Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 13 March 1944 — Page 10

Indianapolis Tim

PAGE 10 Monday, March 13, 1944 -

WALTER LECKRONE MARK FERREE Editor. » Business Manager

(A SCRIPPS-HOWARD NEWSPAPER)

ROY W. HOWARD President

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HENDRIK WILLEM VAN LOON 4 THE old grenadiers of American letters ara dropping

Cobb, Joseph C. Lincoln, and now Hendrik Willem van Loon. Four giants gone, with none to take their places. Van Loon was a magnificent landmark of the literary world. He was a character, a powerful personality savored by eccentricity and tremendous self-assurance. Like an old-time Shakespearian, he was an actor with a single role, and that part was Hendrik Willem van Loon, historian, biographer, artist, teacher, editor, author, lecturer and ambassador unofficial and extraordinary from The Netherlands to the United States. ‘There was something medieval about the man. He affected the belief that he was the reincarnation of the great Dutch scholar, Erasmus, and it cannot be denied that his thirst for learning and his passion for spreading it among the masses was truly in the Humanist tradition. There was a touch of Falstaff in him, too. He was a great popularizer, and his tremendous output of nooks brought a world of information, and misinformation, to the public which was just discovering that art, literature, philosophy, history and Biography need not necessarily be dull and stuffy. As a popularizer, he was loud in his contempt and condemnation of “the professors” with their meticulous regard for accurate statement and painstaking research—and the feeling was mutual. The world needs scholars, but it, too, needs story-tellers and teachers, and Van Loon was both. - \ His busy hand is stilled, the long list of books is closed, but the cultural renaissance which Hendrik Willem van ‘Loon, as much as any one man, brought to the 20th century will go on. It was his destiny to make the world aware of "its bright heritage from the past.

A G.0.P. SENATE LEADER? EPUBLICAN rejoicing over recent party victories in special congressional elections is tempered by a different kind of test this week. Because of the death of Senator McNary, Republicans are without a senate leader. Their senate caucus Wednesday will reveal whether they are strong enough to get together, or whether the hope of November victory has divided and confused them. The country in this war crisis looks to congress for joint leadership as a co-ordinate branch of government. The public has reacted against executive muddling -and presidential attempts at legislative usurpation. Recent reassertion by congress of its responsible function has improved government operations and lifted national morale. Republicans deserve chief credit for.this congressional renaissance. Democrats in congress cannot easily ‘hrow off the White House yoke, which they have worn so long and so meekly. Many of them still fear the President's patronage whip and propaganda lash. Even when Barkley, Roosevelt's long-suffering whipping-boy, was goaded into revolt, it was soon patched up with an exchange of sweet nothings. ’ So, if there is to be congressional leadership now, it must come from the minority party. Such is the Republican opportunity—and responsibility. :

” = UNFORTUNATELY, SOME old-line Republican senators are afraid of it. So much so, in fact, that the more timorous among them propose postponing election of MecNary’s successor until after the November elections. They don’t want to stick their necks out, Their atibi is that a senate party leader chosen now might not be acceptable to a Republican President, if any— as though they could not pick another senate leader next year, if they then wished to make that official a White House handyman instead of their own spokesman. Have they learned nothing from the Democratic tragedy of a supine: senate, nothing from the Barkley affair? The younger Republican senators and some of the oldsters do not want to repeat Democratic blunders. We trust that most Republican senators are too intelligent and too courageous to run away from opportunity.

STILL LESS TO DRINK HE government has decided to reduce the flow of spirits from Cuba and other Latin American countries by limiting such imports to the 1943 averages. The announced purpose is to divert distilleries in the Caribbean and elsewhere from beverages to industrial alcohol, needed for the war. Perhaps another purpose is to protect the increasingly parched American gullet from some of the unpalatable swill that has been coming in from the islands of late. . Unfortunately there is on sign yet that the hoped-for . increase in offshore production of war alcohol will relieve the pressure on home distilleries sufficiently to permit some small production of grain spirits here. If something isn’t done, pretty soon the only people who can have a drink with dinner will be those able to patronize the well-stocked hotels and night spots and the black market. This might Please the prohibitionists, but it wouldn't .commend itself to anybody else who remembers the late and lamentable “experiment, noble in purpose,” which made outlawry a national characteristic for almost a generation.

COMING EVENTS : ou A WRITER covering the Chicago conference of U. A. W.C. L O. aircraft unions reports that the consensus of labor leaders there can best be summed up thus: “Both sides have just parked their ball bats behind the door for the duration.” : : : Such an attitude on the part of either labor or industry can stymie every effort toward resumption of orderly and peaceful progress in this country. It can divide and em-

not make up their minds fo aim for the common sacrifice some of their demands for that aim. There is so much tobe done. - And labor and industry “to heélp—if they will only leave their ball

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bitter the whole country. And it will, if both parties do | good, and |

By Peter Edson

other still functioning on civilian production. On top of this, some 20 billion dollars worth of new plants have been built to manufacture planes,

tanks, ships, guns and other materials of war. Threefourths of this productive capacity has been built and is owned by the government, one-fourth financed by private capital . The question is to do withthe 15 billion dollars worth of government.

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owned plants, now operated under lease to private

Lock Up, Sell, Lease, Trade -

PROPOSALS FOR disposal of these governmentowned war plants are numerous and varied: Lock them up the day the war ends and throw the key away, so that they won't be placed in competition with private industry. This idea is modified to the extent of keeping the plants in a stand-by condition till the next war comes along. ThA Sell them cheap and let private industry out of its own ingenuity find new uses for them. Charge off the loss as a necessary cost of the war. - Let the government operate the plants as a kind" of glorified WPA, at a loss if necessary, to provide useful work, instead of leaf raking, for the unemployed. ’ - : Let manufacturers trade in old and less efficient plants, then scrap the old plants. : Lease them to private industry, keeping them under government ownership.

30 Per Cent Have Little Value

ALL SUCH proposals smack pretty much of the idea that all this new productive capacity will be a post-war lability for which-the taxpayers will in the end have to pay. Any idea that these government war plants represent an asset which can be cashed in on is thus dismissed too easily. WLB'’s planning division has estimated that 30 per cent of these new plants have little or no value for the production of peacetime articles. Another 30 per cent can be converted to useful peacetime production. The remaining 40 per cent, says WPB, is capable of producing metals, chemicals, tools and industrial equipment which should find post-war markets. Using those figures as a basis for conversion possibilities it can be seen that there is no need for writing off this whole expansion of industry as a complete loss.

Fullest Possible Use Favored

LATEST GROUP in Washington to come out in favor of making the fullest possible use of all these facilities is the powerful Truman committee in the senate which, in its third annual report, brands as selfish and self-centered all arguments that the plants should be shut down or that the operators of those plants today should be paid profits which would enable them to build up reserves for post-war operation. The question as to whether government-built plants are to be closed, says the committee, must be decided squarely upon the issue of whether the United States is to return to 1939 when there were nine million unemployed and five million less workers, or whether there is to- be full employment for everyone who wants to work, regardless of whether the plants are publicly or privately owned, to maintain and improve the American standard of living by mass production of needed goods. As a basis for disposal, the committee proposes that all plants not needed by the war and navy departments be sold at cost of construction, less the percentage by which the cost of war construction exceeded the probable cost of peacetime construction.

(Westbrook Pegler is on vacation. His column will be resumed when he returns.)

We The People

By Ruth Millett -

THERE REALLY is no defense for the woman who writes her husband overseas that she is in love with another man-if she was in love with her husband and he was in love with her when they were parted by the war. To begin with, she didn't have any business seeing another man often enough to fall in love with him. : And even if she thinks she is in love with another man, the only honorable thing for her to do is to quit seeing him, keep quiet about her emotions and wait for -her husband’s return. : Naturally a man at home who can court a woman in person has an edge on her husband, who has to do his courting by V mail. So his wife, in fairness to him, ought to wait for him to come home, and see whether the love she felt for him once doesn't come to life again when they are together once more. fepiriaed '

Unhappiness Ahead for Wife

OF COURSE, is she doesn’t love him, after all— then She can decide on whether or not to get a divorce, just as a woman would decide in normal times. But this deciding by a woman that she is through with a man who is away from her is lowdown business. And the woman who decides on that course of action hasn’t any right to hope for a happy second marriage. It is a wonder that another man would want to marry such a woman. For she proves she is not only fickle but without honor when she is willing to ditch a husband who loves her as soon as he gets out of her sight. ; It is useless for women to tell themselves that “they can't help this new love they feel.” That is just so much sentimental nonsense. Yet it covers a lot of disloyalty with a pretty phrase—when there shouldn't be a pretty name for it.

JUVENILE DELINQUENCY must be met in the home and in the community. All persons who bear the blessed title of parent have the personal responsibility to see that their children are growing up fully appreciative of the rights ot their -fellow-men.—FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. . * * le LIBERAL ARTS education has in many places disappeared. Men's colleges are today streamlined to | the war, a necessity of our time. The education received by men is toward the one vocation of war, It

Ham, president Mount Holyoke college, LJ * * TO ME the real essence of reconversion is continuous employment.- If we will figure out a way in which idleness will not occur in our labor force, we will have properly reconverted.—Fred Lazarus Jr. chairman American Retail Federation, . * “a THERE CAN be no lasting peace arising from a negotiated peace. Our enemies.must have the message brought home to them in words of flying steel that this world will never again permit their inhuman ince, their intellectual dishonesty and their mili-

In Washington ger

So They Say— |

leaves out the philosophy of life.—~Dr. Russell Gray |

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THIS (5S THE GIRL FOR HIM! ~ HELL JUST LOVE

BE SIL CANT YOU JUST See JOHNNY COME MARCHING HOME TO

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HER ARMS!

The Hoosier Forum

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

“I'D BE ONLY TOO GLAD TO WORK” By Mi. William R. Owens, 1515 Ringgold » \

Just wanted to tell Pat Hogan of Columbus I don’t think he has ever had to get assistance from the trustee or he wouldn't even think of putting state assistance to the township trustees. I was a witness at the legislative commission investigation for dependent children. We have seven children; my husband has been ill for three years, and we've received assistance for two years. So, I can tell you we received trustee help for about four months and a silk-stocking lady visitor used gas and rode around in a fine car. That visitor called every three weeks on unnecessary calls. The state visitor checks up every six months so I can't see why they waste gas or tires. I don’t understand” your notion that this welfare is just another depression baby. I'd be only too glad to work if you can find anyone to take care of my children and hus band. And if you think people aren't in need of this welfare, please’ visit us and I'll show you that you don’t know what people go through. 4 2 = =n

“VOICE IN CROWD

HAS FAULTY MEMORY” By Forum Fan, Indianapolis “Voice in the Crowd” seems to have a very faulty memory about things that happened in the past so I should like to refresh his memory a bit. Herbert Hoover came to the White House in-a blaze of glory promising two chickens in every pot, two cars in every garage, etc, and even then things were mone too good in this country. During the Hoover administration it got steadily worse until jobs were at a premium and the little people were lucky to eat. Did you ever visit the “soup house,” Voice in the Crowd? I did. It was my unpleasant task to go there and hire men to work for 75 cents a day, men with families, too. And I was not doing much better than that myself considering the hours I was putting In. They were for the most part glad to get that much even though it was bitter cold and most of them had no warm clothing. Now, Mr. V. I. T. C,, try and pin that on the New Deal. And those silly newsreels we saw during those days; we would be shown lines of men going to work in some factory. Then came a little speech before the camera by a worker. “My name

(Times readers are invited to 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 responsi. bility for the return of manuscripts and cannot enter correspondence regarding them.)

be a-goin’ back to work agin.” Later comes Mr, Hoover reading one of his famous silver lining speeches. “Amalgamated Peach Pit exports have increased one five thousandths of a cent; bank closings have decreased from 3000 last month to 2998 this month and now, my fellow countrymen, etc.” Remember? \ Of course it was getting close election time again. Election time, that was when some people were told that if Roosevelt was elected all the factories would close, and if they wanted to continue to work and eat, vote to re-elect Mr. Hoover. Remember? I do. That is why a letter like “Voice in the Crowd” had in the Forum makes me sick. Mr. Hoover was not to blame for the depression. But he knew there was a depression and denied it until the last minute, I am not so sure I should like to see F. D. R. get a fourth term for I can see the danger of a centralized and socialized government, but 1 hate to see the chance of a Republican victory | jeopardized by such hateful and uncompromising argument as that of “Voice in the Crowd.”

8 - . “ARGUMENT IS STILL POSH" By Civiticas, Anderdon When this writer was a youth one of our diversions was a debating society, There were no movies, radio or night clubs. We followed parliamentary law in working out our debate, but there was an unwritten law of debate: When losing your argument your only recourse is to abuse your opponent. Mrs. H. M. J. in her several pro-

is Joe Blokes and it sure is fine to

gambling articles has, unwittingly,

Side Glances—By Galbraith

ee ——— ,

“Ill bet | have a swell season on the track. girl lives on the other side of town and i

{thought one way and that way was

followed that losers’ recourse. She wants to play bingo, to gamble. She can't because it is against the laws of the state. She asked Civiticus about the law and he tells her where she can get first hand information. Now she diverts from the point at issue to smear another city where gambling in the form of bingo was permitted and where she probably lost many more pennies than she brought to Indianapolis as Just by way of information Civiticus feels that he has a right to refer to commercial gambling in the capitol city, having been a resident there for some 30 years and not a resident of Anderson when gambling was

“IT DEPENDS ON THE PARENTS” By Mrs. Rey Irwin, 139 Neal ave.

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depends on what

place in all high school graduates. As to landlords, they also have a parents would bring their children up right, to obey them and not let the children tell them what to do, and teach them not to destroy and mar other people's property, and take care of the yard and trees, and try to leave things as good or a little better than they find them people would not have to be so careful about renting to people children. Houses, trees and grassy yards don't come free, you know. They aren't just handed to you. but me

5

I am not a landlord, I both sides and it hurts to the way modern parents let children do ‘as they please Ww they were never supposed to able at such tender ages to kn what is best and we are told ov and over in the Bible to make child obey and teach him the righ way to live,

~3355588

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» » = “IT IS THE REASON THAT WE ARE FREE” By Voice In The Crowd, Indianapolis It would mot be a help, Alma

Bender, if everyone thought alike. In the first’ place, suppose we all

wrong. How would we ever find our direction? Different people with different ideas, different ambitions and different circumstances see ‘things from different sides; dif-

reason that we are free. It is the -of our future generaand peace in

DAILY THOUGHTS

side to the argument. If modern}

By James Thiasher ® y| | yasmin, a March 13~

in his “instructive

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: AND EVEL diplomatic for the Washington Daily News, ‘had this to say in her report of the Soviet embassy’s reception in honor of the Red army's 26th anniversaryf

"PEYTON GORDON, who covers

a fight or brawl on the entire trip.” "Better Death Than a Daycoach' FROM MIAMI, where the war-weary vacationists®

comes the story of a particularly frantic woman among the thousands of frantic tourists seeking luxe homeward passage toward the end of February. “I simply must have a reservation on the streams liner,” she wailed. “My daughter is at the point of death in Philadelphia.” ; The reservation clerks, compassionate, though swamped with calls, finally found a cancellation, They called the woman back:

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“Oh.® The woman sounded not only calmer, bus somewhat peevish. “But I didn't want to go till March 5th.” (Note: The Hialeah Park racing meet ended March 4) * :

Vague War Aims By William Philip Simms

their own historic declaration. They “ L they said, “to a common program of purposes and principles embodied in the joint declaration . . , known as the Atlantic Charter,” and pledged theme selves to a finish fight for those principles and no separate peace. Se The first to sign was President Roosevelt. The second was Prime Minister Churchill. The third was Soviet Ambassador Maxim Litvinoff, Fourth came China and after her some 22 smaller countries. Last fall Secretary Hull went to Moscow where he and the foreign ministers of Russia and Britain rededicated their respective countries to the same noble aims. Thus inspired, the U. S. senate by & nears ly unanimous vote, went on record in support ofa post-war peace organization based on the same principles.

Little Nations Now Are in Despair

THE POINT Is, this country all along has been thinking In terms of a jointly waged war and a jointly made peace based on justice for all, the weak as well as the strong. Now Russian spokesmen claim the Ate lantic Charter does not apply to the Soviet Union, Poland is to be dismembered and eastern European

- boundaries redrawn to. suit Russia. The’

governments of Jugosiavia and Greece are being undermined. And with all this London seems in agreement. The little nations, which were led to expect so much from the grand alliance are now in despair, . % Meanwhile American policy is being left dangere ously vague. Unless told to the contrary, and soon,

1| the united nations, including Britain and Russia, may

get the idea that country, too, has forsaken its original war aims. This might encourage a whole | series of faits accompli in Europe, committing both Moscow and London beyond. all hope of compromise,

Free | We should then have to take it or leave it and go our own way alone. And once again, as in 1920, we would |

be accused of going back on our allies.

To The Point—

A JURY awarded a Mississippi man $10 for two broken ribs. What, no points? : » * ®

SOME POLITICIANS live in a perpetual fog— which may be why they go ‘round nd blowing their horn, . . * ) i op IP YOU can't sleep nights, lie real still and count the cobwebs in the upper corners of the room. f . . *

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motto seems to be “Better death than a daycoach®

_ Gates Man Official F For :

~ * Services for 1

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ord county, had lived in ’ ‘dianapolis years. Survivors are son, Fred O. L Mrs. Edward grandchildren, and a sister, ! son of Califor: WALTER L. B Services for be conducted @ row at the Cor the Rev. R. R. of the West M odist church, s Patterson, the will be at Fou Mr. Beebe, v at 958 N. Belle day at St. Vi wag a salesmar and a membe; igan Street ch Survivors a Bertha E. Be

Survivors Helen Collier and & son, D

MRS. EVEL) Services 1c 2224 Park a tomorrow in

a daughter, . Mrs. Charles

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