Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1941-04-03
American, who thinks of his country

American, who thinks of his country
first.
A Tragic Situation.
The weakest link in our chain of
national defense is the lack of skilled
workers. Recently a survey of 5A
million unemployed workers revealed
that only $40 thousand could be
classified as trained or skilled work.
ers who would fit into defense pro-
duction. This tragic situation is pri-
marily responsible for the lag in the
preparedness program and its effects
will be felt with increased severity
as we attempt to speed up production.
For years I have advocated crea-
ton of trade schools where the youth
of our country could be taught use
full trades. Selfish and powerful
groups have been able to prevent the
enactment of programs looking to
the training of our youth along prac-
teal lines but the lesson we are about
to learn will be of such nature that
the American people will not longer
countenance the continuance of poll
cy so fraught with danger to the
Republic. It isn't enough to teach
the three RS. Our boys and girls
should be trained to work with their
hands but before this can be done
the Wage and Hour law will have to
be rewritten.
Drastic Proposal.
Early income tax returns reveal
that the income from that source will
show an increase of more than 100
per cent over 1889, but even that
stupendous sum is less than one-half
of what we will need in increased
revenues. 1t is suggested that flat
tax of five per cent on all salaries
and incomes be levied. Such tax
would bring in about 312 billions in
new money. With budget that may
exceed 80 thousand million, it will
be necessary for Congress to explore
every source of income with view
to levying tax thereon. AS has been
repeatedly stated in these letters, we
have not seen anything as yet in the
way of taxes.
Am Going Home.
BY the time this letter appears in
print I will be back in Minnesota
for short visit and hope it will be
possible for me to make hurried
trip over the district while out there.
The tension in the foreign situation
seems to have eased up considerably.
The President and three of his Cabi-
net members are on a fishing trip
off the coast of Florida and four
other Cabinet members are vacation
ing in the southwest, so Congress has
determined to recess over the Easter
holidays.
This has been the most strenu-
Gus session in my time. We have
only been in session since January 3.
Allowing eight hours to each work.
ing day, Congress has already APP
propriated and authorized sum of
money that represents "a million dol
lars for each working hour since
January 3, and the end is not yet.
Perhaps it would be a good thing
for the country if Congress were to
adjourn and go home for the rest of
the year. Certainly, it would be
much cheaper for all concerned.
Well Sock 'em.
One day last week the War de-
partment bought 100000 pairs of
wooden socks. In addition to previ-
Gus purchases of light and heavy
wooden and cotton socks totaling so
million pairs. With such an abun-
dance of sox there will be no excuse
for any soldier suffering from cold
feet. Our motto should now be,
''let's sock 'em."
The Minnesota Highway Depart
advises roodocfrionc fn ctnn