Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 6 June 1944 — Page 12
ROY W. HOWARD WALTER LECKRONE MARK FERREE - President - Editor. Business Manager
(A SCRIPPS-HOWARD NEWSPAPER)
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«= RILEY 5551
Give Light end the People Will Pind Their Own Way
THE CLOCK HAS STRUCK— HE clock has struck the hour of destiny, -and history is on the march. Invasion day has dawned and all the concentrated power of the united nations, built up through long months of planning and preparation, is at this moment battering at the ramparts of Hitler's Fortress Europe. The news for which this nation and all the free peoples of the world have been waiting has come at last. This is the beginning of the Battle of Europe which will decide the future of the world, which will tip the scales for our time and for generations yet unborn. This is it. Fully conscious of the tremendous import of the news that comes from abroad, all America is watching with breathless intensity the bulletins that tell the course of the initial stages of the battle. And not we alone are watching. In the lands of our allies, in England, in Russia, in far off China, wherever people march beneath the massed banners of the united nations, it is the same. And others, too, are watching. In the conquered countries where millions wait in darkness for the light denied, today hearts beat faster, hands reach out for the weapons that have been hidden for this day, the hope of freedom long deferred is in the eyes of those who have suffered and waited. So much depends on this, so much
more than life is at stake in the fateful days that are here. . - WITH THE news, in this spring of decision, comes a sobering sense of duty and responsibility, As these lines are read, the best of American manhood, boys from Indianapolis—your boy, perhaps, and my boy—are facing death on the bloody shores of Europe. They are dying that you and 1 may have life and may have it more abundantly. They have not failed us, these boys, they have not turned away from their terrible rendezvous, they have been ready to pay, and are paying, with their breath and bodies the price of freedom. They are giving everything, they are fighting an all-out war. They can expect no less of us. For this is an all-out war, here and now, for every man and woman in the United States. Ours is the responsibility, no less than those who fight on land and sea and in the air. The clock has struck, and there is now no turning back. It 1s all or nothing, and we cannot, and must not, give less than our all and our best. The cup is ours, of blood and
ing the interests of his union he would let the fighters die
This is the union whose members last week staged a false strike, a sit-down demonstration with. emotional banners, at the Brewster that the navy or some other contracts to Brewster to prolong their jobs. They include many of the people who stalled, loafed and otherwise, deliberately and by organized system, sabotaged airplane production so outrageously that, at last, following the denunciation of De Lorenzo in Washington, Henry Kaiser was asked to take charge of the company gnd try to get results,
Union Re-Elected De Lorenzo President
. KAISER, UNDERSTANDABLY, despised De Lorenzo, but had to put up with him and did his best. Many of the same persons, calling themselves workers and American labor, who last week proclaimed their patriotic desire to produce planes now that the urgent need is past, refused to produce or produced
as few as they could and at the highest possible cost |
tragic in far parts of the world. This union re- | elected De Lordhzo president, even after the public revelation of the imposter’s character, thus giving | a vote of confidence to a brazen, lying sneak and repudiating every American fighting man in the war. With some individual exceptions, including employees who, in the Washington hearings, were said to have been ashamed to face their neighbors with sons in the service, they were, in spirit, no better than the shifty, selfish liquor peddler who saw the draft coming and moved into the union racket for safety, falsifying every document that citizens must fill out and sign. In all the loud publicity, which attended the sit in strike in Long Island City and Johnsville, Pa., last week, the name of De Lorenzo was almost entirely suppressed lest the public be reminded that this was the union with the most disgraceful record of cold-blooded and selfish betrayal of the fighters in the whole sorry story of unionism in the war. Instead, to take the heat off and divert attention from the union's past, Richard T. Frankensteen, vice president of the national organization, moved prominently into the scene to conduct the negotiations in Washington which now, apparently, will result in some appeasement of the slackers at the expense of the patriotic body of the American. people, through the allocation of further orders to Brewster.
‘Could Dictate to Draft Boards’
BREWSTER HAS been a shockingly bad company throughout, but the fact remains, as brought out in the congressional inquiry, that De Lorenzo had been given a union contract by the war labor board under which no company could have operated efficiently without the good will and sincere co-opera-tion which this adventurer never was willing to give. He could dictate to draft boards which men were
tears. We must be strong. This is our hour of trial. God helping us, we cannot | fail. God helping us, we will pay the price of victory. God helping us, we shall win our victory.
MRS. AMELIA M. BLOCK ECAUSE of the war, many women today are doing “a man’s job,” and doing it well. Long before the war, however, there were outstanding women—like Mrs. Ogden eid of the New York Herald Tribune—who demonstrated that the men have no monopoly on brains and business ability, One of these, ceftainly, was Mrs. Amelia M. Block, president of the Wm. H. Block Co., who died Saturday. Like many other faithful wives, she had a large part in| her husband's success. And after his death, she took the | helm and, aided by her sons and trusted employees, carried | on the tradition and policies of the man whose life she | had shared. And she did it so ably That she leaves behind | her a great institution, a store that carries her husband's |
name, but reflects also her own personality, energy, busi- | ness, wisdom and community spirit.
DR. PAUL B. KERNEL HE early death of Dr. Paul B. Kernel on Monday came | as a shock to an extended circle of friends. Dr. Kernel | had been highly successful in the profession of optometry | and, at the age of 38, was one of the outstanding young | men of the community. | Generous and public-spirited, his interests were wide. ! They included youth activities, fraternal organizations, | the Indianapolis Amateur Baseball association, civic clubs, | politics and the church. In all, he served faithfully and his |
high qualities of natural leadership and character will be |
sorely missed in many fields.
TWO FIGURES
SECRETARY OF WAR STIMSON announced the other day that American casualties to date in the Italian campaign numbered 55,150—that is, 8686 killed, 26,910 wounded, 8554 missing.
On the same day it was announced that Boston long- | shoremen had resumed loading vital war goods for the
fighting fronts, after having quit work the previous day because it was too hot—88 degrees, ) “Don’t forget it was the hottest day of the year,” explained Daniel J. Donovan of the International Longshoremen’s Association (A. F. of L.). The tieup in the Boston port was the most serious
since March 29, when the longshoremen refused to work during a heavy rain.
STAMP OF DISAPPROVAL REPORT drifting out of Germany states that Nazi officials may no longer put “Heil Hitler” on official documents with a rubber stamp. They must henceforth write it in by hand to make it seem more personal and sincere. Hitler may find that this has been one of his graver psychological errors. To the German people, after 10 years of being told what to thi Samp must have become a symbol of Nazi rule. Now, into flicials doing something personal and
in obtaining a place on a labor panel of the WLB
.| notion that she is grown-up enough to start wearing
man k and say and do, the rubber | their ober-stamp lives, there comes a spectacle of minor of their own volition
to be deferred or exempted, and inviting temptation to draft workers who didn't want to go, he could certify that he, himself, was indispensable. And he could tell the navy representatives to go to hell when they tried to wheedle production out of him, and did. Much somber editorial comment has assumed that this was a straight case of labor liquidation, causing sudden mass unemployment, and a warning .of other and worse mass firings and layoffs to come. It was nothing of the kind. It was a special case in which the navy department had a justified patriotic grudge to settle with thousands of contemptible slackers with no claim on the respect, sympathy or other consideration of their decent fellow citizens.
Navy Handcuffed by Union Patronage
THE NAVY, handcuffed by President Roosevelt's political patronage over unions, however bad, had tried every way possible to induce De Lorenzo to do the decent thing. Finally in desperation the navy was forced to the humiliating expedient of appealing secretly to newspaper reporters to make the expose and direct public opinion against the saboteurs.
De Lorenzo is charged specifically with concealing his police record in an affidavit to which he swore
and with swearing falsely that he had previous experience in airplane construction in applying for his first factory job, where he would be out of the draft. The maximum penalty is 10 years. But his fellow patriots in the union have been making propaganda that his police record was really trivial, although it included charges of riotous picketing and malicious mischief obstructing work at another airplane plant, during a wartime strike.
We The People
By Ruth Millett
THERE IS a worthwhile lesson | for the mothers of children whose. fathers are in service in a little incident reported in one of Ernie Pyle's recent dispatches. He told about a sergeant in England whose 12-year-old daughter wrote him that all the other girls were wearing rouge and lipstick and could she start using them, too. The sergeant was in such a hurry to answer that request with an emphatic “No” that he cabled his youngest daughter instead of writing her. But here is the lesson for mothers. Probably nothing that has happened since that father went overseas ® made him feel more responsible for his daughter than getting the chance to exercise a father’s right to put his foot down.
e
A
Home Isn't So Far Away
HOME ISN'T a long way off, nor are a father's responsibilities, when a soldier is that closely in touch with his children. If the wife had written, “Theda has the ridiculous
rouge and lipstick, but, of course, I put my foot down,” the incident wouldn't have been very important or very real. But when the kid wrote for a decision on the matter from her father, it became & momentous ques-
§
There's another sidelight to that little, hu-
story. men who are over-seas dqn't want | kids taking on grown-up ways in too much of a hurry. They want to come to find them
in time and the taxpayers’ money when the need was |
The Hoosier Forum
I wholly disagree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.—Voltaire.
*
“IT IS TIME TO GET A CHANGE” By J. D. H., Indianapolis Well, the old-line smear campaigners haven't yet to my knowledge tried to smear the candidate for President on the Republican campaign. Why? In my estimation they are either out of ammunition against a real guy or they are so surprised at a clear-think-ing man that the breath of fresh air off the usual Washington stench has them stumped as to his real attitude in this the greatest of all campaigns, Why greatest? Well, for one small thing, we have the problem of a world to feed and reconstruct. No, I wouldn't blame any man for not relishing the job that the next eight years may bring up. It will be a mess to say the least. In the opinion of many small men’like myself, we are behind this new trend for many reasons. For one thing, this old change in the middle of the stream is a tired old gag which the thinking American has bumped his way through for & long time now. A blind man could see that we are in one hell of a shape when our plane production can be reduced with war strikes. What is my solution? Well, why not use some of ‘this post-war sense and try it out on these strikes if it is so good? When a man or a party gets so afraid of a labor organization that they cannot even bargain peaceably it is time to get a change. Mr. and Mrs. America, it is your boy who suffers when the all important air umbrella fails because of Washington bungling. No, I am not a radical or an old line Republican, but the war tends to lean us toward the greatest personality instead of using our heads. In my small opinion, the | post-war situation can and will be | coped with, if not by a capable administration, then by a bunch of hard-fighting boys and girls who are coming back expecting great things in the future. Can they | and we get this great peace-time world without a depression? Yes,
instead of a political combine which throws away oil refineries and millions of dollars’ worth of hard made equipment made by the sweat of
(Times readers are invited to express their views in these columns, religious controversies excluded. Because of the volume received, letters should be limited to 250 be signed. Opinions set forth
words. Letters must here are those of the writers, and publication in no way implies agreement with those opinions by The Times. The Times assumes no responsibility for the return of manuscripts and canndt enter correspondence regarding them.)
will shout “There goes our profit.” Also loud cries of, “The nation will be glutted with rubber, iron, wheat and oil,” will be heard. (Our present supply has been estimated at 40 years at top.) Also, why not puf this up to a world bargaining center if we are all going to be so brotherly? Why not put it on a paying basis, not for them, but for you and me? Okay, so much for argument; there are still the sheep that are willing to be led to the slaughter under the banners of New Deal idealism. I am sorry to say that the working men (of which I happen to be one) are so slaphappy with war prosperity and the fruits of some kid's blood for a strike made able by the present set-up will again vote as they always have. Sure, thank God, it is still our country and I for one am damned glad that I can speak and write
guy in the U. 8. A, had better get wise in November to a lot who can’t even patch up 8 small quarrel much less a huge reconstruction program which faces us at the moment Japan and Germany are licked. » =
“OTHER THINGS
if capable men are put to the task | TO REMEMBER”
By Forum Fan, Indianapolis Some time ago I accused Voice
the very man who strikes because his living and working conditions aren’t enough to cope with the terrible conditions of Detroit and other messed-up big-time production centers. If we give the foreigners a chance to recover and then ask that they repay in the precious raw materials that we
financiers and economic big-wigs
in the Crowd of having a faulty {memory because he did not seem
{to remember the hard times we |experienced during the Hoover ad- | ministration. However, just to be {fair, I must admit that before {election there are other things to remember. For example, when the President
have had to give them, the world [early in his first term was asked |
to participate in the settlement of
Side Glances—By Galbraith
any way I please, but the average
the war debts, he said “That is not my baby.” Imagine that, FDR the isolationist. When he vetoed the soldiers’ bonus bill he made a statement that “No man should expect special privileges simply because he has worn the uniform of his country.” Perhaps these are not his exact words, but they come pretty close. The late Hugh Johnson told in his book “The Blue Eagle from Egg to Earth” of how he suggested that the unemployed be put to work modernizing the army, but he got a runaround on the deal and the men on relief went on raking leaves, etc. Then there was the time George Bernard thaw made that short movie back about 1940 in which the English author asked for American troops to be sent to aid the allies. This in itself was, of course, no crime, but this short movie was never exhibited publicly in this country, Whether the fact that an election was about due had anything to do with its failure to be shown is anybody's guess. These and some other things about Mr. Roosevelt and his administration I do not like. However, I shall never join the league of Roosevelt-haters for there are other things that I think have been well done and if he is elected to a fourth term by a majority of the voters, I refuse to agree that it means ruin for the country. We could do a lot worse.
. “TAKE A LOOK AT MANAGEMENTS”
By Howard Pfeiffer, U. E. Local 1001, Indianapolis
During the early stages of the war almost every working person in Indianapolis viewed with alarm the inadequacy of our transportation system. War workers were spending from two to five times the normal amount of transportation time to and from work. Tardiness became a serious threat to our war plants, and absenteeism was encouraged because people getting off work at 4 p. m. couldn't get home in time to get their food and other needed supplies. However, this serlous situation was reduced to an almost normal condition. American co-operation came to the front; war plant labor and management, storekeepers and shoppers adjusted hours inconveniencing somé but aiding the majority. Thus our city transportation problem was solved to an extent that it merited national. attention. Then came Decoration Day, 1944. War workers, keeping their pledge to forget holidays for the duration, gathered at their usual corners only the find that the transportation company had decided to forget the war and take a holiday. Because of this lamentable happening, thousands of war workers spent a longer day away from home with decreased earnings and reduced production due to being late to work. Hundreds were delivered to Mallory’s plant 2 (the old Ford plant) by cab. Hundreds of others didn’t get to work that day, Now, don’t blame all work stoppages and slow downs on the unions and workers, Take a good look at some of the managements, on
“APPRECIATE YOUR REMEMBERING”
By Mrs. John Paul Ragsdale, 345 N. Ritter ave.
Mr. Ragsdale and I want to express our appreciation for the Gold Star front page of last Tuesday night. Our son, Lt. John Paul Ragsdale Jr, is one of those menmembering and paying tribute to him and to all the others. Let us hope that their sacrifice
| will not have been in vain and that
may come soon to our ware
peace weary DAILY THOUG
provement is at an end” the U. 8. commissioner of in 1875: “New materials and new inventions have now transformed our society into its final phase—for scientific invention can take us only a little way further.” £ Sang the Oklahoma cowboy | following a visit to Kansas City at the turn of the century: “They went and built a skyscraper seven stories high, about as high as a buildin’ ort'a grow” Since those days we've seen enter into the ecoe nomic picture the automobile, the airplane, rade, air conditioning, and the innumerable other products of the brain of man. 3 And now we read an article by Edward A. Evans, who has been in Wilmington, Del, checking up on Just one of those products—nylon.
Here Are Some Other Uses for Nylon
TO MOST PEOPLE nylon means stockings. But here are some of the other uses, stimulated in the
a yard of it weighing only part of an ounce. Try to tear it. You'll need strength. Here's an evening
are in to stay. “Here's a pair of handsome lace curtains. Wash them and hang them up. They don't have to be stretched on a frame while they dry. For it’s one of nylon’s unique qualities that fabrics made of it can be given a ‘permanent set’ to which theyll return after being rumpled or soaked. They don't hold creases, except the built-in kind. “Perhaps post-war suits for men can be given permanent creases—but only where creases are supe posed to be—and will need no pressing. Maybe, a few years hence, a traveler can make one nylon shirt do for a trip of several weeks, washing it in hotel bedrooms at night and hanging it up to become as fresh as new by morning. And it's certain that rain. coats weighing three or four ounces can be folded up to the bulk of a couple of handkerchiefs and carried in coat pockets.”
We Have What It Takes, [f—
AND, INCIDENTALLY, all this from what Evans describes as those “magical materials—manufactured from the elements of coal, air and water.” Does all that, as it relates to just a single produch, indicate we've gone “about as fur as we cn go?” Or does it point to a way by which, through eme ploying the marvels of invention and production, along with the constant pressure of humap desire, we can create a volume which will make our bil lions of national debt not insurmountable after all? Or, to put it in terms of that great American game of poker, does it point to a way by which we can transmute white chips into blue?
We have what it takes if we can apply it. If we can't, in the fiscal sense, God help us.
»
Campaign Funds By Charles T. Lucey
WASHINGTON, June 6-—8igns that congress may seek new curbs on spending in the presidential campaign came today as Senator Ferguson (R. Mich.) disclosed that the justice department has been asked to explain its finding that the C. 1. O. National Political Ace tion committee is not violating the law. Recently James P. McGranery and Maynard Smith, for the jus tice department, told the senate committee on campaign practices that the organization headed by Sidney Hillman had done nothing, so ‘far, which violates the Hatch “clean politics” law or the corrupt practices act. But some committee members apparently are not satisfied with the information given them by Attorney General Biddle’s assistants, and Senator Ferguson said today they have been asked to tell the committee “on what facts they based their decision.”
and re-election of President Roosevelt, has a kitty of nearly $700,000, of which, according to a report made Saturday, $189,000 has been spent in electioneering.
Committee's Effectiveness Has Varied
THE SMITH-CONNALLY act amendments to the corrupt practices act extend ‘the law's ban on contributions to a presidential campaign by banks and corporations. to include labor organizations. Senatoe Green, (D. R. I) New Deal supporter and senate committee chairman, said after the justice department report that the C. I. O. group was working to educate voters and concentrated “upon issues rather than candidates.” . Senator Ferguson insisted, though, that “the come mittee will not be bound by the decision of the attorney general,” and that a close watch is to be kept on the campaign. The effectiveness of the senate commitiee has varied from campaign to campaign. In 1938, under the chairmanship of the late Senator Sheppard (D. Tex.) it was of powerful influence in disclosing came paign irregularities in Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and other states, and its findings contributed to the passage of the Hatch law. Amendments to this law which would plug came paign spending loopholes, offered by Senator Gillette, (D. Iowa) chairman of the 1940 campaign investigate ing committee, may be considered by the senate priv ileges and elections committee this week. On of these would seek to tighten the ban on individual campaign contributions of more than $5000, Contributors beat the ban in 1940 by gifts of $5000— but to different campaign committees in many states. Senator Gillette now urges an absolute overall of $10,000.
Urges Restrictions on Committees
IN 1940, Senator Gillette says, Lammot du Pont gave $49,000 in such contributions, and gifts of the du Pont family to the Republicans totaled $208,000, "Philadelphia's Pew family gave $164,500. Many
Soviet ambassador; Nathan Straus, A. J. Biddle Similarly, Senator Gillette is urging amendment of the Hatch law provision that a national commit-
dress with an accordion-pleated skirt. Those pleats -
The C. I. O. group, committed to the renomination