Evening star., 1936-06-30
whose business Is to make everybody
happy. The President Is to be trusted
to find the way.

whose business is to make everybody
happy. The President Is to be trusted
to find the way.
Recommends Soviet Constitution.
But you can't have everything. ]
recommend reading, alongside the
New Deal platform, the new Soviet
constitution, which appeared in the
papers on the same day. There you
see hope versus realism. The Demo-
cratic platform promises labor the
right to organize without interfer-
ence from employers. 1t says nothing,
however, Of the labor monopolies ex-
ercised by certain groups of trade
unions. It advocates absorption of
the unemployed by private industry
at adequate wages and promises re-
lief to those who fall, or public work
at prevailing wage rates. The Soviet
constitution, operating in the country
where all the means Of production are
publicly owned. promises every man
work, rest, pensions and education.
But 1t does not suggest that he shall
set his own wages by trade union
OI tldfC bliC 1lSIlU W OH AhCs
nor does 1t say anything about pre-
vailing wages, nor offer economic
freedom or independence. 1t promises
work with payment in accordance
with its quantity and quality" and
lays down the simple thesis that "he
who does not work shall not eat"
Security, it seems, has a price. And
so has freedom.
The President spoke as one conscious
of making history. Seventeen sew
enty-six was compared to 1886. The
average man today. he said, faces the
problem that confronted the Minute
Man.
But where are the Presidents Min
ute Men? Where are they dedicated,
ready to sacrifice everything except
somebody elses wealth for the most
grandiose program which could be
promised: Freedom plus justice plus
universal security under Democracy?
Where are the disciplined ranks Of
those who, like himself, have en-
listed "for the duration of the war?
Mob of JobhoIders.
We saw them for five days-a
screaming, shouting, jocose, and often
drunken mob of jobholders. The
st. Louis Post Dispatch estimated that
well over half OF them were on Gov
ernment pay rolls. While America
was being born anew. they were too
bored and too undisciplined to listen
to the speeches. When the new Decla-
ration Of Independence was read, some
of them were doing of a hangover.
Hardly a man on the floor had any
idea of what the declaration would
contain before 1t was presented. Ap-
parently nobody cared The vote
was taken hurriedly and mechanically.
And the crowd was free to march and
roar again.
I'VE shall continue TO guard free
dom of speech" Did you hear that.
Mayor Curley? Yes. you, Dictator Of
Massachusetts. who forced through
the teachers oath and laughed con-
temptuouSly at the president of Har-
ward protesting in the name of per-
sonal and academic freedom. Equal
ity Of opportunity" Did you hear
that, you Southern delegate who left
the hall because a Negro offered
prayer? End tenancy" Some
Southern sharecroppers had sent
delegation, to every ones annoyance.
1t got a hearing eventually. but its
spokesman did not appear. The
economic royalists complain that We
seek to take away their power" That's
meant for the Liberty League. but
how about you political bosses Of
Chicago? How about your power?
Something was said once about
grapes from thorns, figs from thistles,
and silken purse out Of a sows ear.
1t takes more than a handful Of
idealists to make a new world. Most
of your minute men, Mr.. President.
have not enlisted for the duration of
the war. They have enlisted for the
duration Of the Jobs.
tConyrirht 1Q36 NeU York Tribune Tne