The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-29
Liberal Viewpoint
by DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

president ROOSEVELT has been called
L lucky man. In no way is he more lucky
than in the enemies he makes. Every time even
his well-wishers get a little dismayed over the
lethargy, inadequacy, timidity and contraolc-
tons of the New Deal, the mossbacks attack the
Roosevelt policies as insurrectionary and SUD-
versive. Thereupon most decent and fair
minded men feel called upon TO rally to his
defense.
The President is to be congratulated espe-
cially upon the formation Of the American LID
erty League which has Just been incorporated
in the District of Columbia with the avowed
purpose Of scanning critically the New Deal.
1t is nonpartisan in politics but plentifully
partisan in economics. Its executive committee,
composed of John w. Davis, Alfred. Z. smith,
Nathan L. Miller, James w. Wadsworth and
Irene Du Pont, constitutes an imposing collec-
ton of conservative leaders.
The principles Of the league are stated as
follows:
1T is a nonpartisan organization formed to
l. defend and uphold the Constitution of the
United States, and to gather and disseminate
information that will:
Il. Teach the necessity of respect for the
rights OF persons and property as fundamental
to every successful form Of government, and
20. Teach the duty of government to encour-
age and protect individual and group initiative
and enterprise, and to foster the right to work,
i ~
the ownership and lawful use of property when
acquired"
Will the league teach Americans that the first
step in upholding the Constitution is to the
country and that without the United States of
America the Constitution Of the United States
of America will not prove of great utility?
In giving us instruction about the rights of
persons will the league go as far as President
Roosevelt in holding that any schedule of hu-
man rights worth talking about must include the
right to job, to home and to the protection
afforded by social insurance?
IN spreading light about private property and
property rights, will the league call due and
proper attention to the fact that the holding
company, and the associated legal devices and
financial manipulation taught to corporations by
men like Mr. Davis and Mr. Miller have wrought
greater havoc with property rights than any,
thing else in human history with the exception
of the overt Communism of Soviet Russia?
In telling US how to preserve the ownership
and lawful use of property when acquired" will
ing companies and other corporate devices which
have taken more property from honest investors
| in the United States alone in the last third of
a century than has ever been attached by any
pirates and highwaymen in all of human history?
| In dealing with the precious subject of liberty,
will the league take pains to point out carefully
and fully that if the New Deal fails we are amost
surely bound to slide into Fascism, which will
end rugged individualiSm and civil liberties once
and for all and impose upon us a RECOMMENDATION
beyond the fondest fears of a steel mogul or
stock broker?
The league declares its devotion to scanning
with alarm. We may remind it's executive COM
mittee and its members that scrutiny, like char
ty, begins at home.