The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1942-06-11

destroy the fine spirit of about W
workmen are showing throughc
warns.
The fate of democracy here in
America is being decided now and in
the critical days just ahead the AFL
asserts, discussing Can Democracy
Live Here in America?' in its cur
rent labor survey.
The world of the future is in The
making, says the federation, asking
what part will labor play?' and an
swering, that depends on the part we
play here and now in top policy max
ing at Washington, in wartime activ-
tiles in our home towns and cities, of
our factories and workshops, as well
as on the decision being fought out at
the battle front"
War Controls Expanding
The federation goes on to answer
further, as follows:
Ever since Hitler invaded the low
countries, government controls have
been reaching further, as more and
more of our economy was brought into
the war effort. The Selective Service
Law was enacted early, to supply mill
tary man-power. PrioritieS and shop
production orders have been extended
to nearly all non-eSScntialS, To save
scarce materials and convert plants to
war work.
The success of voluntary controls
on basic prices is striking proof of the
nations capacity for Self-reSllation ;
but since these controls covered only q
few prices, they were not enough to
stop price rises. Practically all prices,
therefore, have been brought under
compulsory ceilings. ~Isationing c. IN G
early this year 10 assure equal diStrl-
button of very scarce tens tires,
autos; and then sugar because ii Is
needed 10 make alcohol for glnpowder
gasoline is now rationed in the East.
Forced Savings Not Needed
"pOlicicS ON man-powcr and employ.
men will be determined by the new
Man-powor Board to supply the hug,
force needed for war production; but
man-power controls are voluntary, not
compulsory.
''Labor's hundreds of millions OF
dollars already pledged in war bonds
is proof that Il compulsory savings plai
is not needed.
America has reached the time wl"t
nationwide controls are necessary. Ial
Dor welcomes the kind of controls that
will promote national teamwork. w,
are all out to win this war; we know
that controls are necessary 80 that al
Americans can work together. But ?,
point out that controls unfairly ad
m%iniStcrcd or used for repression vii
destroy the fine spirit of about CO
operation which union workmen ar,
showing throughout the country.
Voluntary Controls Working
also, we emphasize the fact tina
labor in this country has proved IT,
capacity for voluntary control and dis
cipline through its voluntary S~acritic,
of the right 10 strike and through IL
outstanding war production record
other groups, too, have shown that theA
could make voluntary controls effective
we MAINTAIN ilil 10 IllllbNt com
pulSOry controls on the American
people in any case where voluntary
controls can be made to work fairly
and effectively would brlittlc the ma
tons capacity for self government an'
menace our democratic institutions. Il,
maintain war controls in any demo
cratic country requires that the people
have fun information showing why
controls or rntionS ar" necessary.
Democracy Under Test
"NNar controls - man power, prices
r~ationing, and the oth"rS-arc II test %
democratic government IN America
Wherever mandatory authority l.
given, If must he granted with the con
sent of thos" concerned and their par
ticipation in administration. l;y follow
Ing this principle "" can fight a wa
without losing our dcmocracN.'