The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-05-28
WEDNESDAY. MAY IS. 1871
oUR NATIONAL EMERGENCY

OUR NATIONAL EMERGENCY
Congre ssmen today are saying
thsy will still function despite
President Rooseyelt's declaration
OF an unlimited national emergency
While the President can undertake
action OF far-reaching importance
without consulting Congress the
Constitution still exists and Con
gress can still debate.
Congress is supposed to appro'
pirate the money to run the vast
governmental machine and TO i'm
pose the heavy taxes necessary TO
make Il junction.
A declaration of national emer'
gency gives the President vast
powers tut there are still some
things that he cannot do without
action by Congress. The Constitu-
ton is not yet suspended, nor is
the right OF free speech abandoned,
Congress can still levy taxes and
appropriate money.
The declaration o, an emergency,
however. will have the effect OF
making it easier for the President
10 obtain enactment OF measures
he seeks. II also may make opposi-
ton more difficult.
While opposition members Of
Congress are still free TO support
or oppose any measures. President
Roosevelt probably will continue TO
have his way virtually on any mea-
sure touching national defense.
Congress now has before it a
50 500,000,000 tax bill and must act
within a month on appropriation
bills totaling more than s15,000,'
900. 900. Ii also has pending a score
of measures dealing with national
defense problems. There is also a
modified labor bill which require.
cooling Off period OF 80 days
before strikes can be inaugurated
in defense industry. Other bills
will probably be presented TO help
guide the way to the united front
which we must have.
The message OF President Roose-
welt delivered to the United States
and translated into other languages
for transmission abroad. was not a
declaration OF war. but it was very
close. 1t was so close in fact thai
one OF two courses is likely 10 fol-
low. Either his stand is bold enough
TO encourage beligerent nations
TO consider terms of peace, or it will
lead to early participation in the
war.
The first, the peace negotiations,
Is what We hope for, but war is
what We seem now most likely to
get. Had we been prepared and
united on a constructive course OF
sound national advancement five
years ago as Germany was, We
might then have arrived al peace
able adjustments OF international
differences. Now it is pretty late
As Germany marches past the
conquered nations of Europe and
into the borderlands of Asia, there
is little incentive 10 stop short OF
victory Once a dictator is started
on such conquest ne finds It hard
TO step. Each new conquest kindles
lust for more Mobs cheer him on
and the thrill Of victory contributes
10 his mental state OF power intox-
ication. So long as he dares each
for more he will not stop. and the
time Will never come when he will
be content TO stop. His temperament
demands that he shall push on.
Here we have a similar leader
ship, a man who wants 10 do things
different. bigger and better-a com
mendable ambition. But when tvs
such temperaments meet the re.
suit 10 likely 10 be a fight to the
death. That is how we seem now
to be headed.
There is this one hope: the Pres
ident may have information that
will still permit him TO keep his
short CT war" campaign promises
He has promised aid and that prom.
Use be means to keep. Whether he
can keep that promise an others
at the same time is a big question
today. Doubtfully We hoIe.
Once We are in the war there
will be no turning. We must then
give all attention TO support Of the
President for the most consolidated
front we have ever presented a
foe. This will be our greatest test
We stand to preserve a part oil
what we now have OF democracy al
we have known II, or We shall losa
II all. That must not be. We mus
preserve what we can. Upon tina
nucleus we can again build.
Meantime there must be adjust
ment Of our internal differences Il
we cannot return 10 the unite,
American front there is no need fo
the war. II the German Bund or tn,
Russian Communists are 10 even
tually take over this country. ther,
is no advantage in going to war. w
would save lives and money b,
bowling now TO their wishes.
N we are to overcome thes
growing influences and overcom
German conquest at the same tim
we have a big job on our hands an
one that must be handled intelll
gently and with unity OF purpose
That seems 10 be the course. w
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