Evening star., 1938-08-23

a relatively small group in the form
OF high salaries and high dividends
The failure of distribution to meet
adequately human needs is a serious
obstacle to prosperity and to world
peace and happiness. We haye accom-
plished wonders in production. but far
too little in the economic distribution
of what We produce.
Must Supply Necessities.
We shall have to confess the lack
Of economic craftsmanship unless we
prove ourselves capable of correcting
a situation wherein people in one sec
ton OF our own country are burdened
with products for which people in
another section are in need The way
to economic well-being is to make raw
materials and goods circulate The
way to encourage peace is to supply
the necessities of everyday life.
The most important responsibility is
to develop human skill and character
and secure for all comfort and hap
piness. Working together to this end
will enllven social consciousness and
save the soul Of the Nation Democ-
racy must be made to work better in
this respect, If it is to maintain its
virility through meeting properly its
service responsibilities. The people
generally, as well as researchers in
science, must more aggressively support
this objective
Our salvation, not our destruction,
lies in the wake Of the progress of sci
ence if we wisely apply its lessons and
interpretations. In this field We must
ever keep in mind that constructive
human service is the inspiration of all
endeavors and that if we collectively
cannot help to solve the problem of
the economical distribution of food,
clothing and shelter, all other So
called progress will eventually prove to
be delusion and snare.
When human attitudes and actions
are properly charted; when selfshness
greed and intolerance have been sup
pressed through national educational
| program, made mandatory by an
aroused public opinion: when. natural
tendencies are permitted to function
more normally, then dislocations in the
economic mechanism will be less severe
| and we will have social and economic
progress worthy of a great civilization
1t is not consistent with our progress
that millions of our people are out of
work and supported by those who do
work. Moreover, it is appalling that
there is actually>a school of defeatist
thought which denies any permanent
cure for this condition. In their dis
couragement over failure Immediately
to find remedies, they become deluded
with the idea that the problem is i'm
pervlous to treatment Indeed. some
even resist efforts of those who con-
structively seek and work for the
means of solution. They support this
attitude on the theory that unemploy-
ment derives from our chronological
development and is thus as inevitable
and as permanent as progress itself.
Removing Pivotal Log.
I do not share that view. On the
contrary, boldly assert that when
we solve-and We will solve-the prob
lem OF balanced distribution of goods
and services, We shall have removed
the pivotal log in the jam that re-
tards the attainment of that degree
OF social and economic progress which
our resources and our genius iusti-
fy. l further assert that a more
positive attitude on the possibility of
such solution by more of our peo-
pie would help to stimulate the solu-
ton. The remedy will not be found
IN Wlshful thinking. Inaction breeds
lnaction, and the formula inheres
largely in the simple technique of
business initiative. with co-opera-
ton by the Government where Gov
eminent cooperation is needed.
To admit that this difficulty cannot
be treated effectively is to reflect on
the virility Of the American people,
who, in my opinion, have not as vet
gone soft. Certainly, American char
acter has not lost all of its salt and
lron." The problem will not be solved
solely by the Government. Success
depends on cooperation on the part
OF leadership in business, in labor and
IN all the other interdependent units
which share the responsibility.
Speaking only of domestic distribu-
ton. any co-ordinated program must
flrst analyze both the natural as well
as the artificial obstacles to the free
How OF commerce. If time would per-
NIT us to broaden the discussion to
include foreign trade, We could talk
about the retarding effect of tariffs.
quotas. exchange restrictions, ETC..
which prevent full economic develop
ment and thus encourage information.
al conflicts.
But let us adjust first our internal
dlhculties through better organized
and more widespread distribution at
home. This will look to, among other
things, (a) scientific analysis of pro-
duction costs, including the worth of
the services Of Intermediates, price
liking and waste in selling methods:
CO. banking and credit facilities. and
(c) transportation adequacy and
costs. In all our efforts a conscious
ness of mutual responsibility and will
ingness to give and take and sacri-
flee when and where necessary must
be our guide.
Scientific Advancement.
The progressive advancement of the
United States from the simple econ
omy of the agrarian era down
through the respective development
cycles incident to the advent Of steam.
gasoline and electricity, has prompted
students Of economics to bestow dis
proportionate attention on the more
dramatic functions of production to
the neglect of the cumulative prob
lens of the equally important func-
tions of distribution.
The impact of this consequence has
been so drastic as to cause malad-
justments that cannot be quickly cor.
rected. but should prompt the de-