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LEWIS ATTACKS GARNER WASHINGTON, D. C, July 27 In a white-hot declaration against Vice-President Garner for president in 1940, John L. Lewis, CIO leader, denounced the Texan before a congressional committee as a "labor-baiting, poker-playing, whisky-drinking, evil old man." Garner only smiled as he read Lewis words and declared: "I have no comment to make." In making his startling attack on the vice-president before the house labor committee, Lewis admitted himself to be in a belligerent mood and sprinkled his testimony with salty phrases, characterizing Garner as an enemy of organized labor. Garner was shown these oxcerpts in the vice-presidents office just off the Senate chamber. He had been presiding, but retired to the office when correspondents urgently requested to see him. He read the Lewis statements and a smile crossed his famously bushy brows. "Sorry, no comment, boys," he said and he waved a jovial goodbye when the correspondents filed out of his office. In his statement Lewis said: "Some people may rise up in horror and say that John L. Lewis is making a personal attack on Mr. Garner. Yes, I am making a personal attack on him. I am against him personally, concretely and in the abstract." The labor committee sat stunned in silence and not a word of protest was raised as Lewis continued his attack on Garner.
