The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1939-08-31
ECONOMIC HIGHLIGHTS-

Strong is the hope OF the Ameri-
can people that We will not again
become involved in a European war
Not so strong, Judging by standard
public opinion polls, is the faith
that we will be able to keep neutral
A very considerable segment Of the
population believes that we would
eventually go to the aid Of the
European democracies if they we're
forced to wage war against the die
tatorships- sat least, if the war
went on for some length Of time
and the relationships seemed to
have the advantage.
And so the United States is pre-
pairing for war-and this prepaid
ness does not only involve the larg-
est military expenditures in our
peace-time history. Also involved is
a plan for m Day" Mobilization
Day., prepared largely by military
officials, which, on the outbreak of
hostilities, would have an immed-
late and rastic effect on every indi-
vidual and every business in the
land. .--:egs
Heart of the plan, of course, is a
detailed procedure for conscripting
manpower-The War and Navy de-
partment heads remember the con-
fusion that followed our entry into
the last war, and are determined
that dt shall not be repeated. It is
believed that the CURRENT plan will
make 1t possible to organize a very
large army, for either foreign OF
territorial use, in a very short time
Every man within the age limits
must be ready to enter government
service, in a military or other ca
pacity, ON call-the selection will
be made by sort of lottery sys-
tenn Unmarried young men,, in
good health, will naturally be con-
scripted first.
And industry will be modified
with equal completeness. A War
Resources Administration, stated
by Important business men working
with military chiefs, will be given
gigantic authority in such matters
as regulating prices, labor. trade
and the procurement of supplies.
Industries which are believed es-
sential to the war will be encouraged
and helped to expand Industries
believed not essential will be dis
and perhaps forced out of
business. Some industries will be
taken over and operated by govern
ment. Under any circumstances, in
dustry, commerce and trade will be
100 percent controlled by govern
ment, and severe penalties will be
In store for those who protest too
much.
But this isn't all there is to the
prOblem-some officials have long
believed that efficient warfare de-
mands giving the executive branch
Of the government undreamed-of
dictatorial power. The President, if
they have their way, would be given
A48AA SO4ItAOl VVCI U1AC AdO1O dIAO U11S
press. Free speech and free press,
II he so desired, could be virtually
in the name of the
national interest. An individual
right which those in command thot
inimical to the successful prosecu
ton of war could be abrogated BY
decree.
The point Of view of those who
plan such unprecedented legislation
Is clear enough. They are princi-
pally military men. They are great
~ concerned with the best means
of fighting war, and they are lit
tie concerned with democratic the
cries Any war We might become in
v0lved in viii be against dictator
ships where one-man government
makes possible q high deree Of
efficiency and speed Of
action. Therefore, they argue, ne
must operate on the same basis
we must fight dictatorship with the
methods Of dictators. As some
cyntcs have observed, this would
amount to giving up democracy in
order to save It. p @.=r
OF course, "government-by-de-
cree" would last, theoretically, only
MCKEE SAYS