Muncie Post-Democrat, Muncie, Delaware County, 22 November 1946 — Page 2
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THE POST-DEMOCRAT l Democratic weekly newspaper representing the democrats of Muncie, Delaware County ami the 10th Congressional District. The only Democratic Newspaper in Deiaware County. Entered as second class matter January 15, 1921, *t the Post Office at Muncie, Indiana, under Act of March 3, 1879. PRICE 5 CENTS—$1.50 A YEAR MRS. GEO. R. DALE, Publisher 916 West Main Street Muncie, Indiana, Friday, November 22, 1946
To Save Trade Unionism, We Must Stop John L. Lewis Again John L. Lewis cocks his gun at the head of Uncle Sam. Again John L. Lewis threatens all the American people with economic disaster and many of them with physical distress if they do not bend to his will. We do not think Uncle Sam likes this gun pointing any better than the Philadelphia Record does. Starting a discussion by'pointing a gun is not the best way to arrive at a fair and mutually satisfactory bargain. Such an opening gesture rnegates negotiation and goes a long way to destroy the benefits which labor won through the Wagner Act. XXX John L. Lewis got away with it during the World War. Uncle Sam had a gun pointed at his back by Japan and at his front by Germany. So when John L. crept up on us from the side the late President Roosevelt wisely paid him off. When a man is fighting a serpent and a tiger, he’s justified in throwing a bone to a jackal to keep the varmint from his ankles. Now the situation is different. Those foreign gangsters have been silenced. Uncle Sam has no more right to give in to the big eyebrowed egotist than to “Der Feu brer” or the “Son of Heaven.” No matter what the economic consequences the Government must not give in. Wisely the Federal Administration already has frozen bituminous stocks on hand. This coal should be allocated first to householders and utilities, ( then to essential industries. If we have to ration fuel oil and substitute it for coal, it would be a small price to pay to maintain the sovereignty of our Government. The Government should apply immediately for court orders to seize all union funds and the property of mine union leaders. The Record advises this drastic action because it is the only way to preserve free trade unionism. If John L. Lewis gets away with this latest exhibition of duress and arrogance it will result in such drastic antilabor legislation that trade unionism will be strait-jacketed by a Republican Congress, xxx Under its present management the Philadelphia Record has been a consistent advocate of trade unionism, both on this editorial page and in the conduct of its plant. When the present management took over, The Record was non-union. At the invitation of management the various unions were welcomed in and helped to organize. The Record practiced what it preached. The Record believed and still believes that free trade unionism is an essential element in an industrial economy such as ours where the immensity of business has destroyed the personal contact between men and management. But the extremism of leaders such as Lewis will cripple, if not destroy, all the progress that has been accomplished. Fourteen years ago the American public was strong for the worker and his labor leader. The average American felt that the worker had been exploited by big business, and as always, the average American was for the underdog. Consequently, the pro-la-bor Roosevelt ticket swept the country again and again, by large majorities. xxx The Record issues a solemn warning. American people are emotional and can transfer their loyalties overnight. Once they become convinced that labor has the upper hand and is using that upper hand unfairly, the public will turn on labor. That “public” will include a large portion of union members themselves who are as disgusted with their leadership as the rest of the public. (There was plenty of proof of that in the recent election which would have gone Democratic in industrial centers if union members had obeyed political orders of their leaders.) The arrogance of the Lewis letter to Secretary of the Interior Julius A. Krug, in which Lewis berates the Secretary for not coming back to Washington quickly enough, is the kind of language which is best calculated to provoke the public against union leaders in general and Lewis is particular. The only way to save trade unionism is to take away John L. Lewis* power. President Truman has pledged himself to carry out the policies and purposes of his illustrious predecessor, who did more than any one else to develop strong trade unions. President Truman can carry out that pledge best by acting immediately with all the positive action which the law allows.— Philadelphia Record.
The ‘Why’ of Sugar and Rice Control With the passing of all controls except those on rent, sugar and rice, it is natural for people to ask why sugar and rice should remain on the ration list. It is s true that practically every American family of small to average size has been and continues to be inconvenienced by the sugar shortage. But there is a difference between inconvenience and hardship.
i otn-wsmociUL% Friday, November 22,1946.
This year’s rice crop in the United States will be about 70 million bushels, equal to last year’s record crop. The reason that rice will remain a rather scarce commodity is that 40 per cent of our crop is to be shipped to Asiatic peoples who depend on rice in their daily fare to a far greater extent than Americans depend on bread. Whereas we eat bread as a basic portion of our diet, they eat rice as their entire diet in many cases. Stories of warehouses in Cuba bursting from their overload of sugar may or may not be true. Such stories have not been substantiated since the recent election. The facts are that the United States produces only one-fourth of the sugar it annually consumes and that many sugar producing areas in other parts of the world had poor crops last year. This year’s crop will not start moving to market in volume until early next Spring, and Washington sources indicate the sugar allotment will be increased about that time. * ♦In addition to those rigid facts on crops, there remains' the commitment of sugar to Europeans. Surely nothing more need be said about the merits of feeding needy people. If it is within our power to do it, then •it is our moral and social duty. Speaking on the wisdom of retaining these controls, the Des Moines Register says: “The elimination of price controls on sugar and rice at this time would serve no useful purpose. It would not stimulate production or releasp larger quantities to United States consumers. It would add another strain on family budgets, and handicap international efforts to feed the hungry . . . “Restraint in the use of these commodities is an insignificant price to pay when it helps to keep people alive until the production of food can be resumed in wardevastated areas.” It is to be hoped that new Congressional zeal to sweep clean will not affect starving people in other lands.—Journal-Gazette.
higher Learning Faces the Future American universities and colleges are trying to face the challenge of the atomic age. Dartmouth College has added a “Great Issues” course which all seniors will be required to take beginning with the class of 1948. It will be directed by President John Sloan Dickey, and will be built around contemporary issues in the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities. Chicago University is attracting attention with its “Great Books” course sponsored by Chancellor Robert Maynard Hutchins and Mortimer J. Adler. This includes an experiment in adult education in which people not enrolled as students at the university form their own groups to read and discuss the great books. In Indiana, the state universities are bringing education closer to the people through the medium of the extension centers. Harvard recently had a report from a commission which had spent considerable time re-examining the whole purpose of a liberal education. These are all good signs. They show that intellectual yeast at work, ley ai e part of an answer to those who have contended that the institutions of higher learning were too aloof from actual life and were not preparing leaders for their duties as citizens of a democracy. Schools like every other institution tend to become encrusted in traditions which were built up Pong ago when conditions of life were far different than they are today. Many of the men who contributed to the scientific principles which lay back of the making of the atomic bomb were connected with universities and colleges. Now a fright-, ened public is asking the schools what they ha\e to offer in the way of social sciences &nd the hum&nities which will prepare men to control the atomic bomb, to establish peace and to convert atomic energy to constructive uses. In this field the centers of higher learning were never so important as they are today. Many teachers who are supposed to deal 1 with social, economic and political questions are beginning to realize the tremendous responsibility which rests upon them. They need new ideas and better methods. The students which they turn out must be better equipped than ever before. One may expect to hear more about “Great Issues” courses, or the equivalent, in the near future.—Journal-Gazette.
Will Truman Run In 1948? Since the Congressional elections on November 5 there has been much talk about whether it will be Dewey, Taft, Bricker, Vandenberg, Warren or Stassen in 1948. So it is only natural that some people should speculate on whether President Truman or someone else will be the Democratic nominee two> years hence. Edward T. Folliard, a political writer for the Washington Post, last week asked ^ “close associate” of Mr. Truman whether he thought the President would seek the Democratic nomination. The “close associate” said he did not think that the President would make a conscious effort, that is, he did not believe Truman would do the things which a man usually does when he is in hot pursuit of the nomination. He gave it as his opinion that the present occupant of the White House plans to attend to his job as best he can and then if the party wants to nominate him in 1948 he will accept. The unnamed intimate believes that Mr. Truman’s greatest ambition today is to perform his duties in such a way that the people will feel that he did his utmost to be a “good” President. Folliard could not find any evidence that Truman has ever had any illusions that he would go down in history as a “great” President. He reports that close friend's of Mr. Truman say they have never heard him complain about the outcome of the recent elec-, tion or quarrel with the judgment of the voters. All of this is rather inconclusive. If Democratic chances look as cloudy in 1948 as they do today, Mr. Truman probably will have no competition for the doubtful honor of being defeated. Nor is he likely to run away from the prospects of defeat. His sense of party loyalty is highly developed. Mr. Truman was happy in the Senate. He liked the work and he liked his associates. He shied away from the vice-presidential nomination. But he was acceptable to President Roosevelt and Robert Hannegan, the Democratic national chairman, engineered the rest. So the presidency was thrust upon the modest Missourian by fate and a friend. As for Mr. Hannegan, he may soon resign his chairmanship. He has not been in robust health for some time and needs a rest from a strenuous life of organization politics. It was his luck to be the pilot of the Democratic Party wheh its fortunes were ebbing. No chairman could have stopped so strong a trend.—Journal-Gazette.
mand and precipitate a rain with more as-l surance than a Hopi Indian dancer. In this Twilight of Bureaucracy it becomes essential now to set up a Weather Authority with all its boards and interlaced officialdom to preserve the one topic of conversation that does not lead to controversy. It could be the one subject on which the Trumans and the Tafts could agree—if they hurry. Let us suppose that weather-making becomes a common thing. It is ogyious that a centralized Government in Washington could not suit any and all people with the kind of weather it would dish out for the various sections. We can imagine a Republican approaching a Democrat friend, rubbing his hands briskly and smilingly saying: “Wonderful day isn’t it ? Makes a person feel like living.” To which the Democrat would reply, “Oh, I don’t know. Is that guy in the White House an Eskimo ?” Whatever the administration in Washington it would be charged with election day weather plotting. If rain was in order the opposition would fume. A pleasant day would keep the rural voters in the fields instead of the polling places. If weather making were to be turned over to state control there woud be no end of trouble. How woud the governor decide whether to let it rain on State Fair week even if the corn was curling? And suppose Gov. Green’s Illinois moderately fresh winds blow Gov. Gates’ Hoosier rainstorm over into Ohio during a flood. If public servants think they are overburdened now with petitions from the public, let them resign immediately if Government weather control ever becomes a certainty. We appreciate the efforts of the G. E. scientists, but they are a little too officious. The Boss in Charge of Weather has been doing a pretty fair job up till now. Let’s let Him keep it out of politics.—Journal-Gazette.
PICTURE NEWS OF THE WEEK
Labor Reform On the Horizon No matter from what angle the situation is viewed, the country’s labor problem is headed for a working-over by the next Congress. Already we have had suggestions from two Senators. Sen. Ball of Minnesota whose
America’s Troubles Are . Self-Made News dispatches from Europe tell of a continent which is-deeply wounded. It has been trampled under the hobnailed boots of war. Many of its cities are destroyed. Its transportation system is snarled.. It is short of food. It is a victim of poverty. Courage will be required for its unfortunate people to stage a comeback. What a contrast in natural advantages the United States is to Europe. Yet w'e are having our troubles too. The difference is that most of our troubles are self-made. We are the victims of those who are not willing to co-operate for the common
good.
Prices are too high in this country, everybody says. They are and they are going higher. They have advanced very materially since OPA was knocked in the head by
Congress.
The reason for the high prices is not far to seek. The demand for goods is greatly in excess of the supply. People who still have money saved from the wartime prosperity
Too Good To Be True The new Republican majority in the United States Senate can win friends and influence votes if it will carry out only one of its expressed policies: ^ Prevent Senator Bilbo from taking his seat in the Senate January 3. To unseat Bilbo was one of the aims announced by the GOP Senate leadership last week after a closed-door session. In the past, both conservative Democrats ai^d conservative Republican Senators seemed to have a kind of affinity for Bilbo. We doubt it was because they had a fondness for the old cuss. Probably they were angling for Bilbo’s vote. The conservatives now have suen a large majority in the Senate they no longer need Bilbo’s help. So there is hope that the most disreputable member of the “world’s greatest deliberative body” will soon be where he should have been long ago: On a day coach, with a one-way ticket to Poplarville, Miss.—Philadelphia Record.
thinking along such lines has done a 180- • i. , , - . - degree turn in recent years, proposes the e & c h other for the things
abolition of the closed shop. Sen. Ferguson ^ ^
suggests a system of labor courts with authority equal to our present civil and criminal
tribunals.
Changes in labor laws have been long overdue. Now they are going to come with a
rush.
The degree of rigidity in the new labor laws will largely depend upon the conduct of labor between now and the convening of Congress. If the nation continues to be plagued by strikes of serious nature it will be an angry Congress that convenes in January. Already the people are aroused; they have been aware of the necessity of doing something about production. Judging by the trend of the recent election, the electorate will not be satisfied with a law any weaker than the ill-fated Case Bill of the last ses-
sion.
On one point an overwhelming majority of Americans agree: Labor must be invested with responsibility and accountability equal t othat of management, nl order to achieve that, the Wagner Labor Act must be revised. Collective bargaining has been. Collective demanding under the Wagner Act as it is constituted today. But if labor is ever to come of age and reach its rightful place in our society it needs to be given obligations that enhance its maturity and its dignity. If an over-zealous labor bill comes into being organized labor need not look far for the real causes. They can sift out their Lewises and Petrillos, big and small, and hang the placard of shame about their necks. Americans don’t take shoving around forever. They resent it even when they know some of it is necessary. The result of the recent election is a case in point. We do not believe the knell has sounded for American labor. If we hear any bells at all they are proclaiming the birth of a new day in labor relations; when management and labor meet on equal footing to decide what is best for each — and the American people as a whole.—Journal-Ga-
zette.
Scientists Go Too Far Since time began we have accepted the weather from day to day with an equanimity born of the knowledge that we couldn’t do anything about it anyway. If a blizzard freezes us in our tracks, or a warm Spring zephyr stirs our souls with ecstasy and whispers wonderful nothings in our ears we endure or enjoy it as the case may be. Weather is an act of God. Or it was until scientists for the General Electric Company conducted experiments which lead them to believe they may be able to control weather to a certain extent. They believe they can produce snow storms on de-
With Government control of prices dead
and buried, there is only one way in which prices can really be brought down. That is
by production and more production. Whatever interferes with production helps
inflation.
Strikes in basic industries interfere with production. They have already done so. Additional increases in wages mean higher prices to the consumers. That is why reasonable people advocate a cessation of strife and turmoil and urge everybody to stay on the job. There is no other way in which the nation’s economic salvation may be worked out. The natural laws of economies cannot be cheated. Why ignore reality to follow after rainbow tinted illusions? Such a journey is along the road to ruin. If the United States takes it, everybody will soon be cursing the blind and arrogant “prophets” who led the
way.
If the vicious spiral, of which we spoke, goes too high it will end in an inevitable bust which will wreck the country like the explo-
sion of a series of atomic bombs.
The people of the United States are free to take the risk. They alone can provide the brakes and restrains through self-discipline and the discipline of public opinion. Even Mortimer Snerd knows that such an unchecked course would be folly of a magnitude unworthy of a great and favored nation. Public opinion must be mobilized in
defense.—Journal-Gazette.
Demonstrating the size of a B. F. Goodrich airplane tire is pretty MISS JUNE MORRIS. The tire was built to fit a four-engine bomber. Chicago’s dog show went to extremes. Largest entry was a 170pound Great Dane, the smallest a tiny two-pounder. Seven years ago DR. EDWIN LINCOLN MOSELEY predicted the drouth which is seriously affecting a large part of the midwest. Moseley believes the dry period will extend to the fall of 1947. Co-eds at Ohio State university, Columbus, have a real baby for their child care class in the person of Jimmy, a 3-month-old foundling who will be returned to a welfare home when he is a year old.
Legal Notice
NOTICE TO NON-RESIDENTS
self-
Retain Pacific Defenses Peace-loving peoples of the entire world should take heart in President Truman’s reiteration of the United States’ intention of retaining certain Pacific island bases it regards as essential for its security. President Truman’s statement was only a reaffirmation of a policy stated last January 15, but recent rumors regarding a quarrel between the State Department and the Navy Department brought the reiteration. Dogooders and easy weepers profess to see wrong in o-ur holding these island bases, but we fail to see how any natives will be oppressed. Holding a few strategic islands populated by natives cannot be compared to political and military occupation of whole nations. If any nation sees, a threat to peace in our policy toward Pacific bases it is because that nation itself may harbor intentions of disturbing the peace. Most members of the United Nations fully realize the United States would be the last nation to do it. As long as we remain strong in the Pacific there is a much better chance that the aims of the United Nations can be achieved. —
Journal Gazette.
No. suit State of Indiana, Delaware County, ss: Launa George vs. Carmel M. George In the Delaware Circuit Court September Term, 1946 Complaint: For Divorce Notice is hereby given the said defendant Carmel M. George that the plaintiff has filed her complaint herein, for divorce together with an affidavit that the said defendant Carmel M. George is not a resident of the State of Indiana, and that unless he be and appear on Tuesday the 7th day of January, 1947, the 2nd day the next term of said Court, to be holden on the 1st Monday in January, A. D., 1947, at the Court House in the City of Muncie in said County and State, the said cause will be heard and determined in his absence. WITNESS, the Clerk and the Seal of said Court, affixed at the City of Muncie this 8th day of November A. D., 1946. i SEALi Jesse E. Greene, Clerk John J. Dodd, Plaintiff’s Atty. Nov. 8-15-22
Refuses Baronetcy Honored By Friends Indianapolis, Ind. — Robert J. Stirling, an undertaker, had a gold medal today because he decided to remain an American. Stirling found himself the sole heir to a lucrative ! Scottish baronetcy several weeks ago. The only sons of Sir George Stirling, 77-year-old Scottish baron, were dead, and the Indianapolis Stirling was next in line for the 1,-MO-aere estate and accompanying wealth. > The father turned down the attractive offer, which would have necessitated repudiation of American citizenship. His son, the next nearest relative, also chose to remain an American. More than 400 persons, including former Indiana Governor Henry F. Schricker, honored Stirling and his son, John, at a banquet last night. Schricker, speaker at the banquet sponsored by an American War Mothers chapter, hailed the pair as “true Americans.”
individuals.’
International Law Code Gets Approval Washington, D. C. — President Truman'added to his foreign policy objectives today a proposal that the United Nations formulate a set of international criminal laws for prosecution of individuals who wage aggressive warfare.
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He endorsed whole-heartedly a recommendation by Francis Biddle, U. S. Judge on the Nuernberg War Crimes Tribunal, that the UN establish such a code of international law. Mr. Truman said he hoped the UN would “reaffirm the principles » of the Nuernberg charter in the context of a general codification of offenses against the peace and security of mankind.” He said he was satisfied the Nuernberg defendants had received a fair trial, and expressed hope the conviction of the 19 Nazi war leaders had “established for all time the proposition, that aggressive war is criminal and will be so treated.” Biddle made his recommendation in a report to President Truman on the Nuernberg trials. Biddle said the Nuernberg court pointed out in its judgment that “criminal acts are committed by individuals, not by those fictitious bodies known as nations, and law, to be effective, must be applied to
Minesweepers Are Warned By Albania London. Eng. — British minesweepers were plying the Straits of Corfu along the Albanian coast today despite a warning by Albania that such action would be regarded as a deliberate violation of the country’s soveriegnty. The .admiralty disclosed that the minesv/eeping operation off Albania was in progress. A foreign office source said the government had no intention of reconsidering its decision. The task of the sweepers was to dear the narrow channel between the island of Corfu and the Greek-Albanian coast, where two British warships hit mines last month with heavy casualties and damage. The sweepers were working well within, range of five-inch coastal batteries which fired upon two British ships last May. Their standard equipment included two guns manned by expert naval marksmen. 'fhey were under orders to defend themselves if fired upon. The admiralty said the sweepers might be escorted by heavier warships. The decision on that matter was up to the Mediterranean command, it said. o GO TO CHURCH SUNDAY