Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 November 1940 — Page 9

dianapolis Times CRIPPS-HOWARD NEWSPAPER)

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eI (A

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21

Give Light and the People Will Fina Their Own Way

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1840

ABOUT THAT WORD—“CRUSADE” ls THIS is i especially to Wendell Willkie and Joseph ‘Martin, but we think all who took part in the .recent election may be interested: How about throwing that word “crusade” into the

ashcan, and getting something that better fits the spirit |

of America today? Le We raise the point because we observe that Mr. Martin, Republican. National Chairman, has adopted -“‘crpsade’” as the label for his party’s program for the next four years.

At the risk of seeming too finicky about words, we just don’t like “crusade.” It carries too much of the idea of zealotry; of the knight in armor jousting a windmill; of heat rather than iy of the sort of emotional stuff which dominated the prohibition issue and stirred the soul of Wayne B. Wheeler. Maybe; from June to November in a Presidential year, |“crusade” is the word—though we doubt it. But to contemplate four long years in the evangelical tempo gives us pause and leaves us cold. So we suggest something less extreme in the way of nomenclature—that public issues as®between Democrats and Republicans be debated in a manner less strident than the crusading technique calls for. 8 8 do #8 = Nothing in our two-party system is more beneficial than a strong opposition, no matter what party is in power. So we are glad to [see Mr. Martin with his shoulder in the harness. But we think he is making a mistake by trying to imply that the Republicans practically won, though they lost. It’s true that the Willkie vote was a tremendous one and that the Rooseveltian popular majority was narrow enough to call for humility on the part of the victor. But it should always be remembered that the only thing needed to be the winner in our system of government is just one more electoral vote than the other fellow has. Roosevelt therefore is President. That’s very definite; hence, nothing

to argue about. |

‘8 8 =» #2 # 8 We hope that hr. Martin and his organization keep up in the collar—that|each public question about which there is a difference of ypinion will be thoroughly debated as it occurs, But not before it occurs. Not jousting just for practice. : And we want to throw in the thought also that for the moment the nation is fed up with campaigning and crusading; that a breathing spell in politics will be [very welcome. Plenty of things will be coming up for discussion without forcing the play or “crusading” the campaign all over again. Both Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Willkie ended up agreeing * that production for this country at this time of all times is primary. We are not going to do the production job if we're all out on the hustings all the time breaking vocal lances, one against the other. So we desire to reiterate what we have said, oh, many times before—the business of this country is business, not politics.

NOT-SO-MYSTERIOUS MILLIONS

OR running the State Department in fiscal 1940—including its far-scattered Foreign Service—(Congress appropriated $19,711,000, The salaries of all 54 of the United States ambassadors and ministers were budgeted at $650,000. | Now comes a st Mexican customs lomatic pouch bein

range story out of Mexico, relating how n opened and searched an Italian dipcarried by a courier from Washington. In the pouch they found $2,000,000.in United States currency. The money was restored, and Mexican officials apologized for the breach of diplomatic etiquet, which they attributed to an “inexperienced” official (although there were hints that the action was deliberate, and based on a tip from Washington). | ; If it takes only 19 million to run our whole state Department in Washington and all our embassies, legations and consulates abroad, it would be remarkable if Italy’s diplomats in Mexico and Central America would require $2,000,000 for normal operations. And why in currency? Why the little-black-bag stuff ? The inevitable presumption is that the money is for propaganda, for bribery of Spanish-language newspapers, for greasing venal officials, for stirring up unfriendliness toward the Good Neighbor, formerly know as the Imperial-

istic Gringo.

IRONPANTS AND MR. BIG EN. JOHNSON threw everything but the kitchen stove at President Roosevelt during the campaign, and now, “disappointed but not downhearted,” he pledges allegiance to “my President” and says “he could ask me for nothing that I would not give.” Somehow the general reminds us of John C. Calhoun’s remark about Henry Clay: “He is a bad man, an imposter, a creature of wicked schemes. I won't speak to him, but, by God, I love him.”

THREE WHO SAID NO

| some years past Congress has had an “anti-World War bloc” of three. Senators Norris and Lundeen and Rep. Knutson were the only remaining members who had voted against war in 1917. A few weeks ago Senator Lundeen was killed in an|air-liner crash. But Tuesday’s returns brought the bloc back up to three, for Miss Jeannette Rankin was yebunel by Montana voters to the House seat in which she wept as she voted “nay” on the war resolution in '17. Sas Here's hoping neither Miss Rankin nor Senator Norris nor Rep. Knutson ever again is confronted with such a fateful choice. | ? | |

By Westbrook Pegler

U. S. Tax Board Levied Against a $50,000 Ransom Though Kidnaper Was Not Prosecuted for the Crime

EW YORK, Nov. 9.—The. United States Board of Tax Appeals handed down a decision on Oct. 8

wd et mad SENSAN pm yy FYI prin

in which it® assumed some of the authority of a| .

criminal court by way of claiming for the Federal Treasury an income tax, plus appropriate penalties, on ransom paid for the release of a kidnaped citizen. The man thus found guilty by the Board of Tax Appeals of kidnaping never was prosecuted for the crime. The Board is supposed to be as neutral as a court, but actually it occupies the position of a collection agency and has an interest in cases which come before it. $2 The defendant in this case was Murray Humphreys, a well-known Chicago racketeer of the Al Capone era who, since repeal, has muscled his way into the dairy business in Chicago, where not a few well-known brigands have retired to more or less conventional commerce. Humphreys was one of many gangsters indicted. in| the cleanup of Chicago, which was accomplished by the intelligence unit of the Treasury but which often has been erroneously credited to the FBI. He had been a bootlegger and a power in the dry-cleaning racket and enjoyed, in the peculiar social scale of Chicago, a substantial reputation as a hoodlum. | . Indicted in June, 1933, he fled to Mexico and returned in October, 1934, to plead guilty and receive a sentence of 18 months in prison plus a fine of $5000. He served 14 months. : EJ ” ”

HE criminal aspects of the tax evasion having been concluded, the Government still maintained its claim for the unpaid taxes and penalties. The unreported income included money received from the dry-cleaning racket and $50,000 paid for the release of Robert G. Fitchie, president of the Chicago Milk Wagon Drivers’ Union—a historic case. Fitchie, then 74, was kidnaped on Dec. 21, 1931, and was released two days later, after Steve C. Sumner, the secretary-treasurer of the union, also an old man, had left $50,000 on the seat of a parked car. Sumner later identified Humphreys as one of the men who took the $50,000 from the car and further said he recognized Humphreys’ voice as the one which, in several telephone conversations, negotiated the ransom. : In reaching its verdict of guilty of kidnaping against Humphreys the Board of Tax Appeals took into consideration evidence shown by Humphreys’ bank accounts and gave weight to the testimony of Sumner against Humphreys’ claim that the kidnaping was a fake. In this connection it should be noted that the nature of some labor unions is such thas it would not be thought improper of a union official to dip into the treasury to ransom a kidnaped brother official. » t J 2 HE Board of Tax Appeals decided that Sumner was an honest witness and said, “we are convinced that his identification of petitioner (Humphreys) as the man who took the $50,000 from the automobile is correct.” . It often has been urged that in. the cases of criminals who report income obtained by illegal methods the rate of tax should be much higher than that provided for legal income. Court decisions have been discouraging, however, on the ground that this would constitute an abuse of the intention of the income tax amendment and the revenue act. The intention is to tax income, not to punish crime, and the consequence of all thi§ is that the income of a criminal who admits his eriminality in his return is taxable at the same rate as that of an honest,

useful citizen. a : In the final decision of this case the United States Government Decorgs the major beneficiary of a criminal act. whose victim, whether Fitchie or the union treasury, has nd financial redress. The Government takes its regular cut of the $50,000 plus a penalty of 50 per cent of that tax for Humphreys’ failure to declare and pay, but not as a penalty for the actual kidnaping. By the Government's own decision it is helping itself to money extorted from an innocent party. The Treasury has no intention—in fact, no right—to return such money to the original victim.

Business

By John T. Flynn

Full Force of Arms Spending Not Likely to Be Felt for Months

EW YORK, Nov. 9—The impact of the armament program on business still remains a question of major importance. The big question mark, which is as yet not too clear, is the speed with which the actual outlay of money will take place— the speed with which funds for purchasing power will flow out into the hands of the people. One newspaper made a rather weird campaign argument about this subject in the hectic days preceding the election. It pointed out that, thoygh the Government was 8pending billions on defense, the actual Government deficit this year was smaller than last. It was trying to convey the impression that the Government was actually spending defense money and yet holding down its deficit. Of course the actual spending of the defense money has not yet got under way and does not show up in the Treasury statement in any considerable amount. Government expenditures for defense will appear when it begins to pay producers for their finished goods. Then the deficits will show. This does not mean, however, that defense money is not flowing out as yet. The manufacturers are spending. Between July 1 and Aug. 1, according to a statement just given out by the Government, contracts for $7,490,000,000 have been “cleared.” Such a sum, were it actually in flow now, could produce an unmistakable boom. But contracts “cleared” do not mean contracts awarded. When the contracts will be awarded no one has yet told us. However, long before the Government begins to pay money, producers have to get their plants ready, in s8me cases to enlarge them. They have to. order tools in many cases. They have to buy materials, so that the companies themselves are already spending money which is coming into the hands of the people and creating purchasing power.

2 # 2

OME of this will flow swiftly, as for instance the money for $36,000,000 worth of flannels for the Army. But some of it will be years moving out, as for instance $4,008,000,000 for ships. Some of the ships are not yet designed. On the whole, the amounts involved in these operations are great and when under way will produce very marked results, particularly in certain places. For instance, in a small state like Connecticut, over $250,000,000 in Army, Navy, supply and housing contracts are ready, though not yet awarded. It would be easy to exaggerate the economic facts if readers accept these bald and huge figures as work already launched. It is fortunate that all of it is not unloaded on the public at once. But here, certainly, is a promise of a rising tide of purchasing power being .pumped out first by business into the hands of the people and then by Government into business. The effect is inevitable.

So They Say—

FOUR DICTATORS today control the destiny of 500,000,000 people, and these men, whose will is absolute and undisputed, can by the wave of their hands send 18,000,000 men marching to battle.~John Cudahy, U. 8S. ambassador to Belgium. * »

*

THE BLIND AND frantic crusade for peace that swept through the world after the armistice of 1918 is the fundamental cause of the present European conflict.—Dr. Frederick W. Beekman, dean American Cathedral in Paris.

eague Boots!

MAYBE

FAL Ep SN rl

Ve

You BETTER

Gan. Johnson

Says—

In View of the Size of Protest Vote .

F.D.R. Should Not Permit All of the Co-operating to Come From G.0P,

EW YORK, Nov. 9.—There is a classic army

yarn about a young lieutenant or “shavetail” Just out of West Point. He reported to his captain at a Western station in those days when captains were old, gruff and apt to be very wise. This one : ee rated him so kindly that he became over-enthusiastic and said: “Oh, captain, I can see that we are going to get along in complete co-operation.” “Yes,” said the wrinkled old veteran, “and in this man’s army, you'll do all the co-operating.” A situation something like that surrounds the late opponents of President Roosevelt. I don’t know

one who, because of the danger

in the world, isn’t perfectly will= ing to forget the late and bitter political fight and join up with recent political adversaries in anything that will ad= vance the interests of the country and cement: its strength. But it takes at least two for any true co-operation, The tremendous vote for Mr. Willkie measures the mass of protest and skepticism on some of Mr, Roosevelt's acts and policies. Any hostility or rough=

shod riding by this Administration over contrary opinions might destroy the President’s great oppore -

3 tunity to usher in the healthiest “era of good-feeling”

The Hoosier Forum

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

DEMOCRAT LOSES VOTE, TAKES DIG AT PARTY By R. G. I am one of the people who could not. vote on Tuesday. I am registered as a voter and I went to my precinct before work, but the line was so long and it was moving so slowly I had to leave. My boss let me off later in the day and then when I got there the whole line was stuck because the machine they had was full and they couldn’t vote on it any more and the politicians downtown wouldn’t send. out any paper ballots. I am a Democrat. They lost my vote for me and when we get another primary I'm going to work against those people who are a blot on good Democratic administrations.

” ” ” PROUD OF WILLKIE IN FACE OF DFEAT By Mrs. O. P. Macy, Greenwood, Ind. It seems that the Republican Party is defeated. I will not use that trite expression “gone down in defeat,” for never in the existence

of the G. O. P. have I felt that it has gone higher, if not in numbers, in principles and brains. Never “have we had more right to feel proud of any man than we have today of Wendell L. Willkie for a fine clean campaign, for high principles put before the people in an honest, unevasive, whole-hearted way. The G. O. P. is proud beyond words of such a standard bearer. Our heartfelt thanks go out to him and the ones who labored so faithfully with him. . ,

” 2 2

TAKES RAP AT POLICE FOR TRAFFIC TOLL

By G. E. R.

Let’s stop our traffic toll, I am glad to see two articles in “What Our Readers Think,” the one written by “Just a Hoosier” and another written by “J. W. T.” From time to time a few readers write in about our traffic problem and our mounting death toll, but we need more people to speak up and express their opinions and dislikes of our traffic system here in Indianapolis. . . . - Yes, where are our traffic law enforcers? They are paid to do a job just as others are paid to do a certain job. If I do not do my job right I will get discharged from

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

work so the same should apply to law enforcement. There are many drivers now drivings the streets of Indianapolis who drive 35 to 55 miles per hour.

tors that travel as fast as 50 miles per hour. How do they get by with t?

Our city officials speak of hiring a traffic expert to tell us what causes our traffic problem here. We don’t need a traffic expert. We need law enforcement and I mean for everyone alike to get penalized for “wrong doings.” For instance take the speed demon type drivers and on the second offense suspend their drivers license for 30 days. That will teach him to drive within the prescribed speed limit quicker than $50 fine would. . Another thing, why can some people park down town and stay in the same spot all day? You think they don’t, well look in front of some of the downtown theaters and see for yourself. Do not take my word for it, and then ask yourself, how come? Oh yes, we have a free and equal country but if you know the right people you sure can get by with more than the average citizen. o EJ ” WE TAKE A BOW FOR OUR CAMPAIGN VIEWS By Claude Braddick I have repeatedly heard it asserted that in the present day of omnipresent radio the press has lost its potency as an influence upon public opinion. This is only a halftruth. A newspaper like the Chicago Tribune, for instance, which is ¢nsistently and sometimes illogically partisan, tends to lose its influeace radio or no radio. Analysis of the elections results in Marion County, however, seems to bear out my contention that a newspaper like The Indianapnlis Times, which has a reputation for fairness and impartiality, still exerts

a significant influence.

Side Glances—By Galbraith -

7.0

8. PAT. OFF.

"And we've waked all day without seeing a thing!"

There are also many trolley opera- lL

AMAZED AT STAGGERING SUM BET ON RACES By A Voter

I read where every betting record in the United States was shattered by New York's recently-closed racing season in which citizens put $103,159,429 into the pari-mutuel machines. Besides, 11,690 people found timé each and every day to go out and watch horses run around in a circle. The average toss-away per person per day was $50. Yet I'll bet there was not lacking some citizens among this throng who could be heard to mutter from time to time: “Things are tough!” ” ” EJ

WPA CHIEF DENIES PADDING OF PAYROLLS

By Howard O Hunter, Acting Commissioner, Works Projects Administration On the eve of the national election, an editorial charging WPA with padding its rolls appears in certain Scripps-Howard papers. The editorial ignored the fact that 700,000 persons are certified by local welfare boards as in need and eligible to WPA jobs, though still on the waiting list despite increased industrial employment. It ignored the fact that WPA employment is more than 540,000 below the winter peak of 1940, and more than 120,000 below the employment during the same week last year, a non-election year. these facts had been made avail-

88 8 SHE HEAPS PRAISE ON MARION COUNTY VOTERS By Myrtle V. Buehl

My electorate and myself, who was the runner-up in the 1938 primary for Center Township Trustee, wish to congratulate the voters of Marion County for their excellent work in this November election. It was within the power of the Commissioners to do the just and right thing in their selection of a new Trustee but they failed in their duty. The voters did not forget and neyer will forget such an injustice and departure from the customary procedure in such cases, Thank you.

: a = 2 HOPES WILLKIE RETAINS HIS INDEPENDENCE

By Observer

As one of those on the losing side in the solemn referendum just ended I say let us close up ranks and get down to the business of facing the great problems facing us. I think it would be a tragic mistake for us to rubber stamp everything the New Deal does for the sake of national unity on all things. The two-party system is of the essence of democracy and if the minority fails to offer criticism on every issue—and that includes foreign policy—it fails in a solemn duty. For that reason I hope Wendell Willkie rejects the overtures of New Deal do-goods and other thoughtless patriots who are urging him to take a high place in Mr. Roosevelt's government,

TO HER By MARY WARD

Always she’s loved her little home And seldom does she stir Beyond its environs and roam In paths less dear to her.

The sparrows and the pigeons talk A language of their own, But, scattering crumbs upon the walk, She understands each tone,

She gleans great knowledge from small things And pledges even more As every day new wisdom brings To her, aged 84.

DAILY THOUGHT

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and wi give you rest.—Matthew. 11:28. F

TO WILL WHAT God doth will,

Lis the only science that gives us rest. —Longfellow,

and national unify that has occurred—at least in

my lifetime. ” EJ ”

THOUGHT that kind of era would come in 1937, but some of Mr. Roosevelt's closest advisers and strongest henchmen were vindictive scalp hunters, They said they had a mandate and started out to keel-haul and purge even their own party. It didn't work so well and maybe with this much smaller majority, there won’t be so much reprisal.

Old Andy Jackson was like that. He thought he had been cheated out of one election and the as-

saults on him had been very hateful and highly per

sonal. It was said that he retired to the Hermitage “after having rewarded all his friends and punished all his enemies.” That may he a great personal satisfaction, but it is just what the country does not need at a time like this, Thomas Jefferson is as great a titulary deity of the Democratic Party. He didn’t do that. In his first inaugural, he even offended his own party by telling

the people that with the election over, they were

all Democrats and Republicans—or the equivalent labels of that day—Republicans and Federalists. Abraham Lincoln didn’t do it either, He appointed to his Cabinet some of the strongest personal oppon= ents in his own newly’ formed and hodge-podge party,

, ” EJ ” NY man who has to fight as has Mr. Roosevelt ‘A is bound to support his friends without too much consideration for his opponents. Everybody expects that.

is exactly what is within Mr. Roosevelt's grasp today. “But the 22,000,000 people who voted for Mr. Willkie, representing the views of almost half the population of a great nation, can’t, like the young army shavetail, “do all the co-operating.” Their opinions must be respected, their good will returned in kind and opportunities given them to serve, at least in nonpolitical capacities. As Woodrow Wilson said, this country can prepare better for defense by the “spontaneous co-opera=-tion of a free people” than by any Kaiserian goose=stepping. The fact that the men for army training are volunteering within Class 1A of the draft without conscription is an excellent sign. I am sure that industry would now accept a voluntary system of prior= ities. Little if any added personalized power in the President is needed just now, at least for national defense. Give this country a few weeks to cool off and it could be stronger and more united under Mr, Roosevelt than it has ever been since 1918,

A Woman's Viewpoint By Mrs. Walter Ferguson

ORE and more often one hears the argument that no person or group of persons has the right to claim military exemption because of a: conscientious objection to the bearing of arms, On the surface this is a reasonable attitude, yet it

All of ||

able to the Scripps-Howard League. :

seems to me to strike at the heart of freedom and Christianity, be~« cause it sets up the theory that all battles are fought with guns, There have been conscientious ob« jectors in every war in history, Some of ‘them settled upon this continent. The great Roger Wil« liams and William Penn are out« standing examples, and surely no one is ready to contend that they were not valuable pioneers, ! Besides, a new phase of warfare is upon us. Daily it's said that the 3 person producing war supplies ig as necessary for national defense as the soldier. The fighting ceases without a constant stream of weapons, clothing and food, which must be manufactured by men who do not bear arms and who, if we were minded, could be charged with unpatriotic intentions, We do not so accuse them because we have sense enough to realize that the life of a Republic depends upon the working together of many different kinds of eople. Pp jp in a Republic there is need for a conscientious objector group just as there is need for fighters, work«

ers, doctors, nurses, preachers and editors. No nation -

like ours dares to let die the spark of divine rebellion against tyranny which furnishes the very fuel fon democracy's flame. é While the ends for which we fight, if fight we must, may be good, we know that war, as a means; is a uni« versal evil. The fact that we are forced to resort ta it does not make it a moral enterprise. And a democracy committed overwhelmingly to the military ideal is a lost democracy. Even England in the midst of her struggle for life permits individual freedom of discussion by all of her people. Shall we do less while we are technically at peace?

Time may prove that the opinions of conscientious objectors helped us to keep our heads and so resist _

the stampede to send our boys to fight in. foreign lands. | At least, they ought not to be so roundly cursed until we have made an open and honorable declaration of war against somebody. Sr

Watching Your Health

By Jane Stafford

PICTURESQUE Hawaiian tradition about coral growing in human tissues is debunked in a re= port to the American Medical Association. According to the tradition, people bathing in waters such as those surrounding Hawaii, where coral is prevalent, get some of the coral in their ears and the coral goes on growing there. The tradition lacks foundation in fact, reports Dr. Nils P. Larsen, medical director of the Queen’s Hospital, Honolulu. During his 18 years at the hospital, he states, more than 300 post-mortem examinations have been made without

revealing any evidence of coral growing in human

bodies. Considering the extreme differences of body processes, growth and type of animal between coral and man, Dr, Larsen points out, it is about as reasonable to suppose coral can grow on human bodies as that dandelions could be grafted on apple trees. The reason for the superstition, Dr. Larsen believes, comes from the natives not understanding

what goes on in the bone disease, osteomyelitis. In ‘

this condition, which is an inflammation of the bone

or both, pieces of dead bone become separated from

the sound bone and appear in the wound, These of dead bone are called sequestrums. “Since nearly all patients here with osteomyelitis,” Dr. Larsen stated, “usually get their cuts in connection

pieces

with the sea, and since in every part of the sea there

Is coral, when they saw an irregular piece of bone escape from a wound and the leg was greatly swollen,

it would be easy to think that it was actually coral

growing in the wound.”

What is now needed is good will and mutual confidence among ail Americans, and that :

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