Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 December 1942 — Page 13

Indianapolis Times Ir Fair”

RALPH _BURKHOLDER

WALTER LECKRONE Editor

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Give Light and the People Will Find. Their Own Way

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1942

a greek.

Mail rates in Indiana, $4 a year; adjoining states, 75 cents a month;

HE RIGHT WAY .

~HE incoming city administration is definitely off on the right path in its strict obedience to the merit law governing selection of a new police chief.

“There may have been ways to circumvent the provisions of that law, and appoint immediately the man Mayorelect Tyndall desires for the job. It is to Gen. Tyndall's credit that he made no attempt to adopt any of them, but

instead, and perhaps at the cost of some personal political \ embarrassment, followed the course prescribed by the stat-

~The merit law we have is far from perfect, but at least it represents the transition from the frank old-fashioned spoils system to the modern method of building efficient police departments. It is true that it may “freeze” some Democrats in jobs under a Republican administration, or vice versa. That is what it is intended to do. The time is coming when this city, like other progressive cities, will ‘employ, and promote, its police and firemen entirely on a ‘basis of how ‘well they do their jobs—and without consideration of which way they voted at the election. * It is reassuring to see the new administration planning

-to improve and strengthen this system, ‘rather than undermine | it. :

Mein JEFFERS MAKES A PROMISE HE synthetic rubber program isn’t moving as fast as it

should and must, although it isn’t doing as badly as ‘some recent alarmist reports have indicated.

Rubber Director Jeffers announces that the government’s first new plant, with an eventual rated capacity of 80,000 tons a year, will go into operation at Institute, Va., “some time next month.” At the same time, he admits that the program as a whole is 30 days behind the Baruch committee’s schedule. He says, however, that he expects production to run ahead of schedule by next summer, ~~ But that depends on whether certain instruments, forgings and other vital equipment are made available to the new plants in sufficient quantities. The present delay is due to shortage of these things. They have been supplied first to the aviation-gasoline and escort-vessel programs, which those responsible for such decisions have considered thus far to have priority even over synthetic rubber. Mr. Jeffers now says:

“We can’t take America off rubber‘and avoid eollapie. I insist that the rubber program must go forward without delay. If the synthetic rubber program as I see it can’t be accomplished, I promise to tell the American people the ‘whole story.” . 2 ‘as =» HATS a promise, and Mr. Jeffers is a man with all the courage needed to keep it.

Neither he nor any other informed American would want to interfere with production of more aviation gasoline, for instance, in order that automobile owners at home might be assured of tires on which to drive for pleasure, or even for convenience. But Mr. Jeffers is entirely right in taking the position that the synthetic rubber program is just as important as the aviation-gasoline program, and that neither can be allowed to fail. It isn’t a question of providing new tires for pleasure driving or convenience driving. At best, the synthetic program can do little to meet these requirements for another year or more. Most privately owned cars will have to run on their present tires, if they run at all, until some time in 1944. Meantime, gasoline rationing and other rubber conservation measures will have to continue.

But unless the synthetic program gets ahead of sched“ule, and stays ahead, rubber stocks for military uses and even the most essential civilian uses will be down by next fall to what the Baruch committee termed an absolute minimum, below which it would be deadly dangerous for them to go. The rubber situation ig still, as the Baruch committee said four months ago, “our most critical problem.” It is still true that “if we fail to secure quickly a large new rubber supply, our war effort and our domestic economy both will collapse.” And Mr. Jeffers will deserve and have overwhelming public support if he finds it necessary—as we hope he will not—to name names and cite facts in telling’ why the synthetic program can’t be accomplished,

Z

"TOJO TALKS = : HITLER and Mussolini are not the only ones now talking to their people in defensive terms, instead of the old boasts of easy world conquest. Even the blatant Tojo has come around to warping the J aps that the hardest going is ~ ahead. : That is a much different tune from what Tojo has sung during the last year, when every battle was a decisive Jap victory and the American navy and air force were virtually wiped out every week—to hear him tell it. Now he warns the Japanese people that the united nations are preparing to deliver counter-blows of ‘great importance.” Indeed, ‘he confesses, “the real war is starting from now.” Granting that it is hard to understand J. apanese popu pevehorey, we would suppose that the man in the street there is getting a little dizzy following Tokyo's propaganda. If the united nations were licked months ago, as he was told repeatedly, how come they are now strong enough to put Japan on the defensive? If American: forces are now maknely difficuit” for the Japs in the western ons, as Tojo says, what about those

ered by carrier, 15 cents

|By Wesbrook Pegler

a

NEW YORK, Dec. 31.—As the

‘better to fight the dictators and | ‘the sooner to win the war with

the least loss of American lives, that government becomes daily more impatient toward the very freedom which the Fourth of July orators used to refer to as the sacred heritage. Henry Wallace, the vice presi‘dent, has spoken slightingly of the bill of rights and now he firoposes that after this war, when the Soviet dictatorship ‘will overrun the European continent, the United States and her allies supervise or inspect the school systems of the enemy countries “to undo, as far as pdssible, the diabolical’ work of Hitler and the ‘Japanese war lords in poisoning the minds of the

” it

f

yo Mr. Wallace, who detests dictatorship in the enemy

‘nations, rather admires the Russia dictatorship, not

merely as a military ally, but also as a method of

government, and as he continues to call for co-opera-tion and mutuality all over the world after the war, he offers no valid assurance that the realistic Stalin and his helpers will desist from spreading communism

in Europe, Alternative Seems to Be Isolationism

THIS MUST MEAN only that the children of Europe, the next generation of fighters, will be taught communism, including atheism, under the supervision or inspection of the guardian nations and that, as in Russia, and, indeed as in Germany and Italy today, the European people will exist for the state and the dictator's purposes. The in would seem to be for the United States to withdraw in isolation and armed preparedness to wiit out the future and reclaim for the people at home the liberties which have been narrowed by the war emergency and re-establish their right to work freely, to select their occupations and associates, to own property and engage in trade. Mrs. Floosevelt recently expressed dissatisfaction with that freedom of Americans which permits a young man to become a doctor because he wants to, and to locate regardless of the community needs. This has the sound of something from the Communist arguments, or from Mein Kampf, for in Russia people are routed into occupations and Hitler, early in his career, decreed that college enrollment should be limited and politically selective so that a youth wanting to be a doctor should become a mechanic instead to fill a need.

People Will Decide Issue -at Polls

IF AMERICANS, through their government, are to supervise or inspect the teaching of the next generation of Europeans and of Japanese, and unpoison their minds, would Mr. Wallace do less than that for his own people? It seems very unlikely and unlike him and in considering this probability, one must

consider too that his idea of intellectual poison might :

conflict with the inherent American idea.

Mr. Wallace and the influential Rex Tugwell, are |

not entirely content with the popular American reverence for the Constitution and presumably would like to urpoison young minds of that awe. And although no state religion has been recommended, they, or their successors might regard the present,

rather varied, religious convictions of the American |

people as delecterious and try to cure them of error. But, although Mr, Wallace repudiated the unfavorable reaction of the people in the recent election as the vote of the well-to-do whose wealth he seems to regard as an impairment of their citizenship, and of farms inspired by self-interest, there will be one election at least, Then his program and ‘his Inclination toward Stalinism will be an issue on which the people will decide the future of their families and their country at the polls. :

Desert Navigation By Nat A. Barrows

LONDON, Dec. 31,—Behind the British eighth army’s advance upon Misurata, and in fact behind every tank movement across the | North African desert, stands painstaking application of the same methods of navigation used by ships at sea. Magnetic and sun compasses practically eliminate map reading as the tanks roll ‘along the road to Tripoli in pursuit of the forces of Nazi Gen. Field Marshal Erwin. Rommel. Prior to movement, the exact direction and bearing is worked out by the senior navigating officer and the infor. mation is given to every driver and every commander. “When first in the desert, you are frightened by: this navigation but you scon get used to it,” explained a British major. “No one must go to sleep as there is always a variation of the compass owing to the vast amount of metal around you, and it is only by taking the mean bearing mn all the tanks that you can get accurate direction. “I remember one occasion when a scout car, followed by eight three-tonners, marched straight past a certain brigadier’s mess, throwing clouds of dust rn him, and then straight past his command vehicle. “The jrate brigadier rushed out and said: ‘What the devil do you think you're up to?’ The reply was, by a very pink faced young officer, his eyes glued to his compass:_ ‘I’m on a bearing and I daren’t deviate, sir,’”

Island-Hopping By Major Al Williams

NEW YORK, Dec. 31.—T don't believe in: this island-hopping campaign in the Southwest Pacific, unless its purpose is to keep Japan busy there while we are preparing to get busy from some point where we can hammer industries. Frankly, I can’t see us whipping Japan by taking one island after another until we get enough or all of them, and then destroy= ing the source of all Japan's war effort—her face tories and heart life. That scheme of things smacks too plainly of old wars. If we pursue this island-hopping business, Japan's lines of communication will grow shorter with each of our new: conquests, while ours will grow longer,

China or Alaska Key Spots

FURTHERMORE, I doubt that any nation or group of nalions has enough men and equipment to conquer a couple of thousand Guadalcanals, especially in the wide Pacific. "If we hid thousands of fying fortresses ready, we might make something out of this island-to-island business, But which would you aim

who is throving bricks at you or

, of American defeat on those| ana

8 4

HY KNOW > Bow

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The Hoosier Fort m

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

“WE CAN'T ALL BE LANA TURNER”

By Mrs. H. W,, Indianapolis. In regards to Mr. Orval Peats’ letter of Dec. 25. , . , Where I work no one is required to wear slacks but the women must stoop over boxes, therefore, I wear slacks. I don’t change into a dress before going on the street—every place does not provide facilities for changing clothes. I also save money

on stockings because I can wear all

of my old ones that are full of runners.

I'm doing a very Smpdriant war job and putting 20 per cent of my salary in war bonds. When this war is over and my son comes home from the Pacific fleet, I will have plenty of time to wear dresses and will feel I have done my part in the war effort. Bear in mind, also, Mr. Peats, that some women that look terrible in slacks also look terrible in dresses. We can’t all be Lana Turner, 2 ” ” “THERE ARE MANY HOMESICK BOYS RIGHT HERE” By Mrs. Edith Cantwell, 65 N. 14th st., ech Grove. I would like to offer a suggestion to the lady who is about to lose her patriotism because her brother in an army camp did not get to come home Christmas. My son, too, spent Christmas

‘many hundreds of miles away in

an army camp and incidentally in the hospital, too. And I, too, would of grieved had not I been too busy. Because Christmas day I entertained six sailors who were stationed here in’ Indianapolis. Not only on Christmas but every Sunday since my boy left I have had from two to six of them at my home and sometimes during the week when they get liberty. In fact they make my home their home while they are stationed here. And the friendships I and my

|mother’s grief at not being able to

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

troveries.

have a chance. be signed.) -

family have formed are invaluable. There is not a day goes by that I do not receive a letter from one of ‘them who has been sent on. May 1 suggest that the naval school at Butler and the armory as well at Ft. Harrison and Camp Atterbury have many homesick boys whe would love to be treated like one of the family in some home?

# » ” “STAR IN WINDOW IS STAR OF HOPE” By Mrs. Marjorie Price, 1636 Naomi st. To Mrs. Dorothy Reidy , ., My twin brother has been in the service two and a half years. My

see him once during that time is nothing compared to her pride in her soldier boy. The star in her window is her star of hope. Concerning our president, I imagine he is more interested in getting our boys home to stay rather than just for Christmas. In that you don’t believe in paper talk, of course you won't believe that a few lines on paper to your brotiier containing encouragement and cheer would help him immeasurakly. Your beefing doesn’t help him in his new and strange world. 'Remember it is he, not you; who may look that Jap in the face. And it takes courage to look at poison and know you have to take it or it will take you. Give him that courage and he and every other American will say

thank you, thank you.

Side Glances—By Galbraith

| never done | she has prot day for th:

| wife to you-

| mot vow, (I:

ILING BUSINESS AIR” {lord II, Indianapolis nt to applaud the letter idlord, Indianapolis. ris rent ceiling business rriéed on very unfairly. has its good points but bureau won't consider t be exceptions. They fitude the tenant's alAll a person needs is

swith some tenants to ; idea is outrageous.

“RENT ( VERY 1» By Mrs. L I just of Mrs, 1 I think is being It certain the rent there mi take the ways rig! experienc find out t In apa furnished. : makes a world of difference ho: many people live there and whet: 1 or not laundry work is done, > z, but try to tell the rent bure: that. Since i is being joperated like this, some ing that might really be a benc § is a detriment. With taxes so I. h (and I'm not griping about tax: 5» some property might just as vw | stand vacant as far as profit i: concerned. » ” ” CHARTER DICTATORSHIP” hers, 15256 N. Arsenal ave. ts of calm reflection it and depressing, too, to ais government is comthe government of 1 in promoting the bigship the world has ever ven dreamed of. The rfer is intended to emwith {lee authority to government on earth ive. 5. has any government particular beliefs upon overnment? = Decrying ne totalitarian systems Mussolini and as they i with that of Stalin, outdoing them all, we faultless in our nciples and practices, ion much our right to policies upon other ut it should never be that we have by no ( that desired goal. ar ~ ¢ SLIKE ‘MY DAY, iT?” napolis. Johnson, 2330 N. I

“ATLANT PROMOT By Mattie ° In mom is startlin; think that bining Great Brit gest dictat known or Atlantic © power the: order eve: how it muy: What vi to impose ; any other as they do of Hitler a previously they are n: Even we: domestic 1 J would qu impose ou countries, lost sight rneans reac

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“IF YOU I WHY REA By M. N., Ir To Erne: nois st.: ‘When I: ing Mrs. I umn, “My disgusted. umn so, v read it? As for yo Roosevelt c= tion of FP. I’ ting a nea: WAS 8 very !

d your article. criticizanor Roosevelt’s col17,” I was thoroughly you dislike her col7 do you bother to

r remark about Mrs.

R. ahd probably nettotal, I thought that i sty remark. She has!

know it. : I think s is a great lady and war effort than you :¢ Pearl Harbor. From Johnson, please keep about our President's 1.

have done s now .on, I your remsirl:

{ THOUGHT that thou shouldest 1 | that thou shouldest

4 DAD Better it

ents where utilities are | 7:

hing in on the posi- ||

Sy senate. ‘Spsws]|

bly done more in one| A

‘tural war: relations. MEE Before taking a post here, after send had been named head of the servation and adjustment administ hai been head of the farm security offices at Madison, Wis. : .

Why Townsend Didn't Get T

Separtient, officials said. - a i explaining why this top-rank. a ‘Governor Townsend, they aaded. ‘that

major farm organizations.”

; J lum opus” ownsend's

tions with the American farm bu him a promotion for the first time. A one-time dirt-farmer from Gi ernor Townsend entered Democratic the Indiana farm bureau. Nutt's lieutenant govern governorship when Mr, McNujt's expired.

Powers of So-Called Caan’

WHEN MR. TOWNSEND'S _ terminated, he came to Washington A with the WPB labor division under Hillman retired and Mr. Townsen agriculture to handle war relations come the AAA chief. Under the president's order pis’ Me

‘wire merged into FPA and Sourotay

Mr. Parisius in charge. Nearly all the stories: -about Mr: named food administrator referred u But like all the other, so-called (except F, D. R.) his powers are

Manpower Chairman McNutt: i the. ters of farm labor, as well as all other And WPB Chairman Donald Nelson 8

Secretary Wickard say how much far) repairs can be had to produce the new

Pan- Europe i By William Philip Sin

Vice President Wallace |

blueprinted in 1943

world organization’

regional groups. with sponsibilities, like Pan-America. This do the Pan-European idea advocated by Ccudenhove-Kalergi, president of the :

Union, now of New York university. Count Kalergi for years was an

late Aristide Briand, many times premier and leader of the movement for a United

‘Europe. It never proved practicable in the men’s lifetime. Count Kalergi,

Formula Appears Workable

COUNT KALERGI'S formula seems While Europe is under the control ¢ cupational forces of the united nations, thet an election be held in each of the decide whether or. not it favors. a United Europe. A Pan-European constitutional

able,

would then meet.

If the assembly failed, it would dissolve would be concluded in the ordinary way. majority of the assembly approved of might then proceed with the framing of the Hi constitution and the negotiations of peace, a the other members of the United nations, on

of the Atlantic charter,

Such’ a United States of Europe, said ¢ would deprive Germany and the other

nations of the power to produce arms,

gressive armies and generally gobble up sr

one by one.

howev

viriced that it is practicable now, and a high Washington officials express agreement

We the Wome :

By Ruth Millett

LOVE GETS NO | wartime. Women ¢

: 3 \ proxy, N . Accept the Best Substitute THAT'S PROBABLY the last best of whatever romance the War |