Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1941-10-17

men believe that serious dlSlocatlOnS
in a new depression can be avoided if
we act wisely and before it is too late.
A recent report of the economic poll
cy commission of the American Bank
ers Association, for instance, gives
an interesting light on the viewpoint
of financial leaders in relation to
postwar conditions. The report at
one point said:
"While all recognize the economic
shock of shifting from war to peace,
a severe depression should not be fat
alistically accepted as inevitable. The
best way to avoid a postwar depres-
sion is to restrain consumer and nom
defense spending now, and so save up
buying power for the postwar period.
"The lesson of the severe decline in
prices and production would appear
to be that if restraints are exercised
now our system of free enterprise will
under proper encouragement, be ade-
quate to provide for postwar reem-
ployment. Artificial and wasteful
government spending programs of the
pork-barrel type are not needed and
may indeed prolong depression"
Every true American hopes that
another period of depression will be
avoided and that all classes of citi-
zens who have secured advantages
that have increased their buying pow
er and comforts will have these adj
Vantages maintained at a fair level.
Unless we plan thoroughly and safe
ly, however, we will face recession
that will cause many hardships.
Past experience has taught us that
few workers will save enough from
war time earnings to weather a per-
iod of increased unemployment that
seems inevitable when we drop from a
national defense operation basis to
that of peace time procedure. If the
approximately forty million employ
ed in government work and defense
production efforts could be induced
to save any considerable portion of
their earnings the curtailment in buy
ing would aid in preventing initiation
and the workers would have a reserve
to tide them over a period of unem-
ployment or lessened wage return.
Is this 90 much to expect from the
American worker, and in fact, from
all Americans? Personally, believe
there would be a favorable response
to an appeal if it was made in such
way that our people would understand
the urgency of the situation. Com
placency in high pay period but in
the face of unemployment potentiali-
ties, would be most dangerous to the
individual and the nation.
While considering conditions at
home we should not forget the dark
clouds of war that are to both the
east and west of the United States.
Our government has decreed that it
will give all possible material aid to
those countries fighting the Axis ma
tions. We have declared for free
dom of the seas, and may at any time
repeal or modify the Neutrality Act.
Under such circumstances our peo-
pie must stand united. We must pro-
duce materials to the full extent of
our power. We must avoid disputes
that slow down production.
We must stop the dissemination of
propaganda intended to disrupt our
defense efforts and divide our peo-
pie Nhers must be no moral disin-
fassr.ation of our people at TINS time
of great national peril.
IF we remain firm in our determi-
nation to maintain the ideals upon
which this country was founded we
can preserve the fundamentals of our
form of government, including free
speech, free press, the right OF as
sembly and property rights.
America seeks no territory as the
result of the present war. AS a people
we are concerned with protection "a
gainst modern methods of attack
which have largely wiped out the idea
that oceans are safety barriers.
For many years, especially in Ger
many, the idea has been fostered that
Uncle Sam is a Shylock. The Nazi
leaders of Germany have looked upon
this nation as one always seeking
commercial advantage and could not
conceive that as people we would a
gree to heavy taxation to furnish wal
materials to nations. which stand a
gainst dictator rule of the world
They undoubtedly thought that thu
taIl Of America being the arsenal O.