Muncie Post-Democrat, Muncie, Delaware County, 23 May 1941 — Page 4

POST-DEMOCRAT FRIDAY, MAY 23, 1941

THE POST-DEMOCRAT A Democratic weekly newspaper representing the Democrats of Muncie, Delaware County and the 10th Congressional District, The only Democratic Newspaper in Delaware County. —■■■■ — — — ———■ ■ • Entered as second classc matter January 15, 1921, at the Postoffice it Muncie, Indiana, under Act of March 3, 1879.

PRICE 5 CENTS—$1.50 A YEAR MRS. GEO. R. DALE, Publisher 916 West Main street. Munce, Indiana, Friday, May 23, 1941.

Argument In Favor of U. S. Convoys “History shows that the decisive factor in all great wars invariably has been sea power,” wrote Rear Admiral Woodward, U. S. N., recently. Think back over the major conflicts of history and you’ll realize the truth of that. When Drake’s fleet destroyed the Spanish Armada, he eliminated one of the greatest threats to English security and safety. When Nelson broke the back of French sea power at Trafalgar, he assured Napoleon’s ultimate defeat. Japan, under the brilliant Admiral Togo, made herself a world power to be reckoned with when her fleet routed the Russian navy at Port Arthur. And in World War Number 1, it was the British fleet, under Jellicoe, which forced the German navy to bottle itself up in port after the battle of Jutland, and so made it possible to tighten the blockade which proved to be one of the decisive factors in that sanguinary conflict. Sea power has always made world history—and it is for that reason that a number of military authorities tend to the belief that Germany’s great successes on land, important as they are, cannot win the war for her no matter how far they may be carried. Germany’s air power is today the best in Europe, and it will be at least a year before British-Ameri-can production can really rival hers. Her armies are supreme, in size, in equipment, and in generalship. But Germany has no fleet in any way comparable to Britain’s. The submarine is a dangerous weapon, but it is extremely limited, and it has been proven time and again that sufficient surface power is superior to undersea power. Italy had a large fleet at the start of this war, but it proved sadly deficient in fighting quality, and a large part of it has been destroyed. German shipyards have been working overtime, but it seems certain that their production has been hid to a minimum by British air raids on Kiel, Hamburg, and other ports. British sea power is tremendously strained. Her ships must police every ocean in the world. They must attempt to bring her merchant ships home with the supplies that are needed to feed her population and arm her fighting forces. That is why British 'hopes are today pinned to a considerable extent on the American Navy. British strategists are confident that the full participation of our Navy would assure ultimate German defeat. The American Navy is the largest and most powerful in the world, according to such authorities as Admiral Woodward. Five years from now, if plans go according to schedule, it will also be the fastest navy, and will be infinitely more powerful. And it is the one branch of our fighting services which is ready to go to war right now, if the call is made. Admiral Woodward believes that if we went to war the job of our Navy in the Atlantic would be fourfold. First, we would occupy and defend all Atlantic islands on the “other side,” both to forestall their seizure by the axis, and to strike at invaders moving out from Europe. Second, we would blockade ports on the Spanish and French West African Coast. Third, we would cooperate fully with the British navy in convoy work. Fourth, we would have to keep large forces about the Panama Canal to defend it from attack. In the Pacific, a fleet would probably be based at Singapore, to keep an eye on Japan. American naval officials think relatively little of the Japanese navy, and are certain we would have little trouble in defending ourselves from Hawaii to the mainland. A number of authorities feel that Hitler would have taken a far tougher war with us because he fears that the unlimited participation of our fleet would turn thescales against him. It is certainly true that his blockade of England would be made immeasurably more difficult if our destroyers and cruisers were used for convoy work. Our entry into the war would more than double the sea power which the Axis must face. There are reports that Hitler may shortly take over what is left of the French navy—Admiral Darlan, Number 2 man at Vichy, is notoriously pro-German and has a deep hatred of England and everything English. If that happens, Hitler will be greatly strengthened—the French cruisers would make excellent raiders and could harass Britain at many exposed points. And in the meantime, high British officials are becoming franker and franker in intimating that the cause of the democracies may be lost unless this country sends its ships in wthi their guns roaring.

Changes m the conscription law may take place this year. The Army wants the age minimum dropped to 18—it prefers young men. Another law may be proposed to give the President authority to defer all men over 27. Conscripting older men has made for social and economic dislocations. According to officials, training is going ahead well, and the quality of men is the best in our history. Basic supply and housing problems have been solved. However, some experts doubt that a year’s training is enough to turn a civilian into a crack soldier.

No Food Shortage The effect of the defense program on demand and supply of food products, and means by which the entire food industry can cooperate to help make that program effective, was the vital topic recently discussed by the National Food and Grocery Conference Committee. The Committee is composed of all branches of the food industry, including chains, independents, cooperatives and others. The Committee’s discussion produced some good news for the consumer. It acknowledged and reaffirmed the in- , dustry’s obligation to feed the nation with maximum economy during these trying times. It stated that a survey of available and potential food supplies reveals no cause for alarm on the part of the public. It pointed out that purchasing in excess of normal requirements is unwarranted and inadvisable, and only creates artificial shortages which result in unnecessarily raising the cost of food to all. Speculation and profiteering in foods were especially condemned. This Committee represents practically the entire food industry, and speaks for it. That industry renders this country a far greater service than is generally realized. The American consumer can walk into a store almost anywhere in the country, in a little town, no less than a great city, and buy precisely what he wants and at a standard, competitive price. An extraordinarily efficient system must prevail in warehouse and distribution center, in processing plant and transportation system, no less than in the actual retail outlets themselves, to make that possible.

Production Stepped Up According to Secretary Knox, “In 90 days this nation will be producing more combat equipment than any country in the world, including Germany.” It is true that production has been stepped up fast in essential fields, though some authorities are still far from satisfied with the results. Goods are accumulating for lack of merchant ships to ferry them to England . It also seems true that the quality of lessons learned on European battlefields. Biggest advance is said to be the new M-3 tank. This 28-ton monster is supposed to be superior to any of its kind in the world.

Encouraging

News of tremendous moment to national defense progress was announced in the press recently. It was reported that detailed data on the availability of machine tools and other equipment is 18,000 previously unsurveyed manufacturing plants had been turned over to William S. Kundsen, Director General of the Office of Production Management. The bearer of this valuable information was Walter D. Fuller, President of the National Association of Manufacturers and Chairman of the National Industrial Council. These two organizations jointly conducted the vast survey that has not yielded these valuable results. To the nation at large, these facts are important because national defense will be speeded. Contractors with defense orders will be able to go to central sources of information and discover plants that can do part of their job for them, and thus speed up delivery. The factories in individual communities can “pool” their resources to handle defense contracts. “Pools” of this sort are already organized in nearly 200 communities, and Mr. Fuller confidently expects that there will be a thousand by the middle of this year. The N.A.M.N.I.C. leader is now on an extended tour of defense producing areas to stimulate these efforts. Knowledge of these happenings is encouraging to the public not alone because defense is speeded, but because it shows that American industry is alert enough to pitch in and do a better job on a voluntary basis than totalitarian countries could manage with all the “police power” at their command.

All School Children to Have Hearing Tested . An act passed by the recent session of the Indiana General Assembly requires that all school districts test the hearing of all their pupils and provide a course in lip-reading for the children who need it.

INDIANA FARM BUREAU ACTIVE IN GENERAL WELFARE PRU6RAM

Interstate Archery Contest Will Start May 31 in Brown Co. Archers from a half-dozen states are expected to compete in the annual Brown County Open Tourney to be staged at Brown County State Park May 31 and June 1, it was announced today by Charles A. DeTurk, director of the Division of State Parks. This meet, formerly known as the Missouri Valley Archery Tourney, was renamed and made an annual affair at Brown County after the bow-and-arrow enthusiasts competed there for the first time in 1939. Present officers are: E. S. Richter, Chicago, president; W. B'. Lincoln, Indianapolis, chairman board of directors, and Mrs. Frances Martin, Evansville, secretary. York and American Rounds will be shot by the men; National and Columbia Rounds by the women; Hereford, Junior American and Junior National Rounds by the intermediates and juniors. All archers are to compete in the Flight and Clout events. A number of cups, trophies and other awards are offered for individual and team events. o Exports Pace Rapid Growth Of Sao Paulo Sao Paulo, Brazil.—The city of Sao- Paulo, described by its authorities as “the greatest industrial center of Latin America,” has grown in population from 31,000 in 1870 to 1,380,000 in 1941. This expansion among cities of the Western Hemisphere is exceeded only by Los Angeles. Sao Paulo is situated at an altitude of about 2,600 feet on a plateau of the Brazilian coastal range, accessible to Santos, its seaport, by a twisting road that zig-zags up the mountain sides, and by a railway with sucA extreme gradients that steam-operated cable lines are used for about seven miles of its course. The majority of Brazil’s coffee, cotton and other agricultural pro ducts and a large part of its manufactured goods pass through Sao Paulo for export.

BALANCES (Continued From Page One) added but one fund, the aviation fund, which was carried by the city during 1931 was dropped in 1934. The new funds added have been the sewage disposal construction fund set up in 1938, the improvement district bond fund also set up in 1938, the flood control and bond special funds set up last year, and the sewage works bond and interest redemption fund started in February of this year. Teachers’ College Plans Assistance For Defense Work

Officials of Indiana State Teachers College this week put into effect two plans which are designed to help students and prospective students in view of the national defense crisis. Registrar Harry E. Elder announced that provisions have been made to permit students with average and above grades to compress the present four-year course of study into only, three years. By carrying a few extra courses after the freshman year and attending college during the summer as well as the regular terms, students may complete the 192 credits regularly required for the A.B. and B.S. degrees in three years or slightly less. It is believed that this will make it possible for many high school' graduates to complete college before they regch the present age of 21 years. Provisions also have been made to save students who already are of draft age from losing either their fees or credits if they should be called to service in the middle of a term. If the students are drafted before the term is half over they will get their fees back, but if they are drafted after having completed more than half of the term they will get the grade that their professors have tabulated for them at that point. When they re-enroll after military service they will get full credit for the interrupted term. o Spain’s 1940 rice crop is estimated at 525,000,000 pounds.

Leopold Stokowski, renowned conductor, who. will bring his internationally famous All American Youth Orchestra for its only Indiana appearnace in the Butler University Stadium (Indianapolis) {for a concert Tuesday evening,

GOP (Continued From Page One) the treasurer of state and the auditor of state would be in a position to overrule the exeutive one any important matter of state. No individual, however, would assume responsibility for action taken. The Republican attorneys point out that the Governor fs to study conditions continuously and make recommendations to the legislature. As Governor Shcricker has remarked several tmies, he did not shirk that duty during the

June 10. The concert, being given for the benefit of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Maintenance Fund, is under the joint auspices of the Indiana Junior Chamber of Commerce and the‘Indiana State Symphony Society.

recent session. His recommendations, however, fel Ion deaf ears on every occasion, fell on deaf ears hardly was acorded the courtesy of leaving the chamber before a vote was taken without further discussion and his efforts were taken for naught. , Governor Schricker has been extremely fair during his five months in office and at no time has he attempted to usurp the duties of any other state officer. The Supreme court now must decided .whether some of these lesser state offiers are to usury his powers.— Hoosier Sentinel.

Farm Bureau Sets Up Car Testing Stations The shocking figures of 36,000 people killed in 1940 within the United States by automobiles is arousing deep interest in all measures ^which will reduce this slaughter, states Larry A. Williams, sales director for the Farm Bureau insurance companies with offices in Indianapolis. Of the 36,000 people killed last year, 12,000 were pedestrians, many of which were walking along the highways, statistics show. “Carelessness on the part of drivers frequently causes accidents. However, faulty equipment such as poor lights and bad breaks are responsible for most of the fatalities. This equipment is rather inexpensive to repair, but too many people fail to have their cars inspected,” says Mr. Williams. To eliminate a part of accident causes, the Farm Bureau insurance company, working with city police and other agencies, is ready to set up car-testing stations for three days in the larger cities and two days in the smaller towns, he announces. “Any car owner may drive his car through the testing lane and have a complete check made on lights, brakes, and wheel alignment. There will be no charge and no recommendation made to to where repairs are to be made.” If the car checks “okay”, a sticker will be placed on it stating so, and others may be obtained when needed repairs are made. All testing equipment is new and under the supervision of Indiana Rural Youth members who have been trained thoroughly for the testing job.

Pet And Hobby Club Members Will Parade at State Fair Though the Indiana State Fair may seem quite far in the distance, arrangements are completed for the Farm Bureau Pet and Hobby Club members to participate in the Farmers’ Day Parade, announced Edmond C. Foust, director of publicity for the bureau. Last year many boys and girls under 11 years of age paraded their dogs, ponies, chickens, goats, and lambs with dignity equal to any other participant. Substantial cash prizes are offered by the State* Fair Board and the Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. “At present, more than 300 township units of the Pet and Hobby Clubs hold regular monthly meetings and cooperate in their projects,” said Mr. Foust. “Many clubs have planted trees about the homes and the school premises.” From the thousands of Indiana members, many will exhibit their hobbies in the Farm Bureau building at the State Fair Grounds during the fair, he stated. The Farm Bureau will offer prizes for these exhibits. Last year collections of buttons, dolls, paintings, rocks, and many other interesting hobbies were presented. These clubs are the first effort to organize small rural children into a state-wide unit. The leaders are chosen from Rural Youth membership in most instances.

Indiana Farmers Raise 32 Per Cent More Chicks It appears that Indiana farmers have gone far beyond the goverhment recommendations of a 15 per cent increase in baby chicks, since hatchery men report that Indiana has increased the chick population by 32 per cent over 1940^ according to officials of the Farm Bureau hatchery department. Many of the chicks, of course, will go to the broiler trade, they say. However, from the pullets kept,' they estimate there should be no difficulty in increasing by 10 per cent this phase of the chicken industry as recommended by government representatives. Many poultrymen are wondering what the final results may be, since there is no government support to the price of poultry meat, although 22 cents per dozen is the floor under eggs. It is believed that the 1941 market will be well supported by industrial workers who are on the defense program. Some economists have doubt regarding the profit in the poultry industry in 1942. At least it can be said that there will be no shortage of poultry in Indiana this year. BAYS (Continued From Page One) of dollars into Indiana to help buy the election. It was much better that Senator Minton went down in defeat fighting for humanity than to be like Charles Dawson to ride to victory on the coattalis of the corrupting industrialists. It no doubt would have been of interest to hearers if Dawson had told them that both Mr. Coy and Mr. Coffin were former Republicans, hut finding that party without program or leadership turned to a party with a constructive program for all the people. Instead of criticizing a brilliant leader like Patrick 'M-anion who is a member of the faculty of one of the greatest universities in the world, Notre Dame, he should try to get some of the culture and brilliancy of this outstanding leader instead of abusing him in public addresses. . It is an interesting study to note that Dawson whose public background is made up of being a lobbyist and township trustee, should attempt to assail these honorable citizens of Indiana who have contributed so much in statesmanship to repair Indiana after twelve years of Republican mismanagement. Incidently, Dawson could have told his listeners that the Columbia Club where he was speaking, was in the hands of the receivers under the Republican Administration but since Roosevelt’s election it has been getting along all right. Speaking of taxpayers, Dawson could have told his audience that the recent session of the Senate he presided over was the most expensive in dollars and the most costly in lack of program in the history of Indiana.

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COMMENCEMENT ..1941 Soon the mails will be filled with big white envelopes carrying very special invitations . . . The So-and-So High School, the Such-and-Such College, requests the honor of your presence at their 10th or 25th and 100th annual commencement. And you will be saying, “it doesn r t seen possible that little John or Mary, or Helen or Guy, is old enough to be graduating . Let’s see, what shall I send for a present.” But there’s something more important you can do for John or Mary than sending them a billfold or compact with your congratulations. You can remind them of what a challenge it is to be starting out in the world at a time like this, when half the nations are at war and the United States itself is at work on Defense with almost a million and a half men in uniform; with taxes mounting and uncertainties increasing. It is nof as pleasant a time to get started, although there are plenty of jobs this spring of 1941. For there are problems as grave as any this nation has ever faced. And .the boy or girl who finishes school this spring will be plunged into the turmoil of one of *the great crises of his-

tory.

We are at work on the greatest armament program in the history of this country. We are training a great army of men. But we must not only make America strong enough to resist any physical aggression. We must rebuild our faith in Democracy and the American way of life if we are to continue to be a country where men may speak as they please—even if we don’t agree with them; where we choose by ballot the men who shall govern us and where we conduct our business in the way we see fit as long as it doesn’t interfere with the rights of others. So the boy or girl, going to work this spring, will count not. onjy as another pair of hands to help with Defense but as a citizen whose belief in Americanism will help to bring it safely through this emergency. America has always been the land of opportunity. The ‘oppressed peoples of the earth have turned to it in their despair and thousands of them have come here to find a better life. It must continue to be the land of opportunity for them and for us—the country which will be the first to realize the true brotherhood of man that is possible in a land where the mass production of a free industrial system makes possible an abundance of the good things of life for everybody. That is the situation which young people finishing school this spring will have the privilege of helping to develop. For we have reached the end of an epoch. We are at the beginning of something new and something better. With the increase in our productive capacity we will be able to realize the real destiny of America if we continue to build on the same foundation our forefathers used. And that is inevitable, for as a noted industrial leader, said recently, “the American’s love of liberty, demand for opportunity and faith in the cherished institutions of Democracy are as sound, as new and as precious today as they were in the days of Washington, Jefferson, and Frank-

lin.”