The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-01-17
MEETING DEFENSE PROBLEMS
BY ]. E. Jones


Washington, d. c., Jan. 13-The
British Government has laid It's cards
face down for our Government in
washington to study. London indi-
Gates that every kind of help is need
ed. Director of the new Council, Will
liam Knudson, makts 1t very clear
that the Government expects indus
try and labor to speed up production
of machine tools--in fact to roll up
sleeves and hop to all the jobs. In
October he served notice on the auto
mobile industry that all manufac-
turers must stand in second place
to national defense and he insisted
that the Government must have the
right Of way for the products of
manufacturers of machine tools. All
private industries have agreed to the
demands of the Defense Commits
sion in this matter.
Issues involving the Government
of the United States in the European
War appear to have been merged by
the terrible urgency of the situa-
ton" in the opinion of Mr.. Knud-
son, pleading with employers and
workmen for a "singleness of pur-
pose."
Apparently the labor laws enacted
in recent years were intended only
for peacetimes, and are not as elastic
as they might be for war production.
Factories in England operate
from AZ to 70 hours a week, accord
ing to Sir Walter Citrine, General
Secretary Of the British Trades
Unions Congress, who spoke at the
National Press Club in Washington
recently.
Responsible officials of the FEEDER
al Government have made it plain
that they are not in favor of those
measures that are cutting down the
production of airplanes by one-third
the amount expected each month.
These officials recall that in 1917
the Government assumed absolute
control over industries and working
conditions, and called moratorium
on all methods and formulas that
slackened the completion Of finished
machines and articles.
The Federal Government has full
authority and power over industries,
including working hours, and over
time pay.
Reports of disputes and Quarrels
described as a struggle between
classes are mostly Imagination,
inasmuch as, human rights" have
not been challenged by anyone.
Fortunately National Defense has
been carried on Independent of poll
tics. The rights of labor will be
maintained, and it looks as though
factories will soon be running longer
working hours and days.
Principles Worth Following
An industrial leader has set up
list of six principles for the benefit
of his own children and has stated
his confidence that II they under
stood and believed these principles,
and would be guided by them In their
future actions and activities, he
would feel reasonably sure that
they would have happy and useful
lives"
These six principles, propounded
by C. e. Wilson, Acting President of
General Motors, are so comprehen-1
sive and so full Of meat that they
merit serious thought ON the part Of
all Of us. whether children or adults
especially in these abnormal days Of
national emergency. Here is the list:
l. Importance of self control.
2. The -desirability and necessity
of developing q tolerance Of other
people and of the opinions and ac-
tivities of others.
J. 8. The proper respect for truth
and fact.
A. The Importance of keeping
promises and commitments.
5. Willingness to work and reali-
cation that do work is normal part
of living.
8. The importance OF not being
licked--of being able to. maintain
your morale.
Mr.. Wilson stressed the latter
point, calling it 1.-The spirit Of not
being licked. of realizing that life is
an adventure which cannot be plan
ned in complete detail, q Willingness
to play the game and still enjoy 1t.
even though the rules are not to
your liking. or IL your position on
the team is not perhaps the one you,
yourself. would choose"