The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1942-09-03

Demagogues in Congress and else
where are enemies of straight thing
ing, needed now perhaps more than
ever before in America.
Their raucOus cries add to present
day confusion at Washington.
Particularly so in Congress, where
taxation, war production, initiation and
other issues have brought forth some
of the silliest discussion it has ever
been the misfortune Of this nation to
endure.
''We are showing signs of the de-
moralization of political life which
rotted democracy in European nations"
one writer commented some years ago.
There are indications now that ne
spoke truly.
Intelligent discussion of national
problems is a vital need. We are hav-
ing too little of it in this year of 1912.
x X X
Under a tOtalitarian form of govern
ment, the individual usually finds it the
part of wisdom to point out how lovely
everything is. If he doesn't, something
unpleasant is likely to happen to him.
In democracy, even in the midst of
war, he can say what he thinks about
high and mighty persons and institu-
tions, and if enough say things they
can get action. AS long as politically
government remains democratic there
is a chance for freedom in every direc-
ton.
Political governments d termine
where the shooting is to be done.
That is why criticism is unhealthy
in the totalitarian countries.
We may have grievous industrial and
political evils but as long as the people
have enough devotion to liberty to
maintain freedom to speak, write and
organize, they can force changes for
| the better.
It's when tyrants replace congresses
that the shootings starts. One man has
no trouble ordering out the firing squad.
It's a different matter when there are
elected representatives to be consulted.
When will the masses under the die
tatorships comprehend that?
X x X
Despite years of agitation against
the third degree" every now and then
| charges of it's use are made.
The third degree method of eXtort-
ing confessions from suspected crimi-
nails by physical or mental torture, or
both is not only barbarous and illegal;
it is confession of policy incomptency.
Good police work convicts the criminal
without the use of the third degree"
which was tittingly condemned by the
Wickersham Commission several years
ago.
Calling for the end of the third de-
gree the commission used such eX-(
pressions as ''unprintabe barbarity'
and naked, ugly facts in discussing
| it.
| When criticized for use of the third
degree" some police officials attempt in
a roundabout way to defend it.
Others join in a chorus of denials or
make feeble attempts to justify it's
USE They talk about ''coddling" crimi-
nails and complain of attempts to work
up public sympathy for vicious crimi-
nails.
| They should be sharply reminded
| (and labor might well take the lead
in doing this) that there is no demand
for coddling or humoring criminals;
the demand so that their constitutional
rights be respected.
| That is all. Will anyone say that
| should not be done?
4 X X
| AT this moment when our troops are
! fighting on world fronts and all of us
are caught up in united effort we cam
not tolerate sly attempts to dodge. the
restrictions and the deprivations most
of us accept cheerfully.
The people who try to dodge ration
ing regulations, who try to beat price
and rent control, who think it smart
to get illegally materials reserved for
| the armed fOrceS-Such persons are
saboteurs as surely as though they had
been landed on our coast from a Nazi
sub. Fortunately they are few.
|