Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 May 1949 — Page 10

ie i ig napolis Times

34 A SURIFFSHOWARD NEWSPAPER is ROY W HOWARD - WALTER LECKRONE HENRY W. MANZ { Editor Business Manager

PAGE 10 Saturday, May 14, 1949

400 IAghs end the People Will Fine Ther Own Woy

Public Buildings Disgraceful FOr more than 10 years now Grand Juries and committees inspecting public buildings here have condemned both the Marion County Courthouse and the Police Headquarters jail ‘as unfit for housing present local government functions. Realizing that some emergency action should be started on a program to correct these conditions, a group of citizens representing taxpayers, civic groups and business interests organized a committee about four years ago to co-operate with and advise government officials on a building program. Two years ago this group, after careful analysis and investigation, recommended plans for construction of an eight-story government building to house both City and County governments, including modern al aclitles. ss 8 9 THIS program was atibmitted to Bonaty Comsissioners and the City Council with an agreement that the County and City governments would co-operate in a joint action on a building program. Nothing has been heard from this program in about two years now. Inquiries about the progress of such a program are met with the usual buck-passing alibis, each official blaming the other for the inaction. . Meanwhile, government services continue to operate haphazardly in overcrowded, unsafe and disgraceful quar. ters designed to accommodate County and City functions of more than 75 years ago when our population was about 100, 000 compared to half a million people now. . & # ” THIS week the State Welfare Departmen: inspection report branded tife City jail as unsafe, overcrowded and insecure for the amount of services required. ; Twice a year, each Grand Jury has warned government officials that time is running short for correction of building defects. . 5 It will be too late when some major disaster occurs as the result of delays and inaction on a program that everybody knows must be faced sooner or later. It had ‘etter be started now.

Berlin Peace Doves

DOVES of peace were painted on the first Russian locomotives selected to pull their Haina westward as the Berlin blockade was lifted. _ That was a pretty thought, and at first glance you'd think you ought to start cheering today—ironically enough, just four years after the Allied victory over Germany. : But wait— Though both sides had lifted the. bios sfans already were improvising rules. ‘They said outy one Allied military express train and ohe mations ex--press could move to oa each day along the main rail line in addition to ordinary trains. Before the blockade there were five express trains a day. And they immediately sought to limit the total number of trains from the West to 17 a day-—before the blockade there were 22 a day, 8 8 R MAYBE appeals to higher authoritfls will straighten out these things, but it's too grimly remindful of the same old Russian tactics for us to let go with resounding cheers so far, It still looks as if we've got to trust in Russian promises on a day-to-day basis. We've got to be continually on the lookout for chiseling—and for pease doves lightly painted over the hammer and sickle. ‘So let's confine our cheers today to the real roe, the pilots and other Army, Navy and Air Force participants of the aerial supply line who fought the second battle of Berlin for 327 days.

How About Dr. Eoncton

MORE than 14 months ago members of the House Committee on Un-American Activities publicly accused a government scientist, Dr. Edward U, Condon, of being “one of the weakest links” in this country’s chain of atomic security. Dr. Condon demanded an opportunity to answer the charge in a public hearing. The committee, then under Republican control, did not give him that opportunity. ~~ When the committee passed to Democratic. control last -January, the new chairman said Dr. Condon could have his hearing if he would ask for it again. Dr. Condon said that, although he didn't consider it up to him to renew his demand, he “stood ready to answer any questions they ever want to ask me.” He has not yet had a hearing. The committee should give him one, without quibbling, and without more If the charge have his record cleared. If there was any basis whatever for the charge, the American people are entitled to know the facts. They are entitled to know whether atomic information to which Dr, Condon may have access in the important position he continues to occupy, as head of the government's Bureau of Standards, is or is not safe.

8 Unfounded, Dr. Condon is entitled to

Dove of Hope?

[Vfoscow SAYS that a proposed three-country expedition to seek the ruins of Noah's Ark on Mt. Ararat, near ‘the Soviet border, is imply another excuse for spying on Russian territory, ° Could be the expedition is looking for that dove of hope which came around to inform Noah that the storm was

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AGRICULTURE... . By Earl Richert Farmers Split On Price Plan

Battle Veering Away From Brannan Program

WASHINGTON, May 14—The battle in Congress over how the government should support farm prices has veered away from the revolu. tionary Brannan farm plan. The fight now is back to where it was at the end of the last Congress—between those who want high fixed-price supports with government controls, and the advocates of a flexible price system which presumably will mean legs government control, Reason for this situation is that virtually all battling elements agree there is no chance of 1 the Brannan plan at this session of Congress. Thus, the issue 1s whether to go ahead and let the Alken law with its flexible support system go into effect next Jan. 1 or simply to extend the present high, fixed-price support law for another year.

Flexible Price Scheme

THE Farm Bureau Federation, largest of the farm organizations, is leading the fight to try the flexible price scheme. Cotton state Congressmen are violently opposed to this. “You might just as well cut the farmer's throat as put the Aiken law around his neck,” shouted Chairman Harold Cooley (D. N. C.) at Farm Bureau President Allan B. Kline, The cotton-area Congressmen contend that the Aiken law will drastically lower government support prices for cotton next year at the same time acreage is being reduced, thus greatly reducing the income of the cotton farmers, They agree that acreage controls must be imposed and production decreased but they want no sizable lowering of the support price, Rep. Stephen Pace (D, Ga.), chairman of an agriculture subcommittee, proposes that the present law be extended for another year. He points out that Agriculture Secretary Brannan wants the Aiken law supplanted and that nearly everyone else, including the farm bureau and Sen, Aiken himself, has proposed amendments to that even before it goes into operation. . No. one wants this Alken law,” said Rep, Pace. “Why should we let it go into effect?” Mr. Kline disagreed with him, saying he feared that the alternative of an extension of the Mg wartime price supports would “develop a habit.’

Oppose Brannan Plan

THE Brannan plan has found itself practically without friends, with the exception of the Farmers Union—smallest of the farm organizations. Even the southern-state Farm Bureau chiefs who have testified in opposition to Mr. Kline's advocacy of flexible supports have opposed the Brannan plan. “T don’t think they could get the money that would be needed for the Brannan plan,” said H. L. Wingate, president of the Georgia Farm Bureau. Mr. Wingate sald he would like to have support prices on cotton continued at 80 per cent of parity, with a point or two drop in support prices after a surplus was reached. The Aiken law pro poses support at 75 per cent of parity when supply is normal; Mr. Wingate would have 0 per cent support at normal supply. Only possible phase of the Brannan program which stands a chance at passage is his request for authority to make the so-called production payments on pork this year—Iletting pork prices fall to their natural levels and paying the farmer the difference between the price received and the support price.

In Tune With the Times - Barton a Rogue.

dakaad

“THE VALLEY OF ‘Lone LONG AGO

Way down in the depth of this old heart of mine, Bo preciously cradled in rapture divine Are tentative glances that ever ma, Back through the valley of long, long ago. *

How Sweet is the journey through sunshine and shade, Once more through the woodland, the hills and the glade; - How down through the meadows the cool breezes blow, And aweep through the valley of long, long ago.

On do%n and forever, through sorrow and joy, The years hide the secret and soul of a boy; And only my heart ever shall know How sweet was thé valley of long, long ago.

—MARVIN T. JOLLY, Seymour.

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EUROPEAN RECOVERY . . . By Ludwell Denny

Italy Fights Reds

ROME, May 14 — The Italian offensive against communism has shifted from the political to the labor front. Red power to win decisive elections or to shoot it out with the police has passed, at least for the moment. But there's still a threat in Communist capacity to sabotage Marshall Plan recovery, and eventually to unseat the democratic coalition government by prolonging desperate living conditions. Two battles merge on the labor front, the farm and industrial. Democratic forces are trying to hasten enactment of land reform, which Prime Minister De. Gasperi after a year's delay: has finally promised in detailed form. His program is calculated to stop Red gains among farm hands, the most depressed among several hungry and homeless groups. The other battle is over control of the unions—industrial, white-collar and . agricultural.

Labor Force 19 Million

, OF A TOTAL labor force of about 19 million, an estimated. seven million are in unions. The General Confederation of Labor estimates range from three and a half to six million, depending on the type of membership. The actual total is probably under three million. The Confederation is controlled by the Communists and their fellow-traveling Nenni Socialists. Communist Party membership in Italy is somewhere under two million—a loss in recent

months of 500,000 according to the government, and a temporary bookkeeping loss of 300,000 according to party leaders. The disciplined professionals are believed to total less than 400,000, including perhaps 50,000 in the secret armed units. Through union offices, job control, propaganda, intimidation and steady activity, the Reds continue to dominate the labor front after defeat on the political front. The opposing free federation represents chiefiy the effort of Catholic Action organizations. It claims more than a million, and had a bit less. Outside of either federation are several So clalist unions, claiming 350,000 but nearer 300,000; also Republican unions amounting to less

in Unions °

than 200,000, and in addition independent unions of perhaps 150,000. That does not complete the confusion. Many workers carry cards in two unions—to be safe. Some anti-Red leaders have not withdrawn from the Confederation, and some Reds stay in independent unions to keep from joining the free federation.

Dual Catholic Groups

ALSO there are dual Catholic organizations. Some Catholic workers’ action members do not belong to the Free Federation. Many of the independents belong to the Catholic Action and to the Christian Democratic Party but oppose the free federation. Despite disunity, Democratic prospects are improving. Right Socialists and Republicans are nearer to joining the Free Federation than before. It is strong in the Venice region, but needs their help in the Milan-Turin area and in the South. Even with consolidation, however, the anti-Red organization would be smaller than the Communist. The Reds’ assets are poverty and unemployment, plus skilled and untiring leadership. Togliatt! is probably the ablest Communist leader outside the Kremlin. -Di Vittorio, head of the General Confederation of Labor is clever, But these leaders face obstacles: - Italian dislike of rigid party discipline; popular opposition to alien Soviet rule; labor's distrust of political strikes, and the human tendency to get on the winning side.

Political Unionism

ON THE Free Federation side there are reasons, other than the obvious disunity and personal rivalries, for its limited growth. A funda-

mental factor is growing rank-and-file suspicion of political unionism of any brand. K This definitely is not anti-Catholicism. Nor is it antipolitical party as such. Rather, it is a feeling in this Catholic country that ¢hurch, party and union should maintain separate functions. How rapidly this feeling is growing or what the result will be obviously cannot be known. In any case, it presumably would take a long time to unscramble this Italian mixture of political and union leadership. The very nature of the communism threat makes. that: all the harder,

Hoosier Forum

1 do vt agree with word tht you say, bt will defend to the death your right to say #.°

aa rage

“Keep letters 200 words or less on any subject with which you are familiar. Some letters used will be edited but content will be preserved, for hers the People Speak in

Dog Shooting Biutal Sight’ By Mrs. James Dobbins, 823 Westbrook St. While this incident is ‘probably an old story to Se Cor and Tay sforbtmert department for which it is intended, I feel impelled to let it be known how a goodly portion of people feel about it.. , secure in the know.

This morning an officer fedge that the “law” was backing him, pratally shot down a beautiful ‘police dog: Inciden! 2ally, he so bungled the affair that the dog did not die at once. He had to return, stand over it and shoot it again in the head. It is true the dog was homeless, and we are all aware of the “quarantine” on dogs at this time, However, that dog had harmed no one, was a friend of the children, and had in no way shown signs of being rabid, Its only offense was that of being homeless. In addition to the cruelty of the thing, it haps pened that school was out. Naturally every thild near: followed the deputy sheriff's car to sea wha$ would happen, and all were witnesses to the shooting of a canine pal of theirs. I feel that there is a better method of taking care of homeless animals than that of destroying them by firearms in the presence of small children. I am a mother, and am well aware of the menace of rabid dogs in connection with our children, but this case was entirely isolated from that fact, The only factor was the human one. The officer, upon being berated for his action, said it was his “duty” and that he had already shot over 100 dogs. I have tried to impress my child with the respect with which he should hold law enforcement and its executors. The sight we witnessed was hardly an example of kindness and dignity, Our feelings were made known to the officer, I and most of my neighbors sincerely hope that this letter will be read by somebne in a position to “do something” about similar brutal incidents of this kind. : ® & ¢

‘Disgraceful Treatment’ By Mary Studebaker, 1832 Central Ave.

It is very regretful that no editorials have appeared as yet on the tragic case of a .small child being put in jail at Bedford with no one to see him and help him. In his fright and despair, he took his own life. Hoosier citizens must be shocked by this ine credible shame, but why hasn't this feeling been reflected in our papers? Why hasn’t some organi. zation concerned with child welfare made an investigation of this terrible wrong? Why hasn't the Indiana Bar Association checked into the legality of these proceedings and asked questions such as these: Why didn’t the Sheriff maka suitable provisions for a child prisoner; why did the judge reinand an infant to a jail, along with criminals, rather than place him in suttable custody; who were the defende attorneys who should have demanded these rights for this little soy? Also find out if the child’s parents were even notified of the distress he was in so they could come to him and help him, as it is their legal right and privilege to do. Indiana has certainly put itself on the map with this disgraceful treatment of a ten-year-old child. The story has probably spread across the country by this time and been reprinted in many newspapers—where it, no doubt, wil receive editorial comment, : It is rather obvious that this’ ment would not have been meted to & child who lived in the best part of ‘town and Whose father was a prominent citizen. This child ‘was in unfortunate circumstances—and his father was merely a veteran. Shameful it is that Indiana gives more protection, justice, and legal defense to ruthless killers than it can give to one lonely, jrignitnea, despairing little child.

Views on the News

By DAN KIDNEY

TIMES are changing in Washington -— an Administration Senator is preaching thrift and the Nats winning ball games.

¢e © SENATOR BYRD didn't appear alarmed over President 'Truman’s threat to take Richmond. ¢ & o

GOV. THOMAS E. DEWEY of New York has gone to Europe tor his a spring training.

IF IT works, the Russians probably will claim they invented the Atlantic Pact,

FORD STRIKE . . . By Charles T. Lucey

‘Behind Picket Lines

DETROIT, May 14—Big business in the Ford strike isn't all inside the high steel fences and guarded gates of the great River Rouge plant. Running a strike in the industrial big time today is a huge undertaking in its own right and the United Auto Workers is doing the job with a professional touch born of millions of manmiles of slow, weary tread on picket-line pavements. They don’t just happen—these long, ever-marching lines of men who hit the bricks at Ford a week ago today. They demand fine organization, disciplined manning, regular feeding and bucking up. It takes a blend of military field generalship and the smart touch of a good showman to bring it off properly. Back of the picket line is the challenging task of helping to meet the human problems of some of the tens of thousands of strikers who look to the union for guidance in time of trouble.

Cards Punched

NOTHING is done the sloppy way. Workers don't picket merely when they feel like it—they are given cards and registered for picketing duty, and every time they take their turn the cards are punched. It's two hours every other day for the Ford strikers now, and a penalty of two bucks for those who don't show. There has been no fining yet. Women are set down for picket duty as are men, and only the ill and those living great distances are excused. Registration is done at long tables set along the curb outside the plant and it's as businesslike and serious as a board of directors meeting. A union soup kitchen is operating already to feed marchers on the lines—coffee and doughnuts for those who walk their

miles in the morning, coffee and sandwiches throughout the day. The kitchen, in a nearby basement, is run by strikers’ wives and is costing about $2000 a day. But strikers don't live by bread alone, and a spot of entertalnment is provided frequently. The sound trucks of local 600 have been augmented by trucks of other big UAW locals, and there's music by the hour.

Distress Signals

UNION headquarters, a mile or so from the plant, bulge to the walls with strikers or members of their families. Thousands of these men and women live from one pay check to another with little , and it doesn't take long for distress

signals to go up on rent or grocery bills. The union—at the moment the

UAW has a $4 million kitty-has pledged that ro one will go hungry. It will meet some relief needs itself and in other cases will certify them to the city of Detroit for aid. If the strike runs a long time local authorities would be faced with a serious problem in finding sufficient welfare funds. Here at union headquarters they're turning out a daily news letter to keep members advised of the latest pitch on the strike. Here, too, one room is devoted to Jrodusing picket-line signs to Bell Gf LS Sues 1 Serce language, and the Ford family doesn’t get any ‘the best of it from those sign-painters

‘Out of union headquarters operates a so-called flying squad-

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SIDE GLANCES

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By Galbraith

OP AY AE A. Y M. REQ. U. §. PAT, OFF,

"What's it worth to you, Dad, if | think up a way to get rid of Mom's relatives?"

ron with a variety of duties-~transporting workers to and from the plant, keeping order and discipline on the lines, guarding against destruction of property. Spirits on a picket line are always high enough the first couple days. But it's diffefent as days go on; and that shuffle, shuffle, shuffle in slow time never stops, even at night. So far, the ‘lines at River Rouge are chipper enough-——full of kidding, hi-ya and a wave to friends. Mostly the union executive topside is tied up in a mass of duties at headquarters or in union-management negotiations. Now and again there's a special mass demonstration and Walter

Reuther, Thomas Thompson, local union president, and others |.

may take to the microphones for a barrage of encouragement oratory. The other night Mr. Reuther, who master-minded the Ford strikes of 1937/and 1941, observed that in other years the union was a pushing-around from the police, but not

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WORLD AFFAIRS . . . By Marquis Childs :

Gamble With Reds

WASHINGTON, May 14—Apart from the fact, and it is & sizable fact, of the actual lifting of the blockade of Berlin, the objectives of Soviet Russia in Germany are anyone's guess. That goes for the United States delegation to the meeting of the Coun cil of Foreign Ministers in Paris. Members of the delegation have been doing a great deal of speculating, as have others with even less knowledge. For exe ample, it is a fairly good guess that the Russians will move for the unification of all of Germany and, as a corollary to this, the withdrawal of all occupation troops—U. 8., French, British and Russian. > But whether this is actually the goal not even Secretary. of State Dean Acheson, who will head the delegation, can be sure, Therefore, the U. 8. group will go to Paris prepared for anything.

United Germany Issue

WHILE flexibility will be the watchword, there are at least two sticking points fairly well defined in advance. They are both related to the expectation that the Risestang will plump for a united Germany.

The U. B. delegation naturally will not oppose unification. To do that would be to invite the Russians to exploit a reviving German nationalism. But the U, 8. will insist at Paris that any union between East Germany and West Germany must be within the framework of the new German constitution. In other words, a unified Germany would come not on Ruse sian terms but within the well-defined limits already laid down by the Western Powers and accepted by the Germans at Bonn. A Boviet appeal to German nationalism--to override the Bonn conetitution—would still be possible. But it would not be nearly so likely to succeed since the West Germans know a great deal about what happened to the East Germans under the Russian occupation. The second sticking point is directly related to this. Short of a miracle with J. Stalin floating over Paris as a dove of Peace (an event considered most unlikely), the U. 8. delegation will not agree to withdrawal of all occupation troops.

Cut in Occupation Forces

THE U. 8. conceivably would agree to a considerable scaling down of the occupation forces of the four powers. They would be reduced in scope if not in numbers. Instead of being all over the place, the troops would be assigned to certain garrison 48 a purely garrison force. This, however, is about as far as the Shlegatiop will go on the occupying force. U. 8. policy makers believe that any other course would

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