Muncie Post-Democrat, Muncie, Delaware County, 17 March 1944 — Page 2

POST-DEMOCRAT, FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1944.

THE POST-DEMOCRAT ^ Democratic weekly newspaper representing the remocrats of Muncie, Delaware County and the 10th Congressional District. The only Democratic Newspaper in Delaware County. Entered as second class matter January 15, 1921, Ht the Post Office at Muncie, Indiana, under Act of March 3, 1879. “ PRICE 5 CENTS—$1.50 A YEAR “ MRS. GEO. R. DALE, Publisher £16 West Main Street ^Muflcie, Indiana, Friday, March 17, 1944.

Gov. Schricker Speaks The Democratic party must not turn its back op the greatest leader in the world who is in the White House todpy, Indiana’s favorite Democratic son, Gov. Henry F. Schricker, declared in his address at the mid-winter meeting of the Indiana’s Women Democratic club. “Only he alone can make a decision to the contrary,’’ Schricker declared. “If the American people want to deprive him of this right to return, we will abide by that decision. If the American people register a different choice than we would prefer, I hope every Democrat will say to the new Commander-in-Chief, ‘Mr. President, 1 - am for you and for the things you want to do for America!’ “The will of the American people put Franklin Roosevelt in the White House three times, and the only way he will go back to the White House is by the will of the American people.” Declaring that these days are too critical to engage in political claptrap, Gov. Schricker, however, Warned the people of Indiana to prepare for the bitterest assault ever made on any American president since the days of Lincoln. “Being president when the whole world is on fire, as it is in this hour, is a responsibility that cannot adequately be described in words,” the governor declared. Public service is a grave responsibility. Good government, an early victory and a sensible and understanding approach to the problems following the war are the issues paramount ip the minds of the people. The governor pleaded for a clean campaign, and urged candidates of both parties not to go to the gutters and the bitterness grown out of the war for issues of the coming election. He predicted a great flood of false propaganda would be unloosed against the greatest leader ir tl^e vyorld today during the coming camp^ign. Not to be overlooked in Goy. Schricker’s address, which might be considered the opening gun in Indiana’s campaign, was his proposal for a retirement fund for employes of state institutions as a Democratic program measure. Pointing out that some improvements have been made in the past, with increased compensation and shorter working hours at some of the institutions, the governor declared that there is a crying need for the retirement program. Many of the employes have worked for the state for years and years, and are now facing the future without security. The state already has a retirement program for teachers, state police, and members of the state board of accounts. This proposal, like the governor’s proposal for shorter working hours for the employes of the state institution, is expected to meet with wide-spread approval. It is a step in the right direction. The important role that women are to play in the coming election was keynoted by Miss Anne Cronin, of Terre Haute, who presided over the Indiana Women’s Democratic Club banquet. “We’ll need you men in the coming election,” Miss Cronin declared. “Some of you wandered off the reservation last time, and we’ll welcome you back. And with so many men in the armed forces, it is a signal for increased women’s activities.” The members of the women’s club outlined plans for the coming campaign at a business session held preceding the banquet. The announcement that women are to be considered for places on the state ticket has increased interest among them. Women won the high praise of .Gov. Schricker for their part in the war. The part women are playing in America is outstanding, Gov. Schricker added. Women on farms, women in the factories, women in volunteer services are seeing that Indiana does not fail her boys until victory is won. These are women from both parties, and the political campaign should not wreck this fine harmony that has prevailed since Pearl Harbor. The public is interested in winning the war and with the greatest of speed. Legislative candidates are to be scrutinized more closely than ever this year by the Democratic party because of the gigantic questions that must be decided by the 1945 session of t h e Indiana General Assembly. Without a doubt the foundation for the majority of Indiana’s postwar planning will be l^id at the next session. With the nation at war and critical problems arising at all times, both parties will seek to place outstanding men in both houses for that an adequate postwar planning program can be enacted without delay. V Special Session The special session of the Indiana General Assembly, to be called in the near future by Gov. Henry F. Schricker for the purpose of amending Indiana’s election laws to permit men and women serving in the armed forces to vote in the coming elections with a minimum amount of trouble, will not last more than two weeks—if the Republicans can hold their majorities in check. Otherwise it

may last the full 40 days permitted by the constitution. Sometime ago an attempt was made to place the limitation of the session on Gov. Schricker’s shoulder, by giving the impression that the governor’s message would limit the subjects to be considered. The governor does not have the power to control the subjects or the length of the session. Consequently, Republican leaders, fully aware that some of the laws enacted in 1943 are badly in need of immediate amendments, are afraid to give the legislature the full “go” sign for fear that it will get completely out of control and as a result cause much embarrassment in view of the approaching November election . Republicans are in control of both houses and it is up to them to determine the issues and the number of days they are to remain in session. Back in 1938 when the Democrats were in control of bqth houses, Governor M. Clifford Townsepd called a special session whidfli convened on July 19 and adjourned on July 30, a session of 12 days including Sundays. During this time laws were enacted which permitted Indiana’s greatest building pnograpj. The general draft of the soldier vote bill to be introduced at the special session of the General Assembly has been studied by Governor Henry Schricker, Fyed F. Bays, Democratic State Chairman, and Ralph F. Gates, Republican state chairman. It “seems to fit Indiana’s needs.” The measure, drafted by a legislative committee comprised of Republican leaders of both houses, provides for local and state as well as national voting. The final form will hinge on what disposition congress makes of the pending measure in Washington. During the conference, Gov. Schricker told both party leaders that “common sense seems to require that we do a few things that could be done safely without letting the bars down.” The Governor is to make a tentative outline, and the Republicans are hoping they can keep their majority in control. V Neglect To Register Hundreds of Indiana citizens have neglected to register or correct their registration records for the primary election May 2. The deadline for doing so is April 3. Citizens who are not registered cannot vote. Failing to vote, they will injure, when they could be upholding, the democracy that is able to overcome tyrants aboard, but will not survive neglect at home. Indiana registration laws provide that “upon a change of residence within the county, any registered voter may cause his registration to be transferred to his new address by sending a transfer to the clerk of the circuit court or by applying in person foy such a transfer.” This is the law governing transfers, and hundred upon hundred have changed their addresses since the last general election. Only three weeks remain to register. We urge all citizens to make sure that they will be able to vote May 2. Don’t wait until the last minute. Your right of franchise may be endangered because of your failure to see that you are properly registered. You cannot vote unless registered, and it may be that your vote will be the turning point in the election. Act today for tomorrow may be too late. y But Soldiers Cannot Vote Our federal government drafted America’s soldiers and sailors. Our federal government took 11 million men out of civilian life, sent them to training camps and overseas stations. Our federal government assigned this man to an infantry regiment, this to a destroyer, this to a fighter squadron; sent one to Italy, another to the Aleutians, another to Tarawa. And yet yesterday the Senate declared that the federal government cannot—or should not—give these 11 million man a simple, effective method of voting in the November election. Such is the effect of the emasculated soldier vote bill, passed by 47 votes to 31 in the face of unequivocal Army and Navy warnings that only a simple, uniform voting plan can be successfully administered. Cynically and cheaply, the Senate abdicated its responsibility to our fighting men. It placed upon the states the main burden of enabling soldiers to vote—knowing that the burden cannot be carried, knowing that millions will thereby be disfranchised. Cynically and cheaply, the Senate adopted a special soldiers’’ ballot, and then surrounded its use with intricate restrictions which will discourage free and full exercise of the franchise. Instead of devising machinery by winch the election could be taken to the soldiers overseas, the Senate voted to keep the soldiers on one side of the water, and the election on the other. Do the people concur? y Pendulums Speaking of “pendulums in politics,” a December survey by Fortune Magazine just released is interesting. To the question, “If both the war in Europe and the war in the Pacific are still going on, and you had to choose between Roosevelt and and the best man you can think of for the Republicans, which would you probably vote for,” the answer is, “Roosevelt 55.6, per cent. Best Republican 32.0. Don’t know 12.4.” Not much “swing” there. It looks like F. D. R. is still in the groove. The politically independent voters, will turn the tide and a further survey shows 72 per cent of them prefer F. D. R.—Richmond News.

Manufacturing Confusion to Cheat Soldiers of Votes Congress’ handling of the soldiers’ vote issue is a perfect example of government-by-confusion. Our people should understand what is going on. The soldiers’ vote issue is simple and clearcut. The confusion over it is deliberately manufactured. If the American people were asked, “Do you believe our soldiers, sailors and marines sho,uld vote ?” their reply would be a roaring and almost unanimous “Yes.” Why then, all this quibbling in Washington? Because, while some members of Congress want the servicemen to vote, many others do not, and still others hope to keep the service vote to the lowest possible total. Their reasons vary. Some are motivated by racial prejudice. Others are inspired by purely partisan politics. Many simply hate Roosevelt and hope to prevent the boys and girls in the service from voting for him. But ALL those Congressmen and Senators know how the people feel. That’s why they don’t dare oppose the principle involved. That’s why they pretend to favor letting the service folk vote— While concealing their opposition behind such subterfuges as the states’ rights question, constitutionality of a federal ballot, and other legal and technical excuses for obstruction. So, it is no wpnder you have had difficulty following the news, trying to figure out what all the Senate amendments were about, and why most of them were introduced. You are witnessing government-by-confu-sion (a recognized political technique). You have seen congressmen take a plain issue, which everybody could understand, and distort and befuddle that issue. Only yesteray the confusion reached a new high point, when the administration in the Senate, for parliamentary reasons, required a double vote: First, the vote of 46 to 40, which attached the Green-Lucas federal ballot bill as an amendment to the House-approved states’ rights bill; second, the vote of 47 to 38 with which the Green-Lucas bill was enacted as a separate measure. You don’t have to be fooled. There is one simple test every citizen can apply: Does any proposed amendment or change make it easier—or tougher—for the serviceman to vote? Until yesterday, most of the amendments tacked on to the federal ballot plan were aimed (a) to make it tougher for the servicemen to vote; (b) to make it tougher for that vote to be counted. Fortunately, the latest Senate copfusion should result in forcing a Stmate-House conference committee to include a federal ballot in the bill as finaly drafted. Though we can’t be sure of that. Keep these facts in mind—and all the confusion manufactured by opponents of the soldier vote will not confuse you. Above all, do not be taken in by the specious cry that a federal ballot might be invalidated by the Supreme Court. We can no more imagine the Supreme Court of the United States invalidating the votes of the United States Army and Navy in the midst of war than we can imagine it declaring the Selective Service Act or the Navy Appropriations Bill unconstitutional. Reason, as Coke said, is still “the life of law.” The Supreme Court demonstrated that in World War I. It has done so in this war, to date. That’s why we say: Keep the issue clear. Opponents of the soldier vote are not worried about Franklin Roosevelt. V Two Farmers Wonder On two occasions recently farmers talked with us about the claim the farm vote is against the Democratic party. Both said it was a mystery to them whjr any farmer would be against the party that really saved the bacon— and acres—of most of them. The first said that ten years ago he was a renter, and had been for years. His entire assets for his life’s work at that time was $600. He had several children to support. Today, he owns a good farm in Hendricks county, and he has a sufficient surplus to retire. He put three children through college. He does not think Democratic policies are inimical to farm interests, and he doesn’t believe any farmer has grounds for so thinking. He said he had to work hard. The second farmer also has prospered since Roosevelt became President—more so than during any other period, and he says his neighboring farmers also have fared better during the past ten years than ever before. This farmer, who said he was one of the first to join the farm bureau when it was organized in this country, looks with askance upon the leadership of that organization, and he asserted he no longer is going to give it his support. He declared that H. E. Schneck, state president of the organization, was, in his opinion, a “stooge” who was more interested in political matters than he was in the welfare of farmers. He pointed out how statement of Schenck did not jibe with actual conditions that have given the farmer a break. The Gazette is an ardent supporter of the Farm Bureau as an organization intended to bring about better farm methods and thus advance the interest of the farmer. Any organization that gains in strength is bound to attract the selfish, who will seek to use it for their own ends. That is a thing every organization must guard against. The most

potent method of deceiving those who find themselves in better circumstances is to promise them more. The Gazette cannot help from seeing—nor can three-fourths of the farmers—that the Hendricks county farmers are in better economic condition now than they ever have been in their lives. They may vote against the Democratic party, but if so they will do it for some reason other than that the Democratic party has failed the farmer.—Danville Gazette. V Our Commander-in-Ghief Campaign alarmists are worried through a belief of their own rpaking that the President is hampering the great military leaders of our nation in their war moves. Such is the belief of Representative Charles A. Halleck, but surely the second district representative understands that the constitution of the United States makes the President, whoever he is, Democrat or Republican, Com-mander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, and in time of war confers certain higher powers upon such leadership. In addition who would say that President Roosevelt is giving individual orders to high Army and Navy officials. Rather would the communiques released by our great military leaders and naval officers indicate that these leaders are doing their own planning aside from a general program agreed upon by the highest authorities in both Army and Navy. It is foolish to assume that President Roosevelt would undertake other than the role for which the constitution provides in this great conflict. Vested in him is the job of commanding the armed forces and we should be proud that a man of such high qualities and superb strategy should be willing to devote so many years to such leadership. In addition, did not the Presient, with the danger of his own political career, call to his assistance men of experience an men of high calibre, regardless of party, when Jie needed the advice and support of the nation’s best minds? Let us not forget that our President is ever the Com-mander-in-Chief of all armed forces and deserves the respect of all true Americans.— Williamsport Pioneer. V Hot Contest Looms The coming contest between James M. Tucker, navy lieutenant who is soon to receive a discharge for physical disabilities, and Homer E. Capehart, Indianapolis manufacturer, for the Republican nomination for United States senator, is expected to be the most hard-fought in the Indiana pre-conven-tiomcampaign this year. Both candidates and their friends iritend to give the struggle everything they have, according to reports. Capehart entered the race first and already has done a lot of work. Tucker’s backers say they can still upset the Capehart apple-cart. Tucker resigned as secretary of state to enter the navy. Now he is being discharged because of asthma. He also received a wound while in the service. He is young and personable and is expected to wage an active campaign throughout the state. Capthart first became known in Republican politics in Indiana several years ago when he staged a huge “cornfield conference” on his farm in southern Indiana. In 1940 he was in charge of the arrangements at Elwocd when Wendell Willkie formally accepted the Republican nomination for the presidency. Each candidate is trying hard for organization support, but many party leaders are trying to avoid getting mixed up in the scrap. The G. O. P. race for the gubernatorial nomination is more placid. Backers of Ralph Gates of Columbia City, Republican state chairman, continue to declare that he has the nomination “in the bag.”—Journal Gazette. OPA Benefits Explained The New Castle Courier-Times had a midget editorial the other day that is about the cleverest explanation of the benefits of the OPA that we’ve seen. Said the editorial: At the end of the first World War, the Courier and the Times bought a car load of paper and paid $280 a ton for it, or 14 cents per pound. The present price would be much higher were it not for the OPA holding down prices. If the Courier-Times had to pay the same price for newsprint it did some 25 years ago, when prices ran wild, it would cost the subscriber about $5 per year more than present subscription rates.” We picked this one up in the Louisville Times: “To a Republican’s taunting query, ‘What’s worse than a party with only one candidate?’ a Democrat’s reply is ‘A party with no candidate.’ ” V A Token of Ingenuity Americans are an ingenious people. The change-making red and blue fiber tokens are introduced into the food rationing system, and what happens? We start thinking up extra-curricula? uses for them. Already the dime-sized disks are being called “tiddly-winks.” We have a notion more than one child is trying them out. A woman in New York thinks they make good markers instead of matches in “Michigan,” the card game. And we fear consequences of the announcement that the tokens are not poisonous, that they can be eaten without harmful effect. Such as: A vegetable salad garnished—with grated tokens! With whipped cream, the patriotic effect would be irresistible.—Philadelphia Record.

This Is the Record—Don’t Forget It Shall We Trade All This for “Free Enterprise?” For those who may have lost confidence in the President as champion of the common man, we list below 27 important social, economic' and governmental reforms sponsored by the Roosevelt Administration since 1933. We print the list merely as a reminder for those who may have forgotten. 1 Establishment of a sound banking system. 2 Creation of a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to guarantee bank deposits. 3 Organization of the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation to save g» homes from foreclosure. 4 Saving farms from foreclosure by establishment of the Far m Credit Administra,ti«n. 5 Rescuing agriculture from disaster through the AAA and the Soil Conservation Act. 6 Providing truth in the sale of securities and protecting the security of investors through the Securities and Exchange Commission. 7 Slum clearance. 8 Reduction of farm tenancy. 9 Old age insurance. 10 Unemployent insurance. 11 Federal aifkto the crippled and blind. 12 Public works projects, carried on to provide work and to build thousands of permanent improvements. 13 Distribution of funds through the Federal Emergency Relief Administration to save starving people who had reached the end of their resources. 14 Enactment of minimum wage and maximum hour laws. 15 The Civilian Conservation Corps and Reforestation. 16 The National Youth Administration, aiding thousands of underpriyileged young people. 17 Legislation abolishing child labor. 18 Reciprocal trade agreements. 19 Stimulation of pidvate home building through the Federal Housing Administration. 20 Resettlement of farmers from marginal lands that cannot be cultivated profitably. 21 Getting electricity out to the farmers through the Rural Electrification Administration. 22 Water conservation programs. 23 Drought control and drought relief. 24 Crop insurance and the ever normal granary. 25 Assistance to farm cooperatives. 26 Conservation of natural resources. 27 The National Labor Relations Act. The records speaks for itself.

SCHRICKER IN (Continued From Page One) power, I am sure they will not disappoint the people,” Schricker

promised.

The important role that women, are to play in the coming election was keynoted by Miss Anne Cronin, of Terre Haute, who presided oyer the Indiana Women’s Democratic Club banquet. “We’ll need you men in the coming election,” Miss Cronin declared. “Some of you wandered off the reservation last time, and we’ll welcome you back. And with so many men in the armed forces, it is a signal for increased women’s

activities.”

The members of the women’s Club outlined plans for the coming campaign at a business session held preceding the banquet. The announcement that women are to be considered for places on the state ticket has increased interest among them. Women won the high praise of Gov. Schricker for their part in the war. Thp part women are ^laying in America is outstgudiug, Gov Schricker added. Women on farms, women in the factories, women in volunteer servfQ.es are seeing that Indiana does not fail her boys until victory is won. These are women from both parties, and the political campaign should not wreck this fine harmony that has

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SERVICES “Matter” is the subject of tht Lesson-Sermon in all Churches of Christ, Scientist, on Sunday.

March 19.

The Golden Text is: “Turn ye not unto idols, nor make yourselves molten gods: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:4). Among the citations which comprise the Lesson-Sermon is the following from the Bible: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. . . . The heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (II Peter 3:9, 10, 13). The Lesson-Sermon also includes the following passages from the Christian Science textbook,“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy: “The doom of matter establishes the c<5nolusion that matter, slime, or protoplasm never originated in the immortal Mind, and is therefore not eternal” (p. 279). “The fading forms of matter, the mortal body and material earth, are the fleeting concepts of the human mind. They have their day before the permanent facts hnd their perfection in Spirit appear” (p. 263).

prevailed since Pearl Harbor. The public is interested in winning the war and with the greatest of speed. Legslative candidates are to be scrutinized more closely than ever this year by the Democratic party because of the gigantic questions that must be decided by the 1945 session of the Indiana General Assembly. Without a doubt the foundation for the majority of Indiana’s postwar planning will be laid at the next session. With the nation at war and critical problems arising at all times, both parties will seek to place outstanding men in both houses so that an adequate postwar planning program can be enacted without de-

lay.

Local Boards Will Step Up Draft of Men Washington, March 17.—The nation’s 6,400 draft boards were faced today wth the need of stepping up the draft of fathers and of reclaslfying one out of every zcr men now deferred for farm and war work to meet military manpower requirements by July i. The complexities of the manpower problems were outlined before a Senate committee yesterday by Selective Service Director Lewis B. flershey, and additional details? were expected to be made public tbday when Col. Francis V. Keesling, Hershey’s legislative aide, testifies before a House Military Affairs subcommittee. Hershcy said in an order ic the local boards last night that the draft of fathers, already underway, must be stepped up to meet quotas which have fallen lOo.OOO men short of goals each month since October. By July i, Hershey said, the armed services will need 1, ’60,000 more men; but in sight, Tnere are only 920,000, leaving a deficit of 240.000 that must tome out of the 1.700.000 now deferred in agriculture and lb's 3,204,000 in war activities, This means a reclassifica tion of about one out of every 20 occupational deferred men. He said there now are 1,498,000 registrants classified as i-A for immediate induction but that only 420.000 from this group can be expected to meet physical requirements. o MIT MEN GO FAR Cambridge, Mass. — The Massachusetts Institute of Technology boasts more generals and admirals among its alumni than any othet college or university in the nation, with the possible exception of West Point and Annapolis. Files reveal that 67 MIT alumni are generals, 20 others are admirals and one is a commodore.

Drive In and Get Acquainted WITH

SHELL

PRODUCTS

KILGORE and JACKSON STS.

THE SHELL SERVICE STA.

GLENN BUTTS, Mgr.

Courteous Service