Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1941-01-16
1 Might Be
[Wrong--BUT|

There are so many encourag-
ing developments and disquiet-
ing factors in connection with
our national defense efforts that
it becomes difficult to strike
well-reasoned mental balance.
We find encouragement in the
realization that we are gradually
even if slowly-reaching the
stage Of full production of war
materials; in the knowledge that
our national leaders are devoting
their full thought to the inter-
national crisis; in the fine spirit
in which the young men are &C.
cepting the call to service; in
the knowledge that the policy we
are following is endorsed by so
huge a majority of our citizens.
On the other hand serious con-
temptation of the attitudes of
such men as Lindbergh, Senator
Wheeler, Congressman Tinkham
and Verne Marshall's committee
and of the many strikes and in
dications of sabotage in various
parts of the country, cannot help
but detract from the encouraging
signs.
1t is highly probable that OPP
position (and we are forced to
accept such opposition as sim
cere) will, in the final analysis,
add strength to our purpose. 1t
can be hoped mat by. focusing
public attention OIL the question,
our program will be pushed
with more determination and eff
cheney. But if the reverse should
prove true, then such patriots as
Lindbergh and Wheeler are do
ing the United States a dis
service.
And what about the labor
situation? Is it healthy to have
a national emergency used as a
means of driving hard bargains t?
Is it healthy to have men in our
midst whose sole objective is to
profit by our effort to protect our
Democracy, our homes, our fu-
ture? It is healthy to have our
best young men drafted for
military service at $21 month
while those who escape the draft
make four and five times as
much per week? Is it healthy
to have stringent methods of
dealing with "draft dodgers" and
permit others to commit offenses
against the very heart of our
program without being subject
to any regulations
I think not. While I did not
have an opportunity to study
reactions at ihome during the
World War it seems that our
1917 experience should be our
guide today. To embark on a
national program as tremendous
as our defense effort without
some degree Of inefficiency and
extravaganza is more than the
average man expects. But that
!. average man has the right to
expect that every ounce of ply
steal and mental energy of
every man be directed toward
the desired end. After all,
whether a man be a capitalist
or a laborer, unionist or nom
unionist, professional or small
business, preacher or layman,
he is a citizen of the U. S. A.
and, as such, has Tor should
have) identical interests with
his fellow citizens in the de-
Tense effort.
Unless and until we have a
Hitler all our own, no man is
stronger than public opinion.
We must each help crystalline
that public opinion. There is no
question today that public opin-
ion condemns any act which re-
tards the speed and efficiency
Of our defense program. Ex-
precision Of that feeling is, un-
fortunately, missing. To stand
idly by without letting our
members Of Congress know how
we feel is to condone acts which
might lead to our ultimate de-
struction.
Il win take only a little time
vi = reader Of this column to
Ne TO Senators Tydings and
Iffe and Congressman BryOn