Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 January 1950 — Page 18

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Justice at Lost ns

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+ BALLOTING by Indianapolis’ Iandry workers this week . to choose a union to repiesent them has ended more

than nine months of needless wrangling that could have been prevented by use of the ballot box in the first place. Last March, a grotip of AFL officials signed a sevenyear contract for some 3000 workers of the big laundry and cleaning employers without giving the employees a chance to select their union or even notifying the workers that a contract was being made for them.

r ” . » . . THAT contract, if it could be called one, ordered all employees to join the AFL unions their employers picked for them—or be fired. Some of them did lose their jobs. There was no evidence that any collective bargaining took place in making the “contract” since the workers were - given no choice of union membership nor any voice in the agreement by which they were to be bound. We are not greatly concerned about the terms and conditions of a labor contract so long as they are openly and freely agreed upon by workers and their employers. Nor are we at all concerned about which union workers may choose to join—so long as they join willingly, of their own free will and without threats or coercion.

”. . . wy » . ~ FAIR balloting by the workers this week gave the AFL unions a substantial majority over the CIO unions as their collective bargaining agents. k

This democratic way of protecting the rights of the.

individual! in labor contract negotiations should have been followed a year ago in Indianapolis laundries. It would have saved needless loss of wages and disruption of services during many long months of costly controversy.

Missions to Moscow

TAVID E. LILIENTHAL, retiring chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, is reported to believe he can convince Premier Stalin of the necessity for international con- * rol of atomic energy. . ; This recalls the experiences of other distinguished Americans who have entertained similar ideas with respect to Uncle Joe. . :

President Roosevelt went to Tehran and Yalta confi-'

dent that he could charm Stalin into accepting the American idea of a live-and-let-live world. As the end result of these meetings Stalin was able to double his Communist domain.

r Ld . r DONALD NELSON and Patrick J. Hurley went to Moscow in 1044 to obtain an understanding on China. They were assured that Russia had no interest in communizing China but, on the contrary, wanted to establish friendly relations with Chiang Kai-shek. Our officials pe Chi to Believe the Russians, and thus he was led into the net the Reds had prepared for him. ~~ Boon after President Truman entered the White House, the Russians began to act ugly and Harry Hopkins was sent to Moscow to see what could be done about it. Stalin wanted the United States to continue sending lend-lease goods to Russia for free, although the war was over. And he promised nothing in return, having acquired the habit of doing business that way. Of course, we could not submit to that kind of blackmail.

. 8» LS AMERICANS have almost become fixtures by sitting hat-in-hand in Stalin's waiting rooms. The result has been

establishment of a one-way street from Washington to

Moscow. ' Through the Baruch plan, the United States submitted a program for atomic energy control, based on the essential condition of international supervision. All the, world’s nations—except the Soviet bloc—have accepted that condition, Any agreement with Russia, omitting that condition, would be a snare and a delusion. No agreement with Russia is worth the paper it's written on if it lacks enforcement provisions. War with atomic bombs would be terrible. But an agreement under which we would stop making those awful weap‘ons with no way of knowing what Russia was doing—that would not insure peace. That would only increase the danger that Russia, having gained an overwhelming advantage, might fight such a war against us and win it.

We Need a Hospital

NE indisputable fact tHat can't be minimized tonight when the Medical Society and County Commissioners meet to discuss a hospital program for Indianapolis is that such an institution is badly needed. For 10 years now Indianapolis’ hospital facilities have been gradually falling behind the needs required by a rapidly increasing population, It has been known for some time by health authorities and the Medical Society that present hospital facilities could not meet a major emergency. Already many patients needing hospital care have been denied that service because most of the hospital beds are taken by emergency cases.

~ » » LJ . . A HOSPITAL expansion program, especially one that would provide some facilities for the East Side, will have to be started in the near future. Co-operation of the County Commissioners on such a program ought to be forthcoming at once so that some positive action can get under way to meet a situation that may become a more costly emergency later,

Another Hoosier Honor HOOSIERS were pleased this week when Dr. Percy Julian, chief of research for the big Glidden Co., and discovever of an arthritis treatment, was nominated “Chicagoan of the Year.” ‘We do not mind if Chicago borrows our DePauw-grad-uated scientist and claims him for its own. Others have done it. Phi Beta Kappa, for instance, voted him its man

j of the year,

What we appreciate most is that this Negro farm boy Who worked his way at humble jobs through DePauw and gt hats Is goother sier to bring acclaim to

sive nga.

Hoosier Pushes Program for UN

James A. Eldridge Working ~~

rsuaded Chiang -

. By Dan

"On World Peace Ca n

WASHINGTON, Jan, 20— sage of a world federation resolution by Congress may express a high-minded hope, but it could be used by isolationists to shield themselves in a campaign year. Pointing out such possibilities is part of the job that a 29years d Hogsler een as

Chicago. He arrived here this week and expects to spend the next six as a liaison man for the United Nations group with assignments on Capitol Hill and the State De- - partment. Mr. Eldridge When the resolutions regarding world federations, Atlantic union, the Culbertson plan and other such separate schemes die down, Mr, Eldridge expects to see the Senate Foreign Relations Committee co-operate with the State Department in bringing forth a U. 8. white paper stdting exactly where we stand in regard to the United Nations and its future prospects.

A mort of preview of the problem already is

in print and was circulated by the State Depart-

ment this week. It is entitled “Questions and Answers About the United Nations.” It clearly shows that the U. 8. A. has tried to make United Nations work and what has been done in the way of unilateral action in Europe and elsewhere does not violate United Nations principles.

Attitude of Nations

“THE experience of the United Nations shows that the effectiveness. of any instrument for cooperative action among nations depends on the attitude of these nations, particularly the major powers, toward their foreign relations,” this State Department publication. No. 3712 states. “To the degree that the member states have honored their obligations under the charter, the United Nations has proved to be an effective instrument of international co-operation. _ “Through the General Assembly, the organ{zation has provided, during the disturbed postwar years, a body where the statesmen of the world have been able to discuss their common problems and the differences that divide them.

- Views Exchanged

“OVER the past four years, the member states have exchanged views in the General Assembly on such specific issues as atomic energy control, regulation and reduction of armaments, the hostilities in Palestine, the guerrilla warfare in Greece, the Franco regime in Spain, the establishment of Korean independence, the future of the Italian colonies, and the treatment of Indians in South Africa.

“This exchange of views has resulted in two

types of action: Agreement on a certain course to be recommended either to the states immediately concerned or as a general policy to all member states and the setting up of special machinery to aid in solving the problem in question. . , . “The General Assembly's action, it is true,

has not yet resulted in any final disposition of

the political problems it has considered. “However, in the assembly continuing attention has been focused on these problems, efforts have been made to prevent their becoming more critical, and varying degrees of progress toward - their solution have been made.”

Democratic Solutions IT 18 to this “practical hope” for democratic solutions through United Nations, with or without Russia and her Iron Curtain countries, that Mr. Eldridge seeks to foster here, He has had months of practice, with speeches to a total of 750,000 Midwesterners and all the school children of Chicago. . “We should always leave the door open to all nations which can stand.the competitiion of ideas,” he concludes. And he believes that the best ideas will triumph in the endif we don’t blow up the world while we are waiting.

WESTERN FRONT . . . By Marquis Childs

New Red Strategy?

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20—Any prediction as to what the Russians will do tomorrow or next week or next year is risky business. About all that is possible is to observe recent performance

and judge accordingly.

The significant aspect of the past three months is the remarkably quiet demeanor of the Soviets at those points where

they come into contact with

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COAL STRIKES . . . By Peter Edson Miners’ Gains Exceed Lost Pay

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20—Wage increases and other benefits paid to United Mine Workers during the past nine years are nearly five times greater than wages lost during the 18 coal strikes in this same period, according to unofficial figures based on government wage statistics. The totals are $753 million in lost wages, $3.5 billion in gains, A Southern Coal Producers Association man recently sharpened his pencil and started this figuring on the moot question of whether or not strikes evér “paid” the strikers who took part in them. In view of the present reduced production in the coal industry, dating back to last July, his figures are of mare than passing interest. The strike losses could be figured with ease and fair accuracy. They involved simply multiplying the number of men out on strike by the wages they would have received if they had worked full time during the strike period. To make the problem simpler, the figures were compiled for the soft coal industry only, which employs about 80 per cent of the 400,000 miners. There were three strike shufdowns in 1941, 1943 and 1945, two in 1946 1947 and 1948, three in 1949, not counting the three-day work-week period. In all, these 18 strikes covered. 324 calendar days or 281 work days. Saying it another way, during this nine-year period the soft coal mines have been shut down about one year, since the average number of days per year worked by miners was never over. the 278 of 1944. The lowest was 165 days, worked in 1949.

Estimate of Losses Due to Strikes

ACCORDING to the Southern Coal Producers’ figures, the wages lost by miners on account of strikes in this period was $753 million. This averages out to approximately $2353 per miner These figures do not include wages lost through the three-day work week imposed from July 5 to Sept. 17 and during the month of December 1949. If the miners had worked two days more a week, in these periods, they would have earned an estimated $165 million, or 2hout $518 more apiece. But it may not be fair to include this all as a strike loss, since there iz no assurance that all mines would have worked all these days. When it came to figuring what the mine workers had gained through new contracts in

SIDE GILANCES

this nine-year period, the going got a little tougher. Too many intangibles. To get any accurate figures would require a check of payroll records for all coal companies to see just what which miners got what benefits for how long a time. And that was of course impossible. So here the Southern Coal Producers’ man gave up. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U. 8. Bureau

of Mines do, however, have basic data on num- .

ber of man-days worked, average daily wage, and contract terms and improvements from year to year. These last include allowances for things like vacation pay, portal-to-portal pay, paid lunch periods and welfare fund benefits.

Rough Estimate of Gains FROM this basic «data it has been possible to make estimates on miners’ gains during this nine-year period. These figures have been checked at United Mine Workers’ offices in

.. Washington. They are not guaranteed as com-

plete or accurate, but they are characterized as reasonable estimates in the absence of payroll analysis, man by man. They are computed on

the basis of average annual employment of 320,000 miners, although employment was over 400,000 in 1941 and 1942, These are the wage increases which threefourths of these miners, employed in the North, have received in the past nine years: $1.00 a day in 1941, $1.85 in $1945, $3.05 in 1947, $1.00 in 1948. The total is $6.85. For the South, add 40 cents more. Total gains, $2,202,000,000. This averages nearly $800 per man per year. . Gains through vacation pay, from $20 a year in 1941 to $100 in 1946 and after, $196 million. Average per man, $600. Gains from the welfare fund, first begun in 1946, total $118 million. Gains in portal-to-portal pay, first begun in 1943 as two-thirds of pay for 45 minutes, now paid for as working time at full rate, $699 million. Gains from paid lunch periods, begun as 15 minutes in 1945, raised to 30 minutes in 1947, a total of $278 million. Even these totals are said not to represent complete gains. They do not include payments made to miners for overtime. They do not include premium pay given fo maintenance men on swing shifts. They do not include pay for holidays. They do not include the intangible gains the miners have made in their social standing.

By Galbraith

All this, it seems to me, is becoming a na--al problem / 80

require some : © of 1s i

of The main purpose of antigambling laws

is to keep people from gambling their money

away, These laws have not accomplished this purpose. The people want to gamble, do so with _ the criminal elements and lose more to the “packeteers than ‘if they patronized a legalized

operation.

‘Rents Too High’ By a Tenant, City \ There are ®partments and houses for rent at $77.50, $85 and $110. Yes, there are vacan- ~ cles, but only because nobody can afford the rent asked for these places. Landlords plously state they will not “raise rents out of reason.”

They are going to raise rents right up to the

$77.50 mark. I heard one landlord say “just wait ‘til they lift rent controls. I'll-double my profits.” Yes, indeed, he and all other landlords. I grant there are a few exceptions. Some houses

# are underrated and worth maybe $10 or §15

more per month, but these are a minority. My landlord hasn't spent a dime except taxes (and they are very low) in eight years on the property I live in. I've spent plenty. I've painted and papered and repaired until the house is in better shape than when I moved here. But, who reimburses me for all I've spent when rent contrgls are lifted and he boosts the rent so high I cannot pay it and have to move? I say if controls are lifted, make every landlord prove he has spent money on a house and is" deserving of “increased rent. If the tenant has kept up the property, why should the landlord need an increase?

‘Let's Be Friendly"

By L. C. V., City. Yes, let's be friendly, take the sticks out of our backs and drain the ice water from our veins, If you see your neighbor, don’t wait for her to speak. You be the first to speak. It won't crack your face or hurt you in any way, and may do both a lot of good. My, what a treat to meet a real live person who has a friendly “hello” and smile for his neighbors, friends and acquaintances. I regret to say, but some of our neighbors are dullards. If you meet them, you always have to speak first—it would break their faces if they did.

What Do We Need in 1950?

Planning Urged By Edward D. Pierre, Architect The original plans of Indianapolis were the product of ideals, of courage and an abiding faith in the future. The city that grew from these plans was proudly called the “Capital in the Wilderness.” ; Today, after much use and abuse we come up with considerable wilderness in the capital. The city our children will inherit is faced with major planning problems: Blight, smoke, traffic, parking, ete. That must not be passed on to them. 1950 would be a good year to meditate and then act on some of these problems.

Ed Plerre P. 8.—For a jolt to your civic pride, visit

Lockerbie Fair, Whitcomb Riley made famous. ® ¢

the little street that Jam

J

What are your ideas on ways to improve Indianapolis during 19507 Write your suggestions to: / “1950 Editor,” The Times, 214 W. Maryland St, /

PRESIDENCY . . . By Bruce Biossat

g3 Third Term Lures

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20—Quiet reports are circulating that President Truman has decided to run for a third term. He is said to have told friends in his administration not to begin looking for jobs to take effect after 1952,

Few people expect Mr. Truman to admit this intention now, if

the West. This is conspicuously true of Berlin. That divided city has hardly been in the news at all ’

" » ” CONSIDER the contrast with two years ago

when a series of provocative Iincidents built up toward the blockade. Berlin and the German issue were on the front pages. Then came the alr Mr. Hoffman lift and the thrill of watching America's technology in the air defeat the Soviet Union, Now against this background of quiet, an absence of threat and shock and headline incident, we have President Truman's budget with foreign spending considerably pared, And we have an econ-omy-minded Congress that may in an election year carelessly flail about with the economy ax. The combination can be bad. It might mean that the movement toward recovery started in Western Europe with Amerfcan help will be stalled or even pushed back. Cuts carved too deeply into European aid, German occupation and the military program for Europe will mean a dangerous gamble with the future. : For ECA the President has requested $3 billion for fiscal 1951--more than a billion under the amount for the cur. Congreas

billion, it would be felt immediately in the slowing down of Europe's reconstruction. . " = =» BUT beyond immediate consideration of programs already launched is a much biggee question and some of the junior officials in ECA have begun to think and to talk about this larger question. In simplest form it is: What happens after June of 1952 when the recovery program ends? The drive being directed by ECA administrator Paul G. Hoffman’ is to free trade In Europe of the old hampering barriers.-One move in this direction is to create a special fund out of ECA appropriations that will make it possible to convert European currencies freely between one country and another, That, it is hoped, will remove a major obstacle. At the same time Mr. Hoftman and his assistants are working te end the dual price system. Under that system one price Is charged to customers at home and another and higher price to customers abroad. Thus, British coal costs more on the: continent than it does in Great Britain. ~ » . BUT even if all these obstacles are removed, Europe will in all likelihood need American aid is on this belief that the thinking for the longer future Is now being based. In demanding Integration this country may well be asking Europe to do the impos. sible. Under present circumstances, with Germany divided and East-West trade merely

after 1952. It:

OUR. THD BY WEA SERVICE. WNC. V. LEO. Wh A PAT awe "Do | have to spank him for ding that? He's a lot better speller than | was. at his age!”

That is a hazard France cannot accept. » » » WESTERN Europe can integrate only on one condition—that the Unitéd States becomes a part of the economic union, This is beginning to happen militarily through the military assistance program. But it must happen on the economic side if integration in ahy real sense is to occur, When the problem is posed this way, it becomes clear that a great new forward step In American foreign policy Is

rapidly becoming an urgent ‘necedsity. "Something like a

customs union for the Atlantic community is called for, Such steps in the past decade always have been preceded by extensive preparation. Through public committees opinion has been educated to realize the need for the new step. But in the past another element also has been present --an active threat from a menacing enemy abroad. There are ‘times when no news is news. Perfaps this is one of those périods with Berlin and the erstwhile danger points dropping below the

«level of awareness. As the old

maxim has it, dut of sight is out of mind.

he has it. Thére's too much political advantage in keeping every-

one guessing. / But if he should run again it would be the strongest evidence yet to how greatly he has changed from the days in 1945 when he was telling the world he didn’t want the job—that it had just been thrust upon him. It would be a sign that Mr. Truman has been bitten by a bug that seems to bite most Presidents. . » . WE have a popular notion that the third term never really became an issue until Franklin D. Roosevelt's time. But the historians say otherwise. According to Arthur M. Schiesinger Sr. Harvard historian: “It is hardly an exaggeration to say that since Jackson every incumbent who finished his second term has been an active or’ receptive ‘aspirant for a third one; and in this respect there has been no distinction between the parties.” ) n » . GRANT wanted a third term in 1876, was discouraged from trying, but then came back and bid for the office again in 1880, Grover Cleveland, finishing his

second go in 1896, neither con--

firmed nor denied ambition for another term. His enemies in the Democratic Party effectively squeiched any hopes he may have had. - : Theodore Roosevelt, after expressly supporting the twoterm tradition and bowing out

to. William Howard Taft in 1008, changed his mind and ac- -

» = » WOODROW WILSON was an invalid in 1920, but historians are agreed he wanted a third. term to vindicate his stand on the League of Nations, The right moment .for him never’ came. Though Calvin Coolidge appeared to many to remove himself completely by his “I do not choose to run” statement in 1928, numerous - observers believe he actually was willing to be drafted for further White House duty. One intimate says he was gravely disappointed when the GOP convention named Herbert Hoover.

YOU can’t explain this behavior among Presidents simply by saying that, once kindled, ambition burns exceedingly bright. Historians see more to it than that. _ They find that most Presidents develop two worries: (1) that their “program” won't be finished unless they complete it themselves, and (2) that a man of true presidential stature can't be obtained to replace them. In other words,

the Olympian heights of the White House, 'all other candi-

done, that no one else can be trusted to carry on his “good wor hod §

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