McNutt's Homecoming
Sirs:
In the excellent and informative article on Paul McNutt in TIME, July 10, you overlook one fact of great importance; a fact which ought to be understood by the American people, since Mr. McNutt is already so much in the public eye and is so ambitious for the Presidency.
You do refer to Labor's opposition to the former Governor of Indiana because of his use of militia in strikes. The important thing, however, is not that Governor McNutt called out militia; many Governors do that. The important thing is that he invented a new form of executive tyranny; namely, the perpetuation of military law long after the emergency for which the troops were called out was over, and almost all of them had been sent home. This kind of law Governor McNutt maintained for at least two years in Sullivan County, Ind. and for some six to eight months in Terre Haute. Under this, a major of militia had power superior to all local authorities and courts; he could and did order men to be held for various alleged offenses, including street corner speaking, subject, not to civil law, but to a military court.
The Governor's power to establish such military rule, under his own discretion, was sustained in the lower courts and was never properly fought out through the higher courts. Labor was, of course, opposed to this semi-Fascist arrangement, but for various reasons did not make, by any means, the vigorous fight that should have been made. . . .
NORMAN THOMAS
New York City
>TIME showed Mr. Thomas' letter to Mr. McNutt who replied as follows:
Sirs:
Actually, I suspended no civil processes in any instance. The courts remained open and functioned in a normal way. Troops were sent to Sullivan and Vigo counties as a symbol of the authority of the State and its determination to preserve order. Over a period of time there was a progressive reduction of the number of troops until finally we had only one squad on duty, although martial law technically was continued.
There may have been a period when the situation was so tense that it bred trouble and when it was necessary to disperse groups congregating on street corners. . . . State assistance had been sought by the judge, mayor, sheriff and other officials who had admitted themselves unable to cope with the general uneasiness.
. . . Labor knew, as did others, that troops were dispatched for the purpose of protecting both sides. It surely must be significant that organized Labor raised not a hand against my confirmation as Security Administrator by the Senate. . . .
PAUL V. McNUTT
Indianapolis, Ind.
Rhode Island Reds
Sirs:
I suppose those Pawtucket (R.I.) WPA pickets whose pictures you published, TIME, July 24, would be regarded by the Dies Committee as Rhode Island Reds.
EDGAR R. MCGREGOR
Wheeling, W. Va.
"We Are Rising"
Sirs:
Major R. R. Wright is a really remarkable individual for more reasons than you had space to tell in your excellent report of the National Negro Bankers' Association convention (TIME, July 17, p. 60). After four score restless years most men are ready to lay down their arms and leave the fighting to younger men with stronger bodies. But the Major is just beginning, and there is no telling when he will stop. . . .