any fighting front, in any war, there are certain to be some things lacking, some little items of comfort or convenience that simply can’t be obtained. And whenever he has mentioned any shortage of anything there has been immediate response from Indianapolis men and women eager to furnish whatever it is our fighting forces want—sweaters, blankets, cold cream for nurses, luxuries, hospital supplies, even food. To all these the army command gave a courteous, but final “no.” If such things could be transported to the front the army would supply them, and any attempt to do so as individual gifts would merely interfere with the fighting of the war. But at length we learned that cigarets could be delivered to the fighting fronts, could be distributed free to soldiers there. Not to individually designated soldiers, but to whatever soldiers were on hand and needed them. Two weeks ago The Times passed on that information to Ernie Pyle readers. Yesterday, when the flood of contributions that followed was shut off until June 1,-they had turned in $11,395.42—enough to buy 5,008,168 cigarets. These are already on their way. It is our hope, and the hope of those who gave them, that every one may provide a moment of comfort to a man whose comforts are all too few, somewhere on our far-flung battle lines.
LET REPUBLICANS REMEMBER EFORE Republicans in the house try to wreck the Hull reciprocal trade program as a partisan issue, let them remember that— The last G. O. P. tariff monstrosity started an international economic war of trade barriers, precipitated the worst depression in American history, and defeated the Republican party. President McKinley, G. O. P. tariff mentor and convert to reciprocity, proved how impossible it is for a president to make effective trade agreements when a log rolling congressional lobby can veto them—as desired by present Hull opponents. Renewal of the Hull law is favored by many G. O. P. leaders outside congress, including Alf Landon and Republican National Chairman Spangler. Republicans voted for its extension in 1937 and in 1940. So the house minority effort to justify opposition as a matter of party policy is an absurd affront to pary intelligence.
u ” ” » = BEFORE these obstructionists count their unhatched chickens for a 1944 Republican electjon victory, they should ponder the overwhelming popular demand for renewal of the trade agreements law as voiced by representatives of — The A. F.of I. and C. I. O,, The National Manufacturers Association, the National Foreign Trade Council, the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, The National League of Women Voters, and other women’s organizations. And nearly 90 per cent of the press of the country. Rarely has any economic measure ever received such support, cutting across all party and class and group lines. But that is not surprising in view of the lamentable record of tariff legislation before this reform. The country learned its lesson when it paid for the Hawley-Smoot folly —the voters have no desire to repeat that. Nor will the people be fooled by the proposed Republican amendments to emasculate the Hull law. Politicians who think otherwise are outsmarting themselves.
SAY WHAT YOU MEAN, SENATORS HE Truman committee ought to come right out and say what it means: President Roosevelt is the man who can and should end conflicts in the war program. The committee’s report on the latest flare of synthetic rubber-aviation gasoline trouble is too diplomatic to do much good. It will not insure correction of the “basic weaknesses in the control of the war effort” which Senator Truman and his associates have complained: of so many times. It glosses over the fact, known by every member of the committee, that those weaknesses have their origin in the White House. Somebody must suppress “destructive, wasteful feuding” among energetic men whose duties bring them into conflict. “Where necessary, heads must be knocked together” by somebody. Somebody must make the war production board's authority “a living reality,” so that decisions can be made and enforced “over the objections of aggressive department heads.” So says the Truman committee. The people whose dollars are paying for the war and whose sons and brothers and husbands are fighting it are entitled to know that congress has given the president ample authority to create a war cabinet which would correct those basic weaknesses— a war cabinet with a few able members, each made definitely vesponsible for a definite part of the whole program, each given clear authority over the agencies ‘and officials concerned in the doing of his part, and all enabled to meet frequently and regularly with the president, argue cut their differences before him, and get his prompt decisions. The Truman committee knows all that. It should teli $he people,
%®
Price in Marion Counered by carrier, 18 cents
Fair Enough
By Westbrook Pegler
LOS ANGELES, May 13—I have a letter on the stationery of the selective service system, local poard No. 3, Washington county, Pennsylvania, signed Charles D. Seaton, : He represents that he is a member of the board with jurisdiction over the classification of Joseph Yablonski of California, Pa., a burglar, who is a member of the international executive board, or national governing body, of John L. Lewis’ United Mine Workers. Yablonski is also chairman of rationing board No. 6 of Washipgton County, Pennsylvania. Yablonski, who is 32 years old and physically strong, was very active in the recent coal strike. At one point during the sabotage he remarked proudly, “The coal that will be mined today can all be sold at one small corner drug store.” He is a member of the ILewis faction in an area where there has been great rank and file opposition to the big boss. He was elected to the international executive board with the support of the national office although his record a a criminal was thoroughly publicized and doubtless was well known to Lewis.
Dependency Cited
THE LETTER from Mr. Seaton says the local draft board is gravely concerned with the ‘“atmosphere of trickery and shallowness that you have tried to create in your article with respect to the operation of selebtive service in their classification of registrants. “I am permitted to say,” writes Mr. Seaton, “that Yablonski lives in a family relationship with his wife and two minor children born well within the limits as prescribed by selective service for dependents.” The dispatch which Seaton desires to challenge did not concern itself seriously with the question of dependency as a ground for deferment of this criminal. On the contrary it observed that “dependency would be a minor claim,” in this case, inferior to.his claim for deferment enjoyed in furthering the war effort. His helpfulness in the maintenance of good labor relations and the prosecution of the war was demonstrated in the walkout of a large number of miners at California, Pa., his immediate bailiwick, during the recent defiance of the national government. He also helped maintain good labor relations and to advance the preparations for war by assisting Lewis in the captive coal mine strike in 1941, shortly before Pearl Harbor, in which the issue was a demand for a closed shop.
Holds High Union Office
IN THAT CASE President Roosevelt gave a solemn assurance to the non-union miners and to the nation as a whole, amounting to a vow, that he would not order nor would congress enact any law imposing the closed shop and adding, gratuitously that such would be Hitler's way. A few weeks later, in violation of his vow, President Roosevelt did adopt Hitler's way and the non-union miners were delivered into the control of a man with a police record of numerous entries, including a plea of guilty to a charge of burglary and a jail sentence for this crime. Such, then, is the actual validity of Yablonski’s right to deferment as a union boss, and not as a petty local gangster either, but as one who occupies in the Mine Workers a position equal to that of a member of the executive council of the American Federation of Labor. As to the validity of any claim of dependency which may have been made by Yablonski, the dispatch which Mr. Seaton has challenged set forth that Yablonski’s attitude toward his family responsibility had in the past been casual as cited. The fact is that in April, 1936, he was not supporting his wife and one minor child and therefore was ordered by the court to pay $6 a week. If another child has since appeared, Yablonski’s responsibility would now appear to be $9 a week, an amount which he might provide as a soldier. He gets $500 a month as a unioneer.
Bosses the Rationing Board
ALTHOUGH Mr. Seaton emphasizes the dubious claim of dependency, he insists nevertheless that his burglar neighbor is by law and regulation sentenced to special consideration for deferment as a union boss. I can’t argue with Mr. Seaton on that point. Like it or lump it, that is the law and the regulation. Apart from such questions there remains the fact, astounding no doubt, to most decent Americans, that this criminal, because of his power as 8 unioneer, could be selected chairman of his rationing board, a federal position of great responsibility and trust. Another fact of interest is that M¥ Lewis’ crimi-
nal subordinate and henchman recently has been driving a new Buick, allowed no doubt in obedience to the OPA's political dictum that union gangsters deserve, for their help in the war effort, in addition to exemption from the draft, special considerations in the allotment of cars, tires and gasoline. As chairman of the rationing board, of course, the burglar’s own opinion would have considerable weight in the board’s decision on his requirements,
We the Women
By Ruth Millett
NO WONDER Mrs. America is getting a bigger kick out of housekeeping now than she used to. Listen to her brag: “I'm glad you like this dish; the wonderful thing about it is that it only cost three ration points.” “My dear, I have the most wonderful cookie recipe. And it doesn’t take any butter or any sugar.” “You'll like these beans. mer’s victory garden.” “I'll have you know this whole meal didn’t cost a point—except for the butter.” “I canned 200 quarts of fruits and vegetables last year, and this year I'm going to make it 400.” “Why this isn't a new suit. It's one of Joes old ones that I made over for myself. You can't let good wool go to waste these days.”
Doesn't Miss Bridge
“1 FINALLY have my housework arranged so that I can go down to the Red Cross rcoms and make surgical dressings five times a week.” “Joe hasn’t much time to work in the garden, so I'm doing most of it myself, and I must say I'm proud of it.” “I haven't played bridge in six months. I haven't had time. But I can’t say that I miss it much.” “By careful planning I managed to save enough out of my grocery allowance for the last three months to buy a war bond.” © “Joe says he thinks our meals are just as good as were—in spite of rationing. I've certainly
They grew in last sum-
they ever red ba fo Keep them vaio nd Wel Balancsd.”
The Hoosier Forum
I wholly disagree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.—Voltaire.
“WHY NOT GIVE THE JUDGES CAPS?” By C. C., Indianapolis To Robert M. Bruns: Your argument for robes for judges is like piercing the ears to strengthen the eyes. Why not give them caps instead?
s » 2 “GREAT MANY AMERICANS HAVE SLIPPED OFF BEAM” By Roy R. Dewey, Cicero
Am a constant reader of the items that appear in these columns in your paper. Needless to say, some of these writings are comical and at the same time pathetic— pathetic in the way that it shows that a great many American citizens have slipped off the beam and have conceived the idea that the methods of government as set forth by their forefathers were of no avail and used only as stepping stones for the capitalist to overcome the “poor man.” Nowadays we are prone to talk of the “isms.” They say that we; as high-minded, over-educated Americans could not go back and live as our predecessors lived—horse and buggy days, to be more exact. To tell ‘the truth of the matter, all of the highfalutin changes that have been mentioned and some of them tried out have been putting us back in the mode of living of the nations of the old country—Europe, Asia and the like of these—the mode of living that the first settlers of this country came across the Atlantic to escape. Take any nation on the other side of the big pond and their mode of living is at least a hundred years behind that of the United States of America. Their governments were founded on “isms” which, translated into American English means theory. We as Americans do not live on “Americanism” —it isn’t a theory— it is an American tradition. The makers of our constitution didn’d work on theory—they took the Bill
(Times readers are invited to express their views in these columns, religious controversies excluded. Because of the volume received, letters must be limited to 250 words. Letters must be
signed.)
ments and set up a real working plan for the society of man in the United States of America. And millions of American citizens are now aware of the fact that the existence of a union such as we enjoy here in America—a union of 48 states, living under one form of government, is one of the wonders of the world. The wonder of it all is how this many states have lived under one form of government for almost 160 years and only had one war among themselves. And the “isms” used
in the old countries abroad are always quarreling among them- | selves. Under socialism the people share the crops only, but under our form | of government we are supposed to] share the government, own our property and have our crops to sell as we see fit with “charity for all who need it and malice toward none.” » ” ” “WHAT TO DO ABOUT GARDEN AND FLOWERS”
By Mrs. C. J. 8,, Indianapolis I read this column every evening with much interest and now I wish to know what to do about my garden and flowers. I live on the West side, north of Michigan st. In the daytime the dogs run loose and are over all the gardens—they play and dig to bury bones. And in the evening there are a lot of children playing hide and seek and they run over everything. They don’t pay any attention to fences or any other protec-
of Rights and added some amend-
tion there is. I don’t think they
Side Glances—By Galbraith
T. M.
have room in our yard
¥. 8. PAT. OFF.
"These vegetables from our garden are wonderful, dear, just wonderfull But if the war lasts much longer | wonder if we'd
| | boats.
|| “BOYS AND GIRLS ; LACK PROPER RESPECT”
were ever taught to stay at home or to consider other people’s rights. Now I like dogs if they are in their places. And I surely do love children—I have reared six. And I kept them home and busy, and even today they consider others and teach their children to do so. I know we must all think of the war and the women who go and leave their children to work in war plants and then on the other hand, gardens are important, so what is the answer? I can’t help but see what is happening to these children who are left to do the best they can while mother works. I hope someone will discuss this with me as it is a real worry to me. ” ” » “WHEN YOU HAVE HEART
ACHING AND BREAKING” By Mary Shumway, Columbus Mr, W. J. Green:
Just read your answer to my let- | -owmammmmnmes
ter in The Times. First, I'd like to say I am not a man, but a woman. So you see the reason my asking about the miners. I enjoyed your letter very much.
shall have your wish at seeing me mine coal at 15 cents a ton. Why can’t they keep working an d straighten out their troubles while they work? You see, Mr. Green, I have a brother in the service whom we haven't heard from for some time. And when you have a heart aching and breaking you do hate to think of someone doing anything to maybe cause your loved one to lose his life. I agree with you the miners earn all they can get. But please not at the cost of my brother’s and others’ lives. So please forgive me for making you mad. I hope we can all work together, and if need be, fight together. But not each other.
$ & @ “ENJOYED ARTICLES ON RIVER PACKETS” @? Thre B. Adkinson, 660 N. Colorado
I greatly enjoyed your series of articles on Mississippi river packet Have some more if possible. ”
By A Constant Reader, Indianapolis The article by Ruth Taggart is very true. Several times I have had to sit in the upper balcony . . and the young folks were so noisy I could not enjoy the show. They talk and laugh so loud you cannot hear the voices of the players on the screen. They neck, put their
|| knees on the top of your seat, and
I have heard bottles drop on the
|| floor.
I do not blame the parents. I
only think that these boys and
girls do not have proper respect for themselves or other patrons. And in regard to the smoking on streetcars, they are still doing it.
'| What happened to the “no smok-
ing” signs that used to be on the cars?
DAILY THOUGHTS
Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them.— Deuteronomy 1:29.
THE BRAVE man is not he who - feels no fear, For that were stupid and irrational; But he, whose noble soul its fear
for a little livestock?"
subdues, And bravely dares the danger nature shrinks trom,~Joanna
=
And the time may come when you | *
Our Hoosiers By Daniel M. Kidney
WASHINGTON, May 13.== Fowler V. Harper is the third close friend and confidant of Paul V. McNutt to fall out with him. In resigning his post as WMO deputy chairman for an admine istrative position with BEW, Proe fessor Harper is following the pate tern established by Wayne Coy. As right hand man for Mr, Mce Nutt here, in the Philippines and back in Indiana, Mr. Coy quit the McNutt staff to head OEM and then became assistant U. 8. budget director. : The first to leave, however, was Pleas Greenlee, Both he and Mr. Coy were secretaries to Mr. McNutt when the latter was governor of Indiana, Mr, Greens lee headed all the patronage and won the title at tha$ time of “Pie-counter Pleas.” He broke with the governor when he sought te become his successor at the state house. McNutt backed Lt. Gov. M. Clifford Townsend and won. Mr, Greenlee came here as a member of the bile tuminous coal commission, through the sponsorship of then Senator Sherman Minton, who now is on the U. S. court of appeals in Chicago.
Harper Leaned Sharply Left
WHILE HERE, Mr. Greenlee made no secret off his split with Mr. McNutt. His sfory became come mon knowledge among the Hoosier Democrats. No such thing happened when Mr, Coy left, howe
tH
ever. Mr. McNutt paid high tribute to him and bade
him God-speed before the entire staff of the federal security agency. Neither has had anything but nice things to say about the other. entered Democratic politics in Indiana as a fledgling under the McNutt wing, leng has been out on his own here and doing very well as a bright, young New Dealer. The most New Dealish of the entire trio, however, is Professor Harper. His left wing labor leanings marked everything he did here. It brought him inte sharp conflict with such other McNutt men as Frank
M. McHale, Democratic national committeeman from
Indiana, and Clarence E. Jackson, now head of the Indiana state chamber of commerce. Such “old-line” Democrats as Senator Frederick VanNuys didn't like the professor's New Dealism, either. It was this left wing labor business which finally got Mr. Harper cross-wise with Mr. McNutt and ree sulted in his moving on to BEW.
Was 'Pushed Down the Hall'
THERE HE will serve in a high administrative post under Morris 8. Rosenthal, head of the office of imports. Mr. Rosenthal was a New York importer and vice president of Stein-Hall & Co. After considerable deliberation last Saturday, OWI
issued a communique from WMC Chairman McNutt regarding Mr. Harper's resignation. It said: “Mr, Harper has been my personal assistant and representative in the creation of the managementlabor policy committee and the general program of collaboration of management and labor at the local level. These policies constitute the basic foundation of WMC administration and Mr. Harper deserves high praise for the part he played in their establishment.”
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But Mr. Coy, whe, ="!
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Meanwhile, however, Mr, Harper had been pushed
down the hall and his place on the policy committee taken over by Lawrence A. Appley, president of Vicks Chemical Co.,, whom McNutt named “WMC executive director.” When Mr. Harper's friends announced that he quit WMC because the policy had shifted “right of center,” some wag commented that it really was because he couldn’t take Vick’s vapo-rub. Mrs. Edith Keyes, another long-time McNutt aid from Indiana, is expected to accompany Mr, Harpes to BEW.
In Washington
By Peter Edson
me
The excludve order of “The Flying Boot” is one of the newer and harder-to-join organizations of airmen to grow out of the war, being a little snootier, even, than the famed Caterpillar club whose members must have used their parachutes to bail out from a dise abled plane. Initiation requirements for The Flying Boot are that the airman, after a crash or after bailing out over enemy territory, must have succeeded in walking back, through the enemy lines, to reach his own base, Escape from an enemy prison camp also makes a man eligible. Hitch-hiking part of the way counts as walk ing, as long as the road back was from enemy territory and for a considerable distance over difficult terrain. The Flying Boot was started by R. A. F. pilots in
Egypt. So far, its membership has been confined to
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fliers in the North American theater, but it is spread
ing to American air force personnel as well, Emblem of The Flying Boot is a small silver boot. Not being an official decoration, pilots aren't supposed to weap the membership insignia on their uniforms, but unde the lapel of the coat.
Lewis Has 2-Year Fund
JOHN L. LEWIS’ United Mine Workers of Amerie ca had $7,283,000 in the treasury on Jan, 1, 1843, which indicates how strong a position the union was in te
a
enter a prolonged strike. Running a big labor organe .
ization is now big business, but that $7 million would" keep the U. M. W, in operation for two years without having to collect a single dollar of dues from members, In simplified form and round numbers, here is a bale ance sheet of U. M. W. operations for the last five years: Year Ending Income Dec. 1938 esses. $3,621,000 Dec. 1, 1939 ..uvee. 2,767,000 Dec. 1, 1940 ...... 3,596,000 Dec. 1, 1941 ...... 4,604,000 Jan, 1, 1943 ...... 6,844,000 (13 months) The union took in less money than it spent in only one year, 1939.
Expenditures Reserves $3,510,000 $2,645,000 2,886,000 2,526,000 2,704,000 3,418,000 3,483,000
4,100,000 7,283,000
Tobacco Better Than Money
FROM 20 to 30 tons of the strongest, blackest chews ing tobacco that ever turned a man’s insides out is now being supplied to Australia under lend-lease, and some of it is also going to American forces in the Pacific area. Reason is that the natives of New Guinea use it for money, passing it from hand to hand in place of dollars and dimes. In a way, this shows how much more advanced the jungle people are and how much smarter than civilized folks whose coins do not improve the soup and
4,539,000 A
whose paper currency is no good to eat even with
mayonnaise on rye. Hardened American chewers couldn't stomach this Pacific brand of eating tobacco. It is called “twist” put it isn’t the conventional loop U, 8S. chewers are prought up on. This New Guinea tobacco is twisted like rope and cut in seven-inch lengths which are -flattened into sticks a quarter of an inch thick and half an inch wide. It looks something like a stick of flat licorice, but don’t let it fool you. The tobacco is made from stronger, lower grade scraps and stems, fire-cured like snuff, and the sticks are heavily “cased” with a secret dressing which makes them blacker than a Jap's heart. But two or three sticks will buy a downed airman's way out of the jungle and back to ome plete with transportation via litter or boat, food en route, and a os
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