Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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sSun 1218 College Street NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA O. F. ARIMFIELD Editor and Publisher Published Every Friday in the Year Entered as second-class matter tacember 6, 1937, at the postoffice ut Newberry, South Carolina, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. THURMOND OUT TO DEFEAT TOM POPE Supporters of Strom Thurmond in this county will be hurt and surprised to know that he is active ly campaigning against Thomas H. Pope, in favor of Representative Littlejohn, of Spartanburg, for the speakership of the House of Repre sentatives. , A rumor to the effect that Mr. Thurmond had set out to defeat Mr. Pope has been going the rounds for some time. Last week this pa per was able to verify the rumor. We have it direct from the horse’s mouth that he contacted a repre sentative in an adjoining county just recently and urged him to support the candidacy of Mr. Little john. You will recall that Mr. Thur mond had a lot to say about “rings” in his campaign speeches. He de nounced the “Barnwell ring” from mountain to seacoast. • It now seems that the governor-elect did not so much object to rings, as such; rather his gripe was over who should control the ring. A “Thurmond ring” we are to as sume, would be a holy thing. The hub of the whole matter is, of course, that Strom Thurmond has set about to put dimmers on the rising political star of Thomas H. Pope. He knows that in capa bility, he is not in Tom Pope’s class, and he knows that from the speakership Tom Pope would go on to throw monkey wrenches into Thurmond’s ambition to build up a ring to control the state, even as Edgar and Sol, whom he professes to hate so lustily. The SPECTATOR Did you ever find yourself ir full agreement wtith a person ir. general conversation and in sharp disagreement when he applied his reasoning to specific cases? It is interesting to ponder the use o* words. I do not refer to technical language—which should be under stood in a technical sense, nor yet to words now being used on the Street—“not too many”, meaning not many; i’m thinking of the re mark of John L. Lewis’ lawyer to the Judge. "It is iuadamenlal that men have the right to work or not as they see fit." Certainly we agree with that. At the hearing the Judge also agreed, as did the Gov ernment’s attorney. You agree also, one may be sure. Let’s repeal it and admit that John Lewis’ law yer spoke like a great and true American. It is worth repeating; “It is fundamental tha. men have the right to work or not, as they see fit.” A fine statement, but what does that lawyer mean? You understand it clearly, but you ana that lawyer don’t think alike. Strange, indeed. The governor has no business entering the fight for the speaker- ship. His aim should be to keep narmony in our legislative body and he should certainly want the good will of one of its most able members. > South Carolina has had enough of rings, wrangling and under-hand sonniving in its law-making body, and in voting for Thurmond many thousands thought they were vot ing for a man who would put a stop to it. They did not vote for the same old thing under a new, .f less astute, head. Newberrians must realize that the defeat of Tom Pope for the speakership would be a set-back to nis political future. We need men tike Tom Pope and if you would do your bit toward helping him you Afill write Mr. Thurmond—hund reds of you—and tell him to keep nis lip out of this race. Mr. Thurmond’s gratitude for the big majority he received in the sounty seems to have died with his election. Let’s go to the bottom of this nd interpret the lawyer’s words by vhat he is contending for. He neans, in a very narrow sense, that .•oal-miners who are members of .he Union, John Lewis’ Union, have the right to strike, have the right to lay down their picks and remain at home. Certainly a man has a right to remain at home, to leave nis job, to quit work. Any compul sion would be slavery. But the Government isn’t dealing with the workers themselves; it is dealing with a Union leader who brought about a strike though under a con tract. That is the Government's argument. If we accept the words of Mr. Lewis’ lawyer, men have “the right to work when they see fit”. What men have this right? Mem- jers of Ihe Union. You and I read ily agree that men should be al lowed to choose their work and to work where they choose. But that is precisely the basis of the difficulty here; the Unions will not let any man work in the coal mines unless he be a member of the Union; all other Americans are barred, frozen out. And the Government of the United States warmly supported the Labor-leaders. Our laws, our Courts, our Administrative officials have magnified the Labor leaders with their un-Amercan demand for exclusive rights. The Government is play-acting with John Lewis. Lewis has swol len because of Government pamp ering; he is the beneficiary of a lot of Un-American favors by the Gov ernment. You and I can agree with Lewis’ lawyer; we do agree with nis words, but we mean, you and most of us, that all Americans have the right to work or not to work, as they see fit, when they see fit, where they see fit, and for w ft om they see fit. Obviously the employer must determine the general rules of his business. If the Congress, if the President, if the Courts will say to all Unions: the lawyer’s statement is a clear presentation; we accept it in full and shall repeal all laws or regula tions which give a Union-member ix V special privileges. In other words, all men are entitled to equal pro tection of the law; all men are en titled to work or not to work. The Labor-leaders think that the Declaration of Independence says “All Labor Union-members are created equal, endowed by tfceir Creator with certain unalienable rights,” among which are the right to hold all the jobs, and freeze our fellow citizens outw What the great Declaration says is: "All men are created equal”. That great docu ment exactly fits this case, for it means that all men are entitled to equal justice, equal rights of lib erty. Do you remember the days of Preparedness—before this country had formally entered the war? America was preparing to defend herself against aggression by Hit ler. Millions, hundreds of millions, of dollars were authorized for the building of barracks and supply depots for the great arihy of free dom. Thousands of farmers and lads from the country sought work, for money was scarce. They went to Fort Jackson—and all the other contract jobs. They went as Ameri cans seeking jobs in the great ef fort to prepare America for defense. But before they were allowed to drive a nail they were required to join a Union! The farmer who hoped to find work for three months must pay from $26 to $50 to join the Union. Unless he joined the Union he could not get a job with the contractors building for defense!! But when the draft took in the men it did not exclude the farm boys, nor require a Labor card!! No. in deed! The farm boy as a non union, plain young American could not get a job at big wages to pre pare for the defense of America but he was called to give his life for his Country!! Who smiled at all this? Our own government!! And the laws are still on the books! Whatever may be done to John L. loewis is a mere evasion of the real issue. What is the real issue? Treat all Americans alike; a man’s job' should not de pend on a Union; let him join or not, as he sees fit; and let the Gov ernment protect all its citizens alike, getting back the anaient maxim "the equal protection of the law." It is never a pleasure to write sharp criticisms. Most of us let quite a lot of unpleasantness pass without comment. That is the best method in dealing with our fellow- men, but it may be the most desir able course in dealing with public matters which affect our freedom or the proper course for the great governments which we owe to the sturdy citizenry of earlier years. When we find the War Department of the United States sending out of ficially a book to all the soldiers with a recommendation that this country abolish inheritances, in crease Federal Income Taxes, and Sterilize Social undesirables, you wonder what the War Department has to do with these subjects. This book Education Manual 763 “pre pared for use of personnel of the Army—Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard”, is based on the Communist Manifesto of Karl Marx, which ad vocates a heavy progressive or graduated Income tax. Abolition of all right of Inheritance. The Communists are trying to bring about “The Abolition of private property.” ficit every year? The Government Well, who, aftef a while, will foot all these bills? The Government itself has been operating the mines. What have we to show for that? Have you been impressed by the names of certain C. I. O. organiz ers? Have you observed the Rus sian influence? People on the farm don’t advocate these things; the Communist is a sort of foot loose fellow who hopes to get ahead in the world through the overthrow of our kind of Government. These people thrive in cities, have no stake in the land, have no apprecia tion of the great American tradi tion, have no pride in our heritage. They are enemies within our gates, foxes gnawing at our vitals. Some of these people are virulent revo lutionists; some are old American stock carried away by a sort of superficial intellectuality, drowned in a sea of undigested ideas. I’ve received a letter from one of Carolina’s great men, a man who came-from the rugged hills and sparse settlements of old Edgefield and with the native pertinacity and rugged strength of that upbringing went forth to achieve great things for thousands of men and women. The letter enclosed statements by leaders in the Federal Council of Churches in Christ, advocating the abolition of competition. In 1 other words, Communism, if those good brethren would study the meaning of their words. Another stalwart citizen, once a lad on the farm in Iowa, now a jreat industrialistf has sent me much of the literature that is being circulated in the West. These two lentlemen, a Northerner and a Southerner, are working every day. For what? Money? Not for the personal or selfish use of money; they could long ago have devoted themselves to luxUry and leisure, but thye are still building, still creating work; still serving their fellowmen by their constant effort. All this would be prevented, if the Communists had control; instead of such fnen, with their intelligent zeal and self-sacrifice we should have a swarming Federal bureau cracy. Well, what have you to be thankful for? Sitting alone Thanks giving morning the question comes to me. Just at the moment we might be thankful that we are here and not in Germany or Japan. (As natives.) We are not Russians, or Chinese. In spite of shortages of every thing we are not hungry, nor are we lacking in clothes. Many of us may suffer in spirit because our •lothes are old, but we are not laked. We can be thankful for our country, and we can resolve to.keep it free, a land of opportunity, call- ng all to try for the rewards of achievement. Individually, each of us has more to be thnakful for than he thinks. Many of us are robust; even those not vigorous in body may have a compensating clarity of mind, a breadth and tolerance of spirit or a spiritual vision of the heights not known to us of the commoner clay. Thanksgiving is not so much a day of mere gluttony as it is a day of rememebrance of Providential protection and guildance—to those who have sought it. , James M. Cox. a businessman, suggests a sort of Federal T. V. A. to own, control and operate the coal business. Who would pay the nundreds of millions of dollars de Make This Your Christmas Store Look over our wide array of lovely useful Christmas gifts. You’ll find a pleasing present for every name on your list ... at a/ price that will suit you. Make this your Christmas store. Select home-worthy, wear-worthy gifts here today. Maxwell Bros. & Lindsay Main Street Newberry, S. C. 0 Q A ft cr J A World Of Christmas Gifts Want a Christmas inspiration on what to give that man? We’ve got it. Come in and sight-see in our world of gifts—you’ll find the perfect present for every man on your list here. Billfolds . . . Ties . . . Tie Pins and Bars Hickok Belts . . . Hickok Belt and Buckle Sets Scarfs in all colors Holeproof Socks in Nylon. Cotton, Rayon and Wool Leather Jackets . . . Lumber Jackets . . . Mackinaws Jantzen Sweaters, long and short sleeves, coat and pull-over Gloves . . . Bathrobes . . . Handkerchiefs . . . Hats Shorts and Undershirts . . . Bedroom Shoes Clary Clothing Co. 1240 Main Street Telephone 411 WM ¥ j r ■ f i ; ' *• A 5 Tube Garod Superhet With 7 Tube Performance Beautiful Portable Radios, electric and battery. Radios and Radio-Phono Combinations. \ Records and Albums. Motorola Automobile Radios and Electric Heaters. Automatic and Non-Automatic Electric Irons. Vaculator Coffee Maker with Electric Heating stand. Breakfasters—Combination of Toaster and Hot Plate. Toasters and Broiler Masters. Harmonicas AND THEN AT THE FRIENDLY CITY STORE ON NANCE / STREET YOU WILL ALSO FIND: Radiqp and Radio-Phono Combinations. Vacuum Cleaners. Coffee Maker Sets. Floor, Table and Pin-up Lamps—also beautiful hurricane lamps. Beautiful Light Fixtures for every room in the borne. Two-burner Hot Plates. Electric and Hand Fruit Juicers. Electric Fishing Lamps. Electric Kitchen Clocks. iffi Electric Portable Heaters with and without fans. WERTZ MUSIC AND APPLIANCE COMPANY 940 Main Street Telephone 470 “There’s Rhythm In That There Store" tmmM