Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-10-24
u. S. Can't
Lift Itself by
Boo+s+raps
johnson Hints Well Try
Spending for Income
BY HUGH s. JOHNSON

BY HUGH ;. JOHNSON
IT, is no kidding that there will
= be an effort to step our war
production up to 500, 900, 900, 900
in two years on the argument
that this will insure the oblitera-
ton of Hitler in two years.
It is more than somebody's
pipe dream. 1t is an actual prof.
ect being laid out on the draw
ing-board and prepared.
That is about 100 per cent OF
our annual national income or
production a few years ago but
it is insisted that this very gov
ornamental spending will raise
our national income TO 100 bill
lions per year and that, there
fore. this spending will be only
so per cent of national income.
THIS Is pretty high-handed
Il hocuS-pocus. Heretofore 1t
has been pretty generally sup
posed that national income was
really the total production OF
goods and services that COM
bined to increase national wealth
or consumption.
How can production of things
TO be d destroyed exploded,
burned-up, sunk in the ocean or
sent overseas at the expense Of
all the people be called an in
crease in national income?
1t isn't. II is a dissipation Of
national wealth. You still can't
lift yourself by your own boot
straps.
n X, SKIP that. Go on to the
". next. Who says that so
billions Of war production will
destroy Hitler? How? When?
Where? There is an economic
side 10 this war. There is also
a military and naval side.
What is the strategic plan
here? 1t is true that il can't be
laid out in detail. War condi-
tons change too fast. But what
is the general directive"
There isn't any and that Is
why il seems so absurd to budget
expenditures yond human
precedent for purpose not
revealed.
OF course the answer is: Eve
must do our utmost. We are not
doing IL. Therefore, We outline
this great program a. proof
that we are doing all we can"
But just spending money is
not effective defense. 1t may
be the precise reverse Of that
II may be effective destruction
Also. as has been remarked here
before, you can't measure de-
Tense in dollars alone.
IL isn't sold by the yard. II
Is a question of tonnage, usabil'
ity, use and effectiveness OF the
munitions produced. Types OF
guns. tanks, munitions and
above all. of planes are in con.
slant state of flux.
Our job is 10 build up our
productive capacity on flex-
ible basis and then be prepared
10 produce and deliver what is
wanted, when and where il is
wanted 10 produce the best re-
suit.
A LMOST no thought Is being
"A given 10 these principles
The emphasis seems TO be or
breath-taking statistics OF
present and prospective expendi'
lures.
No worthwhile thought at al
seems TO be being given 10 the
effect of this kind of avalanche
operation on the economic
structure OF our country-em-
ployment, employers. the great
mass of our civilian population
or on our postwar future.
Obviously this situation needs
some kind Of general staff oi
grand strategy-economic, mill
tary, naval and financial. That
doesn't mean any Austrian
Aulic Council with whic /
Napoleon had so much fun.
Under our system, the Presi.
dent is the one commander-in.
chief. But, whether or not he
decides TO take the public into
his confidence more definitely
than 10 talk about "arSenals oil
democracy" or "the four free
doms," he ought TO be willing tC
tell his aims 10 such staff
ask them TO study the problem
and report how best to achieve
them and not leave il 10 the
sporadic outbursts Of such
gentlemen as Mr.. Stacy May
statistician Of OPM, Mr.. William
Bait and others who in theil
specialties may be the best We
have. but who in the field o.
armed operations are tyros.
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