Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 July 1940 — Page 19

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THURSDAY, JULY 18, 1940

THE NEW MORAL CLIMATE WO “professional politicians” stage-managed the thirdterm nomination—Mayor Ed Kelly of Chicago and Mayor Frank Hague of Jersey City. Why look further for the next Democratic campaign manager? A far cry from Farley, it's true, but this is 1940, and the new moral climate ain't what it used to be. Or on second thought, what about Harry Hopkins? ”

THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM

HE platform adopted last night by the Democrats inevitably invites comparison with the best platform ever offered by the Democratic Party—that of 1932. There was a document, compact, forthright and inspiring. It went directly to the point with its promises of “an immediate and drastic reduction of governmental expenditures” and “a Federal budget annually balanced”; with its condemnation of “the improper and excessive use of money In political activities,” of the resistance of the Republican Administration to “every effort made by Congressional committees to curtail the extravagant expenditures of the Government,” and of ‘“‘the unsound policy of restricting agricultural products.” We still remember the thrill this country felt when Franklin D. Roosevelt, having flown to Chicago, stood before the convention of that year as its nominee for President and proclaimed his purpose to carry out to the letter the policies pledged. The Democratic platform of 1940 is longer and vaguer. It contains more fancy words and less meat. It steers a more careful course between the rocks of controversy. It butters the isolationists with a promise that Army, Naval and air forces will not be sent “to fight in foreign lands outside the Americas.” It bows to the fact of Roosevelt policy by pledging “all the material aid at our command, consistent with law and not inconsistent with the interests of our own national self-defense,” to other nations “wantonly attacked by ruthless aggressors.” It affirms intention to “enforce the rigorous application of the Monroe Doctrine,” but omits specifications as to what that may mean. It is the platform of the New Deal grown old—and wearier and cagier, It will be soon forgotten—almost as soon as the platform of 1932 was forgotten. Mr. Roosevelt is again the nominee. And Mr. Roosevelt, not the prolix statement adopted last night, will be again, as he proved to be after 1932, the Democratic Party's real platform. His is the opportunity to be the first President in American history to accept a third consecutive nomination. His is the opportunity, once more, to proclaim to a Democratic convention at Chicago his purpose to carry out its pledges. We do not know, as this is written, how he will choose to do that. We know, only, that this time the thrill will not be the same.

®

GUN POWDER PLANT

R EARMAMENT 1s big business. How big we begin to realize when we get such announcements as the Government’s new $25,000,000 powder plant at Charlestown, Ind. By the time this big factory swings into full produc-

tion it will be employing from 4000 to 6000 persons. What |

such a new payroll will mean to southern Indiana is obvious. It also has meaning in Indianapolis. For in the selection of the Charlestown site for an essential war industry, official Washington again has recognized Indiana's strategic importance for defense industries. And the considerations that influenced officials in selecting this state for a powder factory apply with equal force in the location of the proposed new $10,000,000 aeronautical laboratory. This vital research laboratory belongs here.

PREPAREDNESS—FOR PEACE

HE objection chiefly stressed against doing anything now about selective service under a system of universal military training is that it is wrong to apply it in peacetime. Those who so contend mostly advocate the system should we actually get into war, We think the complete answer to the objection is that our risk of getting into war—in view of the perilous situation now existing—is immeasurably increased by not adopting selective service, All the intense activity for preparedness, with all the billions that are being appropriated for ships, planes, tanks and munitions, is not with the idea of getting into war but of keeping out. Equipment without men is worse than useless. Selective service which calls men to fill the needs, and, by the way, no more than are needed, has already proved itself not only the most efficient but the fairest and most democratic plan ever devised.

It is true that technically we are at peace. But actually we are in danger. If we weren't the preparedness wouldn't be called for and wouldn't be supported by public sentiment. Certainly there is no wisdom in declaring war merely as a justification for getting ready for whatever may come. Our chances of averting trouble are in exact ratio to the speed with which we get ready for trouble. And may our efforts prove to be preparation for peace—not war.

SET POINT A COLLEGE tennis star, we note, has studied four years for the diplomatic service. Somebody better break through Adolf’s cannonball service or there won't be a post left to occupy,

Fair Enough

By Westbrook Pegler

It Seems Fitting Convention Should

Be Entertained by a Singer From One of Chicago's "Privileged" Clubs

HICAGO, July 18.—Meeting, as they are, under the auspices of as foul a gang of corruptioneers as ever mocked the name of civic decency, it was fitting that the orgies of the party of humanity should be blessed with a hymn sung by an artist recruited for this honor from one of the more pretentious' dumps of the convention city. Mr. Harry Richman’s golden voice pealed out over the rites at the Chicago Stadium in the stirring words

and music of “God Bless America” by the kind cooperation of the Chez Paree, a sometime gambling house and place of privilege in the underworld administration of Chicago. The selection seemed particularly choice. Mr. Richman, of course, is only an artist and no politician, and artists nowadays, perforce, must seek their public in joints having proper credentials from the political rulers and the mobs. The theater having been done to death by the extortions and stink kombs of Willie Bioff and other luminaries of the A. F. of L., and the liquor rights having been generously allotted to racketeers, the singer, the dancer and those wags known as masters of ceremonies are driven again, as long ago, to dumps and dives to earn their humble living.

o ” ~

S to whether the artist so happily selected to inflame the finer instincts of the party of humanity feels at ease in the surroundings of Chicago's most elegant joint, how can one know except by remembering that when he was joined in holy wedlock in Miami Beach a few years ago the guests included that most illustrious of-all Chicago's roster of criminals, now that Al-Capone has gone emeritus, Mr. Frank Nitti? One works where one must in the arts these days, and it may be said that one sometimes must work in some pretty low drums, but for one’s nuptial guests one may select one’s friends. However, that the Chez Paree should be represented at the Democratic convention was eminently proper, all adjacent facts considered. For bear in mind that Mr. Jake Arvey, the second man in the local political gang which is host to the party of humanity, is a noted patron of the arts discoursed in the opera hard by the crap tables and the chancy wheels of the playroom. Twice a year Mr. Arvey holds rejoicing with the lower-case servants of humanity who run his ward for him. In summer these humbler toilers around the polls, the courts and the gambling joints rejoice in some leafy dell, but in winter, in both the literal and the colloquial sense, they go to town and hold reunion at the Chez Paree. These exercises, in a modest way, are Mr. Jake Arvey’'s Nobel Prize ceremonies. With his loyal workers gathered about him he bestows approval. honor and power on the more successful humanitarians of the mob, and on those who have been caught stealing ballots, stuffing the polls or at other harmless mischief, his sympathy and inspiring spirit. EJ n EJ

O, not only was it fitting that the blessing on the party of humanity should be sung by an artist from the favorite indoor relaxing joint of Mr. Arvey's loyal and resourceful hosts of the polling place, but it was equally correct that the prenomination speech for President Roosevelt, which jumped the gun by many hours, should have been pronounced by Mayor Kelly himself. Last winter Frank Murphy, then Attorney General, was solemnly vowing to fumigate Chicago and Jersey City and to send to prison all servants of humanity caught in flagrant dereliction. Mr. Murphy then was kicked upstairs to Supreme Court, and a reign of tolerance or, in a lovelier word, humanity, set in at the Department of Justice. If he is not to be embarrassed in his humane works, Mr. Kelly had better elect Mr. Roosevelt for a third term, and so the delegates heard him acclaim the President as “that God-sent guardian of our | liberties,” including, you may be sure, the liberties | of many members of the mob who might be deprived of theirs by sentence of the court under the Presidency of Wendell Willkie.

Inside Indianapolis

Losche and His Model A, Houston vs. Indianapolis, and a Baby Story

FTER MUCH TAKING of bids and close examination of various cars, Albert H. Losche cautiously invested his money in a Model A Ford back in 1929. A few years later, he hecame City purchasing agent, the job he still holds. The job didn't go to his Head, and he continued driving the Model A. Ever since then, although he always knows where his next meal is coming from, he has continued nursing the old jalopy along, spending only a few dollars for repairs in the 11 years he had it. When he finally was persuaded to buy a new car the other day, do you suppose he traded in the old Model A? No, it still was in such good shape that he turned it over to his son. If all the equipment Mr. Losche buys for the City got as good care, he soon would be out of a job.

= »” »

HOUSTON, Tex, which had its cap all set to | go around Indianapolis in the 1940 Census, appears | to have lost by a nose. The Houston C. of C. publi- | cation, just received at the Indianapolis C. of C., has its front cover devoted to boasting of the city's gain of 93808 on the basis of preliminary figures. That gives Houston 386,150 population, or 20 less than Jndssnapolie’ 386,170 which also is a preliminary gure.

A CERTAIN RADIO station in Cincinnati is plugging for Wendell L. Willkie, hoping that if he's elected he'll be referred to by his initials. It would be nice advertising but a little confusing, eh? . . . Our agents tell us that waitresses in a crowded downtown drug store had a tough half-hour serving their fountain customers one day this week. A woman customer with a two or three-month-old baby laid the infant on the table while she munched a sandwich. All the Women patrons of the place fluttered excitedly around the table and went “goo goo” at the baby, while the hired help vainly sought to take their orders.

A Woman's Viewpoint

By Mrs. Walter Ferguson

A” this writing the Democratic Convention is beginning its sessions; it remains to be seen whether the members will take time out from other issues to consider the Equal Rights Amendment which is popped before their eyes by its earnest advocates at every opportunity. Whether they do or don't, the subject is timely— more timely now than ever when a great many excitable people see our security threatened. Never has there been heard quite so much tall talk about human liberty. Well, how about giving some of it to the women—at least, as much of it as the men have? Seems a fair enough proposition, eh? Yet close inspection of legislative affairs of national! and international matters proves that women are a subordinate class in every country. Lord knows we're used to it. The sex is famous for getting its ears slapped down—and seeming to like it. And from these blows we always arise to meet national emergencies with a heroic spirit. Women have never failed their countries. In such a manner do they offer their sons when the need arises. What that sacrifice means, cannot be understood by some men because the maternal yearning is incomprehensible to their natures. I shall perhaps be accused of confusing issues by bringing up the subject at this time—very well, let the accusation stand. The protection of the rights of minority groups is necessary to the proper functioning of a democracy. Can we have the assurance of the gentlemen that, when danger is past, they will be as eager to act with

lar appeal as a campaigner. does he have any special geographical appeal that would bring into

The Hoosier Forum

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

APPLIES ‘GO-GETTER’ TITLE TO G. O. P. CANDIDATE By Claude Braddick The term ‘“‘go-getter” has a particular aptness as applied to Wendell Willkie. He typifies our own conception of the American businessman. The Swedish Nobel prize, you remember, was bestowed upon Sinclair Lewis for his novel, “Main

| Street” —which typified the sordid-

ness and gaudy buffoonery of American business life—as being the truest picture of the “contemporary

‘American scene.”

Most Americans, however, who know the scene better, would rather have given it to Peter B. Kyne

for his tale, “The Go-Getter,” which [Just about the exact virtues most refuse to play ball because we hate typifies the romance and drama needed in the Vice Presidential nomi-| the Nazi social order, our standard

and high idealism of American business life. Certainly the latter story is mueh more moving and readable,

and I'm sure “Cappy Ricks” and Not get. Also, I should like to say | play ball, we provoke the Nazis to “Matt Peasly” are more like the| that in my opinion the handicaps | outwit the barricades we put up, ‘businessmen I have known than the Clapper attributes to Hull are not necessitating ever higher barricades

stupid, pompous ‘“Babbit.,” ” ” n RATES HULL ‘FAIR’ AMONG 2D CHOICES By Daniel Francis Clancy, Logansport

Stating that President Roosevelt wants Cordell Hull as his Vice Presidential candidate, Raymond

Clapper, in his July 13 column, says do deeply hope that a man of in-|seizure of the French navy is, in its that “Secretary Hull's value to the|tegrity, dignity and, if possible, abil- small way. significant of what we

ticket does not lie in any spectacuNor

the Roosevelt column particula states that otherwise might be lost Clapper continues that Hull is of

r

value because of his popular pres-|

tige, rugged integrity. dignity and the tone he would bring to the ticket. I am not a great booster for Hull but I certainly do think that the

Democratic convention could nom-|

inate a worse man for Vice President. As a matter of fact, I often shudder when I think of some of those they may choose. For instance, Senator Barkley tucky has been mentioned as a possibility—a doltish veteran of po-

litical vacuity if there ever-was one. | I believe that Barkley has been |

discredited to such an extent that —but it's an awful thought! An-

nois—why he is considered a possibility I don't know since he was

| practically unheard of until recently. | | And the only reason he’s been heard |

of recently is being listed as possible V. P. nominee. Lucas may be a good boy as far as I know—or

of Ken-|

he doesn't have much of a chance!

other is Senator Scott Lucas of Illi-|

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

views

‘anyone else, for that matter. However, I'd prefer someone we have \reason to believe would be all right. | But, what I'm getting around to {is that Clapper has attached to Hull

nee — integrity and dignity — and

which I am fearful we may

really important—at least the Seofraphical appeal. Force and color {may be necessary in opposition to (the Willkie-McNary combination but, to my mind, sectional appeal is a vastly over-rated political asset. {Of course ability should certainly enter into the matter — something | Clapper neglected to mention. | In short, rating Hull as “fair” I

lity is nominated. o ” ~ MISS KELLEMS' REACTIONS VIEWED AS LOGICAL

By G. L. | Mr. Kenneth Ogle, it seems to me, has gone emotionally overboard when he charges that the honest re- | actions of an American business woman are propaganda.

|that the pro-British Americans are | too apt to believe only those things

favorable to their point of view, and lump the rest together as propaganda, without examining the stories for facts and the amount of distortion those facts may have undergone. Miss Kellems' reac.ions to the British social system is not an un{usual one among discerning travelers. It has been commented upon by quite a number of American writers, snobs and democrats alike, including the author of “With Malice Toward Some.”, Is Miss Hal[sey’s book also propaganda? | If, as Mr. Ogle says, democracy is inot the issue, as it most certainly is

Side Glances—By Galbraith

* ¥. M. COPR. 1940

G. U. S. PAT. OFF.

patriotism as they expect us to act when danger is near? : :

\ -

"There she goes with what's left of her reputationl"

not, then why all the heat about the British social system? Probably due to traces of writers and speakers who tried to convince us that this'war is different and a fight for democracy—before the board of strategy for winning British sympathizers found they had to change the tack. Thus we have

something more logical in the way of an argument for issue. “Will America’s vital interests be affected if the British win—if the Nazis win?” It seems to me they're going to be

I have noticed in many instances POWer must be and is depleted, so

{adversely affected no matter who wins. Should the Nazis win, and we

of living will plummet downward [until we may face social as well as | economic crisis. If we refuse to

jon our part. Such barricades cost money—billions—and how far can we stand outgo and no income? Should the British win, it will be a Pyrrhic victory now. We would have to loan them billions for re(construction and rehabilitation and | then give up all hope of having the {debt paid.. The attitude of the Britlish ruling class as well as British

can expect. We can't depend on her if our interests run counter to England's. We can look only to your Uncle Sammy for help, and no one else. . . . ” 2 ”

SEES CONSCRIPTION AS CHIEF ISSUE By Harrison White Europe is tired of war, so is all the warring world; Germany's man

is its mechanisms of war as was Russia's in Finland. The millions of mothers and daughters of the fathers, brothers and sons who will never come home in Europe and the Orient, speak not only of their love for them, but bear testimony of the hardships, sufferings and poverty, their loss has brought to them, tAeir nations and to the + orld, and how utterly impossible it is for them to maintain their nations at war. England now has Italy cut off from her possessions in Africa, and is in position to keep the continent of Europe (off the oceans of the world until not common sense, but starvation and pestilence says peace. We in America, moved and alarmed by propaganda that has supplarbed common sense and reason, would cause the Congress of this Administration to spend this nation into bankruptcy in a day, because of a false impression of this war emergency, springing from subterfuge of the lurking objective of an ideology which is finally to put this nation into a regimented totalitarian state, The propagandists who are how in convention are not slow to tell us we must supplant liberty to ourselves and to our posterity with this ideology of socialization and regimentation (which is communism.) The defense of Americanism is always spontaneous by Americans, and an attempt to conscript it presents an issue whether we are to be free or enslaved; this presages the issue of the coming campajgn. Be as you are and out with it.

RECALLING By MAUD COURTNEY WADDELL How small a trick of chance To stab a memory. Today upon the busy street I saw a hand in greeting meet. The contour of the hand, the clasp Recalled the gentle touch and love My father wished to show When bidding me Hello.

DAILY THOUGHT

Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; but that which is in the midst of fools is made known—Proverbs 14:33.

THE LIGHT of understanding

humility kindleth, and pride covereth—Quarles,

3

THURSDAY, JULY 18, 140, Gen. Johnson Says—

Cut and Dried Convention Proves An Affront to Democracy, But This Hardly Surprises Anyone

HICAGO, Ill, July 18.—I don't know why I cams to this convention or why, being here, I should either be astonished or indignant about anything I see or hear. Except for the pleasure of seeing so many old friends, it was a waste of time and money. The convention could have been discussed as well in a distant vacuum in copy written four weeks in advance, On June 17, this column said: “As predicted in this column for two years, Mr. Roosevelt has at last reluctantly decided to hurdle the third-term barrier. He will be nominated by acclamation. He has asked r. Farley to manage his campaign and the dope is that Mr. Farley has refused.” That was before Mr, Farley's trip to Hyde Park. There was no magic about that. This convene tion has been cut and dried for a long time, The only uncertainty was method, the platform, the Vice Presidential candidate and the new manager. You can boil that down much further. The fourth New Deal pays no attention whatever to platform prom=ses or its own precedents. In the present rapide change world, it is not clear that any party could. An attempt to plot a four-year national course ig absurd, $8 =

DF and method are significant only as revealing the party's degree of decency and democracy on the one hand, or political dictatorship and clever deceits on the other. It is the result only that counts and, so far as the Presidency is concerned, that was

always certain. It could have been had without any hypocrisy or guile. Yet the latter methods were as certain as their result. Ducks swim, birds fly and Fourth New Dealers fenagle. It is the nature of the species. The only real uncertainty was the Vice Presiden~ tial nominee and the party chairmanship. The for= mer is highly important this time. Eight or even four years of the Presidency is sometimes a man-killer, What would 12 years be?

” » »

EFORE this was written, Jim Farley confided ta friends that nothing could change his determina= tion to resign. But he also said that he might take the bit in his teeth and insist on naming Jesse Jones as Vice Presidential candidate. Today Mr. Jones seems certain. Does that mean that Jim was “appeased” into remaining for the campaign by a backroom trade or that he had strength enough to put it over—and still maintain his position? That won't be surely known until Saturday. Of course, no body knows better than Jim that Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Hopkins have stymied him in tne past and if he wins an election for them again, will decapitate him in the future. That's about the story. Who has a right to kick? Probably any other party with such overwhelming pap and patronage would have done the same thing. The G. O. P. has done it plenty in the past—though not at Philadelphia. Just the same, this convention is an affront to democracy and a cynical disregard for the intelligence of the American people.

Business

By John T. Flynn

Is F. D. R. Only Kidding; How Can All These Billions Be Spent?

EW YORK, July 18.—All, it seems, is not peace in the war camp. The New York Times, one of the most vigorous exponents of a warlike policy and a vast war machine, including compulsory military training, is now jumping on the President, the leader of the war party. There is little doubt today that the President became enthusiastic about his excitable war measures when things began to go to pot on the domestic front, When the German drive began in France, he utilized the public sympathy with France and Belgium and Holland to whip up a great war fever. He turned again to the South American scene, where had begun his war jitters in 1937, But the President was playing with fire. And he succeeded with his jitter drive beyond all expectations. In the middle of May he asked for $1,182,000,000 for arms in addition to the sums already requested in the regular budget. And he demanded 50,000 planes. The requests before that were around $2,000,000,000 And the President, as already recalled here, had pointed out that this two-billion program would come pletely exhaust the productive capacity of the country. Now he asked for another billion which. conceivably, could be taken care of by an extraordinary exertion of our industrial machine, This, apparently, was all we needed. The job had been done—the people were aroused. Domestic policies were forgotten. The failures of the Administra= tion on almost every economic front were out of the people’s minds. The war expenditures would help te step up employment. The President seemed satis~ fied. So as late as June 1l—only a month ago—he was telling Congress it could go home, there was nothing left for it to do.

Jingoes Asking Questions

But the fire he had started swept on. The jingoes took the ball away from him. The war groups were demanding two-ocean navies, military conscription. The President began to look almost pacifist. So he undertook to take the play again. Despite the fact that he had said we could not handle any more production, that there was nothing more for Congress to do, he began to call for more billions until now he has actually asked for 10 billions while there are re« quests for at least four billion more before Congress. And now a moment of reflection comes to the war groups. What does the President mean? Is he just kidding? Does he not know that only a fraction of this money can be spent? Where is the money ta come from? Is not sacrifice required? Yet he tells housewives not to worry—they will not have to dea without their special luxuries, He is hindering ‘the national advisory commission—everything is moving slowly. These are the things his fellow jingoes are asking about. Maybe it will take another couple of weeks before a little sanity will creep into this wild drive of the warbirds. But slowly it will come.

Watching Your Health.

By Jane Stafford

COAT of deep suntan is not so universally fashe ionable as it was a few years ago, but proteetion against sunburn is still a big vacation problem. Extensive sunburn is as serious as a burn caused by fire or live steam, and no different in its symptoms. Besides the pain, blistering and destruction of the skin, it may cause high fever, delirium and menine gitis from which death may result. Infection is a danger in sunburn as in other kinds of burns. It is most likely to come after blistering burns in which the blisters break, as they frequently do. Such a condition of the skin, one authority points out, ‘gives germs a fine chance to grow and cause serious illness. It is important to remember this .as a reason both for being careful to avoid severe sunburn and for having a doctor treat a bad sunburn rather than attempting to treat it oneself with home remedies. Even if you are eager to have a coat of suntan as a vacation souvenir, remember the ‘ol dage, “Make haste slowly.” . Take your sunshine in small doses, five minutes in the sun the first day, no more than 10 minutes the second, and so gradually increasing the time as your skin begins to tan. Whenever your skin feels hot, regardless of how long you have been in the sun, it is wise to seek shade. The first sunbaths of the season should be taken before 10 in the morning or after 3 in the afternoon, because the midday summer sun is so strong that even a short exposure may produce a serious burn. Persons with very white skins must be especially careful as they are likely to get a severe sunburn on short exposures. ’ Scientific opinion is divided on how much -f the sun's rays can he shut out by the various oi 1 lotions advertised for protection against sunburn, bu. it is agreed that these do somewhat counteract the drying effect of the sunshine, which is at least partly responsible for the burning. p40 eed