The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1942-02-19
An Open Letter
To Our Senators and

America is at war and Americans
are expected to be patriotic-ALL of
us. 1t includes those in high and low
government positions, as we'll as
those in Garrett county.
Garrett countians will give up lux
uries and non-essentials, tires, and
gas, and everything else if that is
necessary-ev lives. They'll give
what money is necessary to support
legitimate spending for war needs
but they'll expect that money to be
spent for war needs In other words,
they'll expect that money to be ra-
toned too, cutting out all the nom
essential spending of the government.
With everyone giving and the gov
eminent honestly spending, then We'll
have unity. Senator Byrd has advo-
Gated the cutting Of over one and one
half billion in non-essential spending.
He has been specific in his recommcn-
dations. But the President seems to
want the public to believe he gets
only vague advice on non-defense
economy and says that economy is
up to Congress. A Baltimore Sun
editorial Sunday spoke the truth when
it said that Roosevelt never says it
is up to Congress when he wants
money to spend. He always takes the
initiative there. He never hesitates
to ask for appropriations whether for
defense or non-defense purposes. 1t
is only when it comes to cutting down
that he hides behind the COngresSion-
al skirts" Is the President consist
ent? Is he sincere?
People Want to Be Patriotic
Garrett countians want to be
patriotic. Practically all of the peo-
pie, now that we are really at war,
want an all-out effort. But what
struggle it is to be patriotic when
those in high authority want to make
us bunch Of fan-dancers to boost
our morale And they want the
patriots to pay for it in taxes.
The only thing wrong with our
morale if it is low, is the result of
the outlandish actions of the Presi-
dents wife and those around her,
who take this emergency as a time
to foist their beliefs upon the coun-
try, and at the expense of the
patriotic Americans who want action.
In the last war there wasn't any need
to boost morale The government was
being run scnsibly, and people had
confidence in it's leaders. People were
fighting mad in no-time and they
oversubscribed all Liberty loan cam
paiGns.
1t has been reported that the sale
of defense bonds has dropped just
since Congress voted its members
pensions and Mrs. Roosevelt asked
for appointment of two of her favor
ties to positions in the Civilian De-
Tense organization. Who is to blame?
William Randolph Hearst said not
long ago that the billions for defense
were going down rat holes, feeding
too many rats. It's tough to be
patriotic when that is being done
continually by the government. It's
hard on morale, and such situation
is not going to be corrected by teach
ing children to play and dance, 1t can
be corrected only if those in high gov
eminent positions play fair and
square with the taxpayers.
Garrett county has a swell civilian
defense organization. It's members
want civilian defense equipment for
protection. Getting such equipment
would boost morale 100 percent and
prepare them for any emergency.
The Civilian defense workers are
working without pay, but it is hard
on morale when salaricd official in
Washington wants all sorts Of infor-
nation from this area that takes
time to gather and demands it i'm
mediately regardless Of the fact that
Civilians must work for their living
in order to provide the money with
which to pay taxes.
Children can be taken care Of by
substantial farm home mothers and
their morale will be a whole lot better
off than if they were entrusted to the
care or a recreation or dancing spec
ialist.
Won't Lay Down on Job
Garrett couutans want TO help in
every way they can, and they don't
expect to lay down ON the job be
cause Of such assininc actions II
Washington. But they do want sucl
actions stopped. They don't want .
st. Lawrence waterway project or I
Florida ship canal during this wal
effort Both these projects have beer
condemned by sensible men but the
President still wants to spend mil
lions on them.
We don't nccd any additional socia
reforms while there is a war and W.
arc fighting for our. existence w
d5n need an arguments on closst