The Strikes in America
The revision of the Neutrality Act has carried the United States a long step forward in giving reality to President Roosevelt's policy of all aid for Britain and the Powers resisting aggression. But in his rear a new enemy has risen which, if suc- cessful, could do infinite damage to his programme of war pro- duction. It is the spirit of industrial discontent fomented to the utmost by a man who is opposed to the President's foreign policy and wields great power in the trade union movement. Mr. John L. Lewis, president of the United Mineworkers of America, pres- sing his demands for compulsory membership of mineworkers in his trade union (which neither Congress nor Mr. Roosevelt will accept), has called out the men in the " captive mines " owned by the steel companies. Workers in some other mines have struck in sympathy. Mr. Roosevelt has had to face much criticism even from the ranks of his own supporters by his unwillingness to take extreme measures against unions whose organisations are now threatening ,the national war effort. But the President, according to his custom, has not failed to measure one vital con- sideration against another. His past championship of the interests of Labour and his leadership in the world crisis have won him the enthusiastic support of the Congress of Industrial Organisa- tions, representing five million men, which has been in convention at Detroit. Its warm undertakings to back up the policy of aid against the aggressors is in violent contrast with that taken up by Mr. Lewis, and should serve to strengthen Mr. Roosevelt when he takes the legislative and administrative measures which may be necessary to end the strike. Public opinion, including the opinion of large numbers of the industrial workers, is coming to recognise that the action which is being directed by Mr. Lewis in a vital industry is action against the whole community at a moment of national danger. Thus fortified, the President is in a stronger position for taking firm measures. The country is predominantly with him, but the mineworkers are a formidable body, and their strike is already curtailing munitions-production.
