John Takes A Trip

Down the U.S. highway from Chicago moved a big Cadillac, bearing within it a big, black-browed, majestic man. The car pulled into Decatur, Ill., stopped. News men crowded around. What was John L. Lewis doing in this neck of the woods? And where had he got the gasoline? John Lewis brushed aside all questions: nothing at all ---just going to Springfield --"for my annual visit with my mother." (Anna Louisa Lewis is 84.) This quote got into the papers. Decatur residents, remembering that John L. Lewis lived 750 miles away in Alexandria, Va., put in outraged calls to their ration board.

One complaint came from a citizen who had failed to get enough gas to visit his ailing mother, who later died. Local Chairman Clarence Seip complained to district headquarters.

Said Chairman Seip: "Lewis certainly couldn't have driven that distance on an A card, and a visit to his mother certainly could not be classified as essential driving."

Said Acting Chairman James Armstrong of the Alexandria board: "Very interesting. . . ."

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