Evening star., 1938-05-25
ECONOMIC BODY
SEEN SAFEGUARD
BuIkIey Tells Round Table
Danger of Fascism Could
Be ThWarted.

The danger of Fascism in America
could be thwarted by proper operation
of National Economic Council, Sem
ator Bulkley, Democrat, Of Ohio, told
gathering of some 60 leaders of all
sectors of our economic life in a
round table discussion of advisability
of establishing such national body.
"Fascism has come to some nations
where democracy has been weak and
indecisive," Senator Bulkley pointed
out. 1T has operated generally by
means Of which We do not approve,
but it las established a unity of pur-
pose in these countries which Is Of
value in itself. Not the least of our
hopes about a council such as is here
contemplated is that 1t would help
achieve this unity by democratic pro-
cess rather than fascistic."
DIR. Wolfe Sees Trend.
The remarks of the Ohio Senator
we're made after DR.. A. B. Wolfe of
Ohio State University suggested that
one of such councils first tasks
might be a study of the merits Of De-
mocracy VS. Fascism. Many. he said,
believe fascistc state Of society is on
the way in America.
Participating in the round table
we're leaders in fields of labor. busi-
ness, agriculture and science. all pres
ent by invitation from the Senate
Committee on Manufactures.
Senator Bulkley. chairman Of the
committee, sounded the keynote Of the
discussion by outlining his idea for a
full-time advisory body which should
be independent and non-representative
of special interests, sections or po-
litical parties.
In function, he added. the group
would have the task Of digesting the
most authoritative thinking on the
major problems Of legislation and ma
tional welfare. 1t would not, however,
hold administrative or executive
power.
Skeptical of Results.
John J. Pelley, president of the As
sociation of American Railroads, in
troduced note of skepticism in ques-
tion.nc how such a council, regardless
of its own ability and efficiency, could
achieve practical results.
II have no doubt we can find men
to do tbs Job" the railroad executive
said. but I an not yet convinced of
their ability to achieve any concrete
result. I am ready to say We ought to
try this if we can be shown how such
material results are to be achieved"
Mr.. Pelley was answered. in part,
by Henry c. Taylor of the firm founda-
ton, who conceded:
THE problem of making the plan
effective is one that will worry us all,
but if we get clear thinking from a
group, it should bring improved think
ing from the rest of the Nation.
I'VE have heard of supermen, but
we have never seen them. If there is
to be super-thiuking, it must be group
thinking"
Warning or Planning.
Clear differences of opinion also de-
veloped over the degree to which such
a council should engage in economic
planning" with DR.. Ray Westerf1eld
of Yale University warning against the
stigma of planning as attempted in
Russia, Germany and other nations.
Samuel p Wetherill of Philadelphia, q
member of Secretary of Commerce
Roper's Business Council, Immediately
took to advocate greater application
of the planning movement.
Among those attending the forum
was DR.. Oswald Veblen of Princeton
University, who left the session on
being informed of the death of his
brother, Filing H. Veblen, in last
nights plane crash near Cleveland.