The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-11-02

wage py elimln2tlng aS many ok tne higher paid brackets as possible and replacing them with cheaper labor. Third, they rebraoketed their etn- ployes so as to increase the hours of all that 1t was possible to increase. Fourth. They refused to eliminate child labor in its entirety and re- place 1t with adult labor. Had they followed Ehe codes as they them selves wrote them, they would have taken back to useful employ ment nearly the entire army of un- employed.
 The fact sremalns that after ev. erything was said and done we had just as many unemployed as when we started. This fact stands out and I don't think there are many who will deny 1t. This policy on the part of big business and employers as Q whole forced the government to create the WPA, the eco and others to give work to the greater part of our unemployed and now tho vested interests and the reac- tionary politicians who are their lackeys are getting hoarse protest Ing the expense.
 They cry in fear that the consti. tution might Do amended. They fear that individual initiative will be destroyed. They claim that business has been retarded by government interference. They want the govern ment to keep . hands of policy and allow business to 90 on It's own.
 Now to us working people just what do these various squawks mean?
 1. The fear of constitutional change. To begin with the consti. tutlon of these United States was founded on the theory of the right to life, liberty and the pursuit ot happiness. It was for these princi" ples that our Revolutionary War was fought. Our forefathers fought that they and their posterity might enjoy these privileges. Our consti- tution was founded on these princi. ples and were our guarantee that the government of the United States would at ali times fulfill these obligations by adhering to them.
 Now, taking 1t for granted that at the present time the essential requirements for life and liberty are dependent on ono having . Job. II they cannot obtain one Is 1t not the obligation of our government to provide one? Has th!s not been done in great measure through the WPA and other government measuresT
 Now as to the fear that individual initiative w!.l be destroyed. This will happen only when Americe ceases to Do America. .
 What they really mean IS that they should be allowed to return to Inc old process of greed, privilege and profit and the right to exploit the public in general and labor m particular.
 1t was this policy that brought America to her knees In 1920 to the brink of revolution and now tney ask us to return such Q leadersh'p
 They want the government to keep . hands of policy in business.
 This after the government has refinanced them with billions ot dolinrg and refertilized the channels of commerce with more billions ot the peoples money 30 that prok- on down system might enoure while longer. ...,.
 Had they not failed to coopeFavSs with such Q great leadership ana extended 0 little greater measure of Justice they would have he'peo to expand tho cycle he started toE us and I dare say most ot our nresent unemployed would now pc back on the job. Nov tho ques.s0n we want to ask is: If the govern. inent decides on . hands on pohcy aiso 10 refrain from It's policy ot freo spending and allows business to 10 on It's own, what b tneE method of approach and wnes guarantee can they give that tney will be able to repay their previous obligations? .,,,.
 Now as to tho fear of comlnun. ism. Communism b Q phiioeoPny of governmental changes that M eeeordance with American ideals and intellect would make " necessary that at least b0@S of our citizens were versed in It's theor'es and ready to consider them.
 Tho fact Is that few know any. thing about communism and seem in no great hurry to find out mucn about 1t at present. These iacM should expell any fear about Amer len going communicate in tho near future. When and # the time eyer does arriya when we will consider tho administration Of our govern, ment by way of communism it VII not take it's pattern from that set up by any foreign power.
 It will be American cosmmunlsn and will adhere to American uao.' tions and ideals and will pc aCs cepted by Americans as such. We arc perhaps generations removeo from this as yet SO why ail the ballyhoo about 1t?
 Here may also add that we arc no more ready for fascism than we are for communism and II " n ever forced upon the American people you will find that the spnn of our forefathers is not yet deao and the democracy they gave us we will retain by any and all means at our command and no price wlA be considered by real Americans too great to pay. ..,,.
 Much has also been said about chasing the money changers ITO" the temple.
 Now one thing is to advocate sucn A thing and quite another to Drins about It's accomplishment.
 Our whole social, industrial ana economic structures have been oe- veloped during its period Of exis. tence and by its process. lts roots sS