Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-06-26
InexcusabIe Waste

sve and wasteful war contracts, while not the hna
word in this grave matter has sufficient authority TO
give the entire nation serious concern for the problems
involved. ...
After full year Of investigation, which il is pre-
sumed made solely the interest OF establishing the
facts and certainly had free to all the of
facts, the committee reluctantly but positively finds
THE incentive towards extravaganza and disregard
for economy appears have been the rule rather than
the exception
There has been evidence of widespread and mex
cusabe waste of public funds amounting TO millions of
dollars =.
while il is true that victory must be achieved re-
CARELESS of the cost this does not that there is
goahead signal for the spending of American dollars with
abandon -.
Citizens of this country cannot be expected TO he
faced unfortunately with indifference in spending the
part of the officials of their after the period
of initial necessity has passed overlooking the extension
of bureaucratic domination and suffering deprvatOns
with a complacent attitude
THE instant and angry public reaction to the situation
thus precpitsted is that complete airing and COM
prehensive remedy necessary
The American people never expected that the
could be conducted without great cost without great
sacrifice.
They are prepared and willing to pay any cost and
make any sacrifice for victory
But they rightfully expect the expenditure for vic
tory to be not merely honest but efficient
Now we have an authoritative agency of government
and responsible representatives of the people bhntly
implying dishonesty and specifically charging neffcency
In expenditure.
There is no middle ground for such charges
They either true untrue.
They must be proved disproved.
The only ntolerable and uncomfortable thing would be
to do nothing about them.
1t is not situation to be brushed off by politicians
1t is not situation to be submerged by the
pressure of the itself.
A DMITTEDLY, there is desperate need for concen-
n trating all energies and upon the war
and controversy is diversion of both energies and
sources from the
But waste, extravaganza exorbitant profits misman-
agement and ineffciencynot to mention incompetence
and dishonesty-are greater diversions.
And if they rampant this important
ttee of Congress reports, they sultfyng the
effort and multiplying and pyramdng costs and sacri
fces-and at least prolonging the and possibly
mpairing the prospect of victory.
So by all means this serious matter must be
fully examined and put to the test of debate.
1t does not justify any relaxation of effort
the part Of either government or individual
No essential and vital service of government should
be hamstrng by the unavoidable examination of facts
and application of remedy.
No loyal citizen should be influenced, by whatever
evidence degree of past waste is alleged established
to do less in the interests of American victory than his
very utmost.
DUT let us not deude ourselves that America is rich
- and powerful enough to bear the burdens of and
of wasteful government at the same time.
Neither the American people the American
government must fall into the fatal of accepting
reckless expenditure the necessary rremedable and
unremovable appendix of program.
We putting every vestige and every last of
American and energies and spirit into this
Let also put the great assets of honesty and
competence into it.