Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1934-04-03
TUGWELL RELATES
THEORIES IN BOOK
New Volume Described as
Giving Background of
NeWQeaI.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

have placed on the new volume The
book. which is published by Harcourt,
Bruce & Co., New York. has been
brought particularly into the limelight
at this time because one of its au-
thors, Mr.. Tugwell is known as a
leader Of the brain trust" Of the ad-
ministration, and members OF the
brain trust" have been charged by
DR.. William A. Writ, Indiana educator,
with having revolutionary ideas in
their heads
One thing Our Economic Society"
does is to show Mr. Tugwell as a de-
voted adherent of planned economic
living for the American people and
opposed to what he calls the ''laissez
faire," a doctrine which proposes
that the individuals in society shall
be free to engage in economic activity
without being restrained by law or
some other form of social control"
This IS not new, since that has clearly
been Mr.. Tugwell's attitude for long
time. But with the conflict rising fast
between the two schools of thought
one represented by Mr.. Tugwell, for
example, and the other by Representa-
tive James w. WadSWorth of New
York, a Republican leacer in the
House, the new Tugwell look becomes
increasingly of interest.
Comment on Russia.
Our Economic Society" is by no
means confined to a discussion of
Socialism, Communism and the ex-
pertinent now going on in Soviet
Russia. However, the comment on
the Russian experiment and its rela-
ton to the United States own prob
lens is likely to arouse comment.
The book declares that until the
Soviet Government was set up in Rus
STA there was no laboratory for social
theorists to have Communism tried
out. To-day We are more fortunate. 4"
it continues "In Soviet Russia We
may study country Of 60,000,0C0
people, covering one-seventh of the
earths surface, which has established
by Communist methods the system
and the goals Of socialism and which
is now in the second decade of the
new plan"
The Tugwell book declares that the
challenge of the Soviet system will
come in this country if the levels of
living in Russia approach our own.
so long as levels Of living in Russia
are much lower than those in Amer
lea it says. the Soviet economy will
offer no serious challenge to us. Men
are not greatly influenced by specula-
tons as to which economic system
does more with the materials at its
disposal so long as they know they
are living better than the other fellow.
But if the levels Of living approach
our own the challenge will be a seri-
Gus one"
The book asserts that it is certainly
not impossible for the levels in Russia
to reach those of America. and adds:
meantime to remedy the obvious de-
fects in our own system, We shall be
subject to real dangers. One danger is
that of sudden change to socialistic
economy, bringing with it all the blood
shed, terror and suppression which
existed in Russia for many years after
the revolution there"
The "laissez faire" system. to which
the authors of the new book now OBJ
ject. was necessary in the nineteenth
century. they say, because economic
affairs changed too rapidly and became
too complex to be handled by the gov
ernments Of those times Now. how
ever" they continue. I'VE have de-
veloped efficiency and science in the
art Of government"
Decade in Preparation.
The Tugwell book is a comprehen-
sive study Of economic and social con-
dition in this country and a history Of
economic trends in this and other
countries. The authors were 10 years.
they say compiling the book. They
say:
THE actual writing and rewriting
Of the volume has been going on since
the early part OF 1881. We hope.
therefore, that the book will be
accepted as an earnest, painstaking
and thoughtful attempt not only to
explain our economic life but also to
help economic and social attitudes
necessary to fulfill the responsibilities
and duties Of a citizen.
"A number of steps and proposals
for improving our economic system are
described and considered. In selecting
the proposals for treatment We have
not been bound by the traditional list
Of remedies We have sought to focus
attention not upon names, but upon
what seem to us to be the significant
tendencies arising out of the present
world crisis. From beginning to end
emphasis is placed upon the levels of
living and the means by which human
welfare may be advanced.
Questions and problems for study
have been prepared to awaken thought
and to call attention to the elements
of especial Importance.
Considered a Beginning.
Our book is to be regarded not as
an end, but as beginning. If it be-
comes of service in enabling readers
to understand the nature of our eco
nomic society and arouses in them an
appreciation of and an interest in the
economic problems by which they are
surrounded; if, above all. it stirs in
them desire to contribute to the
making Of a better economic order, it
will accomplish its purpose"
The book is divided into eight parts
and the subjects considered include
the story of our economic society,
present levels of living. raising the
levels of living by improving methods
of production. raising the levels Of
living by improving the conduct of
business affairs. raising the levels Of
living by redistributing income. raising
the levels of living by the wise use of
income. raising the levels of living by
international cooperation, and raising
the levels of living by considering
alternatives to laisSez faire.
The plans and aims Of the Com
munists. of the Socialists. of the
Observation-Disclosures and of the ira
ditionalists are also discussed.
Methods Contrasted.
In summary. the authors have the
following to say:
Complete economic planning is pos
sible only when there is public owner