Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1940-12-27
DOROTHY
THOMPSON
Writes:
>Reuther Plan Deserves
: Strong Consideration

y Strong Consideration
(The opinions expressed by
Miss Thompson are not neces-
sariiy those Of The Detroit
Times.)
THE so-called Reuther Plan for
the mass production of air
planes is undoubtedly the most
important event of the last few
days.
1t is important il. for no other
reason than that in putting it for
ward organized labor has stepped
out in front, taking the initiative
in proposing a bolder. more mod
ern and more integrated defense
plan than has yet been presented.
A holder. more modern and more
integrated defense plan is abso-
lutely necessary. if we are to catch
up on that lost time which has
proved fateful for other nations.
And the whole hearted collabora-
ton of labor as an active and re-
Sponsible partner is necessary if
we are to preserve the enterprise
system. and with il the rights of
labor in an unparalleled crisis.
Active. planned, responsible ini-
tiative by labor ought to be well
coined by the public and by indus
try. In all quarters il will not be
For not in all quarters is the real
situation that confronts Us recog-
nized.
WHAT the United States must
w prove. IN the world in which
We live, is that the private enter
prise system Of which organized
labor is an integral part. can be so
co-ordinated 10 a national plan adj
ianced by government hiatt will
rove more efficient for defense
nan the totalitarian systems which
confront Us. and more efficient
also in building a society in which
there is q maximum use of the en-
orgies and resources for human
bcttermeni and the universal rails
ing of the standard of living
If We cannot prove that. if We
cannot bring about "A sufficient
evolution in and modification of
the American economic system 10
establish beyond a doubt that
planned freedom is more efficient
for production and distribution
than the totalitarlan systems, our
way Of life Is not likely 10 outlast
this decade
The relative inefncicncy Of the
French system IN contrast TO the
totalitarisn state that contended
with IL destroyed the French re-
public The example is before our
eyes
If private interests. whether Of
capital or organized labor, eco
nomic disputes warfare between
industry and goNcrnmcnt.. polltical
dlfforcnccs md ambitions so sabo-
tage The whole organized economic
life that We are unable 10 use a
large fraction Of our capacities.
democracy VIII Dee washed mp. in T
the last place where II Is still
deeply ivbedded and stron2
IT CANNOT too.eiten be cmpha-
sized that We have moved into
an entirely new era Of history, and
that We are moving into II late
The exceptional wealth Of this
H..4..YA g.
trade area and unique natural re-
sources. has induced IN US compla-
cency tow ard the changes that are
taking place in the rest OF the
world and toward the problems
that have been developing here and
eryWhere else during the last
arier Of a century and that have
accumulated gnsolyed into the
present war
Nov We face an attempt 70 re-
solve these problems. by force. into
a new world order ~ the cost of
national and personal liberties
everywhere.
Tho challenge is one that should
call forth the greatest intellectual
and manual capacities Of the
whole people. and the most spon- |
taneouS and voluntary democratic
discipline.
If WE are 10 resolve our prob
Il lens in a democratic way
which, with whatever modfica-
tions. retains for US political lib
erty and essential economic free
doms. we must seek to eliminate
10