Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 August 1945 — Page 14

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The Indianapolis Times PAGE 14 Friday, Aug. 24, 1945

ROY W. HOWARD WALTER LECKRONE HENRY W. MANZ President Editor Business Manager

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Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way

THE CHINESE REDS

THE danger of Chinese civil war grows. Though the Yenan Communist regime has lost several moves recently, desperation may drive it into a hopeless conflict. China, already seriously weakened by long years of Jap aggression and by internal strife, could not stand more civil war. It would drag her down deeper into the chaos and poverty from which a long peace offers the only chance of escape. To win a civil war the Yenan Reds first would have to get more arms. Their best immediate bet has been the Japs. That is why they are trying so hard to muscle in on the Jap surrender. So far, apparently, they have not succeeded very well. But probably a month or more must

* OUR TOWN— - : 2 ‘Sang’ Trade

By Anton Scherrer

I DOUBT whether adequate analysis has yet be made of the : part that China played in the development of Indianapolis. In this connection it may not be amiss to mention James Blake—and Nicholas McCarty, too. James Blake was a York County, Pennsylvania, boy who, at the age of 19, enlisted in the war of 1812. Three years of) after the declaration of peace, he resumed his trade of wagoner and drove a six-horse team between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, In 1818, he started on horseback to have a look at the Far West and actually reached St. Louis. He returned the following spring to complete arrangements for a final removal to that place. , Apparently something happened to change his mind, for on July 25, 1821, he settled in Indianapolis, a baby-town a little more than six months old at the time. When Mr. Blake arrived in Indianapolis, he found a group of discouraged settlers just about to give up— all on account of an ornery weed colloquially known as “sang.” It was an 18-inch-high plant the physieal elements of which comprised a sickly looking yellow root, a measly stalk of only three leaves and a flower stem bearing an umbel of insignificant blossoms which eventually developed conspicuous scarlet ber= ries. The scarlet was the exact shade of sin, Its beauty was a debatable question.

Worse Than Dandelion

LESS DEBATABLE was a suspicion that the ornery weed had emotional qualities unlike those of any other plant. For one thing, it had a determination of its own, compared with which the behavior of a dandelion was that of a neophyte. Anyway, the

pass before Chiang Kai-Shek can be sure that the Reds | have not picked up enough enemy equipment to cause trouble. In this surrender race Washington is helping its ally, the Nationalist government. Supreme Commander MacArthur has forwarded to Chiang Kai-Shek the Jap complaint that Red forces are trying to move in. American token forces may take over for a time some strategic ports which might otherwise be occupied or attacked by the rebels. : = THE REMAINING force, if any, of Yenan military supplies is Russia. Theoretically that.source has been closed by the new pact negotiated by Marshal Stalin and Premier Soong. If Stalin is to be a friend of the Chiang Kai-Shek government, as now professed by treaty, he cannot aid the Yenan rebels—ipdeed he will insist that the Chinese Communists stop their separatist strife. That is not only logical, but also beneficial to a peaceful Russia. But if Stalin has ordered the Reds to be good there is nothing yet to show it. Meanwhile Premier Soong is in Washington to obtain political and economic support. We do not fancy Uncle Sam in a Santa Claus role. But there is a wide range in which the United States can help China to help herself, and thus provide the strength and stability essential to peace. This is assuming, of course, that the Nationalist * government will make constructive use of American aid—which has not always been the case. The fact that Chiang Kai-Shek has chosen the progressive and able T. V. Soong as premier is promising evidence that there will be internal reforms. Those reforms are even more necessary than arms to prevent the spread of Chinese communism. *

» =

”

SANTA CLAUS, OUT OF BUSINESS

IX some quarters abroad, and among loose thinkers and global planners in this country, there seems to be some surprise and consternation over President Truman's sudden stoppage of lend-lease. But there shouldn't be. Congress specified that lend-lease should be employed only for winning the war, and that its operation should cease with hostilities. Mr. Truman has long since demonstrated’ that he intends to run this as a constitutional government and carry out policies which congress makes. Even had the decision been wholly discretionary with the President, he would have been wise to saw off lend- | lease where he did. Apparently a misconception had grown up that lend-lease was to serve as a more or less permanent crutch for the distressed economies of other countries. Some of our Johnny-come-lately allies, in declaring war on the Axis, seemed to be more interested in qualifying for our lend-lease than in contributing anything to the defeat of our enemies. The sole purpose of lendlease was to hasten victory. It served its purpose well. By abandoning lend-lease, America has not abandoned international economic co-operation. To the contrary, the United States is far ahead of other countries in extending co-operation. We made the largest and among the first contributions to UNRRA, for relief and rehabilitation in war-torn countries. We pledged the largest and among the first subscriptions to. the Bretton Woods international monetary and banking funds, for world currency stabilization and reconstruction, »

” » ~ » » WE HAVE set up a multi-billion export-import bank— such as no other country has—available to all who can show they can repay what they want to borrow to promote | world commerce. And if those facilities are not enough, | we have a congress willing to consider any pleas or propo-

sitions,

But all who apply for something more than relief and | rehabilitation grants and reconstruction and trade loans will | do well to remember that the congress which holds America’s purse strings is the congress that lays taxes on the American people, the congress which has contracted for a public debt of nearly $300 billion, the congress which is now interested first of all in promoting’an American prosperity that can carry and retire that debt—and on a slightly lower tax rate. : ; We of the United States have a great stake .in promoting world peace and raising the living standards of the | . other peoples of this continent, of South America, of Europe, of Asia, of Africa and Australia. But to be of the most help to others, we must first build our own ecnomic strength. That means we are not going to play Santa Claus on borrowed money, and other countries must develop the self-

reliance to stand on their own feet before asking us to help them walk,

COLD COMFORT

H a singular lack of cheer we read the statement " of one of our scientific pundits that the atomic bomb | has given humanity the power to destrqy itself, but that | “it cannot destroy the earth. | This may be heartening news to such earthly inhabij tants as deep-sea fish and the more ambitious breeds of gophers, But we hope we'll be pardoned if we're unable register enthusiastic jollity over the prospect of a planet

| shouldn't. { ginseng.

harder the natives tried to remove the ornery weed, the more the ornery weed was determined that they The pest has since been identified as

It is not known for sure whether or not Mr. Blake had inside information concerning ginseng when he came to Indianapolis. If he did, he kept it a secret until 1823, the year Nicholas McCarty blew into town. In the meantime, Mr. Blake pursued his trade of wagoner. This time his route ran between Indianapolis and Philadelphia, His enterprise was of mutual benefit. It provided Mr. Blake with the wherewithal to live and it brought luxuries to Indianapolis which it couldn't have had otherwise.

It is a matter of record, for instance, that when

Indianapolis was a town of less than 1000 people, Mr. Blake's hauls in a single year amounted to 76 kegs of tobacco, 200 barrels of flour, 100 kegs of gunpowder, 4500 pounds of yamn and 213 barrels of whisky.

® Nine Gallons Per Man THIS, WITH the 71 barrels of whisky distilled in Indianapolis that year, amounted to 8946 gallons. It figures something like nine gallons per capita, or approximately 35 gallons per adult male per annum, which is a good thing to remember the next time the youngsters start bragging about the ability of modern men. : The trouble with Mr. Blake's business was, of course, (if you haven't already guessed it) that he had little, if anything, to haul out of Indianapolis to Philadelphia, Which brings me back to Mr. McCarty and the part he plays in today’s piece. Nicholas McCarty, a West Virginian by birth, was the first merchant around here to do business in a big way. In addition to his Indianapolis store (south= west corner of Washington and Pennsylvania sts.) he nad branches in LaPorte, Greenfield, Covington, Cum-= berland and Waverly. Apparently, Mr. Blake sensed Mr. McCarty’s business ability. Otherwise he wouldn't have gone to him with a proposition to haul ginseng to Philadelphia,

Highly Prized in China

LIKE AS NOT on that memorable day, Mr. Blake told Mr. McCarty that he had watched the thriving trade between Philadelphia and China, a good part of which consisted of shipping American ginseng, the roots of which were highly prized by the Chinese not only because of their medicinal properties, but also because ‘of certain occult virtues.

Mr. McCarty had the necessary imagination to-|

catch on. Forthwith, he advertised that he would trade anything in his stores for what until then was considered an ornery weed. In less time than it takes to tell, everybody around here was digging for ginseng, and it was just like digging for gold. Even those who found it difficult to stoop cashed in big, for just about that time somebody around here invented a special tool called the “sang-hoe.” ' Something like that always happens in the case of a crisis. Look at.the atomic bomb of a fortnight ago. The extent of Blake and McCarty's trade with China may be judged by the fact that when it was going good (circa 1828), it required 16 six-team

Conestaga wagons to haul the stuff to Philadelphia. |

Of course, like all attractive bubbles, this one, too, had to burst. That was the day the pioneers discovered that Indianapolis was rid of the ornery weed.

== WORLD AFFAIRS—

} Franc Bonus By William P. Simms

WASHINGTON, “Aug. 24. — The joint war and treasury departments announcement that, beginning next’ week, American soldiers in France will be paid $17 a. month by the French government came to many as something of a shock. Frenchmen who have spent many years in the United States, and Americans who have made their homes in France fear that this solution of the serviceman's dollar-franc exchange difficulties will prove a boomerang. The hope is expressed that while Gen. De Gaulle and his experts are in the capital some other answer can be found. American G. 1's in France are paid in francs at the rate of 50 to the dollar. The French themselves are the first to admit that this is a very low dollar valuation. On the black market the rate is anywhere

from 150 to 250 to the dollar and buyers are eager to |

get them within those figures,

Modest Meal Costs $4 THE BLACK market rate is based on purchasing power, An extremely modest meal—soup, a single main dish and dessert—costs 200 francs or $4. Extras, if any—and the $4 meal isn't much for a hungry man —raise the ante into really big money. As a result, the American soldier feels that he is being gypped. Apparently the solution hit on by Washington and Paris is the “subsidy” device. After Aug. 31, every American G. I, in France will be given a “bonus” of

850 francs in addition’ to the 2500 francs paid by |

Uncle Sam, the difference being made up by the French treasury. : It so happens that the French private is paid 850 francs a month. And that is all. Thus when French taxpayers learn that their government is also paying U. 8. troops at the same rate—ayer and above the 2500 francs which each G. I. receives from his own | government—{ew will understand and fewer still will like it,

May Make More Grief FAR FROM making better relations, it is feared that the “subsidy” idea eventually will make for additional grief. Not many Americans understand all the intricacies of international exchange and ‘the séme is true of the French. ,

There is certainly a gross inequity in the 50-frane iThe French very much want to ‘correct it. |

dollar, Our war and treasury departments, not to mention

| our G. 1's, are just as eager. Everything possible is being done to correct the G. I's impression that the |

French are giving him a raw deal. But the 850 franc monthly “bonus” to American soldiers in France, while 100 per cent praiseworthy as to motivation, in practice will lead to ‘an erroneous impression ‘harmful to the best interests of both

« A

~ Also on the Reconversion List—We Hope .

KINDLING Wooo:

| “WEATHER, FOOD BAD {IN SOUTH GERMANY" | By Pfe. C. F. Hartling, Overseas In the July 3, 1945, edition of your paper, Lyle C. Wilson's article on | “German Girls Tempting G. I's,” {has been read with interest by several men in my gun battery. ‘ There are two things that seem to be in error. First, in the reference to “well fed” American soldiers. The truth is we are poorly ‘fed and were it not for the folks back home sending food to us we would go hungry. Now and then we get a decent meal but they are not the usual thing. Where did the reporter eat? Second, the weather here in south

discomfort. ‘wear wool clothes and sleep under | blankets. > :

Hoosier Forum

death

(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 responsibility for the return of manu. scripts and cannot enter correspondence regarding them.)

Sermany is everything but warm you who are now reading this ike in Indiana. I have been in the article will know of a house that : Landshut-Munich area since June could be rented and the owner pot Sounty Stats lo edionisls oh onl and found .the temperature cool.|afraid of children. If you do, please The Bavarian mez” wearshory panty 86t word to me through this paper. made out 8f leather ‘but they are a | Just an -orairary house somewhere |between parents—relations, for rulhardy race andi asst mind.a’ Httle eat & school and car line, four 1 editorials. : The American soldiers! six, rooms. .

“WITH ATOMIC POWER MAN

. : : CAN BUILD HEAVEN ON EARTH” such a meeting on uniform meth- | The wOmen, it is true, do give the By Henry W. Reger; Indianapolis ' boys the “come on” but it is no dif-|

“l wholly disagree with what you say, but will defend to the

your right to say it.” “SHOULD ACT NOW ON UNIFORM DIVORCES” By Ralph Andrews, Indianapolis Article of Aug. 15 by L. R. Ward— I wholly agree with what you say| about uniform equal methods for ll divorce cases. Child delinquency caused by divorce between parents, losing guidance of both parents on equal basis. Sure, the attorneys favor divorce so they can get their fees. The judges get theirs through politics grab by handing down un-uniform rulings on each divorce, which, in’ itself, is unconstitutional. .

When you challenged the Marion

{form equal rights, uniform divorce, | | uniform support fees, uniform time |

lings or editorials—sorry, but there's | {not a judge here honest énpugh to | {come out with ‘editorials or to call

ods. Nor will the Indiana Bar asso- |

Now that man’ has discovered a ciation for attorneys favor such a

(ferent here than in the U. 8. A. The way to harness atomic energy he thing as uniform method.

army has legalized haystack part- has within his grasp the means of | ners by lifting fraternization re- pyilding a heaven on earth.

| cently, 2 a =

| “WAS EVERYONE HERE |BORN GROWN-UP?”

of this city? { born grown-up.

Was everyone here

his

It is

tory of the human race. With

When the U. S. supreme court | | judges asked congress to make |

[truly the greatest discovery in the amendments to our constitution on |

equal rights and uniform divorce |

|this new power man has found the methods, they knew all past such | | By an Ex-Pfe. from the Army, Indianapolis| Philosopher's stone and a panacea rulings were unconstitutional. Our What is happening to the people for all human ills. Man at last has broken all the &on on our reconversion policy. |

{state representative body meets |

1 have lived in this chains which hindered him in en- | This equal rights, uniform divorce, |

|state ever since I was born and in joying life to the fullest extent.juniform support, uniform custody,

|every person lately never was a all

(child. For better than 2 years now

sold and so we are out, My wife

Id, |T have been in the army. Just this groups who will try to monopolize state to rule and act on equal May 25 I was sent to Billings hos-|this wonder of the -20th century | rights of all its citizens and unipital to recover from an injury I|and divert it to their own selfish received in Germany, and last week |interest, I was discharged from the hospital. | without a question, It will be use-|tatives should act, even our local Ever since I have been back near|less for certain nations to try to|county, state and national, on these Indianapolis, ever day I could get obtain a monopoly on this colossal | subjects without delay. away from the hospital I have spent |giant because the march of science looking for a house for my family to | will go on. It will be found that to rule as they have, can now even live in but to every inquiry I get the |other atoms in addition to uranium same answer—no children allowed. can be harnessed. Where I am living now has been hope to have a monopoly.

however, there are . certain

civilization is doomed

No nation can

Indianapolis ever since I was about Atomic power if properly used will uniform time between parents—re2 years old and It seems as though make possible the abundant life for lation, should be acted upon then.

Indiana took lead in bond drives, | {war work, etc, so why not be first |

Horn laws covering divorce, sup- { port, custody time. Our represen-

Our judges who have had power

{rule on uniform methods or if any {new law passed would have to be {made on retroactive basis so past

We must at last commence 10 rulings would be treated same as

has been registered at the OPA|practice the Christian ideals, rental agency for better than four which we have given a great deal |jfications or orders made, such can months and they are no help. She|of lip service the last nineteen and! pe done even now by any judge. can't afford to give any $100 re-|a quarter centuries, but practiced

to

wards. I guess that is the reason|rarily®and only then because it was

{she has heard nothing. Some home- expedient,

Circumstance will force

| presént or future and blanket mod-

Where any infidelity is shown or | proved by others than relation on {either or both parents just once

[coming for the boys to come back|us to start to practice the teachings | during one’s married life proves

to. - I know all of us couldn't go to

lof the Master of men or else be|they are not moral and unfit to be

| war but neither could all of us stay|totally destroyed. We have no alter-| a mother or father, such cases place |at home and make enough money native. The abundant life must be [child or children in homes.

to buy a home. Maybe someone of open for all—or we all perish.

|

Side Glances=By Galb

| rr

raith

W a }

: SOP YE YY MO Tre, YR ECR a TOR, . p— 8-22

“Yes, that's the call Senny put in from Hawaii—$80 does seem a

~

~~. lof, but it took us quite a while to round up all the neighbors Co. who wanted fo say hello fo himd®

God is forgotten, | elighued

Any mother or father who tries to keep their ex-mate from their children is a criminal. Both should have and be given equal rights to them in support, time, custody, it's not the children’s fault they can't have their parents together. This equal rights uniform methods should be acted and ruled upon at this reconversion session for our state unless we do have honest judges who will call meetings and form uniform methods and rulings for all now. . . We fought for freedom, let us all act and be governed accordingly with. equal rights uniform methods and laws, Uniform methods on fifty-fifty basis would cut divorees where children are involved 50 per cent.

” » ” “LADIES WHO CALL JAPS ‘RATS’ ARE NOT WRONG” By Mrs. M.\Dean, 2522 W. Washington st. Mr. Kennedy of Brookside ave. It is a wonder to me they don’t run you off of their street. Those ladies who called the Japs “rats” were not one bit wrong. They are heathens and, you cannot get around. that. They are no good. Why do you hold up for them? !

DAILY THOUGHT

Can a maid forget her ornaments, 6r a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me days without number. —Jeremiah 2:32,

God and the doctor we alike adore But only when in danger, not béfore; The danger o'er, both are alike requited, 3

and the doctor

| war is over; is a puzzle.

REHABILITATION—

Veteran Aids

By Andy Anderson

TUSCALOOSA, Ala, Aug. 24.—Recently I had an opportunity to help set up an entertainment program at Northington hospital here for disabled boys with Birmingham sportsmen as sponsors. Later, Capt. Jim Davis, public relations officer for Northington, suggested: “Why don't you write an article about how to set up parties and entertainments for disabled boys in all hospitals?” I've helped put on some 50 parties for the kids

and, of course, conditions are not the same in every:

hospital. But there is a general chart that can be followed anywhere in America. Most disabled veterans’ parties are staged on week-ends, The kids like to get away from tks nOspitals then and it is more convenient for civilians. Parties can be made as elaborate as one desires. But most kids do not care ,any more for a lavish affair than they do a homelike affair, Don't start with the idea that you have to ply the kids with liquor. Many of them like a drink, it's, true. And within reason you can give them beer or a highball or two if they want it. But too many civilians get over-sympathetic along this line, :

Average. American Boys THE KIDS like good looking girls. Many of them like to go into homes and just make themselves comfortable. If they are able, they like to dance. In

fact they like anything the average American boy likes. The civilian organizations of America have a big job ahead. But if every civilian organization set up a program for a party only one day each year, I'm sure a great many kids would be entertained. In organizing a party, don't try to handle too many boys. Ten or 12 are about right. In setting up a committee ‘there should be one member or buddy fog each boy entertained. That boy becomes the charge of the buddy. It's up .to the buddy to see that his wants are tended to, clothes pressed, shoes shined, date provided, fishing tackle or hunting gear furnished. If it is that sort of trip, sit with him at football or baseball games. In other words, the buddy should act sort of as a ane-man entertainments committee. Boys can be housed at hotels if they are to remain over night, but many like to go into private homes.

Don't Worry About Diet DON'T WORRY about the diet. If they are not convalescent theyll not be on the trip. If the boy wants to talk about his experiences, encourage him. If he doesn't, keep quiet, As for money, a party should not be planned until the planner has a fund sufficiently large to do the job in a big way. In collecting funds, make sure that every donor will serve as a committeeman if asked. Private cars can be used as transportation but, it

| other means are desirable, you can always depend on

the Red Cross Motor Corps or the AWVS. Help also can be had from army air flelds hangaring large ships. A sympathetic commanding officer can assign crews on training flights to haul the boys. Set up a schedule and stick to it. It can be varied with golf, tennis, swimming, fishing, hunting, dancing, theaters, football games, etc. But enough time should be allowed for the kids to be with thelr “dates.” There are a great many thousand civilian groups,

luncheon clubs, etc. Every one should become “party

guys” at least once each year.

IN WASHINGTON—

FCC Mystery | By Roger W. Stuart

‘WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 —Just why the federal communications commission should have, secrets locked in its closet, now that the But it does. Nor "has the agency any intention, for the present at least, of talking about them. One of these secrets involves a 56-year-old British efficiency expert. He is Charles A. Seipmann, formerly director of program planning for the British Broadcasting Corp. He recently has been at work for the PCC on some duty which the agency refers to merely as “a temporary internal project.” Mr. Seipmann was hired by the commission in July. He started at $8000 a year. But he completed his task in 30 days. This much the commission admitted today. But it refused to say more. What was the nature of the “internal project” upon which the former program planner was at work? - Did he make a report to the commission? If so, what did it contain and will its contents be made available to the public? To these questions, the agency's tight-lipped spokesman replied: “We have nothing to say at present. In due time, no doubt, the commission will make such explanation of Mr. Seipmann’s activities as is deemed advisable.” All of which: prompted observers to speculate on some of the rumors which have circulated recently concerning the Britisher’s duties for the agency.

Change to British Plan? ONE RUMOR—A radio industry trade publication helped to boost it along—has it that the radio ex-

pert was brought into the commission to help make American broadcasting more like that of the English system, which Is government-owned and does not permit commercial advertising. The commission lately has been studying both programming and license renewal methods for radio stations. It has been suggested that Mr. Seipmann’s assignment Had something to do with these studies. Various members of the commission—including the chairman, Paul A. Porter, and Commissioner Clifford J. Durr—have let it be known that they are not pleased with some types of programs broadcast in this country. : 1s it intended that the commission’s licensing pow=ers shall be used to compel radio stations to change their programs to suit the taste of the FCC members? (Under the law the commission has not authority to censor programs in the usual sense). As for Mr. Seipmann, both his record as a British program director and his published statements since his arrival in’ this country indicate that he, too, pelieves the “free” American system is not what it should be. ‘ In an article under his name which appeared in the “New Republic,” Jan. 12, 1942, he raised the question as to how far “a (radio) system built entirely on private profits can function adequately in the public interest.” »

Doesn't Like U. S. Style THE AMERICAN radio, he declared in the same article, “has done splendid things, but more in the manner of a high-spirited, resourceful playboy than of a responsible adult.” Tt = He made it clear that he preferred radio programs presented without sponsors, A graduate of Oxford and a veteran of world war

Corp. in ©1927. In 1930 he came to America to serve as a visiting lecturer at Harvard university, Later he was employed by the office of facts and figures. This agency was succeeded by the office of war information, which he joined. : Conceivably, observers said, Mr. Seipmann's per. sonal views about American broadcasting’s shortcomings may not have: entered into his recent work for the communications commission. Possibly he devoted himself exclusively to some purely technical matter, But in that case, it was asked, why does the com ‘mission remain so mysterious? Why doesn’t it come out nto the open and clarify the situation? What is there to hide? Cadi oy ’ As for the British expert himself; it was under stood today that he had gone to the country to :

-

1, Mr. Seipmann joined the British Broadcasting§

ARR