Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 December 1943 — Page 20

Give L4gAt and the People Will Pind Their Own Way

STRATEGIC MATERIAL

_ JPAPER is one of the most universally useful, and neces-

sary, of commodities. And paper is getting scarce. Look around your home. = The walls, in all likelihood, are papered. The books and magazines and newspapers—. there must be a newspaper if you're reading this!—are paper. Wastebaskets and lampshades may be made of treated paper. That clutter in your desk is mostly paper. In the kitchen, the bags and cartons that the groceries come in are paper, and no doubt the cupboard shelves are paperlined, and there may be a roll of paper towels. The baking soda, the butter, the cracker box and an endless line of other things are done up in paper of one kind or another So on, from attic to cellar. But the army, like the home, also marches on paper. Shells ‘are packed in it. ‘Field rations are wrapped in it. Battleship blueprints are made of it. V-mail, that ace of morale-builders, is paper at both sender's and receiver's end. And the supply of paper is running short. We have long since felt the impact of that scarcity on this newspaper, which has had to reduce its use of newsprint. But the newspapers and the magazines and the book publishers, even though all of them are cutting down, cannot do the whole job. The government is turning now to all of us, in our ‘homes and offices, for scrap paper—old newspapers, magazines, containers of all kinds—to feed the dwindling back- - logs of the paper and cardboard factories. This is one of the easiest of the contributions we can make to the war. Those heaps of old magazines and papers

will never be read anyhow; their only real function is that

of fire hazard.—Ton't strip off the wallpaper, or raid those . ribbon-bound letters in the bottom of the trunk; but every- . body can contribute to the new drive for scrap paper without any more sacrifice than a little thoughtfulness and a few minutes’ time.

_.BONER OF THE MONTH [EMPLOYERS in the government have their headaches the same as private employers. Witness the case of Dillon Myer, director of the war relocation authority—the federal agency that handles Jap internees. Myer's job of staffing his agency for its delicate task - was undoubtedly no seft one. Executives blessed with common sense are at a premium. You take what you can get. Anyway, Myer put on the payroll of his Columbus (0.) office a Prof. Everett L. Dakan of Ohio State univer--sity’s poultry department. “And the professor, full of zeal + for persuading Japanese-Americans of demonstrated loyalty to take farm jobs in the Middle West, addressed a bulletin to these domesticated orientals in which he pulled the now historic boner: . “Believe it or not, some few tenants and seasonal workers do not bathe. They think it is unhealthy. - We need you people to change our ideas about this ...”" For Pearl Harbor week, when Americans were full of ~ memories of a lesson learned from Japs that had nothing to do with sanitation, that was a beaut. Myer has sensibly ordered the destruction of such copies of the poultryman-in-a-china-shop’s bulletin as can be recovered, and has ordered future issues submitted to Washington. But we are afraid his outfit will be a long | time living down this horrible example of a newly ordained | bureaucrat turned loose with a typewriter. Republicans may well chant in paraphrase: “Oh that * mine enemy would write a bulletin.” Or maybe even a. directive.

‘AND THOU BENEATH THE BOUGH’

IY AN ERA when the commonplace is no. longer common > _gnd the nation is inured to substitutes and substitutes for substitutes, one more shortage probably isn't news. But it's a fact that mistletoe is going to be scarce this Year .=and with Christmas just around the revolving door, too. Aside from its role as the secret weapon which destroyed Balder and invoked the twilight of the Norse gods, mistletoe is chiefly famous for that custom—a catalyst for

romance and an antidote for bashfulness—which sanctions :

a kiss beneath the bough. Since the days of Merrie (and ~~ why not?) Olde England, there’s no telling how. many - artless misses have chanced to be in just the right place at the right time, nor how many backward swains have discovered thereby that this kissing business isn’t as complicated as it seemed. Though the recent noncomformist generations have been truer to the spirit than the letter of the old custom, the correct procedure for kissing under the mistletoe is this: When a girl is standing beneath the mistletoe, any young man who is handy may kiss her. For each kiss, he should pluck a berry from the branch and when the last berry is gone there should be no more kissing—no tickee, mo washee. And this year, no mistletoe, i * But who's bashfil nowadays? :

FLANNER HOUSE BIRTHDAY EN Disraeli said that individualities may form communities, but it is institutions alone that can create a “he recognized that citizenship springs from social If this be true, Indianapolis owes a deep debt re le local institution which today is cele45th birthday—Flanner House. . by the late Frank W. Flanner in the true spirit Rule, the Negro social agency through the the doctrine of helping others to help it has brought happiness and an

good things of life to countless|

‘Symptom of Lack of Democracy’

THE REPORT says also “we. do not deal with racketeering as such, for that is chiefly a symptom of lack of democracy,” the idea apparently being that racketeering will cure itself if let alone although it thrived under the rule of the very men, such as Wil‘liam Green, Philip Murray and John L. Lewis, who would still retain control of the government. The fact that Green has openly upheld vile criminals at the expense of the rank and file and that Murray and Lewis also were powers in the A. F. L. and never raised a hand against such criminality is gracefully “As trade unions increase in power, operating under rights and privileges granted by law,” says the introductory comment, “they inevitably become the objects of legislative control. This process has become 50 unusual in American life that most agencies which come to be ‘vested with a public interest’ also become subject to legislative control. But legislative control, considering the pressure on legislatures, is likely to go far beyond reasonable requirements and to reflect a desire to weaken or destroy unions, as all present tendencies show.”

‘Inevitable Defense of the Scoundrel’

AGAIN THE COMMENT says that, although unions are growing more democratic, which is debatable statement, this growth is not uniform and that there are glaring exceptions, and comes to the inevitable defense of the scoundrel in unionism, by sug= gesting that it was the enemies of labor who exposed their practices. And even while pretending to argue for the rights of the workers under union rule, the comment says that it is not always feasible to permit the rank and file to oppose misrule because “freedom to oppose may often be used as a convenient instrument for preventing the majority from functioning. Nor can trade unions be expected at all times to follow wholly democratic procedures. When they are engaged ina life and death struggle to attain the right to organize, it would be folly to ask them to postpone every action until it could be done democratically. Under such requirements there would be no trade unions.” ’ Thus, the Civil Liberties Union revokes its own important recommendation for no tyrant, such as John L. Lewis or Daniel Tobin of the A. F. L. teamsters, could be expected to admit that his union was now so strong and efficiently organized that he could safely relinquish some of his autocratic powers. The Musicians Union, for another example is an absolute monopoly whose president, Jimmy Petrillo, has the right to suspend any part or all of its constitution at will and no power exists by which the rank and file can oppose him on any matter. He 1s the law and he can defeat by fiat any effort to change the constitutional provisions which gives him his power, :

‘Mediocrity Made Lot of Worker'

THE FUTILITY of expecting honesty or fairness in consideration of union matters from the Civil Liberties Union or any like organization is too obvious to need demonstration. All groups of this mind approach the subject convinced that the American people, by the passage of the Wagner act, were deprived of their right not to join unions, They start with the assumption that mediocrity must be made by law the lot of the American worker and that the individual must accept a status in the group known as “the masses,” subject forever to the rule of a privileged and irresponsible. special government operating under political license from the public government. Unions, in brief, should be beyond the law except that existing restrictions must be abolished so that more millions of subjects may be herded into the power of ambitious, brutal and lawless men.

We The People By Ruth Millett

THE WIFE'S DIVORCE petition said that as long as her hus—band’s financial status made {it necessary for the two of them to work and plan together on limited earnings they got along very happily. Trouble came when his income was more than they knew what to do with. . That isn't an uncommon story in America today. For suddenly increased incomes are hard for some families to handle, : People who once had to watch pennies, and to save and plan and scheme, now suddenly start throwing money around. And before they know it they are in a mess. What should have been their good fortune is the very thing that throws them for a loss. ‘ There isn't any need for a sudden increase .in family income to have that effect on a family, of course. But to be sure it doesn’t, a couple should have a business conference—just as though they were managing an expanding business concern—and do some long-term planning.

Most People Need Definite Plan

AS SOON as their income increases, they should figure out «what the increase is going to mean to them—not in sudden luxuries or silly spending, but in savings for future wants and needs. Tt isn't enough to say “We'll put the money into war bonds and some day it will come in pretty handy.” Most people need to work toward a goal, toward the fulfillment of definite ambitions. And it is important that both marriage part-

, and the scope of its work, has|

HOLLIDAY NOTE Germany:

Getting the | ; ng Turkey | |

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

“FED UP ON DOUBLE STANDARD” By N. H. B.,, Indianapolis I'm a bit fed up on this double standard business. A bit ago I walked out of a drug store behind a woman, She turned around and said to the woman I didn’t know was coming out behind me, “Oh, did a man go-out in front of you.” I'd have told her off, but I didn’t have the time. I'd have réminded her that women, these days, vote, drink and get .drunk, smoke, wear pants both figuratively and literally, and do the job we men have been doing, and do 1t for half the salary. About the only thing they do that we don't do is have a baby—but beyond that I can’t see much differ ence in men and women, coming or going, Fact is, it’s hard to tell, sometimes, either way. : Outside of the three immediate women in my life—my mother, wife, and daughter—why should I show any greater consideration to women than to men? ! It's time a good many women got this cockeyed idea of a preferred status out of their heads.

s = “QUIET! YOU'RE AIDING THE ENEMY”

By W. Chester ‘Swift, ex-sergeant major, infantry, U. 8. army, 4097 Weaver ave. Why “harp” on such an insignificant affair in times of important events? People in general worried less over veterans being slapped from “pillar to post” and selling apples on cold street corners after world war I anyway.

Gen. Eisenhower has previously very successfully manipulated many incidents of much greater magnitude than this small petty affair, so why not leave the boys alone from privates to generals, they're doing a better job handling their affairs than we are ours. I have three sons out there in this mad scramble for the preservation of decent civilization and their lies are in enough jeopardy without excessive loose chatter from home, The eldest son fought through seven major engagements in North Africa and was wounded in a skirmish somewhat behind enemy lines and in addition, his glasses were broken and it is necessary that he wear glasses, = He refused to leave his buddies and took“ the field hospital instead of general hospital. He simply wrote home and said, “don't worry, dad, but my glasses are gone and I can't get any here. They have

(Times iéaders are invited fo express their views in these columns, religious controversies excluded. Because of the volume received, letters should be limited to 250 words. Letters must be signed. Opinions set forth here are those of the writers, and publication in no way implies agreement with those opinions by The Times. The Times assumes no responsibility for the return of manu. scripts and cannot enter correspondence regarding them.)

my prescription on Illinois st. end please send me another pair as I am recovering and can’t do.as good ig" withdut glasses.” He got his glasses right direct from Illinois st. and has moved on to Italy. Who in the “blazes” is he shoot ing for? A bunch “yapping” around over a petty affair or is he shogting for a citizenship with mouths, open minds and pocketbooks to shorten the shooting? “The second son made a forced belly landing in the brush from 11,000 feet up, due to motor trouble. He wrote “Don't worry, dad, I just skinned a leg a little.” The third one received a smashed foot. He wrote, “don’t worry, dad, I'm able to hobble out and get my food.” They are like every other dad’s sons, doing the job and saying so little, so why should we have so much to say over nothing. Perhaps we have-matters unsettled between ourselves, God and the neighbors that should come ahead of Patton. Quiet! You're aiding the cnemy. 8 8 8 “THERE ALWAYS WILL BE GAMBLING” By Mrs. Walter Haggerty, R. R. 6, Box 404 For 40 years, gamblers and our officials have been playing “cop and robber.” , . .. There always was gambling and there always will be, whether you like it or not. Legalized gambling would come nearer to stopping'it than anything else and the money paid for taxes would find the right channel. We could use that tax money to advantage. You can hear people fussing about the government, you ought to turn around and kick yourself every time you do it. You are the government.

When our youth went to register

Side Glances—By Galbraith Ey oF AS a

{boys and they do a fine job of it,

- { resources, when this class can never

for the draft, our governriefit was amazed at the number that were turned down on account of a physical handicap which could have been prevented had they received the proper medical care. Parents, already overburdened, are not entirely to blame. A mother with little ones at home can't run around after the ‘teen-agers. I remember the first time our boys found out they could run faster than I could. I'm glad I didn’t catch up with them. - I don't think any parent was ever proud of a beating he gave his son. Besides, if you do “you'll be arrested.” Now they are talking of arresting parents if their children are caught doing anything, Those boys are over there fighting to save the country for us all and if the responsibility of bringing them into the world is not yours, certainly after they ‘get here you rich old bachelors can help wi your dollars. lL We have “government. training centers” already built, and they belong to us. ‘We need these centers for our boys after the. war. Men are hired during war to train our

too. Yes, many of us are ashamed of oiir youth. They ought to be ashamed of us, for we won't let them vote. We, the people, rule. Aren't they “people,” too?

' Yes, ministers, priests, teachers,|

social workers, all are responsible for our youth just the same as if he were your own. Jails and detention homes are not worth paying taxes on. Call it, instead of a jail, “a military training center” and just see how proud, if instead of

stripes, our youth are given one of |

Uncle Sam's uniforms to wear. Give them boxing gloves and they will straighten each other out. ,,, nt s = = ve tem “POOR TAXED TO SUBSIDIZE RICH.”

By T. W. Lloyd, BR. R. 6 There is no reason why the lower class should expect the post-war new order to improve their living conditions when the economic status is not to have any changes and the favored groups are to get the cream. It seems incredible the

government will tax the very poor| .

to subsidize the very rich and near rich for operating their own very

‘farming to the individual states.

¥ i

; i

cil i

f : :

aL, 3 i ih is

ii. | ie : £8

IH : is:

248

jit

States’ Rights and Insurance

3. BEFORE THE SENATE now is the Bailey-Van Nuys bill which would exempt fire insurance rate making from regulation under the Sherman anti-trusg law, by declaring that insurance is not trade or come merce, and therefore not subject to control as intere state commerce by the federal government. The law would, on the other hand, leave fire insurance regu lation entirely to the states. Here the states’-rights idea is used in an effort to block Department of Juse - tice action against the Southern Underwriters Asso ciation. This case is now before the Supreme Court, In it, nearly 200 fire insurance companies are with conspiring to fix rates in violation of the anti. trust. laws, ffir is : . 4. Before the House of Representatives is the Lea civil aviation bill, one of whose provisions is exclusive federal regulation of point-to-point air transportation for hire. In other words, it would prohibit state regulation of air commerce and traffic, whether the fight be intra-state or inter-state. The bill does not prevent state or municipal taxation of aviation, nor does it prevent state or local government regulation of aire ports.

Objective of Lea Bill Is Simple

ALL THE ACT seeks to do is avoid the complica tion of conflicting regulations by adjacent states for planes in the air. At present aircraft speeds, it is possible to cross some states iri. matters of minutes, and it is felt that a maze of 48 state aviation codes would be a tremendous obstacle to the development of post-war flying. Nevertheless, the opposition to this provision of the Lea bill comes from those who raise the cry of “states’ rights” in opposition to allows ing the federal government the right of uniform regue lation. 5. One of the principal arguments raised against the proposal for.a federal sales tax in increased war revenues has been that this would be an infringement against the rights of the states, many of which derive much of their income from state sales taxes, 6. An argument frequently raised against subsidies is that they tend toward too much federal regimentation of agriculture, instead of leaving the control over

Now all this rallying ‘round the tattered banner of states’ rights does not just happen. It is a natural reaction against too much federal regulation during the depression and during the war, The against “too much Washington” in your daily life may come in a swingback to more states’ rights.’ The question is whether the cure is worse than the curse, . » A

Why Not Equality?

By Ruth Finney

1 WASHINGTON, Dec. 9.-It's ¢ hard right now to think of anything not directly connected with the war, ‘pafticularly about an issue that has been with us for some 20 years. : But the fact remains that women in the United States-suffer severe legal disabilities because of different state laws that make them and their property subject to their husband's control, deprive them of authority over their chile dren, and limit their ability to earn their living. There is no good reason why this should be. The National Woman's party wants to end. thess / disabilities with an amendment to the constitution’

profitable industry. Ours is a land of | *#*

plenty for all and would be reason |

ably distributed under impartial government. ‘To try to satiate the greed of some classes the government has put the cost of living

beyond the means of one-third of}

the e. In this Jand of abundant natural

hope to own as much as a Jerry: built three-room house, there is something radically wrong. Do we realize this is bricks out of the foundation of government? Utopia

B §

rife

el quency that it epartmen

So They Say— -

EVERY COMMUNITY has the juvenile deline

deserves.—HOWLAND SHAW, state t. :