The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-08-23
Liberal Viewpoint
= By DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

THERE are three possible lines Of attack upon
i our present economic problems and the
worldwide depression.
One is a return to the ideals Of scarcity,
individualism and exploitation-in short, the
normally of the age of Harding, Coolidge and
Hoover which landed us in the present mess.
The second is the reputation of scarcity and
individualism in favor of an economy Of abun-
dance and a planned economic order, to be
attained gradually by piece-meal reform.
The third mode Of approach accepts the same
general goal but advocates quite different tactics
namely. reputation of gradualsm and reform
and the adoption Of a program Of quick and
thorough transformation of the whole system.
In theory the second mode of tackling our
problem is much more satisfactory and is
intriguing 20 the imagination. 1t is one which
has been recommended frequently in this column.
The main question which arises is the practical
one of whether it is possible to achieve the
desired goal by the methods Of slow and steady
reform.
most effective, tolerant and sensible argu-
ment for the third method of dealing with our
problems - that of thorough and immediate
transformation is embodied in an article by
Professor Goodwin Watson of Columbia univer-
sity entitled The Great Choice" and published
in the last issue of Common Sense.
DROFESSOR WATSON points out a number
l. of important obstacles in the way of grad
ualism.
In the first place, our condition has become
so desperate that collapse, chaos and the de-
moralization of the unemployed may wreck any
gradual reform program before it can possibly
achieve its goal.
In the second place, our economy hangs to-
gether as an intergrated whole and it is difficult
to patch up one section of our economic machine
without replacing or repairing the whole thing.
NO one can plan the automobile industry
while other forms of transportation, steel pro-
duction, oil production, rubber imports and cor
responding exports, highway construction. tech
biological training, and distribution of income
remain in traditional anarchy"
Thirdly, we have the political difficulty dis
cerned by Abraham Lincoln when he pointed out
that house divided against itself can not stand.
An economy half devoted to the profit system
and half devoted to the interests Of consumers
is every bit as antagonstic as one which is half
slave and half free. Moreover there is little
point in government regulation of banks and
utilities, if the banks and utilities are able to
control the government
FINALLY, reform and gradualism never can
4 arouse popular enthusiasm or stir the pub
lie imagination as much as will be REQUIRED if
we are to achieve any fundamental transforna =
ton of society
The small boy doesn't enjoy getting his
trousers patched, but a suit is a different
matter"
The major reason for the vast enthusiasm for
the New Deal a year ago was the assumption
| that it really new. We gradually are
awakening to the reality and discovering that
there is relatively little which is new about it.
Moreover, If we turn to history for our les
sons we ind that gradualism has failed ignom-
lnously everywhere. In Germany, Italy, Austria
and England very advanced and determined
type of reformist socialism had gained a foot
hold and achieved much more than could be ex-
pected from the New Deal even if enforced
vigorously.
In every case gradualism has collapsed and a
worse reaction come into power. Moreover. save
IN England the collapse of gradualism has been
accompanied by much violence as that which
TOOK place in Russia when the Bolshevik revolu-
ton carried through thorough going transfer
nation.