Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 September 1942 — Page 18

1e Indianapolis Times|

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 1042 :

THE MERIT ISSUE ITi is highly regrettable that so able an executive as Governor Schricker should have misunderstood the import of the letter made public 48 hours ago by Rowland Allen, member of the state personnel board. :* Mr. Allen performed a public service. He bronght into the open the situation which every politician in the state has known for some time—the fact that: those in charge of administering the merit system law have had only opposition from political sources. Mr. Allen assessed no blame at the governor's door. Indeed, on the contrary, he spoke in terms so complimentary that they could hardly be misunderstood. He drew the issue : clearly, ‘told the governor bluntly that there are political forces bent on destroying Indiana’s fledgling merit system law. He appealed only for the governor s support in saving

. that law.

” » » » #e 8B BUT Governor Schricker somehow misinterpreted that ap- “= peal. He has taken the position that it was a slur at his administration. He has refused to take a point-blank position either for or against the merit law, He has called for a public meeting for a full airing—a public meeting which can only aggravate open wounds and jure a wellmeaning governor. ~The issue is very plain. Nobody i is contending that the merit law is a perfect law, or that the administration has ‘been perfect. Even if it were a poor merit law, it would still be conceded by fair-minded persons that it is a long step forward, a step away from the iniquitous political plum system. The job at hand is to save the law, to improve it, to improve the administration of it, and to step up standards and the quality of personnel constantly. The Allen definition of merit is worth reading and re-reading. Here it is:

“Merit is the public insistence, through its legislative acts, that the right man be selected for the right job and so trained and supervised that he has the power to grow on that job and to find within the framework of state service the promotions and transfers according to his capacities—and having given a "lifetime of service can look forward to retirement with dignity and satisfaction in having served his state and his fellow: citizens with honor and trusi.” #» » » » # 8 HO can take issue with that statement? It sums up the aspirations and hopes of every friend of merit in adions + All that has been asked—and is being asked—is that the governor, as chief ‘executive of Indiana, once and for all place his stamp of approval on the principle of merit employment in the state government, that he take his stand against those little politicians who would use the state’ s machinery for the parcelling out of little jobs, Everyone who knows Henry Schricker believes him to be for that principle of merit. You are for it, aren’t you, governor?

THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS TO YOUTH PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S reaffirmation yesterday of the four freedoms was all the more effective because he promised no short and easy road to those ideals. Speaking for the assembly of the International Student service in Washington, but to a larger world radio audience including a half million American overseas troops, his accent was on youth. A less courageous leader would have ‘been tempted to pledge a quicker reward for the sacrifices the young generation is making now. But yesterday the president warned that— “The better world for which you fight—and for which some of you give your lives—will not come merely because we shall have won the war. It will not come merely because we wish very hard that it come. It will be made possible only by bold vision, intelligent planning and hard

work. It cannot be brought about overnight; but only by

years of effort and perseverance and unfaltering faith. . After victory youth cannot build the perfect society, but that they can'learn from our mistakes to build a much freer civilization is our firm faith. That is what we hope

to get out of this war—a fairer chance for youth. All the |

suffering is not top much to pay for that.

THE ESSENCE OF A FREE AMERICA r HE newspapers of this community yesterday carried the I information that DeWitt S. Morgan, superintendent: of $he public schools, had issued to all his teachers and prinals a “Primer for Unity of Emphasis in Interpreting Our American Way,” ° ~ This program of our schools system is a far-reaching , Mr. Morgan wants to build democracy from the roots up. He wants to place the whole schools system under a gohesive and co-ordinated program of citizenship education. * A small group of Indianapolis men were privileged to » a “preview” of Mr. Morgan's pamphlet a week ago. They listened intently as the superintendent read—as he ke and repeated: “There must be maintained an open ad for merit of whatever kind it be.”

At the conclusion, these men, business leaders, vankers,

ors, lawyers, all urged the school head to see that every ent in the city received one, as well as his teachers. “I must say,” said Hugh McK Landon, “that I feel that Indianapolis has a schools superintendent of such sion and prguiple: Amen.

_ GREAT CAESAR! | ESTER, N. Y., has canceled its annual date ‘with e Boston Symphony orchestra for fear of reprisals es Caesar Petrillo, president of the American

Price of Marion Coun~ |

By Westbrook Pegler

- NEW YORK, Sept. 4.—It seemed |

that President Roosevelt was just filling-in when, in his dedication . speech at the new navy medical . center in Bethesda, he remarked that 40,000 Americans were killed in automobile accidents last year.

For one-third of the.nation, more |

. or less, those days aré gone’ for the duration at least and, for the rest, ib is likely that after election

“the restrictions intended to save |

| FORECAST

rubber or the transportation of gasoline will reduce | -

the slaughter to the minimum. The time for genuine alarm over the killings is gone, or going fast, and regret a: who bears the greatest individual load of work and responsibility in all the world. But the president then proceeded to the toll of 10,000 killed in industrial accidents and more ‘than two million injured and said that among that vast

number killed and injured last.year were many

men and women who: could have helped to build planes, tanks; ships and guns or could have served in civilian defense or. other ‘essential serviess.

"Now We Get the Idea”

“AS ‘A RESULT of industrial accidents alone,” he said. “Quite apart from those which were fatal, the time lost last year reached the almost incredible total of 42 million man-days.” Now we begin to get the idea. Last winter Mrs. Roosevelt expressed the same thought and it had been put forth before by way of an offset to the loss of time through strikes, stalling and whistle-jumping in the war effort. We do not have an honest estimate of the number

of man-days lost this way, nor will we ever have one. |

There are several reasons why we can't have the truth and one of them is political. A government which calls itself a “labor administration” cannot be expected to deal frankly with the loss of man-days due to the actions of its politcal wards, That is one reason. > : Another is that the slow-down and. the practice of whistle-jumping are not measurablé in terms. of time lost. A third is that when one group of workers engaged in one operation knock off a certain time

in a dispute over jurisdiction, recognition or union |:

maintenance, the stoppage in their department eventually slows down or stops work in other departments or other plants:far away, a loss which then may be. charged to lack of materials,

"A Picket Line Stops Everything"

MOREOVER, THE LOSS of individual man-days by injured workers does not mean stoppage. One man or two or three fall out of line because of injuries, but others move up and the work goes on. The plant doesn’t close and schedules are met, except in case of explosion or bad fire which wrecks the shop itself. But a picket line stops everything at the scene of the ‘dispute and the loss widens out afterward. Industrial accidents are mostly unavoidable. Some certainly are due to carelessness and greed on the part of the management and others are chargeable to carelessness or cynicism on the part of individual workers themselves. But only saboteurs deliberately cause injuries to workers and we may presume that we have means of dealing with saboteurs. On the other hand, the strike is a deliberate and, nowadays, an unnecessary and ‘inexcusable in-

‘terruption of work in war tasks. In each case some

individual or small committee has the top responsibility for saying that a’ certain number of men and women shall quit work and that nobody else, however willing to work, shall be allowed to keep the war tools coming off the line.

" ... Then Only to Be Minimized" THE UNIONS HAVE been given elaborate protec-

“tion by the government's agencies which are sympa=

thetic /with them. And, at best, impartial toward the employers, any just grievance will be decided in the workers’ favor, often retroactively, and they are supposed to be adult and patriotic groups and able to settle jurisdictional scraps among themselves without loss of time or production. © .But they do pull. jurisdictional strikes deliberately

‘and nobody ever is punished tor that. In fact, one

leader of the great North American Aviation strike was eventually . given another job of trust by his union on the ground that he deserved a break. At any rate, although some percentage of timeloss due to accidents may be preventable, all loss due to strikes of all kinds is caused by deliberate decision of men who could be held responsible, but never are, and this phase is seldom acknowledged at all by the government and then only to be minimized.

The Inflation Peril By S. Burton Heath"

~

CLEVELAND, Sept. 4—Is Inflation inevitable? Undoubtedly. Since we have it already, it would seem much too late, to avoid having it. The daily index of spot market prices, compiled by ‘the bureau of labor statistics for the first week dn August, was up 67 per cent— two-thirds — above the August, 1939, level. The cost of living for July, as computed by the national industrial conference board, was up almost 10 per cent above July of 1941. The price of manufactured goods, reported by the Alexander Hamilton Institute, last March already was up 24 per cent above August of 1939. All of that, and much more of similar purport, denotes inflation. just like the rising mercury in a thermometer indicates warmth. But as yet inflation has not become distressing. There are those who make a convincing argument that much of the inflation thus far is not damaging, provided the brakes are put on promptly. ° As a result of the depression, prices had fallen so low that the administration deliberately devalued money, in an effort to force inflation. * Temporarily the effect was small. Now the war has accomplished just about what Washington tried to do.

Poor Suffer More Than Wealthy

MOREOVER, REALISTIC economists argue that |

in time of war some measure of inflation is inevitable,

and that we should worry only if inflation gets out |

from under confrol anl begins to feed upon itself. . It is not’ the fact that some inflation could not

be avoided, or even the .fact that considerable ins | flation has: taken place, that should trouble us now.’

The danger, if effective permanent measures are not taken soon enough, is that inflation will go in a spiral until our economy is upset.

° Not only the industrial and commercial economy.

The menace is equally to the household and personal esonomies of every family. : If such a thing happens, the poor will suffer more than the wealthy. In inflation, wages always lag

behind prices, and the closer & family comes to a |] _hand-to-mouth existence, the less it can afford to

have prices always going up faster than in ‘Also, the poorer a family, the closer it must

its savings against emergencies, and the Ju Spun | * arrivi that,

hit when th emergenci

is hardly: worth the effort and time of 8 |

*STR| ES.

| meariess. in pays |

' go mpoR"” A «NAR

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DES THAT 0 MEAN NO MORE .

| could be made, but a supposedly secret meeting

~The Hoosier Forum

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

“THERE ARE SOME MORE HORSE-AND-BUGGY BRIDGES” By a Reader, Indianapolis

Congratulations: on that scrap drive story. For another punch there’s a heavy steel interurban bridge at College ave. and the canal Just below the Legion headquarters that doesn’t even carry pipes or wires. And another ‘horse-and-buggy” bridge over White river just above the new concrete, road: 31, bridge. » ” ”

“U. §. MUST CONTINUE TO" STAND AS BEACON LIGHT”

By John F. White, member, Indiana Committee for Victory, 2502 Park Ave The dominan} question now is: Why should the United States and the United Nations win this war?

The tragic events incident to the present world war, finally reaching the climax of a declaration of. war against the United States of America by -the axis powers, compelled this nation to enter the war to preserve its national integrity, its unity, and the democratic institutions that have been built up to maintain the individual and collective freedom of its people. In this deadly war emergency the

ally of all the other nations of the world that are fighting to prevent their subjugation by the totalitarian powers of Europe and the war lords of Asia. This alliance of the United Nations not only demands the fullest co-operation in the development of their war powers to win a victory, but it is equally vital that these efforts shall not be poisoned

‘land success endangered by baseless

suspicions, petty or destructive

J eriticisms, nor unwarranted fears of

the ideologies of our allies. To lose this war would be a world calamity, in the loss of civil liberty and: national integrity, in which the

:| United States would suffer a deg-

radation and ‘a humiliation unknown in all its national history. To avoid: these disastrous consequences calls for a national unity that knows no distinctions—political, creed, class or race—with the

United’ States becomes the natural

(Times readers are invited

to express their views in these columns, religious conMake

your letters short, so all can

troversies excluded.

have a chance. be signed.)

“Letters must

first purpose of beating down brutal world aggression. to a final con-

‘Iclusion, and to enable this nation

to preserve and perpetuate our democratic institutions of freedom; to maintain the right and the power to further improve these institutions, as free citizens, in promoting justice and amiability in human relations. In maintaining this right there should be no purpose of coercion in dominating the domestic affairs of other nations, nor to interfere with the right to organize their own national governments in harmony with such national purposes that do not conflict with .the rights nor endanger the safety of the other nations. It is thus that the nation of the {United States shall continue to stand as a beacon light to all the people of the world, guiding them to a safe anchorage in the calm waters of a just and an enduring peace, but still wisely preserving the

nations, to prevent, ruthless invasions or aggressions against free institu-

tions and the peace of the world.

: ’ 8 » » “THANKFUL THAT HIS WAILS ARE A MINORITY , . ™ By K. L. Martin, 1722 Lockwood st. Not old enoligh, no, not old enough to appreciate the freedom and security that he has lived in up to his ripe old teen age. Now that his way of Mex is threatened with a change, he sobs, “Not old enough.” We are all thankful that his

wails are a minority. The youth of America has enriched the pages of

our history with brave deeds and

Side Glances—By Galbraith

EE AAA ESS ge

power, for itself and.other peaceful|.

sacrifice. Today they answer America’s call so that the change in their way of living (and his), shall not be much worse ‘or permanent.. Should America’s enemies triumph, could he cry to the conquering “fellowmen” that he was not old enough to fight against, “Don’t shoot me, don’t make me labor in slavery, I'm not old enough.”

By BR. E. West, 1346 8. Harding st. In reply to Not Old Enough’s few words, which were a few too many. The United States has been run by older men since 1492 and has always| held its own, I know of no law which prohibits minors from owning property. ‘And as for voting, even at 21 years of age, the first vote is'a guess job unless coached by an | older person. Last but not least, your insinuation that youth could, and should, rebel against army, navy or marine service, is a direct insult to all American people. If you are not satisfied in this U. 8. A, get out. The FBI and W. Winchell will get you if you don’t watch out. : * » =» : “LET'S GATHER EVERY SINGLE OUNCE OF SCRAP” By E. J. Conger, Crawfordsville

This is to propose organization in

every Indiana community for the

purpose of gathering and forwarding to the government of the United |

‘| States every pound of scrap ma-

terial that is right now so vitally needed in our war effort; such gath-

ering and forwarding to be done lo-

cally and voluntarily and without cost for the gathering to the government. Indiana can be the first state. to make a fine-tooth combing in this direction, for it seems that the, whole country is waiting for a start in this direction.

There is not a home or a farm in our patriotic state that cannot

vlcontribute many pounds of iron,

steel and other means for making war material. Right now Uncle Sam’s effort to win this war is being slowed down because he hasn't got this same junk. Many have contributed, but in other cases many do not know that there are tons of it In sheds or even in fence corners —perhaps enough on each premise or on each farm to make arms and ammunition tfo.save the lives of American soldiers! It is entirely practicable to divide

age precludes them from active participation in combat, and they, with

{no cost to the government, can de-

oie SEMISEINES Jn Sane in ad)

the proposed firings of WPB. industry x for inefliciency. “Heads are going to Toll!” i son seriously. = “We might,” said the assistant, “make the slogan ‘Keep ‘em Rolling.” : Unica’ Donal’ threw ick his, head nd roared.

| Spy. Story . Unmasked

THE FULL STORY has never been told on the government was never able to get a full’ Jessi or statement out of Theodore Wozniak, ‘the ho is. supposed to have started the fire at dies Cy aol poundry Pint. in Kingsland, ‘N.' J., Jan. 11, 1917, setting off. an explosion thet, with the Black Tom disaster, was supposed ta be the most effective job of sabotage in the last war, Now ‘that Wozniak is again in custody, the story is out. is ‘Wazniak dropped out of sight after the fire and was not located until 1930 when the mixed cominission was conducting its investigation into Al disaster. Then Woziiak appeared and offered to mi

E

his information.

Not knowing what his information was, no !

arranged between Wozniak and a member of commission. Wozniak “specified that no one should be present and that there should. be no graphics record. Just the same. a couple of

| raphers were stationed in an adjoining room to

down the statement. Half ‘way through the statement, one of the s raphers sneezed. Wozniak bolted from the door disappeared. By the time he was next located, on statute of limitations had run out and he was saved from prosecution. But the department of justice has him in custody now, just for safe keeping, oe

C. 1. O. Goes Plushy Gogh

C. I. O. HAS moved into new heada in Washington, having joined the ranks of the owners by p a modern five-story building on Lafayette Square, just half a block from ‘the entrance to the White House. Big laugh in Washington is that C. I. 0s new next-door neighbor is the ultra-conservative Brookings institution, where research men write theses and monographs to prove that ‘wages are too high og the union shop is a crime, But that’s only the start of it. C. I O. occupies only the three top floors. As landlord, it rents the two bottom floors: to the former building owner, » bank. ;

Next Campiigh Coming Up— -

NEXT WAR campaign to be launched among the civilian population will be a two-weeks' drive to get residences, apartment houses and dwellings of all kinds inspected and registered as “V-homes.” This will be an office of civilian defense campaign, : ing Sept. 18. 8 By Oct. 1, itis hoped that OCD volunteer workers can visit every home in every sector and zone of the coastal defense areas checking up on black-out provisions, sand buckets, water pumps for use incendiary bombs, sean. attics and general + fire I vention. ey

Af Woman S Viewpoint

By Mrs. Walter Ferguson

ALL OF A SUDDEN the worke ing wife becomes a national ase .set, Not three years ago she was "a curse to. both husband and country-remember ?

_ Newspapers were filled with letters from angry - readers who accused her -of industry and the home. After we finally got Al Capone into prison she - became the: runner wp for Public. Enemy No. 1. Under the barrage of brickbats, the working herself remained calm. She ignored the yappings ¢ her critics and went quietly about opposing legislative efforts to ban her from business and the professiol A good many such efforts were made. A majority of. statez had Jaws proposed which, if passed, would have slammed office and factory doors in her face. The Jide SF Jubile Opinion Yas mting sirongly seuiffh er.

"Hats OFf to Her, Gentlemen!"

BUT TAKE A look at the lady now. ‘No Miss America: was ever more popular. - Business leaders praise her skill; senators compose platitudes recoms mending her; editors, columnists sn reporiers wife : the most flattering things about her. : LE She is being coaxed into factories, munition and executive positions. Fuddy duddy school iat pure er servis sha, mnths ago re 10% yoohooing at her to look their wa a : men are flirting with her. : EE ; Which proves how right she was the day bef yesterday. Because the woman DUS experience in the business wor world can release a husband for fighting and the Bl 4 man's shoes in 8 Iaclory GF offs.

sential tasks now. She keeps her home, arse & Co children for future citizenship, and holds dowm.a defense or Sivilian. Job, Hats off to her, gentlemen!

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