The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-01-01
HAPPY NEW YEAR

F1NFF WV GFNh
The bells rang, whistles blew and
glasses resounded with proposals OF
toasts 10 the New Year, Happy
New Year" was the greeting and
everyone meapt it at the moment.
1t is a matter OF habit to shout
Happy New Year" and a pretty
good habit IT is. but today We face
the cold fact that this year is not at
all likely 10 be a happy one. SO We
say Happy New Year" In a rather
half-hearted way and hope for the
best
In addition 10 the usual greetings,
resolutions are in order today. On
that score We can go stronger than
ever There is one resolution that
we should all make and stick 10
through the year and as much long
er as necessary. That resolution is
for victory in this war. We must
win.
As the New Year dawned there
were toasts from coast to coast to
Victory. War was the watchword.
attempts 10 forget II were only
partly successful and then for only
brief intervals OF time. The unwel-
come guest was everywhere. Those
celebrating were resigned to his
presence.
OF all the celebrations the best
we're in our factories. There men
had the satisfaction Of knowing
that they were not wasting time.
They could propose a toast to Vic.
tory with the feeling that they were
really doing something about II.
Plants all over the nation are busy
today. Here at home, where the new
BOMBER plant holds the spotlight.
there was business as usual in de-
tense circles. For men employed
here and for many others there is
little time for celebration. There Is
a big job to be done. We are getting
off TO fairly good start, but It is
only a start. There is still more
than we realize to be done.
With words Of war on every
y tongue and in the hands of all peo-
| pie. we start today upon the year
1912 with much the same feeling
nat prevailed In 1918. The differ
Jnce Is that we were confident then
4 that we were fighting 70 end all war.
-that it was just cause, that democ-
I l-acy was to be preserved and that
peace and happiness would follow
for our people.
Today we know We were wrong
transportation in air has reduced
the size OF the world in terms of
travel hours TO dangerously small
unit. More discoveries will reduce it
stin further. We shall become neigh
bors with races We have known lit.
tie about Knowing little about
them, we have cared little about
them and that has been the causs
of our trouble
II you ever had the experience as
small boy or girl Of moving into
new neighoorhoOd, ypS have q good
picture Of The world situation today.
For time you were on trial You
had to prove yourself. Maybe you
had a few fights. Eventually you
were taken into. the ueighborhood
gang and from there in the sailing
was pretty good.
We are In one OF those neighbor-
hood fights now. There is a bully
who wants 10 boss all the gangs.
Our gang doesn like the idea and
so we've got to put the bully IL his
place. It's going TO take a little
time and we're going 10 get some
bad punches because We refused to
recognize him and do a little train
ing ourselves as we saw hirl getting
ready for the ring. We aren't Ia con
dition Just yet, but we're hardening
fast and when we get down to tina,
last round we shall deliver the final
punch that wins We cant afford
TO let It be any other way. We've
got to win.
So. Happy New Year" here's 10
Nicfnrr nd my q he nj far q .rau