Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-12-18
Put u. S. Welfare First

VARIOUS Spokesman for the administration, including
President Roosevelt have indicated in frequent and
recent statements that the United States will have
obligation after the war to raise economic standards
everywhere in the world
There is growing disposition in Congress TO
examine such proposition very carefully.
There will be a great many impoverished and
devastated countries a result of the war.
There were in fact many countries with low economic
levels before the war and conditions in them will GER
tainv not be improved by the but will be much
The American people will naturally be concerned and
distressed about such conditions however far removed
from The United States and will gladly do what they
to alleviate them.
ur7irss GrrItC or own fr1rr7-
- can welfare in the process the policies of alienation
thus pursued will dangerously and perhaps ruinousy
affect our own economic standards.
The Congress is showing itself acutey of this
danger
In fact the Congress is showing many signs of re-
establishing itself as representative responsible and
authoritative body having respect for American welfare
and conscious of its own obligations American interest
And the Congress is frankly and thoroughly
FRIGHTENED by the obvious inclination of the admin
israon to accept postwar economic responsibilities and
burdens at the EXPENSE Of American standards of
living
Representative Woodruff of Michigan voiced the
alarm and ire of many of his colleagues in connection
with this matter when he said:
THE thing is absolutely fantastic
"The time has come when Congress must by law
place definite restrictions the presidential power
Congress must make the law, and the President
must be held within it,
1T is not possible for the American people to pro-
duce their farms and in their factories enough to
supply all the poorer peoples of the earth indefinitely
THE give Them the less they will produce
for themselves. II is with nations with individuals
We have got to call halt"
Humanitarianism and samaritansna- wonderful
things and Americans expect to and WILL exert and
extend themselves in behalf OF unfortunate peoples after
the war.
d UT care must be used not to IMPOVERISH AMERICA
- in blind disregard of the welfare of people
1t would not be humanitarian to drag American
economy down to the lowest levels Of world economy.
America will surely assist postwar recovery through
out the world.
The American people will gladly share what they
have with others.
But they will not let themselves be dragged
through an mre and the present evidence that
Congress is becoming alert to American interest in this
matter is heartening
AS President W P W1thcrow Of the National Assoc
citation of Manufacturers said recently:
Government aid to war-torn countries is foregonc
conclusion.
But not the rehabilitation of their economy the
reforming of their lives
II not fighting for a quart of milk for every
hottentot, for iva the Danube, for government
handouts of free Utopia"
America has never turned its back on human misery
and never will.
- But the American people not going to lie down
with the most miserable solely to keep him company.
II is selfish to put American interest and welfare
FIRST in the postwar world 1t would be utterly stupid
NOT to do and would not improve the lot of any
nation and would only accomplish the impovershmen of
America.
SNICK ROOS