The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1940-12-26


rules and regulations subject to re
view by the Federal courts when
ever an individual or business or
ganization felt aggrieved by bur
eau's action. Surely, this Is yet Q
free country where every citizen
may have his day in court.
I am inclined to believe that the
President was influenced in his
action by a few of his bureaucratic
followers who are impatient at al
restraints and brakes. Some OF
them have absolutely no regard fol
lawful procedure. They consider
themselves above such old-fashion
ed restraints as the constitution
and statute law.
think I can promise that the
new Congress will repass this very
necessary legislation and override
any veto interposed. The average
American is getting good and tired
Of government by men.
Would LiberaliZe Pensions
Sources usually reliable have II
that in his forthcoming message
to Congress the President will urge
some drastic changes in the ole
age pension system. 1t is reported
he will recommend lowering the 65
year age limit; cut out state par
ticipation and increase the amount
At present the average pension fol
the country as a whole Is $50 g
month. In Minnesota it is between
$18 and $40.
As I understand it the President
would make uniform the amount
paid In all states. That certainly
would be desirable from several an.
giles but I am wondering if it would
not be wise to zone the country
and base the amount paid on liv.
ing costs, otherwise most pension.
ers would probably move south
where the items of fuel and cloth
ing are comparatively negligible
factors. I intend to raise this
phase Of the subject if and wher
the prosposal comes before oul
committee.
Worth Considering
The proposal of Senator Vanden.
berg that the Republican party sci
up a group of experts to advise II
on fiscal and legislative questions
Is surely worthy of serious consid.
GRAFTON. Under our scheme Of gov.
eminent the minority is supposed
to act as a brake when the major
ity threatens to run hog wild. This
it rarely succeeds in doing for the
want Of reliable information which
now can only be had from govern
mental agencies that are never toe
friendly to the "outs," no matter
what party be in power. A group
Of experts, such as proposed by
Senator Vandenberg would be Of
inestimable assistance in formulat
ing a program for the minority
that would be constructive, and
helpful to both parties in determin.
ing their policy.
AS it now is, the average legisla.
tor is general practitioner. He
must have some knowledge Of taxa
ton, defense needs and q score OF
other equally intricate and import.
ant subjects. Rare indeed is the
individual who is an authority or
more than one or two subjects, and
the country suffers because Of this
lack of complete understanding.
am satisfied that with the Vanden
berg plan in operatfpn the minor
ity would become more effectively
helpful and that would rebound tt
the benefit of the country as 6
whole. *
Let's Use Our Brains
Recently William H. SLOVENIAN
London correspondent of the Chi
cago Daily News, said:
The fond idea that the United
States can help Britain more by
staying out of the war than by com.
ing in is, in the opinion of respon.
sible British leaders, just so much
bunk"
Yes, that is now becoming OBJ.
vious. The British are talking
about loans already, though their
resources are far from exhausted
If we were formally at war, they
could draw on our munitions with.
out having to pay for them.
They have had fifty destroyers
from us for what amounts to nc
consideration at all-since the bases
we get will force us to defend Brit
ish territory gratis. Now they want
the use Of our navy to convoy ship
ping across the Atlantic, and they
would like to carry that shipping
in American merchant vessels. II
we were formally at war, we should
do both as matter of course.
Even though we were disposed
to get into the war we are UMPIRE
pared to do so. Informed author
tiles are generally agreed that dom
este production of war material IL
30 percent to 40 percent below ex
pectations.
The blame for this unfortunate
condition cannot be placed on the
Defense Commission as that body Il
more or less advisory and anything
it does must be approved by the
President, also by the War an6
Navy Departments before becoming
effective. When the commission
first met, William s. Knudsen ask
ed the President, "Who is going
to be boss" to which Mr.. Roose.
welt replied IT am" The present
arrangement Is not working out
and sooner or later the President
will be forced to name a responsible