Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-05-21
Prosram for America


because the rhythm Of the national war program is rising
and the separate elements of smoothly functonng
machine are giving increasingly better performance.
DERFAPS the thing most needed now is agreement on
what is essential to the and what is not essential
comprehensive basis for such agreement
recently suggested by President William Witherow of the
National Association of Manufacturers in regional meet
ing of that organization in San Francisco.
Mr. Witherow spoke of course, as the representative
of industrial management under the handicap of what
ever discount interested viewpoint must be exaced
But it should be noted that he made the first cond-
tons of rhythmic production the responsibility of
management.
A CCoRDING to Mr. Withcrow two things required
a of management; the obvious inference being that
they lacking
One of these things is recession from extreme atti-
tudes and positions toward labor with realistic and
sympathetic" approach to labor problems.
The other the erection and acceptance of safeguards
against profteering.
There is accusative suggestion in the foregoing,
since it implies that there HAVE been management
excuses in both labor policy and profits.
However Mr.. Witherow neither accuses Defends
but confines himself the fundamental fact that
agement must have public confidence and must earn and
deserve it.
And realistic and sympathetic labor policy and pro-
hibtion of profits are he bunty says, the
essential conditions of public confidence "
IN THE principle of having clean hands in court Mr.
~ Wtherow puts these matters first in his suggested
program for war unity.
However he regards it equally essential that labor
must also contribute recession from extreme attitudes and
positions with forebearance from pressure practices
and with abstention from strikes and other forms of
production stoppage
This too is accusative since it implies But
again Mr.. Wtherow neither accuses defends, simply
citing the necessity for public confidence and the essential
conditions thereof
THIRD in the order of his consideration government
from which he would require recession from petty
criticisms and punitive designed to harry and
discomfort industry" and from "priorities for the
philosophy of social reform" --
Certainly this is accusative by implication, but
Mr. Wherow refrains from specific accusation or
defense and contents himself with strict recital of mini
and reasonable conditions for unity.
Finally he deals with the public at large suggesting
recession from whatever reluctance minor elements of the
American people may still have about adjustment to and
acceptance of new and necessary controls imposed in
the interest of winning the
This is the least accusave of an his suggestions for
neither by implication specific charge it be said
public complacency and apathy about the war has !
appreciaby retarded national effort The duty here in
volved is largely that of maintaining high example and
morale.
N OES this not appear to be fine program for all
II Americans whatever their secondary interests and
affiliations?
The primary interests and affiliations of all Amer-
cans are now in the winning of this and the saving
of America, and not in industry labor in government
even in public convenience.
Should not recession from any of attitude
policy advantage philosophy, be made universal
American rule?
Most Americans evidently think So for Of them
already putting the good of the country above all
And only remains for all of us to do so in order for
US to get our winning stride in this war
BA6RlNO DOWN ON THE NEWS:
K<a II