The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-05-12

sponsored by the AIileIlCdll
Historical Association.
The commission did not refer to
President Roosevelt but 10 a long
time trend which. it believes, Is
toward an inevitable age OF COL
lectiviSm.
Such radical changes in American
life are forecast in the report OF
the commission, made public today,
that ever since December attempts
have been made to suppress 1t. 1t
is being published at last in several
installments but four members Of
the commission have refused to
sign it.
1t now appears over the sigma
lures of Charles A. Beard, retiring
president of the American Historl-
cal Association; Ada Comstock,
Radcliffe college; Avery o. Craven,
University of Chicago; Guy Stanton
Ford and A. C. Krey of the Uni
versity of Minnesota; Carleton j. H.
Hayes and Henry Johnson of Co
lumbia university; Leon c. Marshall
of Brookings institution, and Jess F.
Steiner, Lincoln school of New York.
COIIectivism Is Emerging
Cumulative evidence supports the
conclusion that, in the United
States, as in other countries, the age
of individualism and laissez faire in
economy and government is clos
ing and that new age of collec-
tivism is emerging" says the report.
This form of this new collectivism
is yet to be determined but the
commission predicts that it will in
volve "a larger measure Of compul-
sorry as we'll as voluntary co-opera-
ton of citizens in the conduct of
the complex national economy, a
corresponding enlargement of the
functions Of government, and an in
creasing intervention in fundament-
al branches of economy previously
let to individual discretion and in
itiative.'
At present and for some time to
come we will live in an age Of con-
flict and transition, the commission
believes. The symptoms it names
are easy to recognize:
"Privation in the midst of plenty,
violations of f1duciary trust, gross
inequalities of income and wealth.,
widespread racketeering and band
TRY artificiality of political
boundaries and divisions. subjec-
ton of public welfare to the egoism
of private interests diSpropor-
tomato growth of debt and property
claims in relations to production,
deliberate destruction of goods and
withdrawal of efficiency from pro-
duction, accelerating tempo of
panics, crises and depressionS, at
tended by ever wider destruction of
capital and Generalization of labor,
struggles among nations for markets
and raw materials leading to wars. "
Many Roads to Follow
Can we emerge from such tribu-
lationS? Only by means of a con-
sciously integrated society,"" accord
ing to the report, and the alterna-
tive is a drop backward to "a more
primitive order of economy and
life
There are many roads We might
follow to reach the first goal and
it is time to start making de-
liberate choice, the commission
warns. 1t does not mention Fascism
or Communism, but it does lay down
guiding rules which, it believes, We
should cling to in marching toward
the future.
The commission deems possible
and desirable the retention and full
fillment of the historic principles
and ideals of American democracy.
AS an accompaniment of the estab-
liShment and maintenance of an
economically integrated society and
as a means of necessary adjust
ment to new conditions" says the
report.
IndividualiSm Must Go
Instead of curbing production or
shutting off future inventions it
urges the most efficient use of ma
terial endowment, technical arts
and productive skill in raising the
standard of living of all.
1t suggests that the new civiliza-
ton combine utility and aesthetics.
1t sees in the American people CO.
operative and moral powers of a
high order which can be directed
into channels of utility and beauty
If acQuiSitive individualiSm, with
all its cruder manifestations in
gambling. speculation, exploitation
and racketeering. is subdued to the
requirements and potentialitieS of
the emerging society
1t predicts greatly increased OPP
portunitieS for cultivation and en-
joyment of things of the mind and
spirit"
Personal Freedom Urged
And here is a warning. While it
favorS curbing individualiSm in
economy. the commission sees only
danger in RECOMMENDATION in ideas,
culture and invention" 1t strongly
urges that there be left to the in
dividual the largest possible meas
ure Of freedom in the realms of
personal and cultural growth" that
the individual must be free from
"eXcesSibe social preSSureS on his
personal behavior, mode of living.
cultural satisfaction and avocations.
the religious. economic and political
beliefs"
1t asks for mutual liberation of
diverse races. religious and cultural
groups. 1t speaks a final word of
warning about narrow, intolerant
natiCnaliSm, and aggressive, pre-
datory imperialism"
The long attempt to suppress the
report probably will lead to its very
general discussion. It may have an
important effect on the next two
years of the Roosevelt administra-
ZION.