Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 September 1945 — Page 6

4

The Indianapolis Times

—

PAGE 6 Saturday, Sept. 15, 1945

Editor (A SCRIPPS-HOWARD NEWSPAPER)

Gls Lik ond he Pal 08 7s Trt 00m Wo

POLICE AND THE CRIME WAVE AYBE some of us slept a'little easier last night knowing there were 150 volunteer patrolmen on the streets, Maybe some anxiety was calmed by the arrival of the 30 extra MPs the army sent in. If it only cooled down the panic of the thoughtless folks who were beginning to talk about organizing vigilantes—a remedy that could be worse than the disease— the effort hasn't been wasted. But let’s not expect teo much. For all the fine public spirit they have displayed, these auxiliaries are only a temporary stop-gap, and they are no substitute for trained, equipped, professional policemen. The army MPs—who it now develops were not requested by any municipal authority—lack the knowledge of the town, which is a first essential of police work, and their

training has been for a totally different job anyway. » » n - »

THE only thing that can stop this.ecrime wave and prevent others is a strong, efficient, local, city police force. Now that our city administration admits, by calling for volunteer help, that the outburst of sluggings, holdups and murders of the last few weeks has got beyond the power of the city police to handle alone, it certainly is a proper time to ask ourselves why we don’t have one. It is easy, as many already do, to blame the city ad- . ministration for this. Easy—but not fair. This city administration has just followed a police system it inherited, a system that has been followed here for many years, by many administrations, Under it we doubt if any mayor or any board of safety, however capable, could develop a modern, efficient, big-city police force. The kind of men it takes to make such a police force don't want to play politics to hold their jobs or get promotions. Police work in Indianapolis simply is not attractive to them—and when other work is available, as it has been for the last four or five years, they go elsewhere to work. Certainly there are some good men, and some able police executives on our police force now. The system hurts them, ig : » . »

POLICE Survie Nore offers little opportunity for a career, no assurance of orderly promotion on merit, no security in rank, however won and however capably exercised, no real job tenure, and no adequate retirement pensions. A man may -be—and has been—a patrolman one week and chief of police the next, and he might be a patrolman again the week after through no fault of his own. Inspectors become sergeants, and sergeants become captains overnight, on the sole judgment of a superior-—which may be sound police judgment or may be a shift in political alignments. Command of the department has for years been considered a political plum to be handed out by whichever party wins the city elections. Party precinct and ward leaders, clear outside the department, undertaké pressure campaigns to have their favorites promoted and their political foes reduced in rank. The system drives the men on the force into political cliques and alignments of their own, in pare self-defense. ” on THE Peon of this city don’t want a political Slice force, They tried to compel a reform by pushing through the so-called “merit plan”-—enacted in a group of vague and conflicting state laws, which political leaders ignore with impunity. It has not been effective. It has not taken the police department out of politics nor politics out of the ‘police department. The solution is a full-scale, modern civil service sys« tem. A system by which a man gets on the police force because he is the best qualified man available for the job, and gets promoted because he has earned promotion, and holds his rank if he does his job well, regardless of what party wins the election, or what cliques are “out to get him” inside or outside the department. Police civil service isn’t radical or untried. Nearly . every big city in the United States has it. In general it works well. Without exception it works better than a political spoils system. And whatever faults it may have, at least we haven't heard of any city under civil service having to call in outside help for its Jholice to handle its local crime wave,

=

AN ANGLO-AMERICAN BASIS

BRITISH- -AMERICAN negotiations for a lend-lease enlist tute have been launched in a fog of propaganda. This is unfortunate, The propaganda befuddles the public. J One propaganda line says if Uncle Sam abandons the role of Santa Claus that means a return to isolationism. The truth is that popular desire for international co-opera-tion is at an all-time high in this country. Another propaganda fogbank results from the recent British elections. The line is that Washington could have done business with a Churchill government, but will not make loans to a labor regime, President Truman promptly and properly nailed that one as silly. Still anothér befuddler is that Britain has no assets left and therefore, as a rich friend, we should make her an outright grant of several billions. That suggestion also is, silly. Britain is not broke. u » nn ~ > » RITAIN proposes to advance credits to other nations. These are to be made in her own commercial interest. Okay, But why with our money? Why with money. that would come out of pockets of American taxpayers whose per capita of national debt is approximately as great as that of the supposedly bankrupt Briton. An American businessman with assets would not expect a banker to make him a gift. He would dispose of some of his assets. In the negotiations under way here Uncle Sam is the banker. What is wrong or unbusinesslike in our suggestion that Britain dispose of some of her expensive bases in our Atlantic defense areas? These would have ‘asset values for us, even though they are economic liabilities to Britain. Never in her history has Britain made an outright nt of billions to any nation-—certainly not when that ation was solvent and. Togsessed: of assets of value to

ROY W, HOWARD WALTER LECERONE HENRY W. MANZ President Business Manager

1 Jap Dress. i By Frank Aston

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15.—Some of our men in Tokyo are writing letters like this: “I tried to get you a kimono. But there aren't any.” People who know about Japan say the kimono disappeared from public view with the outbreak.of the war. Almost everybody on the streets of the larger cities wore European clothes, But the native who was at all well fixed had a kimono or two at home. A Jap loves his household kimono as an American loves an old pair of pants and ragged sweater, It's so. nice to come home to. Americans who have tried loafing in kimonos report favorably. They say those big sleeves may knock over an ash tray when you reach for a drink or vice versa. But many fellows were willing to master their Oriental cuffs just for the pleasant, loose feeling. Japs wearing European attire developed a habit of removing outer garments in public. Shoes were removed at the door of a restaurant, largely because

ering the floors of the better places. A dignified Jap would approach his low table and remove his coat. He would hand this, with the inevitable umbrella, to an attendant. Then he would remove his trousers.

Removed in Trains, Too : THIS PRACTICE also was observed in railroad compartments, While dining, the Jap as a rule would don a light kimono provided by the restaurant management. On the train, however, he frequently would continue pants-less and kimono-less. Americans reported that Jap gentlemen always wore underclothing * The Japanese kimono probably came to full flower a8 a bridal costume. A bride wore three, The inside layer was white, the middle one vermilion, the top one black. So long-as the bride stood still she was a vision in black. When she moved her arms or legs the chances were that a flash of red or white would break out. Under the triple play of kimonos was a plethora of underthings. The garments were bound at the bride's waist by a sash, or obi. By the tie of her obi, Americans were informed, a woman could indicate that she was single, married or widowed.

Had Helper to Tie Obi NO OBI-BOUND woman had dressed herself. Tying the sash required the services of a helper. Obi prices ranged from a few dollars to $1500. It was a fancy lady indeed whose obi cost that latter figure. Shen kimonos were’ plentiful, the costliest ones wore silk, embroidered with gold and silver thread. Costs were in proportion to the quantity and artistry of the thread. Bridal kimonos, like most American gowns, seldom were worn after the wedding. Some were treasured, others were sold. Formal kimonos had ample trains, A lady, however, did not kick, swish and catch her train on her arm when she was about to scurry. Instead, she called for her obi helper. Together they folded the train just so and just so they bound the folds under the obl. Virtually every fold, twist and hitch had a meaning of its own. Japanese girls grew up inside the tight clasp of obi and kimono. They developed . what Americans call the athletic figure.

ki" WORLD AFFAIRS—

‘Lend-Lease’ By Charles T. Lucey

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15.—A long-time top government adviser on international economie relations today urged a stiffening in the American attitude on financial aid to foreign countries. The urging came at a moment when the British are here seeking $3 billion to $6 billion. Two weeks ago the French bid for more than $1 billion. The Russians are supposed to be beyond the horizon with ideas about $5 billion. . Other appeals are expected. This adviser, who asked that his name not be “used, pointed out that war has vastly depleted U. S. natural resources and left the nation with huge financial obligations at home. . He insisted that searching scrutiny be given every request for ald, and that we ask these nations to show us their budgets and tell us what they will do with the money. “If we let England have x billions,” he said, “we will have to let Russia, Ching; France, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Holland, Italy and the Balkans have some, too, What will this total? And from where will we get it?” _ He inquired whether “England will be permitted to lend to Prance and Czechoslovakia while borrowing from us?” and whether we shall “help Russia to build up a large army and navy?"

Background Is Searched

‘DISCUSSING the background of current conversations here with Lord Halifax Lord Keynes and other Britons, he advanced this view: “With Germany and Japan out, there will be plenty of room for exports for the whole world, but England cannot survive if she does not modernize her industries. She can never keep her population at 45 miillon unless she revamps her production and distribution and supplies the ideas and imagination, money and engineering for the whole empire, which is a vast untouched source of ‘Wealth: “Great Britain with her sterling areas and empire preferences and act of discrimination against foreigners has established an isolationism much worse than this country with our tariff system. “We must in no way interfere with England's own method in carrying out her nationalization, economic or political life, but she mus not ask us tq expend ourselves in helping her to hurt us. “They apparently hdve no thought of their nationalism interfering with our free enterprise system. Some English say capitalism is finished, Yet it saved the world twice. Now they want it to save the world again,” This adviser's attitude on British barriers against U. 8. trade via the “sterling bloc” and preferential tariffs within the empire is reflected in the position U. 8, horse traders will take in the conversations now beginning. There is strong feeling that Britain must wipe out or reduce such restrictions against our trade in return for ald from this country.

England Able to Pay THE LONG-TIME authority on economic matters insisted that England is able to pay in gold, metals, rubber and jute, and brushed aside the answer he said she gave after the last war—that she did not ewn these things, but must pay for them. “A nation which has carried on so well through the war can certainly do so In peace with her greats est enemy destroyed and the markets formerly employed by Japan and Germany open to her,” he said. He raised the question, too, of whether England, obtaining dollars from us, would pay part of them! to Egypt, India and other nations which are in the “sterling bloc.” These nations now wish to buy U. 8.

British empire agricultural and mineral resources, this authority held, have not been depleted by war as much as ours. 2 Citing obligations at home, he pointed out just one fleld—payments to and care of

sald, “private individuals : British buyers can get everything American sellers. without ference. Private Sroups

heels and soles were hard on the delicate mats cov- |’

Two Ways of

OFF xh

Looking at Tt

PORTUN)

TION AN TES

Hoosier

“WE NEED THEM WORSE THAN UNCLE SAM DOES” By a Soldier's Wife, Indianapolis I'm a soldier's wife. I also feel

like the sailor's wife did about releasing pre-Pearl Harbor fathers. I have two children and I think we

need them at home more than Uncle Sam does. I think they are giving the fathers a pretty raw deal. It isn't fair to ‘stop drafting men their ages if they are going to keep fathers forever in the service because there are a lot of men their ages running the streets that aren't married, lot of them not working, I think the wives have a right to know why their husbands can’t come home now. There are enough single fellows or volunteers for the occupational duty. The fathers would have been better off to have enlisted at the start of war if they knew the score at the end. Our families have been pushed and shoved around quite a bit. Just because they haven't been overseas, it isn’t right to keep them away from their families when it is all over; They did their part when they had to give up their home, while these men that haven't even got & dependent were deferred. They took the married men’s place. Now let them do a little guard duty. Congress passed the bill to draft them. The least they can do is to release them. How about some of you wives writing to congress and express your opinions. They are letting the older fathers out. The younger ones worry about their families too. A lot of them have children from 6 on up. ” » #u

“HARD FOR MANY TO PAY 55 CENTS FOR CAR TOKENS” By a Wrathful Citizen, Indianapolis A few days ago one picked up the newspaper and read the glaring headline, Indianapolis Public to Save $100,000 to $130,000, On read-

ing down further in the column we found out to do this that the fares on streetcars and trolleys were to be raised. The above amounts were presumably to be saved on the lowering of fares on the motor busses and feeder lines. What wasn't mentioned was the fact that a larger percentage of the riding public is using the transportation lines on which the fares have been raised. As our eyes traveled on down the account, we find that one can no longer buy a quarter's worth of tokens but instead must purchase eight for 56c. Now on the line I ride (Riverside)

private grou in

Forum

(Times readers are invited fo express their views in these columns, religious controversies excluded. Because of the volume received, leters should be limited to 250 ords. Letters must be signed. Opinions set forth e are those of the writers, and publication in no way implies agreemen with those opinions by The Times. The Times assumes no’ responsi bility for the return of manuscripts and cannot enter correspondence regarding them.)

the great majority of the streetcar patrons just’ aren't in position to make an outlay of 55¢, so instead will pay the cash fare, which has been raised from 7c to 10c each and every time they ride. It is only a simple problem of multiplication to find out that eight rides at 10c. per ride will cost 80c— then, an even simpler matter of subtraction to arrive at the conclusion that 80c (for eight cash rides) minus 55¢ (price of eight tokens if a person has the price) leave 25¢, or the amount the car company stands to gain on four round trips to town.

The headline most certainly had its purpose, and that was to take one’s attention off the catch which was contained further down in the column, It is jndeed hard for lots of people to put out 55¢ for tokens even now and what will it mean to more and, more people as slackening of work and lowering of wages hits with all its depressing might. It. might also be well for the car company to improge its service before attempting to put this fast one over on its riding public. This very evening at 5:30 p. m. I was compelled to wait 25 minutes for a trolley to come by, and, at that time

10 or 12 minutes. With the finest equipment of any comparable city in the’ United States, it is a sin and a shame the way people are forced to wait on corners in order to get to and from work. And the worst part of it is that the blame is still being laid to the war, when thousands have been laid off and.the cars aren't nearly as crowded as they were a month hence.

It might well behoove the council to inquire further into the matter and determine just who is biting who before granting even a temporary rate increase, let alone a

Side Glances—By Galbraith

permanent one.

of day, the schedule reads one every|

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

your right to say it.”

“RUSSIA WILL COME TO US FOR SOLUTION OF PROBLEMS” By Charles Ginsberg, 2201 N. Keystone ave. “Our American capitalist system has saved the world from the NaziFascist type of totalitarian despotism . .” says The Watchman. And all along we have been told what a wonderful job the workers have done in producing and trarsporting munitions and all war supplies to the army, navy, marines and the air forces, who drove Germany to complete destruction and Japan to unconditional surrender; and now we are told that it was the capitalist system that did it. In order that I may not misunderstand The Watchman, I would like to ask a few questions. (The last time I asked him a question he stayed out of the papers for a week or two). 1. What is capitalism? 2. What is capital? 3. Isn't it a fact that Germany and Italy were both capitalist countries? 4. Isn't it a fact that industrial feudalism is the last stage of capitalism? Russia is not Communist, Mr. Watchman. Russia is state capitalist and is not out to force Communism upon the rest of the world. Before the invasion of Europe, Russia agreed with the other allied nations that capitalism was to continue in Germany after the war. Under date of Aug. 28, William Philip Simms writes, “Russia not only goes on record as fully respecting the political and territorial integrity of China . . . but binds herself to give moral and material support to the central government at Chungking. , . . If this means anything at all it means| that Russia disowns the Chinese Communists, léaving Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek a free hand to deal with them in his own way.” The Watchman fails to register a complaint against England for interfering with internal affairs of Greece and other small countries. He has also forgotten, or did he ever know, that after world war 1. when Russia was trying to reconstruct herself, it was Poland that invaded and® seized land from Russia beyond the Curzon line. Russia, like -all other capitalist imperialist countries, is out to seize what she can. The world is not headed for Communism. Communism belongs to ancient society, We are standing at the threshhold of a new social order, the Socialist Industrial Republic of Labor as outlined by the Socialist Labor Party of America. We will not go to Russia for a solution of our problems, but Russia will have to come to us for a solution of her own problems. Then, and then only, will we know what

for war will be no more. . a. “VETERAN SHOULD BE GOOD INFLUENCE IN SCHOOL” By Fo the Student lo the people of the Roxbury many ; I think you should feel a little

: POLITICS —

democracy really is and the cause

—

Price Fixing

By Ned Brooks

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15.—~The office of price administration was well advanced today toward becoming the most powerful survivor

of the war-born government agencies. ’ OPA's own reconversion program—its shift of

emphasis forward amid indications that the agency expects to

.| be in business a long time.

Elimination of rationing on gasoline, fuel! ofl and processed foods has resulted in the release of 14.000 of the 35,000 persons formerly employed by local ration boards and another 1000 in district, regional and national offices. OPA personnel rolls now stand .at 48,000 as against 63,000 before V-J day. Price enforcement staffs however, have heen held intact and officials say they are not likely to be re duced “until we can decontrol prices—and that isn’ likely to be soon.” OPA field offices have been advised that they may be asked to recruit still more employees if the fare peaching proposal for fixing prices on all new home construction is adopted.

Price Conirel Diffi cult

OFFICIALS anticipate further cuts in local ration boards as more commodities go off rationing. The prospective end of meat rationing around Oct. 1 and of shoe rationing, shortly thereafter, will leave only fats, and oils, sugar, tires and automobiles on the ration list, Sugar and the remaining red point items are ex< pected to remain scarce well into 1946. The outlook is for some kind of unrationed tires by Jan. 1 with ample supplies of first-grade synthetics available soon after mid-1946. Essential users will have first call on new cars. None of these ration programs presents any seri ous problem to OPA, but its pricing program is quite another matter. There its difficulties are accumu« lating rapidly. It shapes up like this: Rents—Property owners’ organizations are dee manding a relaxation of controls. OPA is standing pat on its ceilings; it has lifted controls in only nine areas and has retained them in about 480. Officials say restrictions will be removed in groups of eight to 10 areas but only when “normal” bargaining condi« tions between landlord and tenant have been ree stored, New homes—OPA wants to regulate prices on them, kcontending that inflationary costs to the buyer are threatened until homes can be produced in abundance, As a preliminary, it has just lightened price controls on materials, giving regional administrators the power to lower eisting ceilings. Builders are pressing for removal of all controls, asserting that they cannot produce in quantity unless given a free hand. Fewer new homes, they say, will inflate the prices of older dwellings. Reconversion Director Snyder is expected to rule on this when he returns from Europe next week. 2

'Absorption’ Is Protested—

CONSUMER godds—Manufacturers and distribue tors are protesting the OPA “absorption” policy

which requires them to maintain selling prices dee spite high operating costs. The margin, they say, ‘is being reduced. to a squeeze. The retail reconversion committee has proteSted to OPA that retailers were let down on the promise that “absoportion” in the reconversion period would be limited to a narrow range of low-cost essential products. The U. 8. Chamber of Commerce, noting that the war production hoard, war manpower commission and other agencies have removed controls speedily, has advised its members that “OPA looks like the stumse bling block in the reconversion picture.” Rep. Wright Patman (D. Tex.), who has been one of congress’ most staunch defenders of OPA, has protested to Administrator Chester Bowles on behalf of the house small business committee that the agency's price policies on goods now returning to the market are threatening to put small operators out of business. OPA is advancing into post-war price control with the full approval of President Truman, who told congress in his recent message that the administra-

‘and undye hardship on consumers.” Builders and other groups are appealing to cone gress for a relaxation of controls but there is no sign of legislative action, Before its recent recess congress extended the price act to June 30, 1946.

IN WASHINGTON—

CO. Release

By Earl Richert

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15.—The “forgotten men” right now are the ; 8200 conscientious objectors. i They are still working in conser- ; vation camps, hospitals, etc, without the slightest hint on how or when they will get out of the service. Belective service, which is touchy on the subject of discharge of the COs, says it is awaiting guidance from congress, Congressmen say it is an administrative problem for selective service. There the matter rests. COs have no immediate prospects of returning home. Selective service officials say that, if it becomes apparent that congress is not going to do anything on the matter they will work out some plan for discharge of the objectors. But they won't say how long they are going to wait for congress.

Jitters After V-E Day

SELECTIVE service got its case of CO jitters shorte ly after V-E day when it announced a hazy point sys tem plan for discharge of the objectors. gave credit for service and dependents but fixed no total. Under it, selective service sald it intended to les out 900 COs during the coming year. But, with the Jap war still looking like a long one, the point plan aroused strong congressional criticism, Rep. W. R. Winstead (D. Miss.) introduced a bill to ban the use of a point system for discharge of cone sclentious objectors and the house military affairs committee approved it. Selective service then announced it was- suspend ing the plan, pending congressional action. Mr. Winstead said today he had no intention of

Hits Point System Only HE SAID his bill was directed solely against the point system and was not to ban the discharge of cone

tion intends to “hold the line on prices and rents - until fair competition can operate to prevent inflation

This plan -

A

5!

URD:

} Insid

“AS MUCH ment” is one of name of Willi scenes operator’ is “slot mach whispered eve went by. Bill's a genis grin is anothe 6-foot, 185-pour by a shock of r Ironically e whose name wa slot machines in day, lives at 54 st., right next Nemesis Will R. When somec his having t president so ne good frien . Bill's spent likes to cross | reminisce about He rememb stood where Si

brags, slapping the 1913 flood, monition. “He ordered bridge, which called. “People few minutes a it collapsed.”

Supported THE SAME ested in politic was almost 40. friends ever sin son Turniture s was the success “I could hav Although he his years as a have had more dianapolis for i He was one period that wa: parades. Whe Claypool hotel |

Sorr

TOKYO, Se have found in failed to fulfill emperor, His name is kamikaze flier sion was oance ] in the bomber Aug. 13

sullen-eyed you neat fatigue un

corps. He saluted s duced by an int tained a stolid tude througho But he made | reconstructed toward the co he was hearth pointed fate a: shrine with Ja) Four of his sacrifice. Theil Aug. 12, he sa group of 80 b special attack day’s suicide finished.

Headquart

SHORTLY | seats. Then c celing the fligh that the emper Through a “I was daze upderstand wh; Takabayash

Avi THE RECEK upset, when a few others we regulations, is CAA bureaucr guys in the fi

white-washing is an age-old

. racy. - Airmen are

patience and t bling. Yet fo reason, our. fly up with no enc to be nothing tence and po from the CAA . Prom 1933 the years, this eral governmer for the greate rule, the field jobs, and haw tion. but outs in the headqu up in aviation set-up has be

All Kinds TIME AND for reorganiza In 1933, th junkpile of po