The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-06-11

course, Ii was not our own prop
erty and we lacked interest
therefore. 1t has been my good
fortune twice since World war
to see parts Of France which
were demolished Literally and
the reconstruction thereof. 1t
was modern and very beautiful.
This territory has again been
destroyed.
Now let me call on the imagi-
nation of those who have never
seen such desolation. Do you
wish to wait for the arrival Of
the modern machines OF destruc-
ton to arrive on our coasts?
Picture our West coast. We, Of
course, have stone, concrete and
brick buildings. Many, many
more constructed Of wood frame
work. With the fire bombs
which can be distributed by
plane our homes and great
forests could be destroyed in a
few days. You'll laugh at such
a statement. Where are our
firemen getting off at present
on localized fires? Could men
alone extinguish hundreds or
thousands of small flames with
garden hose or sand?
The destruction Of our homes
would not effect only a finan-
cial loss. 1t would create a ter
rible effect here in America,
mental and moral. just as it has
in other countries.
Is it better that We arrive
too late with too little or even
fail to arrive and by waiting
are compelled to try to defend
our homes with no help from
sympathetic groups of other
nationalities NO.
The foresight of our president
has without doubt put this ma
ton in much better condition
for defense than many realize.
IT may be that we are short Of
ornaments to supply a huge
army Of millions but arms OF all
types can be supplied as fast az
soldiers can be trained. Cooper
alton Of fathers, sons and broth
srs will be much better now that
we have a definite object as out
lined in the last fireside chat
by OUR president.
There are no slackers among
our union men. The effort to
obtain some of the profits to
be derived in manufacture is
only natural When limits are
placed on profit the reason for
strikes will have been eliminated
and this nation will be a real
beehive OF industry. Our boats,
tanks, guns and other mechani-
cal necessities will roll off as
sembly lines at unheard-of rates
Of speed. Let US not doubt one
another but endeavor 10 do our
share and shame the rest into
doing the same.
II we find manpower Is nee
essary to enable our allies TO
crush this monstrous Nazi IDEA
from the face OF this globe let
US furnish this manpower and
combat them anywhere but on
this continent Don't invite them
into our back yard Let US save
this hemisphere for the produc-
ton Of the necessities Of life
which can and must be distrib-
uted worldwide at the conclusion
Of this madness.
With traffic fatalities as great
as they are and the small at
tention and thought given by
laymen TO this subject, il is be-
yond me 70 think that death Of
man Is the underlying idea
which delays our entry into this
conflict 1t is. Is il not, the loss
Of dollar value which has been
taught so long. which causes
fear in our hearts? Surely men
are physically as brave as ever
and viii not shirk q duty OF
protecting the mothers. sisters,
daughters. sweethearts. grand
parents and those unable by age
or ability 10 protect themselves.
Thanks for accepting the
challenge
GEORCE D IOEKSON