Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 April 1944 — Page 10

ROY W. HOWARD President

PALAU IS FARTHER THAN TOKYO

* Southwest Pacific. Less than 600 miles from the Philip-

offing, with a hot political campaign after that, all involving

- of the war.” be a flood of contract cancellations for which the govern- |’

ve Indianapolis Times Monday, April 8, 1944

WALTER LECERONE MARK Editor. Business’

-

PAGE 10

Manager (A SCRIPPS-HOWARD NEWSPAFER)

Price in Marion County, ¢ cents a copy; delivered by carrier, 18 cents a week.

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«@ riLry 501

» Give Light end the People Will Pind Their Own Wey

THE naval attack on Palau, more air raids on Truk and several on other enemy islands, add up to the most daring and far-flung Pacific operation of the war. For Palau has succeeded Truk as the key to Jap defenses in the

pines, it commands the sea approaches also to the Dutch East Indies, the South China sea and Singapore. Significantly, the Jap naval force there fled as soon as it got wind of our armada’s approach. This seems to confirm the idea our strategists have had for some time, that the enemy is determined to evade a showdown sea battle. Of course this does not mean that only a few remnants of Japan's mighty seapower remain. She still has large fleets. But they are believed to be unbalanced by shortages of big carriers, destroyers and all-important tankers to supply ships and planes. Even if Japan's naval power were as strong as ever, she might well choose a defensive strategy. First, in a slugging match the larger power has the advantage—and our navy now is certainly larger than hers. Second, Japan’s Pacific conquest is held by her army, which must be supplied over sea routes protected by her navy—more important to Tokyo than risking her fleets in avoidable and unfavorable sea battles. Third, Japan must save her main and bestbalanced fleet to protect her home waters. Psychologically the effect of the Palau attack should be tremendous in Japan, no less than in the Philippines and China. If our fleet can attack Palau, 4600 miles from Pearl Harbor, may it not some day strike at Tokyo, which is 800 miles nearer Pearl Harbor? . That must be worrying the Japs. oF

UNEMPLOYMENT BY AUDIT OME members of congress, especially on the house side, are finding it difficult to face the inevitable fact that final settlement of terminated war contracts can’t’ safely be delayed while Controller General Warren conducts detailed audits. Their hesitation is alarming because it is blocking action on the legislation, urged more than six weeks ago by the Baruch-Hancock report, for quick, fair settlements through negotiations between contractors and government agencies which made the contracts. That legislation ought to be enacted soon after the Easter recess. But then another recess, for the national conventions, will be in the

real danger that the uncertainties of government policy on contract settlement will remain until late in the year. Removing those uncertainties, as the Baruch-Hancock report made clear, “is necessary for the immediate conduct And, when Germany surrenders, there will

ment and industry must be prepared if we hope to defeat unemployment and inflation in the transition and post-war periods. The reasons why congress should not order the auditing process which some of its members seem to want Mr. Warren to undertake were stated—we think unanswerably—in the report. » = s » s ” IT WOULD “quibble the nation into a panic . .. no war contractor would know where he stood, prime contractors would be unable to pay subcontractors, banks would be unwilling to make adequate loans, billions in working capital would be frozen. The delays in settlement could force many concerns into bankruptcy. It would be unemployment by audit . . . the controller general would have to delegate his reviewing to many thousands of investigators. By and large he could not recruit a more honest or more capable force than the present procurement officers, and it would certainly be less experienced.” Eventually, we believe, congress will have to accept the Baruch-Hancock Jogic. Most of its members probably are ready to do that now. So, why wait? Action on con-tract-settlement should come in the next few weeks, with the controller general given every assistance in performing his essential duty of detecting possible frauds, as the report recommends, but with a clear understanding that congress py not force millions of workers into “unemployment by audit.”

ADDRESS IT RIGHT

J ETTERS are unquestionably the biggest morale builder _. an overseas soldier or sailor has. If you're corresponding with one you know that already. If you aren't, just read any war cerrespondent on the subject. That is one thing on which the journalists are in complete agreement. Since letters are so important, it is disheartening to see an army statement that 15 per cent of mail to soldiers overseas is improperly or insufficiently addressed. So remember that the envelope needs rank, full name with middle initial, serial number, service organization and unit, APO number and postmaster at point of embarkation through which the mail is routed. And don’t rely on memory, the army advises, if you're the least hit unsure of the address.

a

RARE REMEDY

USSIAN doctors, who are successfully treating wounds with an onion juice dressing, have found that the eating of onions or garlic kills, for a short time, all the bacteria in the mouth. ; That's a handy thing to know. But our recent shopping excursions have demonstrated that it's pretty hard to get enough so that we may “always keep a little in the house— just for medicinal purposés, of course.”

WATCH NIGHT

v

Reflections By John W. Hillman

AMONG THE

extremely light.”

U. S. army issues

or ‘Our losses were negligible.’ : ’ “We are fully aware that

communiques.” : = The paragraph in the column in which we observed: “There are other glib phrases, too—phrises like “Our losses were light” was not directed pare ticuarly at the radio commentators. But we are glad that the boint has been raised and the responsibility placed where it belongs, on its military source. -

Symptom of State of Mind

THIS HIGHLIGHTS the too-prevalent tendency of military commanders to minimize losses and to conceal blunders. Nothing has contributed more to the widely deplored complacency of the home front; little, if anything, has done more damage to American | morale or the confidence of the nation in its leaders. The phrase “Our losses were light” is not especiaily important in itself—it can even.be defended as an effort to bring comfort and assurance to those who wait anxiously at home. But it is a symptom of a state of mind that is all too prone to cover up mistakes and to insulate American homes from the realities of war. There was a time when, with superior pride, we contrasted the information policies of the dictatorships with that of our own democratic nation. We spoke of the controlled news ladled out in the totalitarian states, of their propaganda machines and policies of deception. The strength of the democracies, we said, lay in the fact that their governments told the people the truth, with the result that the people had confidence in their leaders and were

Seige

RESPONSES to| our recent column on the use of | | the phrase, “Only 12 bombers were |

It so happens! « that a full-rank general of the{ communiques

bearing the words: ‘Our losses were extremely light!

we are not at liberty to change the ras uw)

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spared the disillusionment which came when the true facts came to light, as they are bound to do. Can we still say that? Can we say that, when it is quite generally admitted that some communiques of the German high command are more accurate and realistic than our own? Can we say that when a former high official of our OWI has stated that the

commander of our navy, if he bad his way, would

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

issue only one communique during a war—that communique to be given out two weeks after the last

What has become of the vaunted confidence of a democratic nation in ifs people, its policy of telling the truth fully and freely?

Military Security Precautions Are Proper

precautions. This is right and proper.

suspicion naturally arises that this suppression may

of commanders than it is for the safeguarding of the lives of our troops.

the Aleutians through FCC bungling. What task force? When? And why, if that is true, hasn't it

now, so there certainly can be no reasons of military security for covering up the facts. The shooting down of American troop transports by our own gunners at Gela is another example, That was something that can be explained by the confusion that is bound to arise in an amphibious attack. But why was it hushed up so long?

Makes the Average Citizen Wonder

THE RESULT of these incidents, with their pattern of long suppression, their accidental revelation, followed first by flat official denials and then by shamefaced admissions make the average citizen wonder: “What else has happened that we have not been told about?” And he suspects the worst. There is a mood of distrust and cynicism, especially when bad news (the loss of a thousands troops in the sink-

mood certainly does not help our war effort. Our military leaders have yet to learn that if you trust the people, the people will trust you.

better if they fight as free and informed people with to forgive mistakes, but not deception.

and our governmental chiefs, should and must learn.

And we hope they will learn it soon—before it is too late.

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

We The People

By Ruth Millett

SHE LOOKED bver the head of her small son standing beside her and remarked, “I nearly go crazy on rainy days when he can’t play out-of-doors. It's awful being cooped up with his noise and his questions.” ! There was a hurt look on the 2 small boy’s face his mother didn't \ notice. : And if made me wonder if one in of the reasons why we are having ia so much juvenile delinquency isn't because so many parents treat their kids as nuisances —instead of making them feel they are a real and important part of the family and that their company is enjoyed.

Bound to Grow Up Rebellious

THE CHILD whose parents admit in front of ‘him that he “drives them crazy” is bound fo grow up to be rebellious—and to feel he isn't really wanted anywhere, . And there is no way in the world to make kids

life, except by making them feel they are necessary and wanted. Was ari But all too often today children are treated as nuisances by parents who don’t like their noise, and by parents who would rather be out somewhere at home ‘with their children. Mothers say in front of their didn’t have to stay at home and dren I'd be doing war work”—and they say it in a way the children sense just what would prefer to be doing. _And then when the children get to be years old and want to be afywhere the parents can’t understand it.

To The

Point—

“NEVER CONNECTED shot was fired and reading: Quote, We won, unquote? | WITH GAMBLING” By Stewart Donnelly, Indianapolis I am writing you in regard to the| unfavorable publicity I have received in your paper in the past OF COURSE, during a war a policy of full infor- [tW0 days. I wish you would state mation must be hedged about by military security | that I have never at any time been But there {connected with gambling in any have been numerous instances, and more are coming |form ‘in Indianapolis and have

to light continually, where news of a loss is witliheld | never participated in a game in the long after it is fully known to the enemy. The |Claypool hotel in the past 20 years.

be more for the purpose of protecting the reputations { have never been tried, or charged,

Recently it has been charged in congress that an [Past 20 years. Anything I may American task force was trapped by the Japanese in {Dave done ‘in other states or coun-

been announced? There are no Japs in the Aleutians {00 €an prove otherwise, then it

letter in the March 16 Hoosier

ing of a transport) is timed for release so it will be |idea if he didn't write for four or blanketed by good news (the attack on Truk). This |even eight months since he’s’ in such a state of mind.

I will be because such narrow minded The American people can take it. They will fight | folks elected him. With the mil-

full confidence in their leadership. They are ready don’t see why there could be only

one man to oppose Roosevelt; you That is something that our generals and admirals, | haven't been keeping up with the

want to stay at home, to make them value family |

The records will also show that I

with gambling or any other offense in Indianapolis or Indiana in the

tries has nothing to do with my home town, Indianapolis, so if any-

will be time to condemn me, "I have always been grateful to the press for the fair way they have treated me in the past and gladly spoke before the Press club when requested by its president. P. 8—Any time I was arrested here, it was for another state I was being held under bond.

» » “GOOD IDEA IF HE DIDN'T WRITE” By E. L. Mobley, 4411 Evanston ave. In answer to William H. Warren's

Forum, I believe it would be a good

If Roosevelt is “drafted” again it

lions of people in the United States]

news, have you? You challenge me when you say people don’t know why they are against Roosevelt. You forget that there are two sides to every question and reasons on each side. Since you can see but one side, let me tel you about the other. In the first place, Roosevelt said he “solemnly promised” that none of our boys would fight on foreign soil —a promise that wasn't worth the effort because even Roosevelt couldn't keep our boys who had joined with the R.A.PF. at home especially when F.D. R. himself had already made plans to ship them to other countries. The reason our forefathers didn’t write anything about holding cer-

(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.)

a President in our constitution was because they thought he would be American enough to have the good grace to say no after a second term. As for saving the people fromstarving, I suppose butchering little pigs, turning corn and wheat under, and paying the farmers not to produce via the AAA (which the Supreme Court, as uncomstituduring the first of his adthe stomachs of

those same starving people? of the crime

can't keep or break those he knows he could have kept, He might bedictator of this country, but

8

say. Until then, you Roosevelt worshipers better get down on your knees before Almighty God (and forget the money Roosevelt “gives” you and Morgenthau takes away) before God puts us all there.

P. 8.: What happened to bill 1161? On it hinged our victory, lives and

tain number of terms for office for

future.

raphrase Kin Hubbard,

Be

we understood there ‘was |

Side Glances—By Galbraith

“U. 8S. HAS DONE ITS SHARE OF BULLYING” By Robert Brewer, 3730 N. Pennsylvania st.

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enough to do one of these things— Therefore, it had to

the United States over the American Indians? oh Next, you say that “our newsthat

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By Daniel M. Kidney

Johnson Has Worked With Lauer

OF COURSE Rep. Noble J. Johnson, Terre Haute, knows Mr. Lauer. He is the sixth district congress.

Lesson at Cassino By James Thrasher

bombing ever dealt to a comparative area. Heavy and medium bombers almost blew the little

ideal protection for the Germans still

Few Will Be Discouraged—

IT 1S conceivable that Cassino may have produced some I-told-you-so's among military men still skeptis cal of aviation possibilities. But it is doubtful that many army officers are discouraged by the failure of the March 15 attack. . : $

they alteration find. * Accounts of the Cassino battle indicate that the problems there are as different from the problems of the Russian campaign as Stalingrad was different from_ Truk. Difficult terrain and a narrow front doubtless ‘entrusted an unusually important role te air support. :

One Failure Will Not Lose the War

C HAS been disappointing but there is no ponit in the public being discouraged. It was a new attack and it met a new defense. The lessons learned

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