The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-10-30

National and International Problems
Inseparable from Local Welfare

Criticism of this nations arms eff
fort continues to mount. According TO
one of the latest surveys, it will be
another year before our military pro-
duction rivals that of England. In
asmuch as we have three times the
population of Britain, and have many
times the resources of all kinds, it is
apparent that we are still long, long
way from anything resembling an "all
out" armament program.
In some quarters it is believed that
our actual production may be greater
than official announcements indicate
that, in other words, the extent of
our arms output is being deliberately
played down as a matter of policy.
Whether this is true or not, however,
great many authorities are con-
vinced that some radical changes must
be effected before this nations "arse-
nal of democracy" dream is even par
TALLY realized.
There are three definite factions in
volved in the defense program. Num-
Der one is the government. Here there
has been an excessive overlapping of
activity. There has been too much
divided responsibility. Some of the
more extreme New Dealers, according
to informed critics, have put their
theological ambitions ahead of any
thing else, at the expense of military
production. A number of the much
touted experts who have been given
key jobs, have proven failures. And
the age-old vices of bureaucracy
slothfulness and lack of initiative
have been retarding elements.
The second factor is industry. By
and large, it has responded well to the
demands of the emergency. But GER
tain important segments, consciously
or otherwise, seem to have been un-
willing or unable to abandon the
"business as usual idea. This seq
ment of industry, in the opinion Of its
critics, has been too cautious, too
fearful of losing profits. That has de-
layed the harsh changeover from a
peacetime to a wartime basis Of OPP
Grafton.
The third factor is labor. Here,
again, an important segment has put
personal power and profit ahead of
the needs of the nation. Strikes in de-
fense industries have cost the country
millions of man-days of work. They
have prevented the manufacture of
unknown quantities of planes, tanks
and other weapons of war. In these
| DAVIS cfrilyo narrinI hNy fpNE
workers in a vital plant, can stop pro-
duction in hundred plants. A late
example is the strike in a plant which
produces transmissions for motor We
hicles. That brought the production
Of trucks, tanks, jeep cars and other
motorized equipment to standstill.
This particular strike was purely a
.iurisdictional disagreement between
the A. F. of l.. and the C. |. 0.
1t is reported that the President is
considering a tremendous "victory
drive" involving the spending of $780,
0O0,000,000 year. Some of the more
level-headed friends Of labor are tell
ing it that continued strikes will re-
suit in disaster for the trade-union
movement. There are rumors to the
effect that production of heavy con-
sumer goods, such as motor cars, may
come to a virtual stop inside few
months. What will come of all this
remains to be seen. In any case, it is
plain that the tempo of Americas wal
effort must be tremendously acceler
ated if we are to produce the goods
which the beleaguered Allies abroad
must have if Hitler is to be stopped
X X X
The hand Of Hitler can be seen il
the recent changes which have taker
place in the Japanese government
And time may prove that Hitler wor
considerable diplomatic victory
when The moderate Konoye govern
ment gave up the ghost, and the
saber-rattling government of Axis
admiring General Tojo came in.
The advantage Of this to Hitler is
clear. First, if this country is forceC
to face naval threat in the Pacific
its naval efforts in the Atlantic viii
necessarily be limited. We haven't go'
a two-ocean navy, and we won't havt
one for four or more years. 1t is un
questioned that u. S.-Japanese nava
war would be of immense service tc
the Axis.
Second, the new japanese govern
ment constitutes a threat to Asiatlt
Russia. Rumors fly about that Japar
may seize the vital port of Nladivos
tok. And the only fresh troops Russif
has are in Eastern Garrisons. /
Japan offered no danger, Russia coulC
bring them and their supplies tt
bolster her weakened forces in Eu
rope. But if Japan threatens, she i!
between the devil and the deep blue
sea.
In Washington, the Japane S
change of government made a com
, paratively small stir. AS columnis
Paul Mallon put it, "The fluctuatine
wrath of Tokyo caused considerabl!
less than the expected reaction. Over
committed in China, torn with po
iitical dissension within, threatened
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