The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-12-13
THE LONG AND SHORT OF IT
BY J. e. Jones

applied for positions as Army host
esses and nearly all Of them have
been disappointed because the War
Department finds that there will be
only 200 hostesses needed when the
new Army reaches its peace-time
peak. After all, short periods of ac-
tivity of the kind that have to do
with preparation for war, or actual
ly going into war, cannot compare
with the gains and progress achieved
when there were no war clouds on
the horizon.
An optimistic estimate of increas-
ed employment comes from Secretary
Perkins of the Department of Labor,
who says that from to million
new jobs will be provided. Granting
that the Lady may be almost right
there will still remain millions Of
unfortunates on relief.
When the soldiers returned from
Europe in 1919 they found the whole
economic system of their homeland
in a chaotic condition. Things have
MT been quite right most Of the time
since the World War tragedy was
brought to close, with peace treat
les made during the short-time
World excitements, which have not
lasted through the years.
What the future holds in store no
one knows. But it is certain that the
American Hemisphere is steaming
up to do a short-time job that will
end In long years of troubled efforts
to reconstruct our human and econ
omic conditions, and get back to
normal unless we prepare now to
cushion against the after-effects.
A large number of manufacturers
are now enjoying short-time pros
perity because they have succeeded
in landing National Defense con-
tracts. That does not necessarily
mean that the United States is to ex-
pect an era of strong national econ
omy, even in 1941, or for a long
time to come.
In a recent Forum Discussion, v.
George Denny, well known to the
radio audiences of the country, ask
ed Harold G.. Moulton, president Of
Brookings Institutions: "Just what
do you economists mean by strong
national economy? Military strength
is something you can see--it is men
and tanks and guns and planes. But
economic strength--what is it," DR..
Moulton replied: "The economic
strength of a-nation is found in its
productive power--the industry,
plants and equipment, and other re-
sources with which we turn out
ships, tanks, planes, as well as the
commodities of ordinary consump-
ton"
Private business and industry was
thrown back ON its own resources
after the World War. This became
inevitable when the World War prof
it's were suddenly cut off, and pro-
duction and employment headed
down hill. 1t will happen again when
our new programs come to a sudden
close, and the lights will go out as
the European symphony pulls down
the curtains ON the tragedies Of the
present era.
Isn't this a good time to think
about grave economic problems that
our Nation. must face when the pro-
gram of the Constitution provided
by the Fathers is resumed, to "pro-
mote the general welfare, and secure
the blessings Of liberty to ourselves
and our posterity."
Food Costs
The news from washington goes
into particulars regarding charges
that the family food budget is being
boosted, because bread, milk, meat,
fish, cheese, canned fruit, fresh
fruits, vegetables and other foods
all cost more money than they did a
few months ago. The recent Govern
ment inquiries indicate that while the
consumer is paying higher prices
that the farmer gets less for his pro-
ducts.
An investigation has been author
lied on q nationwide front. Its pro-
gress and findings will be of interest
to the American public.
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