Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 January 1942 — Page 8

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Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way

SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 1042

CHURCHILL'S FATE : “JF Singapore falls Churchill will fall with it, and the political repercussions will be cataclysmic.” This prophecy from the Australian press is typical of what many are saying in the dominions and England. One London newspaper blames “a pack of whiskyswilling planters and military birds of passage” for the “great tragedy of Malaya.” Another demands quick expulsion of “cabinet duds” and “Singapore blimps.” Still another warns that Commons will accept no “cheerio promises” from Churchill, and in a parody of his famous phrase it laments that “so much could have been saved'by so little.” : This reaction against British “incompetence and complacency” in the Far East is understandable. It can be constructively useful in forcing reforms, if held within reasonable bounds. But it can easily make matters worse, if it reaches the hysterical heights of making Churchill the scapegoat for the dry rot which has afflicted British services in the East so deeply and so long.

”

WHO KILLED COCK ROBIN!

ULTON LEWIS JR. in concluding a news broadeast the other night, said the little farm-price tiff between Secretary Wickard and Leon Henderson was nothing at all “compared with some of the intrigue and dueling and stiletto work that’s going on” in Washington. There's one Cabinet member, he said, “who is jealous and dissatisfied because he and his department are not in the limelight as much as he would like, and he has embarked on a regular campaign . . . feeding out personal poison . . . trying to discredit some of his fellow Cabinet officers who are in the limelight. “This Cabinet member has called gossip columnists to his office, and has voluntarily given them untrue stories about at least two leading members of the Cabinet—stories that those Cabinet officers have been derelict in their duty, that thev've fallen down on their jobs. . “One of the targets was Secretary of State Hull, the other target was Secretary of Commerce Jesse Jones. And those stories . . . found their way into public print all over the nation, which hardly could be considered a contribution to unity and co-operation, in the President’s own official family. . . . Incidentally . . . it may be necessary sooner! or later to mention the name of the Cabinet officer who is peddling this scandal to the press.” Come on, Fulton; quit holding us in suspemse. Name the rumor monger. “30h, you want us to guess? Give us one more hint. Could it be the Secretary of the ——— who only last summer made so many headlines about an oil shortage which wasn’t a shortage—a man whose name sounds like, and sometimes reminds you of, a word spelled “i-t-c-h-e-s”? ; We'd been wondering what had happened to him.

WAITING FOR ORDERS

O far as it can be done by words, President Roosevelt has now delegated to Donald M. Nelson complete authority to boss the war production program. : The executive order establishing the new war production noard gives Mr. Nelson more power than any Cabinet member—more power than all the Cabinet members put together—more power than any individual in the Government except the President himself. That’s what the country wanted Mr. Nelson to have. There is, of course, a kind of authority that can’t be delegated by an executive order. It can come only as the President demonstrates his confidence in Mr. Nelson by supporting him against any and all attempts to undercut or override him. Such attempts may be expected. Washington, these days, is like that. But obviously the President has full confidence in the man he has picked for almost super-human responsibility. Otherwise, he wouldn't have picked him. And, if Mr. Nelson measures up to that responsibility, the President must support him or be himself responsible for the failure of his latest reorganization of the production

machine. 2 = = = = »

WERE glad to see William S. Knudsen given the three stars of a lieutenant general and placed in entire charge of getting made all the munitions the War Department needs. No one is better fitted for such an assignment, ‘and his new title is most appropriate. He's proved himself a “good soldier,” carrying on at OPM with divided authority, obeying orders loyally and taking a lot of undeserved punishment with never a word of complaint. It’s no discredit to Mr. Knudsen to say that far greater accomplishments are expected from Mr. Nelson. It’s just that, where the director general of OPM had to ask for co-operation the chairman of the War Production Board is empowered to issue orders. The American people are waiting for those orders, Mr. Nelson. Tell us how to help you do your job.

PRIVATE BARROW

NOTHING in the professional career of Joseph Louis Barrow, amazing though it was, became him like the leaving of it. Joe Louis has been a fair, clean fighter in the ring, and a decent, self-respecting citizen outside it. Not only those of his race, but all Americans, have reason to be proud of his conduct, a pride heightened by his climaxing of an un-

‘paralleled championship career by giving his entire share |

of the proceeds of his last fight to Navy relief and then enlisting as a private in the Army. He has set an example to Americans of his race, and to all Americans. Weé wish him as good luck in his new career as Private * &

Fair Enough By Westbrook Pegler

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.—My friends at the Treasury, where

they keep the deficit and the veri- | table TOU’s from the other war, |

including some in denominations of 20 millions autographed in Mussolini's bold Italian hand, have been asking me to ease the information to about seven million of my fellow-citizens who never have paid an income tax or filed a return that this is the year their woes begin. On March 15, all these new members of the lodge of sorrow must drop their contributions on the drum, accompanied by their sworn statements that all representations and figures contained therein are, to their best knowledge and. belief, true, correct and complete, so help them God, or God help them, because one false move and the hounds of Elmer Irey of the Intelligence Unit will be on them like a chickén on a June-bug and the grim, gray walls of Alcatraz will close them away from their dear ones, even as Al Capone.

A No Feolin' Proposition

WELL, PERHAPS that is putting a too somber face on the matter, because, ordinarily, they don’t mess with the Woolworth trade to the extent of criminal prosecutions. But this is, nevertheless, a no-fooling income tax and it goes for al} single-handed earners with no dependents who collect as much as $750 a year, which is a weekly average of about $1450, and all married persons with no dependents earning as much as $1500 a year. . Up to now, the income-tax amendment has been a piece of class legislation, but those days are gone forever. The income tax is now one of our most democratic institutions and its importance as a producer of revenue will rise as wages rise. This will call for systematic saving through the fiscal year in anticipation of March 15 and I cannot forbear to suggest that many citizens who have been paying as much as a 10th of their gross earnings to union racketeers for the privilege of living will now realize that old Sam, their loving uncle, is much less greedy.

Uncle Has Been Lenient

A PICCOLO PLAYER, single and without dependents, earning $800 a year, will pay Sam only $8. toward a war to make the world safe for piccolo players, whereas he has beene paying the racket 3 per cent of his gross, or $24, toward a fake unemployment benefit alone and as much again for the right not to be conked on the skull with a sawed-off pool cue for less majesty to some greasy thief. The carpenter, building the barracks for the troops, is going to realize that the boards he spoils and the nails that he flings around so wastefully are not just “the gov'ments” but his lumber and nails and he isn't going to feel so indifferent either about commissions of $5000 or $50,000 paid to grafters posing as lawyers who act as lobbyists in Washington to get orders for contractors who add that loot to their bids. That graft will come out of the carpenter's hide and he will be just as alert to cases in which Communists or fellow-travelers are salted away in bureau jobs in Washington at $4000 or $6000 a year in the guise of “research secretaries” and “information specialists.” If he gets as much as $80 a week and is single with no dependents he will be paying about $350 to old Sam and, if married, without dependents other than his devoted, if sometimes captious War Department, he will have to sweeten the pot to the extent of $249. He is going to want that money spent for Jap-killing and never mind the deserving ideologists.

This and That

Peter. Edson

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.—It cost 65 million dollars just to collect Federal taxes in 1941. . . . This figures at 89 cents per $100 collected, as compared with $2.12 per $100 in 1940. . . . The 67 playing card manufacturers make about 50 million packs of cards a year. . . . Cigaret tax collections rose 83 .nillion in 1941 to a total of 616 million. . . . Cigaret tax rate is $3.25 per thousand, so do your own figuring as to how many cigarets were smoked. . . . Tax collections on marihuana were $6000 for the year. . . . Production of oleomargarine was nearly 345 million pounds. . . . Liquor taxes run to 820 million a year. . . . More than 800 investigations were made of alleged evasion of Federal taxes, resulting in 239 prosecutions, 192 trials and 156 convictions which resulted in collection of 33 million additional. . . . Charges were made by taxpayers against 67 employees of the Bureau of Internal Revenue, resulting in 44 of them being fired.

Wood Containers Coming Back

WOOD will replace paper and burlap as principal material for food and farm products containers. . . . Occupants of U. S. housing projects are said to have only one-fifteenth the household accidents experienced by other gitizens. . . . Price controls may be set on oil of peppermfht, which has risen from $3.50 to $7.50 per pound in a month. . . . One out of every six CCC enrollees leaves the corps before completing service to take a job in private industry. . . . Farmers are being urged to market more skim milk for casein production of paper coating, plastics, paints, glue, insecticides, paints, pharmaceuticals, textiles and felt hats. . . dried skim milk for Great Britain's food supply. . . . Of the total national public debt, the Federal share is 71 per cent, the state share 5 per cent, local government share 24 per cent. . . . Life insurance sales were up 21 per cent in November, 1941, over a year ago.

Editor’s Note: The views expressed by columnists in this newspaper are their own. They are mot necessarily those of The Indianapolis Times.

So They Say—

THE WAR will cause Americans to lose their unjustified overrated self-esteem and will instil in them a new and more realistic sense of values.—Dr. Robert N. McMurray, professor of psychology.

* * *

THERE will be no apologies from the shipbuilding industry, and no slackers.—Capt. Howard L. Vickery, U. S. Maritime Commission.

BY PAYING more attention to the homey things we can avoid waste . . , and thus allow more of our production to be devoted to the war effort.—Mrs. Irwin Bussing, Brooklyn Civilian Defense.

* * *

With predatory forces threatening the source of our rubber supply, the immediate prospect may not seem too bright, but it certainly cannot be said that America is without at least a partial solution—P. W. Litchfield, chairman, Goodyear Rubber Co.

‘he has had in his long career as Joe Louis, | h I ni po 3 » + Xi iE

. To say nothing of increased production of |

SATURDAY, JAN. 17, 142

_ THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Our Own Little Dumbo!

Sn evan VY Sane

StS SSG asa St lone

ar ren eh SB GATT RIA re nt

The Hoosier Forum

{I wholly

defend to the death your right to say it.—Voltaire.

disagree with what you say, but will

“HITLER'S FIRST ACT WAS TO DESTROY UNIONS” By William Tayler, Morgantown Mr. Meitzler, I wonder if you are unknowingly preaching the first lesson as practiced by Hitler. His first act was to destroy labor unions, thereby making the workers slaves to do his murdering by creating his war machines.

*The Wagner Act created nothing. It did protect those workers who had been deprived of the right of organization by millions of bosses. You are grossly ignorant of bosses’ tricks or else you lie. I have seen many good workers fired because they hinted of the need for a union within hearing of a company stool pigeon. Among those tricks were company stooges whose jobs were to stir up political, religious and racial hatred. These discharged workers were then blackballed by the manufacturers’ association. The Wagner Act merely protected the workers from this abuse, although many are fired for union activity every day, under a disguise of a trumped up charge. Shortly after the act was passed, plant managers demanded an election before the workers had a chance to organize. Company unions were set up under the name, “bargaining council.” These company unions were designed to deprive the workers of any chance of an increase in pay. The subject of pay or piece work rates and time study was barred from the agenda. The only voice heard was safety improvement in favor of the company, but nothing was allowed in favor of the worker. If a dispute arose, no eutside representative could be called in because the “culprit was promptly fired.” Meetings of the workers were not allowed. The amusing part is, the workers were forced to become organized to protect themselves from the tricks the company invented and employed. Don’t forget, that even a rain crow is forced in if the storm is severe. You enjoy taking a slap at the strikers for picketing. I know of no strike since the sneak on Pearl Harbor, from the side of labor. Thousands of companies are on a

a process of “softening” up America, as they did France and their many other victims! The pitiful stories about Germany sending “little boys” into the Russian front—half clad, to freeze and perish—is too ridiculous to receive the attention of any one except German sympathizers and the proverbial “long-coated-reformers” who are now beginning to talk “a noble peace,” “a lasting peace without any vengeance” and “giving the losers a chance” to obtain “their share of raw materials”—at our expense, of course! Unless we lay aside all egotism, and face the grim, stern realities— then we are very apt to lose the We are now at war. The im-|war, and “win the peace”’—of Hitmediate job is production. It is of |]er! little importance to harp on the 8. 8 =n Wagner law. Labor has a job to do.| wANTS JUNKED CARS PUT

Why not turn to constructive unity ENS to win, so that we may argue out TO WORK FOR DEF B By R. T. Hodge, Acton

our differences after the war is Just a suggestion—on our drive

won. Dig management (those refusing defense work) and labor now, [tq victory and our tin steel shortage. Why not pull in all those di-

as always in past wars, will come through with flying colors. ar 2 lapidated cars one sees sitting “AMERICAN PEOPLE around in junk yards and garages. There surely is some material fit ARE VERY GULLIBLE” to salvage and put to work. Hundreds of these antiques can be seen

By Harvey N. Miller, Columbus just sinking deeper and deeper

"The American people are a very gullible people, which fact every into the ground all over the city and suburbs. ’

student of psychology is aware of— 8 8 »

but few, if any, have the courage to ‘A DISGRACEFUL RECORD;

come right out and say so! Germany has been playing up this : y playing up tals | br SAYS OF DIVORCES By D. Fields, 1327 Broadway

shortcoming in our people—hence our present state of unpreparedness While glancing over last night's paper, I noticed this headline “3433

—and Japan is a very adept pupil couples file for divorce in Marion

of Germany. We are, apparently, being filled County in 1941.” A disgraceful record.

full of “bunk” as to the successes of the Russian Army, as today, regardless of reports, the Germans are Our homes are the real foundation of our nation. If we are to win in this war we must have God

still within 67 miles of Moscow! The dissention among the German on our side. All the airplanes, tanks and ships will be used in vain if

officers and Hitler, the illy clad conGod is not with us. And the above

dition of the troops, the lack of divorce record doesn’t seem to indi-

equipment—which, strange as it may seem, is being released out of cate that God has been worshipped in our homes.

a strict censorship by Germany, As long as a supposed-to-be

(Times readers are invited their these columns, religious con: Make

your letters short, so all can

to express views in

excluded.

troversies

have a chance. Letters must

be .igned.)

sit-down strike, yet you haven't uttered a peep. Auto plants shut down when they should be producing equipment for the armed forces: You laughed at the Reuther airplane plan, but I hope Government officials have seriously adopted it at last, although it should have been a year ago.

herself, and is being put out for a Christian populace allows demoral-

Side Glances=By Galbraith

reason! Germany is today entering upon izing taverns and houses of prostitution to exist in our midst we can expect Almighty God’s punishment instead of his blessing.

® = = ABANDON PHILIPPINES, HELP RUSSIA, IS PLEA

By J. P. Glendy, Scottsburg ‘Are we going to make the Philippines the seat of war to fight out this World War? Why not let the Japs have them and transfer what fighting strength we have to Russia to help clean up on Hitler and use the rest of our resources to run them out of the Western Hemisphere and send enough ships and planes to blast them off of the South Pacific Islands?

PAIN Pain is a beckoning hand,

A voice that seems to say, “This way!”

Pain is an opening window, Wide wings that stretch to fly; Beyond, the sky! v

Pain is a light too riear, Blinded, I grope along— To song! « —Leonora Speyer.

DAILY THOUGHT If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.— Mark 3:25.

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PRIN 2

Gen. Johnson Says—

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.—~The announcement of Donald Nelson's new job and appointment was merely a White House statement of intent. (The necessary executive order had not appeared when this was written.) In this stave of affairs it is impossible to make a dependable analysis of what has been done or what will happen. For this reason particular comment must be withheld until these uncertainties are clear. The one big and inescapable point is that at last, as it now seems, authority and responsibility for our war production is lodged in a single pair of hands. We are told by some commentators “at last we have a Beaverbrook” and that our production plan for overhead control will take its lessons from the “British scheme.” 5 : As a matter eof fact, the “British scheme” is merely a copy of the American scheme of 1918. But skip that. There is no doubt that, however the details of its application may later appear, one man authority was an absolutely necessary step and the President has taken it with boldness and courage.

Victory for the New Dealers

ONE REASON for most of our delay and crosspurpose in war-productien was the bitter off-stage fight between the old New Dealers and almost any new-comers to Washington as to who should manage the industrial effort. The New Dealers didn’t want the fingers of any Army, Navy or businessmen in that pie. It is true that Mr. Nelson as a salaried employee of Sears, Roebuck & Co. was in business. But he has almost no record as a great industrial organizer and administrator capable of tackling the biggest industrial job of organization and administration that we have ever seen. : His appointment is largely due to the influence of Harry Hopkins and is perfectly acceptable to the most radical of New Dealers. If one can talk of “victory” in such a self-seeking interior government struggle at such a crisis as ours, this is a “victory” for the New Dealers, :

The Real Test Lies Ahead

LET'S skip that, too. The real test is ahead of us and it depends on how Mr. Nelson does his job. He ought to do it well. He has been in the maelstrom of war-Washington and depression-Washington long enough to understand the conflicting forces that must be composed. 1 believed that when SPAB was set up with Henry Wallace at its head and Mr. Nelson as its working executive, the job would soon be on its way. And so it would if Mr. Nelson had displayed the initiative, understanding and zeal of Leon Henderson, and, regardless of legalistic quirks, proceeded to do the job. That may not be a fair criticism because I don’t know - all the interior stresses, strains and politics that may have restrained him. All I know is that we haven't got much time for many more fumbling experiments. This decision has been made. There is nothing left to debate and little to do except to wish: Mr. Nelson the best of luck, to support him wherever possible and to hope that now, at last, all may be well.

A Woman's Viewpoint By Mrs. Walter Ferguson

LETTERS TO THIS column from club women show increasing confusion about future organization plans. Here is a typical report from a higher-up in a large national organization: “Frankly, Mrs. Ferguson, I'm sick of our pet wgrds. ‘Co-opera-tion, for instance. We hear it everywhere — but what does it mean? Our club president talks constantly about ‘National Defense’ and ‘co-operation’ and ‘all out efforts,’ but except for piddling little things we seem to do nothing. “I'm very much afraid that clubs, as clubs, can do nothing, except perhaps pep up the individual member to an awareness of her duty as an individual Probably . you've guessed it, but, to be plain, I am fearful that organization machinery will haraper rather than nelp war work. : “It seems to me that many club leaders look only at the surface changes which are bound to occur. But how about the fundamental alterations in life we shall have to meet? Isn't it time our clubs grew up or disbanded?”

There's Work to Do

WELL, LADY, I'm all in favor of them growing up. But, before we decide anything, let's be still for a while and try to think things out. ' There are many accusations in the air. Some are justified, but exactly what do we mean when we say we will abandon peace-time activity and put all our efforts into war emergency? : "In my opinion, it will bear close examination and much criticism, for it seems to me that part of the real work of the war emergency must include many peace-time projects. : . We could well dispense with our self-cultural programs, which would cause many groups:to fold. On the other hand, it doesn’t make sense to say we should stop our efforts to feed and guide the children, or to promote beauty in any of its forms, Even while we. fight to protect them, we can’t afford to neglect freedom and civil liberty and education and religion and common decency at home. To disband all clubs would be a major catastrophe, although it might be wise and economical to pool many of them. And, from now on, we shall certainly need club leaders with better vision than some of the old ones have had.

Questions and Answers

(The Indianapolis Times Service Bureau will snswer suny question of fact or information. not involving extensive research. Write vour question clearly. sign name and address, inclose a three-cent postage stamp. Medical or legal advice cannot be given. Address The Times Washington Service Bureau. 1018 Thirteenth St.. Washington. D. C.) :

Q—To what extent has production of non-defense goods been curtailed in Great Britain? A—The British are concentrating the production of many consumer goods in a reduced number of factories working fuil time. Affected are some four or five score industries including textiles, hosiery, boots, shoes, lace, carpets, apparel, pottery, metal furniture, domestic hollow ware, glass and glassware, musical instruments, cosmetics, toilet preparations, cameras, toys, sports goods and domestic electric appliances. Q-How many British seamen were lost in the battle when the Bismarck was sunk? . 4 ~ A=The British Admiralty announced 25 killed and 13 wounded, in addition to the 1300 or more who wen down with the battle cruiser Hood. “IR Q—From what poem is the line, “How still this quiet cornfield is tonight”? A—TIt is the opening line of John Masefield’s poem entitled “August, 1914.”

Q—How many 5-cent pieces were minted by the

United States in 1940? fi ting A—The number wds 380,720,158, amounting to