The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-07-27

SNIn pIOIlb luIlallO1 lea inevitably
to overinvestment in relation to the
consuming power of the community.
and undoubtedly was one of the
major causes of the depression.
Now there is good reason to think
that during the last four years the
leading industries so greatly have
reduced their costs of production
that with anything like the old vol
ume they would quickly earn enor-
nous profits.
There are indications of this in
the rapidity with which the Steel
Corporation and General Motors re-
Gently have increased their net
earnings. 1t is clear, therefore. that
for sound and stabilized recovery,
1t is essential that there should be
better distribution of the earnings
of industries capable of making
great profits.
The better distribution should be
had by raising wages, improving
working conditions. and in many in
stances by lowering prices.
n
GO far as tie blanket code is in
- spired by this conception of
affairs. it is as sound as any highly
generalized plan could be. The adj
ministration justly may demand the
participation of the large corporate
enterprises.
Even when the scheme is diff
cult TO apply in particular cases, no
great hardships or danger is in
volved. For the larger corporations
and the trade associations are in a
position to make representation in
Washington and work out adjust
ments and compromises.
But for the smaller employers
there is, TO begin with, no prima
facie evidence that they ever IN
joyed the profit initiation of the
boom. and none that they can
quickly make large profits now.
They are, moreover, not in a po-
sition to go TO Washington and ar
que with General Johnson. There
fore, it seems to me that it is most
cruel and unjust to arouse public
opinion against them with slogans
and buttons and placards.
Who is going to distinguish be-
tween the shopkeeper who is pock-
citing good profits and the shop
keeper who just is managing to
exist? Are we really going to let
loose from Washington with all
the mass appeal of modern propa-
ganda public opinion which is
quite incapable of distinguishing be-
tween what Washington is begin
ming 10 call "the Stacker" and the
man who would like to have his but
ton and look like patriot, but sim
ply has not the money to get his
button?
THIS plan is good enough fol
a. the well-to-do and the power
full. They can and should be
brought into ii.
But for the weak and helpless. it is
brutal. and If carried through with
martial spirit. will inflict upon them
wholly unwarranted humiliations and
losses.
There is nothing men resent so
much as being compelled to do
things they can not do and being
punished when they are innocent.
All over this country today there
are men with little shops who. in
the face of incredible difficulties Just
have managed to stay in BUSH
ness.
Walk down Main street in almost
any small town and see the empty
stores, and you will realize how ter
rible has been the struggle to sur
vive.
II is intolerable. to my mind. that
the federal government should now
reach into these towns and. with
out any investigation Of the facts,
without any knowledge of zach
mans circumstances. presume to
make public judgments as to wheth-
er this man or that is a Stacker or
a patriot.
Where, should like to know, does
1t derive the right to do that kind
Of thing? In what statute is there
such grant of power? In what
principle of American government
is there the authority for such an
inquisition?
THE idea of reaching out TO
Il force every one into such a
scheme by the sheer force of public
opinion is not only utterly unjust.
but it is a case where the remedy
will aggravate the disease.
To foment discord and discrimi-
nation. boycotts and bitterness in he
neighborhoods of cities and in the
towns is no way 10 revive business.
Suppose John Smith on the cor
ner takes on three more men. gets
his button, and Tom Brown down
the street can not take on more
men, does not get a button and
loses TO John Smith part Of his
customers.
What have you accomplished?
Probably you have ruined Tom
Brown, who then defaults on mis-
lease, stops paying his taxes and
can not meet his mortgage. Does
any one seriously think that kind
Of thing will make Us prosperous?
The vice OF the scheme is that il
does not and can not take account
Of the Tom Browns, who would like
70 have their buttons but can not
pay the price.
Upon them it threatens to unloose
a mob spirit, and. once the mob
spirit is loose. it is farewell TO justice
and sympathy and decency among
men.
Copyright. 1881