Muncie Post-Democrat, Muncie, Delaware County, 27 December 1946 — Page 2

POST-DEMOCRAT, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27,194fi.

THE POST-DEMOCRAT l Democratic weexly newspaper representing the Democrats of Muncie, Delaware County and the 10th Congressional District. The only Democratic Newspaper in Delaware County. Entered as second class matter January 15, 1921, ft 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, December 27, 1946.

Suppose We Save a Dollar and Lose the World’s Peace? A man who spent a million dollars to gain control of a business and then refused to spend a thousand dollars to keep that control would be a candidate for the psychiatry ward. Uncle Sam appears to be in a fair way to making just such a mistake in Germany. Back in 1918 General Pershing begged to be allowed to march into Germany and occupy the country. He was refused. Most students of history agree that if Pershing had been given his way there never would have been a World War II. But there was a World War II. A second time American youth spilled its blood on the battlefields of Europe. American economy went all-out to the tune of a three hundred billion dollar national debt. We won the war again. Behind our tanks our troops marched into a ruined Germany. This time, we said to ourselves, we wouldn’t make the mistakes of a generation ago. We’d stay there and police Germany until they became a sane nation fit for world society. We’d stay there for 20 years, if necessary, we said. We set up an organization in Germany to do both a policing and an educational job. W T e set it up on a long-term basis. Months passed. Germany, a beaten nation, no longer commanded the headlines. There was an occasional dispatch telling of the problems of the small band of Americans we’d left there to supervise our third of Germany. But there were problems at home, difficult, pressing, immediate problems. We were struggling through a period of reconversion where our difficulties often seemed more tremendous than those we’d faced during the war. A large portion of our country began to call for “economies in government” to ease us through these trying times. And then it was noticed that to keep a large occupying force in Germany was costing a lot of money. Not a lot of money in terms of a three hundred billion dollar national debt. But a lot of money in terms of '‘cutting next year’s budget.” Those who screamed the loudest for economy in our ocoupying forces paid the least heed to reports of conditions in Germany. Virtually every American reporter over there sends us the same message. XXX It is that the the German people have not changed. Underneath a thin veneer of defeat they are the Nazi hordes we were fighting and dying to beat 18 months ago. And most important, we are told that if a national leader of the’ Hitler type were to rise again the German people would follow him almost to the man. But the economy-minded among us hold fingers in ears and raise voices an octave higher in demands that the budget be cut. The result: It has just been announced that the United States will cut its Military Government staff in Germany bv 35 percent as part of a move to REDUCE COSTS. Says Correspondent Jack Raymond, writing to the Philadelphia Record from Germany : “As a result (of the announced cut of personnel), executives in many Military Government offices expressed the fear that the United States might be ‘pulling out’ of Germany too fast. These executives said that since the Military Government already is operating under ‘skeletonized staff conditions’ the newly ordered cuts might permanently damage the far-reaching measures initiated for postwar Germany . . . The ultimate effects may be the collapse of the entire civil government structure and putting the burden on the untried shoulders of German-elected officials.” England, in her section of Germany, maintains a far larger organization than do we. Figures on the size of the Russian occupying force are not available. But it is known to be tremendous. Yet our Government goes ahead with its plans to curtail our Military Government forces in Germany. To save a few dollars we risk: Losing the effectiveness of our occupation of Germany. Losing the respect of the rest of the world. Losing the peace. Js that economy? ^o, it is extravagance that may finally cost us and the world the Die price of World War III.—Philadelphia Record.

Russia’s Diplomatic Attitude Edwin L. James, experienced international observer, writing in the New York Times of which he is one of the top editors, says: “Evidences of Russia’s moderation in her attitude in international relations continue. Her departure from the spirit of truculence which marked the Paris Conference and earlier sessions of the Security Council of the United Nations adds largely to the prospect of successful collaboration by the Big Four.” This change of attitude, Mr. James says,

has diplomats and statesmen watching every development with keen interest to see whether it is temporary or permanent. He believes * that the real test will come during the Mos- | cow Conference in March when the attempt J is made to write a treaty with Germany, i It is pointed out on the favorable side that I Foreign Secretary Molotov has given his j word that the Moscow meeting will be reported to the world without censorship. This is an important departure for the Russians. Mr. James continues: “It will be only human nature for the Russian Foreign Minister to wish a successful conference. He would, in logic, scarcely have invited the other powers to his capital unless he thought something substantial were to be accomplished; he would not have invited them, one guesses, if the Russians expected another session of propagandizing and quibbling. One figures then that the invitation to come to Moscow is a good omen.” It was noticed in New York that the personal relationship between Molotov and Secretary of State Byrnes had greatly improved since the Paris conference. Molotov had begun to act more like a living and breathing man than a diplomatic phonograph record. Of course, Russia is unpredictable and no one needs expect that the future path will be smooth, but if war can be averted and steady, general progress can be made in international relations, that is the main thing. There is one school 1 of thought in the United States which believes that Russia has become convinced that there will be no war in the foreseeable future and that her more conciliatory conduct stems from that conviction. By the time the Moscow Conference adjourns it should be possible to get a clearer picture of just how permanent the new Russian diplomatic attitude is to be—JournalGazette. The Economic Advisers Walk Softly on Tippy-Toe “The government itself is now and must to a somewhat greater extent in the future be an actual stimulative and guiding element in the economy. Its role is thus complimentary to private business. It should not and need not be conflicting or confusing.”

That was from the first report of the Council of Economic Advisers, established under the “Employment Act of 1946.” Remember ? Just about a year ago the liberals in the Senate and House were supporting a “full employment” bill. The first draft, when it went to committee, provided that the Government of the United States should assume the responsibility for full employment. It was called the “jobs for all” bill. It provided that at all times the Government should have the blueprints ready for vast public works of a permanent and valuable character, to be used when private enterprise could not for any reason, absorb all the workers who were willing to work. Well, before the bill was finally passed it was diluted by so many amendments that it wound up being a bill which merely required a council to report to the President once a year on prospects of employment and with suggestions for the Government and business to follow. The report would then be referred to Congress, and it was mandatory for Congress to act on the suggestions within three weeks. At the time it was passed, The Record said it had very little chance of forestalling economic disaster. X X x This first report of the Council is certainly not one to give the nation confidence that the Government—either the Executive or Legislative branches — is going to do anything about trying to stop a recession or depression. The first report of the Council used the word “planning” only once. The paragraph at the top of this editorial seemed to sum up, better than any other part of the text, the timidly and lack of initiative that permeate the whole report. Only a very few want to see collectivism or a planned economy in this country, least of all The Record. But we do think it is as necessary for the Government to' “plan” (that horrid word, again!) ahead as it is for a business institution to plan (a sound, conservative word!) ahead. X X X The whole purpose of the Full Employment Bill, as it was originally named, was to avoid the labor Socialism of Britain or the much worse “planned economies” of the Russian and other Continental economies. But there is a middle road. An inventory of jobs needed plus a reservoir of sound public works to take up the slack is such a middle road. We do not blame the gentlemen of the Council of Economic Advisers too much for their timidity. Apparently they read the November election returns as a mandate to go back to the days of Coolidge and decided their only approach should be one with softsoled shoes and on tippy-toe. There may (we say “may”) be some hope (emphasize the “some”) that the Cbuncil’s next report after the first of the year will offer a more comprehensive program. What worries liberals most is the Presiden’t attitude toward the report. The Council predicted there might be a slight recession in 1947. They made that forecast cautiously after a pretty careful survey. And the President immediately contradicted them with a confident guess of high prosperity. If the President doesn’t pay attention to his advisers, then the next Congress ought to repeal the bill which created them. It probably will.—Philadelphia Record.

Cutting Taxes by Meat Ax As the opening of Congress draws nearer, Republican leaders grow less confident about the wisdom of a flat 20% cut in income taxes. Much of the hesitation arises from fear that so heavy a cut might play hob with the balanced budget the G.O.P. has also promised. The strongest argument against a flat-rate cut, however, is not that the Treasury cannot afford it, but that this method of effecting a reduction will drastically alter the progressive structure of the income tax from its prewar pattern. The flat 20 per cent cut, which sounds so innocently fair at first, might almost be termed a social revolution in disguise. For it would shift a part of the tax burden that was carried before the war by upper income families to families of middle income. It would drastically modify the principle of ability-

to-pay.

This can be readily grasped by looking at United States News computations which show the tax paid in 1939 compared with that which would be paid in 1947 after a flat 20 per cent cut. Here is the way it works out for a typical family of husband, wife and

two children: Net Income Proposed Before Exemptions 1939 Tax 1947 Tax $ 2,500 $ 0 $ 76 4.000 12 304 5.000 48 471 7.000 1200 836 10.000 343 1,490 25.000 2,327 6,818 100,000 31,997 49,841'

XXX

All taxpayers, of course, must reconcile themselves to paying more postwar than they did' prewar, since we are carrying a much greater burden of debt and federal expenditures. But the essence of the matter is how much more each family pays. As the table shows, the blanket 20 per cent cut would require the family of four with income of $4,000 to pay 20 times as much as it paid in 1939. The same family with income of $5,000 would pay 10 times as much. But at an income of $25,000, the postwar tax would be only three times as large as prewar. At $100,000, it would be only one and one-half times as large. In other words, the proportion of tax carried by each family would go down as incomes go up, as compared with prewar rate schedules. ' A great share of the burden would be borne by the middle brackets. It need not be assumed that the 1939 tax structure was perfect. Perhaps some of its features need changing. But if the rate of progression is to be modified, it should be modified openly and deliberately, and everybody should know what we are doing. The burden of proof rests upon those who propose a flat cut to show 1?hat the pi'eware rate of incidence should be changed as they suggest. XXX In England, where income taxes are much steeper than in this country, concern has been expressed that nearly confiscatory taxation may be throttling incentives for business executives, and so aggravating Britain’s “shortage of talent.” One must doubt that this holds true here; but if anybody thinks it is true, he is entitled to prove it, and to argue for tax changes accordingly. No particular tax problem, however, should be solved by throwing out the baby with the bath water. That’s what happens when rates are changed on a flat, blundering, meat-ax

basis.

If budgetary, realities permit a tax cut next year, there is a perfectly fair and equitable way of doing it. We need only raise the exemption of $500 now allowed for each taxpayer and dependent. Suppose they were raised 20 per cent. Then a family of four which now begins paying taxes at $2,000 of income would begin paying at $2,400; a family with $5,000 income would pay the same taxes now paid by one with $$5,400; at $10,000 the tax would be what it now is for $10,400, and so on up the scale. The Republicans can find just ways of cutting taxes if they want to.—Chicago Sun.

Still Hanging by a Thread Russia’s refusal to vote on the report of the Atomic Energy Commission leaves the A-bomb still a menace to peace and the future of the American control plan still up in the air. Of the commission’s 12 members, 10 voted for the Baruch-Lilienthal principles —an impressive majority, but not big enough until Russia joins it. Three kinds of veto are involved, and the distinctions should be kept clear. First is the power of the Big Five to veto any terms of an atomic energy control scheme to be adopted by the Security Council. Everybody agrees that this power exists, that any of the Big Five is entitled to use it. The second kind of veto is that which might be exercised by one of the Big Five in the day-to-day operations of an Atomic Development Authority, which the American plan would set up to provide adequate inspection and to control production of atomic energy. All sides now appear to agree that the veto shduld not operate at this level— that once an A.D.A. is set up, it should function as a truly international agency, subject to dictation by no single nation. xxx It is on the third kind of veto that Russia and the West now differ. The American proposal provides that, should the A.D.A. report to the Security Council a “serious” violation of the control treaty, the Big Five in dealing with the matter should not use their veto power to protect the violator. In other words, Security Council decisions on what to do about violations would not require unanimity of the Big Five, though decisions on any other sanctions do. Mr. Gromyko objects that this amounts to an amendment to the U.N. charter and is in-

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ON

consistent with the General Assembly’s broad! disarmament resolution. His second point;

is dubious, sin® the Baruch-Lilienthal plan! OP PtBLI( . IIEAEINO certainly qualifies as the kind of practical J amendment of zoning ordinance

and adequately safeguarded disarmament ma-

chinery called for by the resolution.

There is not much doubt, however, that Mr. Gromyko is correct in describing the plan as a modification of the U.N. charter. It would indeed impair the veto principle on the one subject of atomic energy control. It would indeed, to that extent, modify the absolute national sovereignty of the Big Five,

on which the veto principle rests.

x x x

These are reasons for adopting the plan, not rejecting it. If the same nations that signed the charter now sign a treaty for noveto enforcement of atomic disarmament, the charter will be strengthened rather than injured—it will be a better instrument of a developing world authority, rather than the constitution of a loose alliance of nations. Like all constitdtions, the charter is not sacrosanct. Modifications must be decided on their merits, and the merits in this case strongly recommend approval of no-veto enforcement. ^ Fortunately Mr. Gromyko has not finally closed the door. Negotiations can still bring agreement. It might help the Russians accept what is admittedly a great new principle of U.N. co-operation if the United States were not building up atomic armament while talking about atomic disarmament. Nobody has yet given a good answer to the question why we don’t stop making atomic bomb for the duration of disarmament negotiations at least.—Chicago Sun.

The Land of Opportunity It is no idle boast to say that Americans are born into a better social contract than the citizens^of any other country in the world. The citizens here are masters of the government through the exercise of the ballot and public opinion. They enjoy freedom of expression and of religious worship. The natural wealth of the country is abundant and, combined, with competent management and skilled labor, furnishes a' high standard of living. Formal educational advantages may be enjoyed by all classes and these are supplemented by excellent newspapers, magazines, books and the radio. Class distinctions are not marked. There are no castes. Naturalized immigrants can reach almost any height except the presidency bf the United States. The military is subordinate to the civil government. The judicial system approaches, if it does not attain, equal and exact justice Other nations have some of these high privileges, but none have all of them in the

same measure.

When this has been said, it does not mean

that the United States is without large faults. It is nowhere near perfect. It is a good work-

ing set-up, but not an ideal society. Having achieved these advantages it ought

to go forward through the years to some-

thing much better than we now know. It will if its citizens do not lapse into a

selfish materialism, thinking more of what they can get than of what they pan return to society. Such freedom entails responsibil-

ity.

This is a nation of individualism, but that does not exempt anyone from co-opera-tion with the whole. One of the things which is needed today is better industrial relations. Certainly the American people, including both management and labor, are too intelligent to defeat their common interests, by laying too much stress, on their differences. Both of them prosper most when they play together on the same team. If it is the will and purpose of Americans to go forward, they have only reached the morning star of their natural destiny.—Journal Gazette.

Put the Bribers in Jail Baseball is America’s national game. Only once in its long history was there a smirch on its honesty. The player-crooks of 1919 were punished so severely that baseball has since been above reproach. Football, both college apd professional, is next in prestige as our great American game. Mayor O’Dwyer, qf New York, Sunday exposed a scheme of gamblers to bribe players in the championship game between the Chicago Bears and New York Giant. A player was suspended and a gambler arrested who confessed. The authorities—both State officials and the heads of professional football leagues— must get to the bottom of this scandal. Every vestige of suspicion must be eliminated. The crooks must go. to jail. The unthinking may pooh-pooh gamblings scandals in sport as of trival importance compared to the wrong-doing in the fields of diplomacy, business, labor, industry. Sport is popular because most of it is clean. It is the one arena in which the heroes of growing boys apd girls compete for athletic honors. To leave it in even a slightly questionable status is to create a youthful cynicism and distrust which may have a powerful effect on the lives of the generation which we hope will make a decent place of the world the oldsters have botched up so badly. — Philadelphia Record. yCMfSPAPEfc HJSsttip® teacA mniiiF EVERYONE

Notice is hereby given to the citizens of Muncie, Indiana, that public hearing cn an amendment to the Zoning ordinance, which is now pending before the pommon Council of the City of Muncie, Indiana, will be held in the city council chamber in the City Hall at 7:30 p. m., on the 6th day of January, 1947, at which time and place any objections to such amendment or change

will be heard.

The proposed amendment or change to be made is as follows: To amend, supplement and change the present Zoning Ordinance of said City of Muncie, Indiana, so as to transfer to the business district, to the six hundred (600) square foot area district and to the eighty (80) foot height district the following described territory in said City of Muncie, Indiana, to-wit: 82 feet of equal width off of the entire east end of the following described real estate, to-wit: Lot No. 14 and 5 feet off of the north side of Lot No. 15 in Anthony Park Addition to the City of Muncie, Delaware County, Indiana; Commonly khown as 1301 South Madison_ Street in Muncie, Indiana. Said proposed ordinance for such amendment or change of said present Zoning Ordinahce has been referred to the City Plan Commission of said City of Muncie, and has been considered, and said City Plan Commission has made its report approving the same; Information concerning such proposed amendment or change is now on file in the office of said City Plan Commission, for public examination. Said hearing will be continued from tin\e to time as may be found neces-

sary.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the City of Muncie, Indiana, (SEAL) J. Clyde Dunnington, City Clerk, and Clerk of the Common Council of the City of Muncie, this 20th day of December, 1946. Dec. 20-27

Legal Notice

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Commissioners of Delaware County, Indiana, will receive sealed bids and proposals at the office of said Auditor up to the hour of 10 o’clock a. m., Tuesday, January 7, 1947 for the following equipment for use in the office of the COUNTY CLERK, viz1 — New Model Addressing Machine, electrically operated, ribbon print, to produce 5 or more carbon copies. 1 — New Model Embossing Machine, electrically operated. 1 — New Model proofer machine, hand operated. Requirements and specifications for said equipment on file in the office of said Auditor of Delaware County, Indiana. Each bidder shall accompany his bid with a non-collusiort affidavit as required by law. Whenever a bid is in excess of $500.00 the same shall be accompanied by a bidders bond Or certified check, payable to the Board of Commissioners, of Delaware County, Indiana, which bond or check shall be in an amount of not less than 10 per cent of the total amount of such bidThe Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids. Done this 20th day of December, 1946. Samuel L. Cunningtcn Auditor Delaware County, Indiana. Dec. 20-27

Legal Notice NOTICE OF FINAL SETTIEMENT OF ESTATE

No. 8940

Notice is hereby given, that the Administrator of the Estate of kenneth H. Finley, deceased, has filed his account for final settlement of said estate.

Legal Notice

NOTICE TO BIDDERS Notice is hereby given that the Board of Commissioners of Delaware County, Indiana, will receive sealed bids and proposals up to the hour of 10 o’clock a. m. on Tuesday, January 7. 1947, at the office of the Auditor in the Court House, in the City of Muncie, Indiana, for the furnishing of the following equipment, materials and supplies for the County Highway Department, for the year 1947, as follows, to-wit: Hardwood Lumber Hardwood lumber, in various amounts, lengths, widths and sizes as per speci fications. Greases One (1) lb to two thousand )2,000i lbs of various kinds and grades as per specifications. Motor Oils One (1) gallon to five thousand (5,000) gallons of Motor Oil as per specifications. Gasoline One thousand : 1,0001 gallons to one hundred thousand (100,000) gallons of gasoline as per specifications. Culvert Pipe And Drainage Structures Corrugated Metal Pipe and Bands in standard sizes and gages, and noncritical drainage structures such as com Crete pipe and wood pipe. Gravel One (1) to fifty thousand (50,000) yards of gravel in bank or pile, as per specifications. Crushed Lime Stone One (1) to fifteen thousand (15,000) tons of crushed lime stone, as per specifications. Cement One (1! barrel to two thousand (2,000) barrels. Yellow Pine Yellow pine in various amounts, length and sizes as per specifications. Drag And Grader Blades Drag and grader blades in various amounts, sizes, for various maintainera and graders all as per specifications. Bituminous Materials Five hundred thousand (500,000) gallons or less of Bituminous Materials, per specifications on file. Tires And Tubes Various sizes of tires, both solid and pneumatic and tubes, all as per specifications. Requirements and specifications for said equipment, materials and supplies are on file in the office of said Auditor of Delaware County, Indiana. Each bidder shall accompany his bid with a non-collusion affidavit as required by law. Whenever a bid is in excess of $500.00 the same shall be accompanied by a bidders’ bond or certified check, payable to the Treasurer Of Delaware County, Indiana, which bond or check shall be in an amount of not less than 10 per cent of the total amount of such bid. The Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids. Done this 10th day of December, 1946. Samuel L. Cunnirgton Auditor Delaware County, Indiana Dec. 20-27

Legal Notice

NOTICE TO BIDDERS Notice is hereby given that the Board of Commissioners of Delaware County Indiana, will receive sealed proposals and bids at the office of said Auditor up to the hour of 10 o’clock A. M. on Tuesday January 7, 1947, for the furnishing of County Supplies for the institutions of Delaware County, Indiana, viz: INFIRMARY, CHILDRENS HOME. JAIL AND COURT HOUSE, estimates and specifications for which supplies are now on file in the office of said Auditor, at said day and hour such bids will be presented to said Board. Said supplies for the year 1947. Separate bids required for furnishing groceries, drugs, dry goods, bread, shoes, janitor supplies, hardware &hd electrical supplies. The contracts for furnishing said supplies will be in accordance with the Acts of Indiana General Assembly 1942 Chap-

ter 156.

Bids will not be received on a percentage basis, but definite bids must

All persons interested in said Estate : be submitted on each article or quantity. 1 1 i • C'l 1 _1 J _ __ . • .. ( -I C I , 1 , 1 W, ,3 „ „.. „ X, „ 11 ' 1 r 'IT

are hereby notified to appear in the Delaware Circuit Court held at Muncie, Indiana, on Monday the 6th day of January, 1947, being the 1st day of the regular January Term of said Court, and show cause why said account should

not be approved.

The. heirs of said decedent, and all others interested, are also required to appear in said Court on said day, and make proof of their heirship, or claim

to any part of said Estate. Pieroni & Pierohi, Attys.

Attest:

Jesse E. Greene, Clerk. * Wayne Finley Administrator Dec. 13-20-27

Successful bidders shall deliver all goods and supplies to the institutions free from freight, express or drayage. Each bid shall be accompanied by noncollusion affidavit and also a bond conditioned as required by law in the sum

of $500,00.

Board reserves the right to reject any and all bids. Done this 20th day of December, 19.46. Samuel L. Cunninpton Auditor Delaware County, Indiana

Dec. 20-27

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