Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 30 December 1944 — Page 6

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PAGE 6 Saturday, December 30, 1944

ROY W, HOWARD President

WALTER LECKRONE MARK FERREE

Editor © (A SCRIPPS-HOWARD NEWSPAPER)

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RILEY 5551

WARD CASE IN THE COURTS THis time Sewell Avery hasn't been toted out by soldiers. And this time, we hope, the government will go all, the way through with a court test of the President's power to enforce war labor board “orders” by sending the army

~to seize and- operate Montgomery Ward stores and plants. |,

The present military occupation of Ward properties seems to have set the stage for such a test. Government attorneys have asked the Chicago federal court for an injunction to restrain the company and its officers from interfering with army operation of the plants and stores, and for a judgment declaring that the seizures are legal. Hugh Cox, U. S. assistant attorney general if charge of the Chicago front, says that he and the company’s lawyers have agreed that through these court actions they will determine “once and for all” how far the executive brapeh of the government can go in dealing with wartime labor disputes. un . ” " o THAT IS SOMETHING that should have been determined long ago, and might have been determined fast May if President Roosevelt had not returned Ward's Chicago plant to its private owners just as Federal Judge Holly was preparing to hand down a government asked decision on The judge, holding that the question had become moot, tore up his decision and it has never been made public. Since then, Sewell Avery has continued to chares that | war labor board orders aren't orders at all, but merely | advisory opinions which nobody has any legal duty to obey; that the board itself asked that congress not make WLB decisions legally enforceable, so that he and other objectors couldn't carry their cases to the courts; that Montgomery

‘ § ’ 1 ~ Ward's business is ‘“non-war” and that, therefore, congress

has given the President no authority to enforce WLB orders, opinions, decisions or whatever by. seizing Ward properties bars on

~ ” . n " » WELL, MAYBE these contentions and'others will now be disposed of, one way or another, through gourt rulings.; And we think the government may have a better case— or, at least, a better prepared case—than it had last spring, when Attorney General Biddle made a pretty sad spectacle of himself. The government, we gather, will undertake to prove that Ward's business is directly related to war, and that the President-needs power to prevent strikes against’ Ward policies by employees in such production centers” as Detroit, where members of many strong C. I. O. unions are likely to strike in sympathy. 8

Anyway, a thorough court test ought to clear the air. If-the government lawyers win, it will be up to Mr. Avery to pull in his horns. If Montgomery Ward wins, then congress will have to decide whether to give the President, the war labor board or both more clearly defined authority to keep peace on the labor front. And that could be a real gain, since after all, even in wartime—or especially in wartime—it is desirable to do everything possible to keep this a government by law and not by men.

Qo

RATIONS AND. CONFUSION

THE indignation around here over OPA’s new food ration orders we suppose will presently be officially denounced in Washington as evidence of midwestern complacency or isolationism, if not worse. But from all we have heard of it—and we've heard quite a lot—the rising wrath of Hoosier housewives is not att-against any sacrifices the war may require, but only against frivolous, or political, or at best blundering, administration ¢f*a vital war necessity. Appealing for public understanding of the new order,

- OPA Administrator Chester’ Bowles this week urged that

the people be told “the facts about the food supply situation.” In that he is certainly right, even if it takes another Baruch commission to do it. There isn't much confidence in_the conflicting stories we've been getting. » ~ » » LAST OCTOBER, for instance, less than three months ago, administration orators, including President Roosevelt, ridiculed those -persons who had warned that America might run short of food, and pointed to the greatly relaxed rationing of the moment as proof that there was plenty. Today OPA insists we will run out of some foods entirely before spring unless we cut our rations immediately and drastically, although WFA is reported still worrying about a surplus of foods ‘that may hurt farm prices. Which is it? The nation’s food supply must have been about the same. before election as afterward. Within this year we have had determined demands from the federal administration for subsidies to enable us to buy more food. Today OPA blames a food shortage on the theory that we have more money and consequently eat more. Which is it?

It can hardly be both. » ~ A a an YES, WE BELIEVE the people ought to be told the facts about the whole food supply situation. And we believe they are entitled, too, to a consistent and fair policy from OPA, instead of a symphony played strictly by ear, and often enough a little off-key. Cancellation of the unused ration stamps, this week, after months of vigorous campaigning to induce people to hold them, not only penalizes the families which co-operated. with OPA and rewards those which ‘did not, but it also encourages ‘the hoarding of rationed foods. Inept and ill-

. informed juggling of food prices quite obviously has artificially created some of the Shortages, at least, which OPA : Tow seeks to cure,

Even the gore who are most indignant about the sent order ly want to co-operate with OPA, and ; 1 could

The Thdianapolis Times |

Business Manager

“

REFLECTIONS—

"| Sticks and’ Sones

By Peter Edson

‘WASHINGTON, Dec. 30— There is nothing duller than when one columnist writes a piece about what some other columnist said. But at the risk of being sb banal, this latest crack of the President's abdut columnists being excrescences is worth another look, to see -what causéd it. On the day “the President delivered himself of this nifty, what were the columnists saying about Mr, Roosevelt? Mr, Drew Pearson that morning cited chapter and verse on _ the fact that the President had been out of town and away from his desk 27 out of the last.52 weeks. Mr. Arthur Krock of the New York Times had just delivered himself of a piece to the effect that the President's press conferences seldom produced any news but were held for the President's own enjoyment and to give the admiring throng its chance to laugh | at the President's cute*remarks. , Mr. John O'Donnell of the New York Daily News syndicate had just aired his view that the President's admission . that the Atlantic Chater had never “been signed was a pretty sorry busihess. The Chicago Sun's dally gossip’ column, the work of its Washington staff, had just printed a story that the President had rowed with gDemocratic National | Chairman Bob Hannegan,

You Can Bet It Wasn't Complimentary

PM'S COLUMNING reporters had just finished 10 days of concentrated hell-raising over the President's six nominations for assistant secretaryships in the department of state. What Mr, Westbrook Pegler and Mr, Paul Mallon of the Hearst organization had to say was not noted, but you can bet a dime it certainly was not complimentary. Now no man, President or proletarian, could be expected to take a paper pasting of that sort and like it. But the way the President reacted in calling columnists a three-syllable name, he wis most cer-

tainly asking for more, which he will undoubtedly get.

Trace all this columnar spleen back to its origin and yeu run into some interesting source material. The President has called Mr. Drew Pearson a liar and a chronic liar, often and with emphasis. To Mr. John O'Donnell he once awarded an’ iron cross for bad taste. Are they supposed to love him for that? Such things aren't newspapering. Instead, they become personal feuds. But for the New York Times and the Pleld publications, PM .and the Chicago Sun, to intimate that everything about the President and what he does is | not perfect—that must Teally get under‘the hide where it's the thinnest, . s

What Does That Accomplish?

LE THIS is Written not through any sense of for protecting the President, There are a few columnists—notably Ernest Lindley, Samuel Grafton, and Jay Franklin—~who seem-to defend his policies when or wherever necessary, but this goes beyond policy and becomes a personal thing. When the President of the United States resorts to name-calling, what does that accomplish? Nor is this written through any sense of need for defending columnists. They can defend themselves and there is, thank goodness, no union of commentators who must rush to each other's aid when in trouble. There are days when any column won't seem too hot. No one cah be at top form every day. There are even days when a President may not be at his best. The whole thing makes for a very unpleasant incident. Perhaps the proper way to treat it would be to ignore it, considering sources in appraising the worth of statements on all sides.

"WORLD AFFAIRS—

What a Man! By Ludwell Denny

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.—Winston Churchill's return to London from Athens is happler than his | suddén Christmas eve departure for Greece. For the first time his war coalition cabinet had been shaken by public, press and parliameritary criticism that wo There had been other crises, but none that he could *not handle quickly. This one, howefger, kept - growing after the nominal vote of confidence by commons showed only & minority of all members actually supporting him, His own party and strongest press followers were leading the attacks against his Ttallan and Greek policies, on the ground that his methods were isolating Britain from her European and American friends and allies,

Both Physical and Moral Courage

TO COMPLETE the crisis, the U, 8. secretary of state disavowed Churchill's so-called interference methods in Italy and Greece, the Greek civil war spread when British troops tried to restore order, and .Ghurchill’s Greek premier tried to quit. Then, Churchill did a characteristic thing. He flew with his foreign minister to Athens to hold a conference with leaders of all Greek factions, including the strong Leftist group which he had so recently damned as Reds and brigands. He was not stopped by two apparent assassination attempts. He was not stopped by ‘any fear of “loss of face,” since his moral courage equals his physical bravery. And he was not stopped by his earlier policy against a regency. When all the factions voted unanimously—the small Royalist minority having walked out—in favor of a regency, Churchill ceased trying to force the anti-regency policy of an unpopular king on an unwilling people.

Turned Weakness Into Strength

AT ANY RATE Athens press reports agree that Churchill indicated his willingness to permit. the longdemanded" regency, presumably under Archbishop ‘Damaskinos, who presided at his all-party conferences, and further that Churchill will so inform the

exiled king in London.

Obviously the Greek problem. is not Yet solved. The fighting with British troops continues, famine

peace government have not been formed. But

V 3, _ CONFLICTING X7/, | STATEMENTS 2 Ir

POLITICAL SCENE—

Wilsons Dream*

are very conscious of that fact at this moment.

Woodrow Wilson in his “little cabinet,” as assistant ° secretary of navy. He remembers vividly what the senate did to Woodrow Wilson's dream.

SATURD

The:

ie (Ernie Py a few days.

WITH TH Belgian train ‘crossing where » his pipe. . Hal roared in and buildings and body was jitte The train ¢ on both sides, bomb chased far away with In the com had one thoug -». SWung out.of | and all that ps see darkey acc © gate, man, an Still, when may be just as wings of rocke

By Thomas L Stokes -

te WAS

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30. Woodrow Wilson's birthday has: come. around again, and there 8 particular pertinence just now in the man, his dream, and his tragedy. For the senate of the new cone gress which assembles next week will be confronted in the next few months with the present-day model of the league of nations which he lost, in that body, 25 _years ago. .! There are a number of people in Washington who

One-is-the man in the White House who sat under

The Hoosier Forum

1 wholly disagree with what you say, but will

not down. |

and disease grows worse, the regency and a coalition’

defend to the death your right to say it.—Voltaire.

“WE ARE NOT FIGHTING ANY RACE” By Charles E. Geiger, Indianapolis

In timés past I have been pretty severe in my criticism of certain policies followed:by your paper but I can be. just as free with nty praise when it is due you. 1 have reference to your editorial of Saturday, Dec. 23, concerning the racial question. Unless we practice what we preach about democracy we had better quit dreaming about peace. There is no better way to keep the fires of nerpetual war smouldering than to preach race hatred, race superiority or inferiority. I, too, like 8gt. McConnaughey, was in the Hawaiian islands until my medical discharge from the service due to defective hearing, and on the particular island where 1 was stationed, the. population was about’ 80 per cent Japanese; mostly of American birth, and we had no trouble with them whatever. I saw many of them leave the islands for training in the states prior to their oversea combat in Italy and France and they were just as loyal a group of men as any Americans of other ancestry. According to some of the stupid, and I hope few, individuals Irom California; I, too, should have becu| put into a concentration camp bzcause my grandfather came from Germany. That my grandfather lett Germany when he s a boy of. 16 to escape ing in the

(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 tor the return ot manu. scripts and cannot enter correspondence regarding them.)

Naturally, the creation of a new state welfare board of three members with good salaries for:some of the faithful. That seems to be about the extent of the interest the politicians in both parties in Indiana have in the welfare of the old citizens. Not one suggestion did they submit to the legislature that would help relieve the sacrifices and hardships thousands of old people are under'going'in trying to exist in the face |of extremely high prices for everything they need, - with an average income from their county welfare board of about $20 a month, Our leaders in both political parties show an amazing amount of

very militaristic. nfachine which vas the forerunner the present oue, | {which we are fighting, would no| doubt not make the slightest difference to those pseudo-patriots. It should be_reiterated time and again that we are not fighting any race -or color but forms and principles of government that are inimical to'world peace. o 2 -

“INDIANA LAGS BEHIND” Ellettsville wa§ appointed by our legisliture to investigate our welfare setup in recommend improvements in what we thought would be not only administrative improvements: but changes that would put: more money in the checks handed out tp our helpless old citizens. After long and brain-wracking thought,sthey came up with a few suggestions.

By Oscar Houston, A comirifttee

Indiana and,

indifference or political cowardice in not trying to relieve the situa- | tion and also the sétup responsible | for the situation. - Other states have | recognized the failure of turning | welfare over to the counties and have taken it over with a great deal better. results for all concerned. Indiana lags behind its neighboring states. For example, Illinois’ average assistance check is $31.13 a gonth, Ohio's is $28.65. Old folks are not asking unnecessary amounts, only enough to liven decency That committee suggested two things that should be condemned by every thinking citizen, First, that the names of all old citizens receiving welfare checks be kept in the" courthouse for public inspection. Secondly, persons drawing public assistance must take a pauper's oath every six months. If they fail, their checks will be stopped. That's

Side Glances=By Galbraith

@hurchill has gone a long way toward achieving a truce and a responsible regency pending a popular plebiscite. It is now up to all Greek groups, including the Leftists, to co-operate, Meanwhile, Churchill again has turned weakness into strength and once more proved himself a remarkable statesman,

To The Point—

.the living room carpet, which doesn’t mean tha Buse bands are improving,

APPLY LEND-LEASE to your war effort! ! Lend Your money and give-uur boys » new Jes on Nts. Buy mois war bonds!

FEWER ‘CIGARET ashes are being dropped on

| we have had the Jap navy cut down

the kind of consideration that committee gave the welfare of our old citizens. After all, our old people that have worked a lifetime for small wages and have contributeds much to everything that is good in our state have a stake in our common heritage that is deserving of decent recognition. ” » » “THEY MEANT

ALL WORKERS” By James R. Meitzler, Attica Poor Abe Lincoln, poor Daniel Webster—Mrs. Carroll Collins has grabbed them up as champions of organized labor along with Dan Tobin, Dave Beck,” Bill Green, Willie Biofr, Walter Reuther,

Secrge Scalise, Harry Bridges, John Phil Murray and J Petrillo, > Youmy When Linioln and Webster eulogized labor, they meant all workers, self-employed ds well as wageearners, unorganized as well as organized.. They never dreamed their words would be twisted around as supporting the tyrannical monopolies of the Teamsters, the Musicians, the Longshoremen, C. I. 0, A F.ofL, UMW. Such labor jascisin was unheard of in’ their ay. Such lovers of liberty as Abraham Lincoln and Daniel Webster would never in this world have indorsed ma jority tyrannizing over the minority, the closed shop, discrimination © against

union, coercing picket lines, blacklisting employers, staying out of war plants until you pay tribute, sabotaging national defense by strikes and walkouts. If Lincoln and Webster, in spirit, read Mrs.

“they hung their heads and cried.” As for those lines on the Statue of Liberty, no matter if you think them fine or foolish, they are .obsolete, chiseled off by our immigration laws. » . “LET'S HAVE THE COLD, HARD FACTS”

By Henry Reger, 1009 N. Talbot Ave. Indianapolis

During the last campaign, Governor Dewey did make some absurd

it wasn't what the present administration said that was important but how true the release to the press was. The war news being so highly

fronts.

fold up early last spring. Yet the Germans struggle on with the huge loss of American lives. By the press,

to a raft and a rowboat a half a dozen times. Yet more naval vice tories are recorded almost daily. The Japs at that rate must make Kaiser look like an amateur,

r unorganized | § workers, no job unless you pay the |:

Collins letter in The Times, I'll bet

accusations, but he Hid make one valid accusation when he said that

colored that one doesn’t know what the score is on any of the battle

By reading the papers, I was led to the conclusion that Hitler would

-manding -than-his-lifelong-tax payments will he afte .| this war, which was made supefcostly because of lack

Others who are conscious of that other battle are a number of senators, Democrats and Republicans. ¢ They are trying’ to think out now the best practical

and heavy tn and civilians ¢ get up to look

means of helping to back up .President Roosevelt in "hurt. his ‘present dilemma, which involves not only an ine ternational organization such as outlined tentatively MW » Pretty Dec at Dumbarton Oaks, but also the disturbing revival of power politics in' Europe. The latter threatens to . WE ALMOX obscure the main objective. 8 stone bank bomb, But th

straight down yelled for help stories. Two B ly citizen reac soon he was sa

Events Abroad Have Disturbed Senators

EVENTS IN Belgium, Italy, Greece and Poland have disturbed these senators, for they are anxious to see the creation of an effective international organ= ization, and they are fearful of such ghosts rattling

That same “their chains in the sight and hearing of the American of Sgt. Vincer people. been fighting t Included among the senators are the four whor “Our outfit campaigned so courageously and effectively months _. #0 if this is th ago for a united nations organization—two Democrats, © Por days the

Hatch (N. M.) and Hill (Ala), and two Republicans, Ball (Minn.) and Burton (0), Their basic objective is to bring together more closely for effective, prompt action the two agencies in our government which share in the conduct of foreign affairs, the President, who has broad powers in tfie initiation of policy, and the senate, which has > the power of ratification of treaties, and hence the power to uphold or block the carrying out of foreign policy as enunciated by treaties. They would like to see President Roosevelt speals out with a restatement of our aims in view of what has happened in Europe, as a warning to our allies before they indulge themselves too far in advance arrangements prior to the peace. But, lacking any assurance that he will, they think it might be a good idea for the senate to go on record with a frank restatement of our aims, coupled with an assurance ’ for the rest of the world that the senate intends to follow through this time, to co-operate actively for the preservation of peace,

Object Is to Be Constructive

ALSO INCLUDED might be a recapitulation of the , various benefits the United States has bestowed and can continue to bestow—lend-lease, UNNRA, coe

eonfused rumo pusness, how

» - Insic BERNARD .pearch engine own and the the Christmas

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operation and financial assistance in world monetary -y programs, agricultural programs and the like—which with water. T could be withdrawn if our allies did not adhere to the all day, confe general principles of the Atlantic Charter, though the Mulcahy at ti senators are realistic and they recognize that the comes out. . charter is an ideal that cannot be achieved literally has a suggesti in every respect. food stamps. “

Their object is to be constructive, to uphold the ‘4 . President's hands. They believe this would have an effect among our allies, who are conscious of the place and importance of the senate in the Americih scheme of things. There is a feeling that Mr. Roosevelt might welcome such support at this. time. Woodrow Wilson was not sufficiently mindful . of the senate.. President Roosevelt has. not forgotten that, and is inclined rather to lean over backwards, That would seem to augur well for future relations in respect to the peace treaties.

IN WASHINGTON—

Peacetime Draft By Daniel M. Kidney

WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.—When the plan of the armed services for post-war universal training is ene acted into law, the job of pro=_ viding the youth, who will serve one year likely wll fall to selece tive service. For the present draft system is a successful, going concern, with the best background of experience 4 in the history of the nation. It began fupctioning after the. first emergency was declared and a draft law was passed, in 1940. Kinks were gradually ironed out until -today- selective service delivers the men the amny orders, sometimes on as little notice as 24 hours. =. There has been some criticism of the draft, but 3 there hasbeen no scandal, such as marked. the whole history of our civil war drafting, and as cropped up sporadically during world war I. Those familiar with the present system attribute its good name largely toy

orate New Ye: make us feel housewives ha a little late to Mrs. Kern. Bu April Fool's ¢ more appropri: THE BIG . sticker home d Christmas tre could be descr platform, witl and various o tree goes thro form and fits box. The latt * revolving the f

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WAR SET world of scier ’ under the Offi ment and the

upon those thi

ol chief resources

the fact that selective service has been close to the problems. citizen-soldier of world war II, being administered » Metallurgls! through 6500 local boards. These board members the so-cilled serve without pay, and have done an outstanding steels” to task: job, : alloy content 1944.

Democracy .in the System THE ARMED SERVICES transmit their mane’

New Allo)

power needs to selective service headquarters in BOON AFI Washington and orders are sent. down to the boards became evider with thorough state co-operation. It is ‘this bring- were our chief ing the problem to the people for themselves to solve lurgists found

which makes for democracy in -the system and it should be retained in peacetime, proponents of the selective service plan maintain. It has been pointed out that hitherto between™ wars Americans have lapsed into great apathy regarding the necessity for constant vigilance and armed defénse for what commonly has been conceded to be the “wealthiest nation on earth. - wh 80 when war came our preparations proved exe

. of one or two ones containin 4 ments,

My

tremely costly, as we practically bought time to arm, « WASHING Experts now predict that future wars may not provide ‘someone does such a time lag and they argue that a citizen-army . to thank him would form the best insurance against being attacked. thank a youn Putting a million-man army on a volunteer basis’ Christmas eve would work out about as well as a volunteer tax .

system, they say. And the year of service for each ‘citizen between 17 and 20 is no more de-

of adequate preparedness.

General Exemptions Opposed ; SELECTIVE SERVICE experts. say

“~