Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1939-10-12
IF WAR COMES DICTATORSHIP
IN UNITED STATES WILL
GOVERN CITIZENS

Editors Note: Generally unknown
to the American people is the start
ling fact that they may lose their
individual liberties and that our pres
ent form of democracy may give way
to a Fascist dictatorship should the
United States become involved in the
European war
The average Americans liberties
would be severely restricted, his daily
living habits would be rigidly regu-
lated. Even expectant mothers would
be told how they must live-how
much clothes they might wear, what
they might eat, etc.
The Constitution and the Bill of
RightS-Which now make us free
Americans-would be scrapped, tenn
porarily, if not permanently.
These facts are given in the Whirl-
gig column of Ray Tucker, Washing
ton newspaper correspondent, and are
the best arguments against the United
States entering the war which we
have yet seen.
So that Journal readers may realize
the danger which threatens our form
of government should we enter this
war, we reprint the following from
Mr.. fuckers column:
WaShington-TheP President of the
United States will become military
dictator under legislation framed for
governing the United States in event
of our entry in the European war.
It matters not whether the admin
istration is Democratic or Republican,
whether the chief magistrates name
is Franklin D. Roosevelt or John
Jones. The plans for war regimenta-
ton are strictly bipartisan.
The President already possesses
many of the powers over prices,
wages, production, individual activ-
ity. They can be discovered by vigi-
liant search of the National Defense
act, the Federal Power act, the SEC
and AAA laws, the Communications
act, in obscure paragraphs of statutes
enacted without comment or discus
sion on or off the floor of Congress.
But presidential advisers have de-
vised whole new set of wartime
legislation to be asked of Congress
in the event of emergency. Not even
the experts here know the extent of
the authority needed by the Federal
government if forced to fight for ma
tional safety and existence.
Provisions for an immediate draft
of manpower for battlefield and bat
tie factories are the least important;
we had experience with CONSUMPTION
and industrial priorities more than
20 years ago.
1t is the complete disappearance
of an individuals or corporations
liberty of choice or action-social
and economic-which reveals how
closely the United States will resem-
BILE fascist country controlled by
a Mussolini or Hitler.
Uncle Sam will not wait for VOL
untary or patriotic compliance, as he
did the last time. Children yet I'M
born will be recruited in the nation
saving crusade for their mothers
will be told how much clothing they
may wear, what foods they may eat,
how warm they may keep their homes
and hospitals. The administration
will ask Congress to pigeonhole the
Constitution and the Bill of Rights
for a while.
The workingman, for instance, can
not seek a new or better job unless
the government approves on the basis
of war needs. His wages can be low
ered-or upped-and his hours pro-
longed. He cannot strike, or if he
does, he must submit to compul-
sorry mediation. The prices he pays
for food, shelter, clothing and fuel
will be fixed; he cannot waste money
on movies, autos, luxuries. He can
not build a house or pay a higher
rental if it jeopardizes the war en-
deavor
His supply of light and heat will
be allocated; only a 25-watt bulb,
say, after 10 o'clock and house tenn
perature of only 60. His pleasure
or business trips may be cancelled,
ioi viz ~ oiioPol loSiihehSo WILL
be at the exclusive service of the
government.
His pocketbook will be protected
through rigid control of prices. The
mechanism will consist of licensing
of producers and dealers in food
stuffs, raw materials and manufac-
tured goods. Profits will be restricted
to pre-war figures or on basis Of
production costs plus a reasonable
return. Foreign trade will be SINH
larily controlled-imports and ex-
ports fixed as to kind, amounts and
prices. Insurance and interest rates
will be regulated-both future and
existing levels-to bring them in line
with wages and prices. Nobody will
be spared.
Capital will also take it on the
patriotic chin-and like it.
Some corporations will be ordered
to expand with government credit
forthcoming in liberal amounts. 9th
ers will be forced to terminate or
curtail their operations and shift to
manufacture of military supplies. No
issues of new securities or refund
ings will be approved unless they