Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1938-03-31
"War Profits" Bill

War Profits" Bill
There has been much said pro
and con about the May Mobiliza-
ton and Draft Bill which is now
being considered by the Congress
of the United States. This is a
drastic move which Congress is
about to make and so far as this
newspaper is concerned the
American public should be en-
lightened as to its contents and
readers are urged to contact their
Congressman to kill it.
In order that our readers may
be enlightened as to the contents
of the bill and in order that they
may get the opinion of three
Congressman, Maury Maverick,
c. Arthur Anderson and Paul
Kvale, we are devoting our edi-
torial column this week to a dis
cuSsion of it.
Following is the contents of the
bill; each section being stated first
in small type and then under the
contents of each section in larger
type is given the opinion of the
three above named congressman:
To prevent profiteering in time of wal
and to equalize the burdens of war ano
thus provide for the national defense
and promote peace.
It positively does not prevent profit
eering nor equaliZe the burdens Of
war It makes no provision for the
national defense. 1t does not pro-
mote peace.
Be it enacted, etc. That whenever Con.
greSs shall declare war the President is
authorized to determine and publicly
proclaim 1t to be unlawful to buy, sell
Lease: or otherwiSe contract ror any arti
erty, enumerated in such proclamation
or proclamations. at higher rate, rent
price. commission. compensation. or, re-
determined and set forth in such proc.
lamation or proclamationS
This is a draft on human labor
it also empowers the President tc
fix by proclamation any and al
transactions involving your money
or your life; your food, pay, rent
value of your home or business. This
is called universal" price fixing.
The bill as drawn will in no way
guarantee the prevention of profteer-
ing. 1t authorizes the President to fix
certain prices at rates prevailing ''or
a date or dates to be fixed by the
President" and thus authorizes and
instructs him to fix a date or dates
which will establish the rates.
The very idea of seeking to control
profits with reference to prices pre-
vailing at a given date or dates is
preposterous, for the increased pro-
duction to meet war demands might
and doubtless will, boost profits sky
high at the fixed prices. The very
language of the bill permits profiteer.
ing.
Section 2.
Whenever the President determines that
any maximum price, rent, rate, commits
sion, compensation, or reward previously
proclaimed under section l shall be
is authorized to make and publicly pro.
claim such adjustment and such adjusted
maximum shall have the full force and
effect under this act of the price, rent
rate commission. compensation, or re.
ward before such adjustment.
This would permit the Executive
at any time to make any changes
whatever and at will, in any human
or business relation. This is called
UNIVERSAL price fixing.
Section 3.
During such time of war the President
is authorized to determine and publicly
Ii %Io ,nofa vso
resources, industrial organizations. pub
lie services, and security or commodity
exchanges over which Government con.
use use or resale by the Government, Shall
then be necessary. Thereupon such con.
troll shall be exercised by the President
proclaimed by him to be necessary, ano
subject to such conditions exemptions
rules, and regulations as he may prescribe
and publicly proclaim.
Here the President is given power
to seize and control any property
business, public services" ii. e., Of
human beings).
Section 4.
That in the event of war. declared by
Congress, which in the judgment of the
President demands the immediate in
President be, and he is hereby. author.
lied to draft into the military service OF
the United States such members of the
unorganized militia between the ages OF
81 and 81 as he may deem necessary
subject to such conditions, exemptions
rules, and regulations as the President
may prescribe and publicly proclaim.
Here is your draft section. 1t en-
powers the President to conscript
every person, man or woman, at will
and wholly upon whatever rules, reg
ulations, exemptions" he may alone
proclaim" 1t is a blank check
written in advance for an Executive
to draw on the youth of the land.
Everyone knows that draft act is
ready to be introduced Immediately