Askov American., 1942-06-18


that the former is under close regi-
mentation or management, while the
latter is not. Despite the persistent
efforts of the Roosevelt administra-
ton to subject our capitalistic econ
omy to state control, it is still essen
TALLY free.
In a recent series of newspaper
articles, this was said of Vice Presi-
dent Wallace:
He believes in capitalism, but not
in a capitalism left free to exploit
the people and ensnarl itself in de-
pressions.
He believes in planning and COOP
Grafton in the interest of the gen.
eral welfare. The general welfare
also consists of freedom of speech,
of the press, of religion, of science
and of the arts.
He believes in the right of labor
and of farmers, as well as of capital,
to organize; but where the general
welfare is concerned, he thinks each
group should submerge it's provin-
cialism.
Over them, he sees the govern
ment, partly policeman, partly a
co-ordinator, partly clearing house
and partly a stimulator.
Mr.. Wallace is kind and sincere
man. But his kindliness and sin
cerity do not alter the fact that what
he proposes for America is almost
photostatic copy of Hitler's blue
print for Germany when the fuehrer
rose to power.
Hitler, too, believed in capitalism.
But he proposed so to manage it that
it would be stable. There was to be
an end of the recurring depressions
which were characteristic of cap
italism.
It was to be capitalistic economy,
planned and managed for the best
interests of all instead of for any
particular group.
Organization of various economic
groups was not only encouraged, but
was part of the plan. Over them the
government was to stand, as a police
man. Within certain limits, each
was to be permitted to advance its
own interests. But it must not be
at the expense of the people as
whole. Where the national inter-
est required it, they must (Mr. Wal
lace expressed it better than Hitler)
submerge their provincialism.
But even if Hitler did not know
it at the beginning, he discovered
that his program could not be car
ried out unless he had complete and
absolute power. Controlling work.
ing majority in the Reichstag, he
was able, on the plea that the emer-
gency required it, to induce that
body to surrender to him its func-
tions, one by one. Ultimately, the
Reichstag shore itself so completely
of its powers that it became nothing
more than rubber stamp assembly.
It is almost trite to say that a
economy cannot function
unless all conform with it's general
plan. There can be no opposition
or obstruction. Realizing this, the
German people submitted to the
rigid regime the central government
upon them as individuals.
Free speech, press and right of as
sembly were curtailed in the de-
gree necessary to prevent such OBJ
struction. A majority of the Ger
mans were apparently willing to en-
dure it in return for the reward they
were promised, which was economic
and political stability.
Those who resisted were dealt
with, summarily and ruthlessly. To
the outside world, Nazism became
a symbol of tyranny and brutality.
Those who urge managed econ
omy for America assure us it will
be done the Democratic way"
But can there be democracy polit-
cally where there is regimentation
Our planners say there can.
History says there can't. History
shows that totalitarian government
must inevitably follow managed
1t may be kindly and paterna1-
site and benevolent government.
But it will not be democratic. We
ire merely kidding ourselves if we
.hink it will. It will be Nazism or
Tascism, American style.