Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-02-16
Unprepared
u. S. Is Cause
OF Criticisms
We Are Suffering Pain.
Of Late Rearminq
BY PAUL MiI.L0N

Archibald MaCLCiSh and the
other government public rcla-
tion> men were seeking tbc
causes OF public apathy brought
me many letters from readers
and gave me some answers as
well.
An CnliChtcninc. If inadequate,
sample OF public opinion should
be furnished by the first 100
letters from men. women. work
CrS. manufacturers, lawyers,
travelling agents, farmers IN all
sections.
Leaving out one gentleman
who thought this country needed
IAN American Hitler tho lot
tors seemed 10 represent earnest
efforts. IN tho democratic way,
10 force corrections which would
bring sooner the victory that no
one seemed 10 doubt.
4 PATHETIC is not the word.
"A however, for any of these
writer's Their sentiments
ranged only from dissatisfaction
to anger at the way things have
been going. Segrcgating their
irritauonS according 10 the num-
her of times they were mon
toned, | found that these LOO
have the following matters on
their chests:
I They believe war branches
Of the government rcNCCpt
production. which was not once
mentioned have shown trcffr-
cheney or an improper spirit at
timcS. Congress as we'll as Mr.
Roosevelt, the navy department
as we'll As civilian defense.
MIR Roosevelt Congress and
civilian defense are mentioned
IN more than Il per cent Of tho
letters. the navy IN about -
per cent.
Mr.. Roosevelt was criticized
mostly mot for conduct 81 tho
war; hut for his failure 10 cut
federal expenditures 10 war uses
more sharply.
But II was Congress which
really reused ire with the new
law in which il Vo,cd itself PEN
Sien>. These two mdtur'- CONF
pl1intS were significantly non
partisan.
O-Thc third major complaint.
- involving OCD, also concerns
the way money Is being spent.
The celebrated case of the fan
dancers and movie actors was
seldom omitted, although strictly
writing. the dancing friend Of
Mrs. Roosevelt was not Of the
fan species and only one movie
actor slightly plnklSh) was en-
ploycd
These three major complaints
were Synchronlzcd by most read
crS into a charge that Wash
inGton is certainly not setting
the people an example in SclneSS
enthusiasm
O-The navy is next in line for
- absence from most of the
news from the fighting fronts.
But about 40 per cent dccry
r the government publicity
policies (oi which Mr. MacLeiSh
lS a parD which they believe
play up the good news, smooth
over the bad
Examples.
The American people do not
like to be treated ~ children.
They prefer the truth or moth
ing"
The government has not been
open and frank"
S-Scattering other objections:
- The farm price-booStmg
legislation tno complaints AZ all
about other price Increases the
neglect disclosed In the Nor
mandic fire. John /. Lewis; tho
lack of administrative restraint
on labor.
Two suggested that casualty
lists should bc published
The wri crS themselves
summed II up with such aSSer-
tons as We want action and
I'VE want leadership
There is nothing now or
darkly secret about any of these
complaints. They represent the
American people blowing off
steam and IN generally the right
direction.
There was certainly no cX-
cuSe for Congress trying 10
bring up the old subject Of pen
SONS for itself al such time.
That was a stupid mistake. but
q majority Of Congress Is prom
I>lng so repeal H.
About cutting down nan-war
Expenditures. Mr.. Roosevelt has
f4jcn a position indicating ne
docs not know where 10 cut. al
though Inc Byrd report and
others recommended cuts IN
CCC. MA clc. Obviously Nh.
Roosevelt docs not want 10
make these.
INACIlON of tho navy has
caused As much Impotence
here a. anywhere. even inside
tho navy Certainly II cannot
DO said tho navy docs not know
u Is being criticized
NS for government PUBLICITY
officials here are trying ~ pass
The buck back to the radio and
press, but particularly the radio.
for ovcrStrcSSIng optimism but
they cannot free themselves