Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 October 1942 — Page 10

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Give Light. and the People wi Find Thowr own Way

7 SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1943

out of the western Aleutians is near. This ie fio secret to the enemy. Our forces have been saying it with bombs on Kiska daily—12 days out of the last two weeks, to be exact. And they have just occupied a third Andreanof island. . The surprise, is not that the hour approaches, but that “jt has been so long in coming. The Japs have had ‘more _ than four months to dig in against the counter-attack they know to be inevitable. : ’ : He Though our ‘high command - has beer slow on the ‘comeback, it has been horough. Considering the complete : lack of preparedness in the western Aleutians as recently as last June, when the enemy took over without opposition, the continuing establishment of American advance bases ‘on the Andreanof islands is a big achievement. From the Andreanofs our planes have been bombing nearby Kiska for nearly six weeks. This softening-up process has been unusually successful. ~~ The test, of course, is not the relatively large number of enemy ships and planes’ destroyed. It is whether the remaining Jap forces are strong enough to hold their important base. 8 88 CCORDING to our fliers: : The Japs have lost all except one of their zero seaplanes sent: against us sinceyour first Andreanof landing. They have been unable to put up any defending planes at Kiska in the last 10 days, depending only on weak anti‘aircraft protection. And, though they continue to. bring cargo ships into. Kiska harbor—to be bombed-—no Jap naval ‘ vessels have appeared there recently. Unless the Japs are able to reach their battered Kiska . base with strong air, sea and land reinforcements before the final American assault, the cost of American victory there should be much ‘less than in the bloody. Solomons. : Recapture of Kiska would have more than defensive , value—though that alone is sufficient incentive. It would "be the first step forward on the shortest offensive road to Tokyo, For Kiska harbor, one of the best in the north, is nearly halfway from our major Dutch Harbor base to Japan’ $ main ‘northern base. of Peramushira, ‘At Kiska our forces for the first time would be within easy striking distance—about 800 miles—of the enemy’s ‘inner defénse line and the Kurile stepping stones fo Tokyo. - American victory at Peramushira would be Somparable to Jap seizure of Alaska or Hawaii. =~ EPL ANIsUREY So don’t let the Aleutian fogs eur the steady progress of our forces up there. There is no more important front against Japan. :

8 8 =»

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ACT IN TIME ON FOOD hy veil) THE country faces a major food shortage and a ‘scandal greater than the rubber situation” unless immediate steps are taken to co-ordinate food Production and distri- | ~ bution. That warning comes from Paul S. Willis, president of the Grocery Manufacturers of America. We .think it is not overdrawn. Even assurance of a more adequate supply of farm labor would not be enough to avert the danger, for, as Mr. Willis points out, “food in the field is not on the table.” The processing,’ transportation and delivery of a quarter-trillion pounds of food a year for the American people, their armed forces and their allies involve problems that are becoming increasingly difficult. ‘And the government is making these problems worse— by: dividing ‘authority ‘over food: supply among several agencies—the department of agriculture; the war production board; the WPB’s food requirements committee, which brings in the army, the navy, the state department and the board of economic warfare; the office of price administration; the combined food board for the.united nations. There is much the same’ situation ‘as prevailed in rubber until the Baruch committee explored that tangled mess and William M. Jeffers was named administrator with full power to straighten it out.

Surely it is not necessary to endure in food wsay LH

months of the same errors the Baruch committee found in rubber—*‘procrastinations, indecisions, conflict of authority, clashes of personalities, lack of understanding, delays” before the government takes the Step. which is so plainly needed now, © That step. is the ‘appointment of a food administrator with full: power to co-ordinate rroduction, proeessing and distribution, thus -avoiding the tragic conditions feared by Mr. Willis: and many other author tieg, =:

STORICAL NOTE ON IN FLATION. "HE National City bank’s October letter shows interest: ingly how this inflation is following. a pattern different from that of the last war. ~The average weekly wage has increased 57 per cent ce August, 1939, compared to a 29 percent. increase from , 1914, to July, 1917. Farm prices have increased 74 per cent compared to 8 rise of 89 per cent in a similar period in the last war. Stock-parket prices have dropped 22 per cent since

war started, whereas in the last war in a comparable | entire

prices advanced 62: ‘per cent.

, 15 cents |.

-air Enougl

By Westbrook Pegler

NEW YORK, Oct. 17.—Attorney General Biddle’s ordér removing unnaturalized Italians from - the ~ suspect status of enemy aliens is good and graceful war politics ‘which will "drive the Duce nuts, but from now on those people and - the naturalized Italians ought to quit calling themselves Italo-Amer-icans and ‘break away from the boss rule of their resident paEi : drones. Such pompous and selfelected protectors of the greenhorn have always exploited the Italian element in American cities and, far from helping them to become Americans at home in our midst, have actually segregated them

:| from the rest of the community. There have been

a few exceptions, but even the exceptions were politicians who appealed to the immigrant Italians and their native American children for votes with emphasis on the blood tie. The worst of them, such as Generoso Pope, a Tammany politician and boss, have given these people a hard time of it. Pope hobnobbed with Mussolini and his papers, printed in the Italian language, strove to tie the Americans of Italian birth and the unnatural-

ized immigrants to the fascist regime by sympathy, |.

contrary to their desire and their duty to the United States. It has been to his advantage to keep them Italian so that they would continue to read his Italian papers, - /

Even Extending Into Labor— ITALIANS IN THIS country have been so closely

segregated by the padrones that they have even organ- |

ized labor unions containing the word Italian in their official titles. In Providence, proving that sentiment among them was not entirely hostile fo fascism, an American street was named for the nasty little blow-hard who disgraced the Italian nation by knifing prostrate France in the back and humiliated all Italians by sending unwilling armies into fights in which they were slapped around and chased like thieves by very inferior forces of Greeks, Britons and Spaniards. Since it became apparent that the people of Italy had no belly for this war, however, and that Mussolini, that bum of bums, had stupidly delivered the country over to the Nazis without firing a shot, there has been a change among those here who used to think he was quite a fellow.

"Cheap and Selfish Frauds"

FASCIST ORGANIZATIONS in the United States never were as brutal, dangerous and hateful as the Nazi bunds with which they sometimes combined .in demonstrations of loyalty to a man and a system that was plainly hostile to the United States and Americanism long before the war. The Italians or exItalians were a better breed with better instincts and, as much as they and their padrones have permitted Americans to know them, they have won the affection and respect of our native people. It is natural that immigrants to the United States will continue to think with some longing of their homelands and to love their people over the sea, but the American system gives them so much that was denied them where they came from that it is little to ask that they quit thinking of themselves as persons of split nationality and call themselves Americans. That doesn’t suggest that they give up their arts and customs, but native Appgiivars can be annoyed when an organization callihg itself, for example, the Polish-American, Italian-American or Irish-American league or society for this or that has the effrontery to present demands to the .governing bodies of American communities with the suggestion that if they are not met these groups will take political ‘reprisals at the polls. Post of the padrones of:the Italian or ex-Italian people in the United States are cheap and selfish frauds who used their victims for their own purposes and this is a fine chance to discredit them and wipe out the hyphen.

A ° ° Nazi Jitters By William Philip Simms

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17.—The Nazi high command, according to reports from neutral capitals, has convinced Hitler not only that a _ second front on a gigantic scale is .no bluff .but that it may come this fall or winter. The same sources add that Marshal Erwin Rommel, who was recalled from Egypt to take part in the war council, apparently sold the fuehrer on the: idea that, ine stead of France and the Low Countries, North and West Africa might be the scene of the second front or at least of a major allied offensive. In any event, the indications are that Hitler and his general staff have decided that the German army may soon have its hands so full elsewhere that steps must. be taken to lessen its commitments in Russia. Accordingly it was decided to wind up the fighting around Stalingrad with as few losses and as expeditiously as possible, and assume an offensive-defensive until further notice. Or, as Hitler expressed it, “to hold everywhere” and only “attack when and where necessary.”

How the Situation Stacks Up

FOR SOME TIME now, the Nazis have been ine creasingly uneasy over the situation in Africa. Their thesis is that what happened in French Syria might also happen in French North Africa. A fighting French offensive across Mo and Algeria to Tunisia, if powerfully backed by the united nations, could take Marshal Rommel’s forces from the rear and throw them into the sea. From Tunisia, Sicily is almost within swimming distance, and the Italian end of the axis is none too sec Factors such as this are believed to be behind Berlin's impatience with Vichy. It is only foo apparent that Hitler wants much more than French labor. He wants the use of French ports, the French fleet,

French shipping, Casablanca, Dakar and other French 3 He ‘must have every possible advantage his axis | |

associates and dupes can provide, or he is lost.

Meanwhile, the position of Pierre Laval is growing | | worse. While he would like to comply with Hitler's| |, he oannot do so without provoking :

While the ol “could readily take over what is)

every ‘d a popular

The Hoosier Forum

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

“CANDIDATES HAD BETTER ~~ HAVE THE RIGHT ANSWERS”

By - Walter Frisbie, Secretary-Treasurer, Indiana State Industrial Union Council, Indianapolis

For brash, uncalled for and completely inept facing of issues, Norman Isaacs’ column of the 14th, takes the prize. He seems alarmed that the CIO in Indianapolis is interested, not in unionism as usual but only in win‘ning the war and winning it as quickly as possible. ‘You seem astonished, Mr. Isaacs, that a labor organization would in times like

these like to see “Grade A” statesmen running for offices, even, such offices as township trustee; county surveyor or local dogcatcher, It’s about time that you and your paper woke up to the fact that this is war, this is time for “nothing as usual.” The second front -can’t be kept away from the elections. It is an issue for every candidate who runs, regardless of what his office is, because this government of ours has to work like a well-oiled machine. Each official whether he works in the city hall, the ' county court house, the state legislature or the congress of the United States, is a cog in this victory machine of ours.

not have an inkling at least of what the war means and what winning the war means, then he holds up the machine, slows it down, holds back the whole fight. The mothers of Indianapolis won’t thank you, Mr. Isaacs, when they know that the mathematical probabilities that their sons will be killed in action increase in direct proportion to the delaying of a second front. The fathers of Indianapolis won't thank you for implying| . that the war is incidental in this election. The Negro citize certainly don’t think that the president’s executive order 8802 that there be no discrimination against’ any group be-

left of France—for France is disarmed——they might | } - not find it quite so easy to absorb French Africa |]

On the contrary, the seizure of unoccupied might, in turn, mean the allied

cos coma ibe ln Fl i 550 me |

of its present defenders.

hi s—

ant and that every

(Times readers are, invited to express their views in these columns, religious conMake your letters short, so all can . Letters must

troveries excluded.

have a chance. be signed)

cause of race, color, creed or national origin is out of place in questioning candidates for office. . . . Executive order 8802 is the very heart of the fight against discrimination. For you as a supposedly reputable public figure or for any man who presumes to run for any office in Indianapolis or Marion County to show ignorance of this epochal order of the president is to brand you or that candidate as unfit for public place in this time of crisis. What about the Murray and Reuther plans? Do you mean to infer that: production isn’t importofficeholder should not be interested and informed on its possibilities and progress? The candidates who woo labor and yet scratch their heads on these plans expose themselves as

If he doesn’t function, if he does;

‘not haying first the slightest con-

ception of labor’s program or of labor's role in the war; and second no grasp at-all of the vitalness of ‘all-out production. It’s’ about time that your pseudoliberal paper jo the rest of the sound people in counfry who realize the menace to our national unity and to our whole war effort of the gamut of obstructionists of the Dies, Pegler, Fish, Coughlin, Tribune, Klan stripe. The very ignorance and indifference of local small office holders to the dangers of fifth column activity are the reasons that such things tan exist. Until every office holder from the down to the county sur-

veyor the importance of ex-

Side Glances—by. Galbraith _

posing defeatism in all its forms, we will be hampered in our all-out fight. . .

We are proud that our organiza-|

tion. has raised these issues: the second front: now, representation for labor on governmental boards and agencies, labor management production committees, discrimination against Negroes and minority groups (executive order 8802), the Murray: and: Reuther production plans, wiping out of the fifth column and defeatist forces, and the support of Harry Bridges. We intend to keep raising these issues. And it is our opinion that the candidates who expect to be elected had better have the right answers.

By Imogene Poston, 401 Board of Trade g.

It seems that’ Norman Isaacs is disturbed and at a loss to understand why the organized labor movement is probing our county candidates in this election campaign regarding their position on the prosecution of the war. Yes, Mr, Isaacs, the average citizen will tell you that this is no mystery to him or her. It's about time such vital problems as how do you stand on the second, front, and do

you think that labor-management committees should be set up in all

war plants, should be Hnjesten: into

the campaign. Because these questions and many others are not simply problems of a military or a production character, but are political problems. This is a -people’s war. and: the people as a whole will wage it and. they will participate in ‘the forming of all major decisions. This should include county: commissioners as well as sheriffs. There is no room for politics: as usual in this election campaign. The voters want to know how the candidates stand on the main issue, which is the war. It is known in all communities wherever there may exist fifth column activities that these groups escape prosecution primarily because the local authorities are indifferent or in some cases sympathetic. That is un-

-| doubtedly why. labor wants to know

how you stand, Mr, Candidate, It is the duty of ‘everyone, including ‘tHose who seek responsible positions of suthority; to be con-

cerned with tlie enforcemeni of the}

president's executive order 8802. The successful solution of the acute manpower. problem as well as the

entire problem of national unity de-

mands an end to all discrimination against the Negro

[movement performs a ‘service: to

the nation when it concerns itself with the enfo¥cement of executive order 8802. - This is an important win-the-war

| definite goals on every item.

es) on ;| carbon, and 40 pounds of

WASHINGTON. oct 1-A is. beginning. fa bet

fect that the "trouble ‘with _ the American war production effort, the manpower situation and all the other related war activities is ‘that there is no master plan. In other words, no grand strategy. The | , runs that the army has simply asked for and is letting we ‘for limitless quantities of everything in sight, without knowin whether they can be produced and almost withou

| knowing whether they will be needed.

That is a pretty serious charge. Ariny supply officers like to kiss it off as a lot of nialicious gossip. BE i. they insist; an exact, overall bill of requirements which was made

| up in December and January, after Pearl Harbor,

There is a plan for 1942 and a plan for 1943, with There is even supe posed to be one for 1944.

The Latest Nazi Trick

GERMANS ARE NOW forging propaganda, trying to put over their ideas in printed form resembling U, 8. propaganda dropped over occupied France. . . . Members of rationing boards are forbidden to act in any cases where they have personal business or family connections. . Farmers have been asked to store soybeans on ‘their farms wherever possible to avoid a transportation jam and bottleneck of crusher capa ity. . . . Ship owners and owners of cargo transported on ships can now get advance insurance “loans” when ships are reported missing, final payment bee ing made when cause of loss is definitely determined,

250 Price Regulations Issued’

WAR SHIPPING Administrator is organizing a4 no-dues club for merchant. sailors who have survived enemy action. . . . OPA has now issued nearly 250 maximum price regulations in addition to GMPR, the general maximum price regulation. . . . Motor truck operators may make only one delivery trip a day to an apartment house or office building, no matter how many tenants it has. . . . Wooden ersatz shoe* soles come under price regulation, Same as leather,

Cut—Cut—Cut—

VARIETIES OF HEAVY forged hand tools, anvils, sledges and the like, have been. cut from 1000 to 350, . Production of radio batteries has been cut twoe thirds and these will. be allocated to farms... . , Flashlight battery production has been cut a half, . . The 27,000 tons of steel that used to make 600 million coathangers can now make three heavy cruise ers. . . . Jackrabbit pelts are wanted to meet the dee mand for more pelts. . . . International postage stamp traders now must. get a business pesinl from office of censorship.

A Woman's Viewpoint By Mrs. W alter Ferguson

IF PATRIOTISM is theit moe tive; many women and girls joine ing the WAACS and the WAVES might better take nurse's training, There is a desperate shortage of “women for that sort of work, coupled with a desperate need. «A. lot. of misery. has. been. oc- . casioned ‘because we have - ‘not adopted a national registration system. That is, after taking and passing her state board exams, a nurse moving into another state is sometimes forced to go through aot of red tape, before she.can get a job, and in some edhe may have to take another examination, This is an expense an nuisance besides ree tarding the war, effort. Sirice “the army and navy . take applicants from ‘everywhere, it would save time and effort to eliminate such “state rights” for the duration,

It's Hard and Dirty Work "

THE AMERICAN Nurses ' Association is eager.to ‘maintain its former high standards, and rightly so, However, well probably have to give up a good many other benefits before the war is won, so we may as well drop a few standards overboard. As the war widens in scope, and ‘as our leaders warn us we may expect millions of casualities, this type of feminine service takes on new importance, And does not the nurse symbolize American womane hood better than the soldierefte? We ‘need both, but the function of women hag always veered to the side of help and healing rather than destruction and death. Nursing is hard and dirty work. Outside of the movies, little glamor attaches to the job—but tor those who undertake it the rewards are great, though often intangible. The gratitude of a soldier eased of pain, of a mother whose child's life is saved, of. the doctor who knows he could not carry on withous’ his feminine helpers—no money can pay for these,’ ¢ ‘And the profession towers above others for another reason—the nurse, like the doctor, serves not only. her country but humanity,

Questions and Answers

(The Indianapolis. Times Service Buress will answer any question of fact or information, ‘mot ‘invelving extensive roe | search. Write your question: clearly, sign name and sddress, inclose a three-cent postage stamp. - Medical or legal advice \ cannot be given. Address The Times Washington Servis Burean, 1018 Thirteenth St., Washingten, D. £

Q—What caused the death of the. anther. Osgar Wilde? A—Frank Haris, " his biography of Wilde, sites that the English writer brought on his death by drinking too much absinthe and eating too heartily, When he was warned by a friend that he would kill himself if he were not. more careful,.he replied, “And what have 1 to live for?”

.Q—Was Napoleon m taken jprssnes » ‘the Germans? A—Napoleon Tit surrendered 10 Emperor William I. st thié battle of Sedan; in the Awlontics Province of France, Sept. 1, 1870, and was taken prisoner, Q-—sow much useful rubber can be obiained from 100 pounds of scrap rubber? : Aone hundred pounds of savage a scrap rubber wilt yield about 85 pounds of reclaimed rubber, which a uals ™ actus Sib yd

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