davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Askov American., 1941-11-06
NEW SYSTEM NEEDED
editor Askov American:

<1SkOV american.
The Republican party, anticipat-
ing serious Embellishments after the
present emergency, has outlined a
plan to meet the aftermath of war
On production they are sound, but
they have apparently no plan as to
how the production is to be dis
tributed. Hoover was sound on pro-
duction but he relied on the natural
law of supply and demand and failed.
The leadership of the Republican par
ty has gone back to the Hoover poll
cy of supply and demand. They
recommend two billion dollar re-
duction in non-defense spending such
as farm relief and work relief. In
spite of our defense program mil
lions of men depend on government
non-defense spending. BY stopping
this all these people would be desti-
tute with no income and subject to
starvation. They also recommend a
20 per cent reduction in state ex-
penditures-this will further cut
down available work and leave still
more people INDECENT. Therefore
their plans offer nothing as the fact
of the matter, as already proved, is
that supply and demand alone will
not regulate our system so that all
can live.
1t is now generally conceded that
many of our young men who could
not pass an army physical exami-
nation were improperly nourished
while young. The reason for this is
however distorted-the real reason
generally is that the family did not
have the buying power to purchase
the necessary foods of which there
was plenty. Rich women's clubs who
never lifted finger in the problem
Of mal-nutrition while it was actual
ly taking place, now all of a sudden
have become interested. But, they
leave the impression that the prob
lem is one of poor housewives and
poor cooking. This is a typical Re-
publican trick always to blame any
evil which they recognize on some
thing else than the real reason.
The general impression left by
newspapers, newspaper columnists
and other agents of distortion and
Askov American., 1941-11-06

misinformation is that the destitute
generally are the inefficients. They
never explain that millions of eff
ficient farmers and laborers were left
destitute on account of economic and
industrial collapses, such as the one
after 1929, when the vast majority
of thrifty and industrious people lost
their life's savings and were left in
digent in old age and infirmity. Also
the young generation never had a
chance to earn>'more than a bare
subsistence. Only few in places
of special privilege were protected
such as government bond holders
and those who inherited great wealth
also few smart young men who
served the interest of special privi-
lege.
After the war our bonded indebted
ness will probably reach something
like one hundred billion dollars. Most
of these bonds will be held by a
comparative few and they are the
only ones who will materially bene-
fit by the war. The producers will
have to pay off the interest on these
bonds as well as the bonds themselves.
Right here I am willing to say this
situation is impossible. Life for most
will not be possible at all. Unless
this huge wealth is taxed back, the
interest cut down, two certain al
ternatives face this country: Initiation
or liquidation. Only two large coun-
tries, the United States and England,
are still solvent. The huge indebted
ness now incurred can never be paid
off. 1t is the rankest folly to think
so. The profit on production simply
cannot carry the load.
This Indebtedness will stifle busi-
ness until the end will be complete
collapse, unless extreme steps are
taken to prevent it. The remedy is
not to cut down on the buying power
of the masses as long as there is any
thing to buy. The remedy is COM
bination of increased production, 10
cal consumption and gradual high
er price level. The future drift is
towards collectivism and socialism,
a reasonable degree of freedom is
possible under this, if the process is
gradual Merely blindly resisting
this trend only makes matters worse.
The old system is gone forever-the
system of special privilege and ex-
treme wealth and poverty-the revo-
lution-is actually here.
6 7. SIMONSEN.
Pease, Mimi; October %, 1941.
Askov American., 1941-11-06
Whose Freedom Of
The Seas?

The President says we must have
freedom of the seas. Does he mean
freedom under the control of Eng
land, or freedom for all countries?
Woodrow Wilson in his IA points
wanted freedom of the seas for all
after the World war, and was un-
doubtedly sincere in that desire. Ger
many and other countries were strong
for it, but England said no. Is there
any reason why one nation should
continue to dominate the so-called
freedom of the seas?
Askov American., 1941-11-06

us he was right when he said that
conveys mean shooting.
If he meant what he said when he
told the nation that American boys
will not be sent to European battle
fields then why the conveys? He is
inviting and promoting war all the
time by talk and action. In his
Navy day talk he said that it matters
not so much who fires the first shot
but it is the last shot that counts. II
that is not inciting war fever what
is it?
Askov American., 1941-11-06
INSINCERITY BEGETS
INDIFFERENCE
(Brainerd Journal Press)


President Roosevelt, some time ago
complained that the American peo-
pie are not alive to the fact that 1--WE
have a war to win"
The impression conveyed seems tc
be to the effect that this nation is
not sufficiently stirred by the world
situation and is not giving proper
support to the administrators for
eign policy.
If such is the case it may be well
to ask the reason for this apathy on
the part of America.
Certainly it isn't because the drums
of war have not been dinned into
our ears. No channel of publicity
has been overlooked as a means OF
acquainting the people with the Hit
Ter menace.
Certainly it isn't because of lack
of cooperation on the part of con-
gress. The president has been well
supported in whatever he has pro-
posed.
Certainly it isn't because the Ameri-
can people have been niggardly in
giving financial support to the presi-
dents war undertakings. The sale
of U. S. Savings certificates has gone
over better than its sponsors ever
could hope it would.
Labor disputes, it is true, have
delayed our preparedness program
but not to any degree that the presi-
dent himself could not adjust if he
had the patriotic courage to put the
nations welfare above politics.
The only fly in the ointment seems
to be that the people are not clamor-
ing for the things which he himself
hasn't the nerve to suggest to them.
Every so often some lesser light of
the administration-like Senator Pep
per or Frank Knox-sounds clarion
call to arms, yoicing sentiment which,
if carried out, would plunge us over
night into shooting war. Thus far
these administration trial balloons
have made little or no impression.
The American people took little stock
in the inflammatory outbursts of
these men. People asked: Do these
people speak for the administration?
They have received no direct an
swer, one way or another from the
president. Yet Mr.. Roosevelt is very
much disturbed because the people
are slow to realize that 1--WE have
war to win"
If the American people have failed
to grasp the seriousness of the pres
ent situation, the president has no
one to blame but himself. He has
not been frank in his public utter
ances. People are not apt to put
much faith in or reliance on leader
ship that has shown time and again
that its word should be taken with
generous dose of salt.
Askov American., 1941-11-06
FOREIGN RELATIONS

Under this heading the Askov Ameri-
can will publish for the next several
weeks excerpts of statements made
by many of the past Presidents of
the United States on the subject of
President. George Washington, wrote
prophetic words on the subject in his
Farewell Address delivered on Sep
tember IL. 1896. Only part of his
address will be published and in four
installments. Those four excerpts on
Washtngton's advice on foreign rela-
tions will be followed in successive
issues by statements Of other Presi-
dents
Askov American., 1941-11-06
Fact And Opinion
THE KING IS DEAD!
By E. c. Stengelsen.

Up until September 1, 1899, one
faction in Congress which had
staunchly stood by Mr.. Roosevelt,
and given him backing in time of
strongest opposition to his reform
program, was the Progressive-Radical
bloc. He might have seen many of
his pet projects fail had this group
opposed him as vigorously as it
supported him.
The opposition came almost who'll
ly from the ervative-Reaction-
ary element. His own feelings about
Conservatism were best shown in his
efforts to pack the Supreme Court.
In this fight, as in most others, his
strongest popular backing came from
Liberals.
Askov American., 1941-11-06

the tragic Victims. After millions
of human beings are slaughtered like
cattle, after cities are destroyed and
civilization laid waste, and both sides
are exhausted conference is held.
America stands today at the cross
roads, facing the road to war and
the road to peace. Which will she
choose? Upon that choice hinges the
welfare of our country, the civiliza-
ton built up by our fathers over two
centuries Of toll and the lives of two
millions Of American boys.
The whole argument calling for
America to enter the European war
to crush Nazism and Fascism is viii
ated by fundamental fallacy-the
naive assumption that ideas can be
destroyed by arms and warfare. In
stead of dislodging these ideas force
will drive them deeper. External
assault will rally even the foes of
Hitlerism to the defense of the Faith
erland. Peace and the capacity to
think dispassionately which peace af-
fords, offer the best means of enabling
persons from false ideas and vicious
PHILOSOPHERS. Only by the sword of
the mind functioning freely in peace
can we slay the dragon of totalitarian
ideology.
The nations of Europe have been
engaged in the titanic struggle for
two years. What have they accomp-
lished? Have the Germans proved
by their conquest of Poland that
they were right and Poland was
wrong? Who can remember precisely
what the German-Polish dispute was
about? There was something about
Danzig, the Free State, the Corridor
and East Prussia but does not the
original point at issue, whatever it
was, seem microscopic in comparison
with the enormous expenditures in
money and human lives already made
by both sides?
Have the Allies proven Nazism and
Fascism to be wrong? Have the
Axis powers disproven the demo-
cratic theory by their conquest of
France and their overrunning of the
other countries of Europe? If Soviet
Russia, with the help of Britain and
the United States, should triumph
over Germany, would that demon
strate that Communism is the better
way of life, and that Europe and
America should therefore be Bolshe-
vized? What single good result has
emerged from these two years of
bloodshed, slaughter and unparal-
leled destruction?
Hundreds of cities have been laid
waste. Thousands of works of art,
culture and civilization have been
destroyed. Hundreds of thousands of
families have been uprooted and
their members scattered far and wide.
Millions of men, women and chill
dren have been slaughtered like
cattle. A whole civilization is in
flames.
The whole stupid brutal business of
seeing which side could destroy the
most property and kill the largest
number of human beings has pulled
Europe back into the caveman stage
where might is right. Are the citi-
zens of the United States about to
be hurled into this mad orgy by
their war-minded leaders
Before the outbreak of the war Hit
ler and Daladier warned each other
that the only victors would be de-
struction and death. President Roose-
velt had previously reminded Hitler
and Mussolini that the World war
proved that military victory was
sterile, that it solved nothing and
accomplished nothing.
NELL O'SHANE.
Minneapolis, MINI.
Askov American., 1941-11-06

an act would be a check on the
Chief Executive unless he assumed
dictatorial powers (Which we believe
he would not do.) If the Congress
does not raise this issue in the form
of a resolution calling either rejec-
ton or confirmation of this policy,
it has certainly abdicated, and the
three-way check which is the central
technique of our government would
have been destroyed.
Askov American., 1941-11-06

The trend in settling life insurance
policies is away from lump sum pay
ments in favor of payments to the
beneficiary over a period of years.
More than one-third of billion dol
lars of 1910 insurance death bene-
fits were settled in this way, four
times the total of only 10 years ago.
Askov American., 1941-11-06
Opinions OF Others

(Short timely letters on topics Of
public interest are welcome whether
form with those of the American
All letters must be signed with the
writer's name for our information
Signed articles always are more ef-
fecttve. but II the writer does not
wish to have his name used, It viii
be withheld)
Askov American., 1941-11-06

The President kept on telling us
that he did not want America in the
European war, and he said that con-
voys mean shooting and shooting
means war. Subsequent events tell
Askov American., 1941-11-06
THE TROUBLE WITH AMERICA
(Milan Standard)

|
That the present war in Europe
is continuation of the century old
fights to stabilize boundary lines and
to determine which power shall domi-
nate the continent is an assertion that
does not stand up under close ex-
animation. There is more to it than
that.
The war represents a clash of ideas
involving the political, social, eco
nomic and religious life of the peo-
pie.
The fact is that democracy as a
way of life has begged down.
Fascism in Italy and naziism in
Germany came into being as way
out of the economic chaos created
by the teachings of revolutionary
socialism and communism in Italy and
Germany and other countries of Eur
ope.
All the nations of the world are
affected by the materialistic, irreli-
gious philosophy of Marxism, to use
as designation the name of its found
er, Karl Marx, the German Jew who
wrote "Das Kapital," the socialist
Bible.
Revolutionary socialism teaches the
overthrow of our present economic
and social system. To accomplish
that end our social and economic con-
ditions must be made worse and
worse until they become unbearable
and the people rise in revolt.
Reform-a gradual improvement of
conditions under a democratic system
of government-has no place in the
philosophy of Marxism. Under it
selfishnesS rules supreme. Charity
as practiced under the teachings of
religion is ridiculed. Old fashioned
morality is neither taught nor prac-
ticed.
These teachings are undermining
democracy even in these United
States of America. Political cor
ruption, strikes fomented by COM
munists and socialist agitators, labor
racketeering, spirit of dependence
on government aid, all are symptoms
of diseased state of society. De-
mocracy is begging down in our coun-
try while we are preparing to have
democracy and the four freedoms
everywhere else in the world.
If this isn't a cock-eyed state of
affairs, what is it?
The fact is that while our own
government is processing to create
in America "the arsenal of democra-
cy", it is SO honeycombed with social
ist teachings and practices that it has
lost the confidence of those who would
be the natural bulwark of democracy.
There is no lack of patriotism, but
the people are bewildered by the
spectacle of government that tries
to curry favor with the enemies of
our institutions while at the same
time processing its undying love for
democracy.
Is there any wonder that people |
lASoAeoSS o0OaI SAiSd6hlS Ill
war and believe we should concen-
trate on cleaning our own premises?
Is there any wonder that they listen
attentively to and applaud isolation
ists who say we should attend to our
own business and let the rest of the
world 60 hang?
The trouble with America today is
that our government is trying to
ride two horses at the same time
one heading for socialism and totali-
tarianism and the other trying to
keep in the well-beaten track of de-
Fairmont Sentinel: The hope of
Minnesota is that private citizens
will continue in greater numbers to
observe the states laws better than
Askov American., 1941-11-06
THE FUTILITY OF WAR
Editor Askov American:

Editor Askov American:
War never decides a moral ques-
ton, question of right or wrong over
which it is always allegedly fought.
It merely decides which side has
more guns, more bombing planes,
more instruments of death, more
cannon fodder. The common people
in all the war-torn countries are
Askov American., 1941-11-06

Mr.. Roosevelt is doubtless firmly
convinced that all Liberals are out
of step but he. But does it not
occur to him that in such case, the
Conservatives are also out of step;
for they will then have become the
supporters of Liberalism, something
wholly inconsistent with their natur-
al inclinations.
Mr.. Roosevelt might, with profit
to himself and benefit to the rest of
us, re-examine his foreign policy
from the viewpoint here presented.
Askov American., 1941-11-06

CONTINUED from Page -
well as of the Caspian Sea. 1t
also may mean that he will try
to penetrate all of Caucasus and
march through Iran and Afghani-
stan toward India.
In spite of that possibility, the
British are still hesitating, and, per-
haps, they have adequate reasons
for being slow about it, for they are
realizing that were they to march
northward into Caucasus, they would
have to build roads, bridges and rail-
ways through Middle East countries
where lines of communication are
exceedingly oldfashioned and unde-
veloped.
Around Moscow.
There is but little doubt that the
Germans are making progress on the
Russian southern front; perhaps also
on the central, but here it is much
slower, and Moscow still proudly de-
fies the attackers.
Study of available maps shows
that the Germans have advanced
toward Moscow exceedingly. little
the last two weeks. Defense Of
the Soviet capital has stiffened,
and there is hope that the central
Russian winter will be so severe
that the nazis may have to post
pone their final assault.
In the meantime, Russia hopes
that an ever increasing volume of war
supplies will arrive from England
and the United States, and many as
surances have been given that the
Soviets will be taken care of, in this
respect. But how and when it is to
be done, is not yet clear, and infor-
nation is not available.
There is, however, some ground
for the fear that war supplies
cannot be sent to Russia to the
extent that they are needed. In
war which-as does that be-
tween Russia and Germany
operates with millions of men,
thousands and other thousands
of airplanes, tanks and heavy
guns, it does take a lot
One cannot predict that Russia
will be conquered. If she is, last
weeks mortality statistics, pub
lished in Berlin, give an inkling of
what may happen to true Russian
patriots.
Massacre.
For, it was officially revealed that
during the last four months, 1882
persons in occupied and conquered
countries had been executed by Ger
man military authorities. For a
variety of reasons it is impossible
to resist the suspicion that the num-
ber is considerably larger than the
official figures indicate.
What nazi soldiers on battlefelds
do not succeed in accomplishing, ap-
pears to be taken care of by execu-
TONERS behind the lines.
Askov American., 1941-11-06

The Liberals oppose Mr.. Roose-
velt's foreign policy, because they be-
lieve that whichever result it brings,
continued non-belligerency or war, it
is the common man who will be the
chief sufferer. If it brings war, it is
his blood that will be shed; if our So
called peace continues, the cost of
Mr.. Roosevelt's lavish expenditures
on behalf of foreign nations will be
paid in the toll and sweat of the COM
mon people.
Askov American., 1941-11-06
From Exchanges

Editorial Comment From Other News
papers Which May or May Not
Conform With the Opinions Of the
Askov American.
Askov American., 1941-11-06
HIGH COST OF WAR
(Eoirroopf Conf;naN

The last World war cost this coun-
try thirty billion dollars. The pres
ent one has already cost sixty-six
billion, just in preparation, with
many, many more billions to come.
Askov American., 1941-11-06

Fairmont Sentinel: The hope of
Minnesota is that private citizens
will continue in greater numbers to
observe the states laws better than
do the states lawmakers when in
legislature duly assembled.
Askov American., 1941-11-06

Throughout the land, the Liberals
gave him support, as consistently as
Askov American., 1941-11-06

But since September l, 1899, we
have seen strange phenomenon. The
apostle of Liberalism has lost his
following. He now heads the faction
which formerly they helped him fight.
1t is idle to urge that the cleavage
extends only to difference of opin-
ion concerning Americas foreign poll
cy. He will find that many who
formerly defended his domestic poll
cies, more from personal liking than
from approval of his policies, are
now among the sharpest critics of
those same policies.
In the Midwest, a large section
of his erstwhile following no longer
finds him worthy of loyalty. The
Journal-Tribune, however, has be-
come a fervent champion of his for
eign policy.
Askov American., 1941-11-06

the Conservatives opposed. 1t was as
true of individuals as of the lesser
political parties, newspapers and or
ganized groups.
In the Midwest, for example,
nearly all the Farmer-Labor news
papers supported him, as did most
Farmer-Laborites. Among his big
gest opponents and critics were the
two Reactionary Minneapolis papers,
the Journal and the Tribune.
Whenever the Legion expressed it
self, it was seldom in other than
critical tone. The cautious A. F. L.
gave him only lukewarm support.
A majority of the c. I. o. backed
him, even after the Roosevelt-Lewis
split.
Indeed, it is not too much to say
that Mr.. Roosevelt was everywhere
looked upon as the leader of Liberal
ism and Liberal thought.
Askov American., 1941-11-06
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS REVIEW

CONTINUED from Page -
we'll as of the Caspian Sea. 1t
also may mean that he will try
to penetrate all of Caucasus and
march through Iran and Afghani-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-05-27
Slow Down!

The cry Speed Up!" is being heard in almost every field of activity. Here is field in which thee ry is Slow Down!" and the change is something of relief. It's the speed of automobiles that needs rationing. s peed has always been the Mo- killer in auto accidents, Most ac- cidents wouldn't have happened at all if the participants had been driving slow ly; even then they would have been far son to slow down.
 Tires wear out faster at high speeds. P. w. Litchfield, Goodyear Tire chair man, has stressed the fact that the coun- try has on hand only six months supply of raw rubber. One way to conserve 1t is not to wear out tires so fast, and one way to do that is to drive slower.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-05-27
Annual Sessions

Somebody is glutton for punishment! It's hard to believe that the Legislature wants to meet every year at Hartford, but last week it voted to do so. Of course that doesn't necessarily mean that annual ses- sions are now assured. In case of this sort such transition isn't as easy as it sounds In order to amend the State Constitution which now calls for biennial sessions it's necessary to wait for quite a few years. In fact 1t may be six years before this change is approved. And in the meantime successive legislative bodies can undo what the 1941 started.
 So we are in no way certain of having annual sessions. The state once enjoyed these annual sittings of the laW-makers, but for some reason or other decided that there was no sense in them and switched to the biennial Personally we think the same way now as our fore fathers did then. However, we don't make the laws; we only comment on them. In view of the fact that the &C., companying revolution is for 4-year term for the governor the thought of an an- nual legislative session isnt too encourag- ing.
 A governor elected for two successive terms under the proposed new set-up would have legislators clamoring at his door every year for eight years. That's terrible penance, even for a governor to pay. Somehow or other we don't think anyone will relish the idea of this, yet 1t must be based on some sound thought of procedure Of the two constitutional changes proposed we'd much prefer to see the gubernatorial term changed than to have to put up with annual legislative sessions.