Evening star., 1942-09-14
Competent and Politically Disinterested Persons
Needed to Make Decisions on War


the subject of the road to Alaska
discussed for years and now un-
der construction, we would not
be building, as we are, another
Burma road, and We would be in
an excellent strategic position
vis-a-vis our enemy, Japan, and
our ally, Russia. ..-
The greatest need of this coun-
try is disinterested brains, in a
position to exercise judgment,
founded wholly on reason. The
nation distrusts politicians, in
dustrialists and trade union
leaders-all three OF them-and
rightly. Because none Of them
have disinterested judgment.
The Baruch report consciously
omits personal accusations. No
national or scientific purpose con-
corning rubber Is to be served by
recriminating the past. But there
is national purpose to be served
by observing what this report
reveals.
1t reveals all along the line rule
of thumb procedures in dealing
with the gravest national prob
lem. 1t tells us quite fiatly that
if We don't solve 1t and solve it
quickly, We shall have a break
down of motor transportation
and failure of our mechanical
army. 1t reveals that we failed
adequately to stock crude rub
Der. 1t reveals, furthermore, that
the jungle of government agen-
cies has not helped to solve the
problem, but has confused it.
1t also shows that there has
been a constant struggle between
industrial groups for q monopoly
on a process that promises inn
mensely for the future-provided,
OF course, that we win the war
and have a future.
Soviet Offer Snubbed.
And 1t raises one question
which the commission. itself
finds "inexplicable." If the Gov
ernment leaves this question un-
explained, we shall have to draw
our own conclusions. The Soviet
government last February, that
Is to say six months ago. Of
fered the people OF the United
States It's own formulas for
synthetic rubber, which it has
been using for 10 years. 1t
offered the services Of techni-
clans and engineers to help us
put the program into opera
ton, and we neither accepted
the ofer nor even investigated
the product. The commission
suggests that had the offer been
accepted we might at this mo-
ment have plants on the verge
OF production.
Now why wasn't it accepted?
Refusal was 4 diplomatic snub
OF the first order. Since the
Baruch Commission could not
find out the answer, q journalist
Is unlikely to find it out by
asking.
But the commission was not
concerned with political ideas,
and that may be 4 reason why
they found 1t "inexplicable." We
are concerned with political
ideas, and political shenanigans.
and my guess is that our poll
ticians, pressed by interested
groups, did not accept It because
Russia Is a socialist state, and
because the offer was made to
the whole people Of the United
States and not to an industry.
So the offer was no base for
monopolizing the process or
promising private gain. If this
Is not the answer, then let us
have the right one.
The Baruch Commission is for
starting with that rubber proc
ess most advanced at this mo-
ment. but under no circum-
stances granting a monopoly.
1t Is to be hoped that this
report will be the basis for i'm
mediate action, and that, Mr..
Baruch will be appointed rubber
administrator.
Or Is he more necessary in an
other national commission, to
investigate something else-for
instance. the disposition OF man
power for essential works, where
also we need light and policy.
(Relessed by the Bell Syndicate, Incl