Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 November 1937 — Page 14

PAGE 14

& LR :

The Indianapolis Times

(A SCRIPPS-HOWARD NEWSPAPER)

ROY W. HOWARD LUDWELL DENNY MARK FERREE President Editor Business Manager

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Sho Rlley 5551

Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way

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reau of Circulations. Ty ¥ SCRIPPS — HOWARD |

TUESDAY, NOV. 16, 1937

THE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE DDRESSING for the first time since 1933 a Congress which had been hearing bad news at the grassroots, President Roosevelt did much to reassure the country. Like Secretary Morgenthau’s speech last week, the message opening the special session of Congress was de-

signed to soothe the jitters. For those most jittery, those who felt the President was out to junk the whole capitalistic system, there were words of reliance on private enterprise. For those who have felt the pinch of unscientific and inequitable taxation there was promise that the injustices would be corrected. And particularly there was cheer for the small businessman, the chief sufferer. Further, there was hope in the very fact that the President, having called the Congress for certain specific purposes, gave the “lead” of his message to a subject not mentioned in the original call—a subject, the business recession, that was not dominant then as it is now. That showed a capacity for change of stance, exceedingly heartening in itself. The message placed the emphasis where the emphasis belonged; it faced the realities. Without just-around-the-cornering at all it carried a note of confidence—that what is necessary to be done will be done to stop the slump and build the volume of the nation’s industry to where the unemployed may be absorbed and the budget balanced. Frequently the tone of a document is as important as what the document says. The tone of this address was in harmony with the times. The way is now wide open for Congress to deal, as did the President in the arrangement of his message, with first things first. And first things in this situation are those which will bear most directly on the recession; which will serve quickest to turn a tide that is running the wrong way. We believe taxes are the obvious first aid; that the more glaring faults of the 1936 law can be corrected in time to apply to the calendar year 1937. And that doesn’t mean that the other items which caused the special session call cannot be given consideration. The scene has shifted since that call was issued. The President recognizes that fact. So should Congress. The test of real statesmanship is the ability to meet change when it occurs.

HELP WITH THE CENSUS!

JNDIANAPOLIS is co-operating with the rest of the

country today in the Government's national census of |

unemployment,

Every person out of work, or looking for more work, is asked to answer 14 questions and then mail his card, which requires no postage. Any unemployed person who does not receive a census card can get one from his mail carrier or nearest postoffice station. about how to fill out the cards may be obtained from the

same sources. All information given will be considered confidential. It will be double-checked later by sample house-to-house canvasses.

The census is a difficult job because it is voluntary, but it is tremendously important. So far, every attempt to deal with unemployment and its companion problem, relief, has been handicapped because nobody knows how many people are without jobs.

Perhaps no method could produce a 100 per cent accurate census of employment. Yet obviously the count should be as complete as possible, in the interest of the unemployed and all other citizens.

We urge readers to do everything possible to see that ‘he cards are filled out correctiy and mailed promptly.

A FASCIST BRAZIL?

NNOUNCEMENT that Brazil has dissolved its Federal, state and municipal assemblies, and set up a corporate

state with Nazi or Fascist trappings, has created some alarm in this country.

The trouble is that for several years we have seen and heard so much of the doings of the world’s Fascist and Communist states, and of the peril which democracy is facing that we are beginning to get jumpy. The fact is, however, that Latin America has witnessed many crises of the same general type Brazil is now experiencing. The chief difference is that meantime we have been learning some newer and fancier names to apply to them. What is happening is that Latin America’s social sSystem, dating back to colonial feudalism, is changing with the times. The eptire Southern continent is bubbling with political, economic and intellectual ferment. Social forces, latent until recent years, are coming to the fore. A period of readjustment is in full swing. The chief danger, of course, is that the people will allow themselves to be led astray by foreign ideologies of the extreme right or the extreme left. In the long run we believe this unlikely. Nor do we believe they are going to allow themselves to be tied to the tail of Germany's, Italy's, Russia's or any similar kite. If that were to happen, however, it would not only be a big blow to our pride as neighbor, but a danger as well. But we do not believe there is any serious cause for alarm, Our relations with Latin America have never been more cordial than now. Nevertheless and notwithstanding, now is the time for Pan America’s “good neighbor” policy to prove itself. We gJhelieve it will,

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Fair Enough

By Westbrook Peyler

The Way of a Champion Is Unsure, And Mr. Farley Had Better Eye the Sparring Partners, Pegler Advises.

NEW YORK, Nov. 16.—Jim Farley spoke from the experience of an old prize fight commissioner, though from the office of a Cabinet member, when in a recent oration on the air he viewed with alarm the lack of worthwhile opposition to the Democratic Party. He spoke in terms of political groups, but his thoughts must have gone back to the days when he was chairman of New York “cauliflower commis-

sion” and Jack Dempsey was heavyweight champion of the world, so mighty and condescending and so sure of his position that neither he nor the customers nor Mr. Farley himself believed anyone could lick him with a pair of human fists.

Mr. Dempsey had long since forgotten hunger, which also may be said of Mr. Farley's party. In one fight at Shelby, Mont, against Tommy Gibbons, Mr. Dempsey had insisted on the appointment of an old and devoted friend as referee, an example which has appealed to Mr. Farley's champion within the last year. And in his fight with Luis Firpo he had stood over and slightly to the rear of the fallen opponent to slug him the instant Firpo's

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Mr. Pegler

i : : ? | glovetips left the floor, an act which disendeared him Postmen will leave simple questionnaires at every |

to many who had given him their admiration but required a champion to fight fair. Mr. Farley and his fighter were lean and fine in

| 1932, and nothing they might have done to Mr. Hoover | would have been condemned by a crowd come to see a Ehampion cut to ribbons for his indifference to pro- | hibition.

» = LJ UT they have held the title a long time now. Mr. Hoover is one with Jess Willard, and as Mr. Farley plainly realizes there are those among the crowd who once struggled for a chance to carry the champion’s water bucket who now want to see him licked. That seems to be the way of all champions in a democracy.

And out of his experience in the caulifiower trade Mr. Farley doubtless remembers also that it is often the sparring partner who studies the champion’s style for flaws and comes along later to look him in the eye and belt him over. He might have Senator Wheeler in mind, for example, though this is no attempt co tout a new champion. But he certainly did give a thought to Huey Long, whose political style very much resembled that of the late Harry Greb, a sparring partner whom Dempsey never was able to hit. = » ”

R. ROOSEVELT never could lay a glove on Huey Long, and undertook to ignore him as Dempsey ignored Greb. Senator Long is now recognized as having been the most dangerous politician in the United States at the time of his death, and Dempsey has admitted that in a fight of the conventional 10 rounds when he and Greb were at their best, Greb probably would have taken the title. Mr. Farley ought to keep an eye on those sparring partners. In the course of their workouts they take many a one on the chin to make the champion look good. True, most of them are political stumblebums, but there are lean and hungry ones as well who think as they scuffle in the gym, “Why should I be catching for this guy? I can lick him myself.”

The Hoosier Forum

I wholly disagree with what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.—Voltaire.

NEWSPAPER DRIVE ASKED TO STOP GAMBLING By Observer The Indianapolis Times certainly is to be commended for having brought to light, and to a certain degree kept before the Indianapolis public, the existence of certain establishments just outside the borders of this city where open gambling has been charged. Although it may seem that some forces have seriously interfered with complete investigations that might

have resulted in more sweeping action to eradicate central Indiana of this form of illegal enterprise, your efforts certainly went further than any other public agency to place these conditions before the public scrutiny and disapproval. When certain attendants and others in charge exercise no precautions whatever in admitting the public to such establishments, it certainly would seem that more specific evidence could be obtained by authorities determined to permanently break up the ring. Why do some of our courts simply assess a normal fine against these individuals- when they are periodically brought into the courts by public demand and found guilty of violating the antigambling laws? Our courts send speeders and petty traffic law violators to the State farm or prison simply to satisfy a demand of the public created by newspaper publicity. Why then, are not the newspapers as a lot even more interested and active to stamp out gamblers? Their activities create conditions in homes that are often directly responsible not only for traffic law violations, but much more serious law violations by corruption of the moral impulses of the small wage and salary earners who normally are expected to bring their wages into their homes for necessities of life.

» = » DOUBTS MUSSOLINI COMPLIMENTS HITLER By D. A. Sommer We are much like the Chinese, for they have a Ho-ang-ho River (now Hwang-ho), and they are called a “sleepy nation;” and we have the Ho-hum-ho River into which our young people tumble late every night, and from which they

Y have to be dragged every morning.

Mussolini says Hitler should “have a place in the African sun,” but we did not suppose II Duce so soon would wish his new-found friend that “hot place.” Ivan Maisky, Russian Ambassador in London, said that all foreigners must leave Spain before belligerent rights can be granted the rebels. If Russia would make Mickey Mousekey foreign ambassador in the trouble zone, it might relieve the tension.

General Hugh Johnson Says—

U. S. Building Only Way to Carry on Low-Cost Home Construction; If Done With Mass Buying $4 Per Room Rental Cost Is Believed Possible.

EW YORK, Nov. 16.—There has been a lot of talk in Washington about a great drive for building small homes to activate the heavy goods industry and recapture our fading recovery. It is necessary to do something. The slide started in New York City in the fur and needle trades. The employment situation there is becoming desperate. In the independent steel companies, which have no C. I. O. contract, 185,000 workers have been laid off since the slump started. In big steel where the policy is to spread the work rather than to fire men wholesale, workers are getting only about 13 hours of ‘work a week. There is a threatened slack in the automobile industry, which has been the principal source of such recovery as we have had. The effect of such things is cumulative and pccelerating and such movements can’t be turned around in a moment. I started out by saying there is “talk” of a housing drive. 1k is all there is. There has been talk of it for four years, eight months and 10 days. = = = T a recent conference the President was informed that, to get such a drive under way, requires a 20 per cent reduction in material prices and a marked downward revision in labor costs. That is like saying

that the first thing to do in raising a prune crop on the moon is to invent a way to get there. -80=

Against my adgice I was instructed to

(Times readers are invited to express their views in these columns, religious controversies excluded. Make your letter short, so all can have a chance. Letters must be signed, but names will be withheld on request.)

CHARGES FRANCO WITH BURNING LIBRARIES

By Agapito Rey, Bloomington

Despots everywhere fear nothing so much as enlightenment Tyranis are not satisfied with controlling people's lives and actions, they want also to subjugate their minds. The greatest obstacle to spiritual domination is found in upright intellec-

these libraries were thus established. Many grew rapidly through local interest and pride. Now Gen. Franco finds books are too dangerous in the hands of the people. Needless to say, all books dealing with modern problems will be sent to the fire. Equal fate will befall the writings of intellectuals who remained faithful to the legitimate Government. As not a single prominent writer supports the Rebels openly, we may expect to see all contemporary Spanish literature of any value perish at the stake. These would-be protectors of civilization, rescuers of culture and defenders of the faith destroyed the library and museum in the Liria

these

which were saved only by the heroism of unlettered militiamen. Not

tuals who refuse to prostitute their pens and become the mouthpieces

of oppressors. Not being able to lay hands on them the despots try to destroy their works. Not many months ago bonfires were lighted in public squares in Germany to destroy the books of Thomas Mann, Albert Einstein and other world-famous men who showed some independence of mind.

Gen. Franco could not fail aping Hitler in such destructive work. By a decree issued late last September at Salamanca, committees were appointed to examine the public libraries and remove all books thai may be harmful to the Fascist state. The aim of this measure is to destroy the small popular libraries established in hundreds of towns and villages by the liberal Government in 1932-33 and 1936. In 1932 the ministry of education organized cultural missions to carry civilization to all remote parts of Spain. These missions traveled through the towns and rural districts holding art exhibits, staging classical plays, showing moving pictures and above all planting a public library in every town. These circulating libraries were usually housed in public schools and put under the care of the teachers and students. Several thousands of

MY OWN EPITAPH By DANIEL F. CLANCY Here lies Daniel Fraucis Clancy, Who was a poet— I mention it here, as many Who pass will not know it.

DAILY THOUGHT

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.—Luke 6:28.

LESSINGS ever wait on virtuous deeds, and though a late, a sure reward succeeds.—Congreve.

satisfied with executing Dr. Alas, | president of the University of {Oviedo; Dr. Palanco, dean of the | University of Granada; the pott Garcia Lorca, and every intellectual who has fallen into their hands. the Rebels want also to destroy their spirit which lives beyond the grave. » » » URGES ENFORCEMENT OF ANTISMOKE LAWS By North Side Resident The constant pall of smoke hanging over the entire city is a definite menace to health. It must be stopped. It could be stopped, if the smoke abatement ordinance were enforced. The death rate is said to be 31 per cent higher in cities of the United States noted for excessive smoke than in others. Indianapolis is reported high on the list. The health of citizens is apparently considered secondary to the cost and effort required to end the disgusting menace. ” » ” DEFENDS OPERATORS OF TROLLEY CARS By Bus Rider Several days ago I read an article in the Hoosier Forum in regard to overcrowded streetcars and busses, written by Mitchell E. Stewart. From his article I am of the cpinion he has had little experience with public conveyances. Everyone should know that streetcars and busses are on definite schedules for public convenience. As

far as collecting a few extra fares goes, that means nothing to the operator. If Mr. Stewart were passed by because the vehicle was too crowded he probably would not only be angry but would report the operator.

Palace and set fire to the Prado Art| Gallery and the National Library, |

It Seems fo Me

By Heywood Broun

Broun, Mellowing, Turns to AF, Undismayed That His Landscapes And Portraits at Times Get Mixed,

EW YORK, Nov. 16.—According to the present schedule, this is the day on which I don’t have to be mad at anybody or even all worked up on any issue. This is let-down afternoon, which is preparatory to

a day of rest. So would anybody mind very much if I spoke briefly on the universal subject of art? In particular I refer to the art of painting, since I am right now drawing a bead on a maple tree at least 100 years old which ought to be set down for posterity. But let's keep any personal element out. The great tradition of the masters is certified. Even the famous landscape painters had their abode in town and coms muted to the country only during * daylight. All the artists of fiction, i screen and stage have lived charm“1 ingly and unwholesomely in a studio : six flights up, the fifth door to the + right, and ask for Kelly. You can't have models unless you havea studio and what would a story of Bohemian life be without the co-operation of Mimi, Suzette or Yvonne? I think that I will have to live a better life and study, so that I, too, may have a Mimi. At the moment I wouldn't know what to do with her, as I am still a Gen. Sheridan as far as nudes are concerned. I mean 20 miles away and getting no closer, as far as my art is concerned.

Mr. Broun

” » ” T° carry on a career with Suzette, Mimi or even Yvonne—that's a life. To sit all day in con= templation of deciduous oaks is less enticing. And the more I try to get the fading glories of the dying timber on the canvas the more I realize the validity of Joyce Kilmer’s famous line about a tree. It may even be that Mimis are easier to catch in oils than maples. Skies are not as difficult as either nudes or woods. A good fat dab of white paint with a little purple looks like a cloud any day in the week if you first explain your purpose, and then get the spectator to stand at the extreme end of a good long room, But even that doesn’t always work. Before I exhibit again all my paintings are going to be plainly labeled. I'm getting a little tired of the friends who come in to my atelier and look at a picture which I purpose to call “Sentinel Cedar at Twilight” and then ask, “Is that a tree or a fat old woman in a green dress?” That annoys me, and I always answer, “That's a portrait of your Aunt Clara.”

# » »

OME of my technique is not the result of delibe S erate design. In part I am an impressionist, be cause I cannot keep the brushes clean. The turpentine is always running out, and the sky and the meadow all get mixed up together. Perhaps Connecticut is not the right homeland for an artist. I am frustrated by an inability to draw and the Puritan tradition. Gauguin probably had the right idea when, at a mature age, he packed a suitcase and went to the South Seas. I wonder just how old he was and when the next boat leaves. It would be nice to have the collectors chasing after me when I am gone and saying in whispers, “No one ever quite gppreciated poor old Broun while he was alive.”

The Washington Merry-Go-Round

Good Neighbor Policy Reported Impaired by Fascism in Latin America; Republics Begin to Copy Dictators in Forced Trade and Propaganda.

called “security salary” to the skilled building trades in New York City WPA—Ii. e, to offer carpenters, bricklayers, etc. continuous employment for a high annual earning, but at a reduced hourly rate. I could not get organized labor to accept it although I carried the fight right into their homes, where the women were inclined to see advantages. The men were afraid the low hourly rates would be used by industry to break down the whole wage scale with no guaranty of continuous employment. After actual experience, study and the benefit of others’ research, I think there is only one way to get the cost of small homes down where the rents are economically feasible—mass production by the Government itself. » / ” =

HE difficulties are great. The idea would be to buy large tracts of land 10 to 20 miles from large industrial centers, insure cheap rapid transportation to the job centers and then, regardless of existing slum housing in the city, and by mass buying, mass construction and an insured annual salary to the construction crews, proceed to build satellite suburbs. * The design would have to be ot sanitary and durable cottages, but without gadgets. Studies I have seen show that theoretically at least the job could be done on a $4-a-room rental basis—which is necessary to success. You never would know till you tried whether workers would move in and pay for the houses, Jt wou other Willion dolla

By Drew Pearson and Robert S. Allen ASHINGTON, Nov. 16.—The New Deal's proudest boast in the field of foreign affairs was the Roosevelt Good Neighbor policy in Latin America. But now that policy is up against stiff opposition. It is facing a ring of dictatorships, friendly to Franco, Mussolini and Hitler; drifting away from democracy. Out of 20 Pan-American republics, all but five—Mexico, Panama, Columbia, Costa Rica and Venezuela—are complete or semidictatorships. Some time ago, in explaining to a group of churchmen his motives for building a big navy, Mr. Roosevelt pointed out that with both Africa and Asia now colonized by modern nations, the only undeveloped area in the world was South America. He expressed the fear that sooner or later Germany and Italy might turn their eyes toward our southern neighbors. This, he said, was one of the big reasons why he had ‘built up the navy. “I intend to stand by the Monroe Doctrine,” he declared. : & ws ® RT b W, however, without either armies or na the two chief dictatorships of increasing ‘their

torship virtually set up in Spain, our “Good Neighe bors” are doing likewise. For this the State Department has only itself to thank. Its career boys were sympathetic to Franco, imposed extreme embargoes agai the Spanish Government contrary to all international precedent, 2. Forced Barter. Both Italy and Germany have refused to buy from Latin American countries, unless the latter buy equal amounts from them. This has given a big impetus to Nazi-Fascist trade, undercutting U. S. exports. 3. Radio Propaganda. Italy and Germany operate high-powered radio stations which pour propaganda daily into all Latin America. 4. Naval Vessels. Because of low cost naval construction in Europe, many Latin American countries have ordered warships built abroad. Italy and England are the chief constructors.

O offset Nazi and Fascist radio propaganda, you may find the Administration backing the Celler Bill, establishing a U. S. Government radio station. So far private radio companies have failed lamentably in South America

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TUESDAY, NOV. 16, 1937 '