Evening star., 1943-04-06
Planners Urge Solution
OF Postwar Problems
By Private Initiative
NPA Committees Favor
Cooperation Over
Federal Regulation
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don't want to see Government run
ming everything, once the war is
over.
This is one of the most signif-
can't assertions in the statement
of the three committees:
If, when the fighting is OVER
we have ex-soldiers selling apples
on the street, or masses of workers
Idle in present production CEN
tiers, or people starving in one part
of the country while food surpluses
rot in other parts, we shall have
lost this var. 1t will be too late
to plan"
President Roosevelt, shown the
statement, wrote Emil Rieve, a Ia
Dor leader who is secretary of the
NPA:
TT is very gratifying to learn
that under the auspices of the Ma
tional Planning Association sub
stantial areas of agreement on basic
postwar principles have already been
blocked out by such representative
business, labor and agriculture
groups.
Initiative Complimented.
II should appreciate being kept
Informed on the further recommen-
dations of these committees.
IT think the National Planning
Association is to be complimented
for having taken the initiative in
organizing such postwar discussion
groups and I wish it success in its
further work"
The Business, Labor and Agricul-
ture Committees explain: Our func-
tion. is not so much to create new
plans as to seek out the best Of
postwar planning from other sources.
We do not intend to duplicate either
the work or research facilities of
other organizations, but we shall,
If it seems advisable, initiate orig
inal studies to the end that knowl-
edge and understanding may guide
our own thinking and help us to
view tremendous national problem
effectively and with open minds"
William L. Bait president of the
ski Industries and now vice chair
man of the War Production Board,
is chairman of the NPA. The Board
of Trustees includes, on the busi-
ness side. Charles E. Wilson, execu-
tive vice chairman of WPB, called
to that post from the presidency
Of the General Electric Co. From
labor are such outstanding men as
oil
sentative of the American Fedora
tion of Labor, who is vice chairman
of the association. and Clinton S.
Golden, vice president of the Steel
Workers of America and assistant
to the president of the Congress of
Industrial Organizations.
Joint Statement Issued.
The Agriculture Committee in
eludes, as chairman, Theodore
schultz of Iowa State College; James
G.. Patten, vice chairman of the
National Farmers Union, and other
farm leaders.
The ;oint statement says the three
committees find themselves in agree
nent on these points:
Postwar planning must be faced
realistically. We must prepare now
against unemployment during the
reconversion period and for full and
continuing employment under a
peacetime economy The first goal
of postwar planning should be a
fonda ton for better living through
provision for enough jobs and last
ing jobs.
The basis OF Americas postwar
economy should be private enter
prise, with private business and in
dustry and agriculture continuing
10 operate as the peoples primary
means for providing jobs and pro-
ducing goods and services; with
Government performing its consti-
tutional function of establishing the
rules Of the game, acting as impair
tial referee and effecting fiscal pol
lcies through taxation and expendi-
k,re programs, such as public works
that will mesh with private under
takings.''
Warn of Adjustments.
Yet these committees from the
sountry's economy warn:
But the private enterprise sys-
tenn must adjust itself to chang
nlg world. Before there can be blue
prints there must be unity of pur-
pose among all groups, with realiza-
ton that our group-interests are
Identical. There must be fullest CO.
operation and teamwork, based on
mutual trust. on the part of business,
labor, agriculture and Government.
This trust can't merely be assumed:
1t must be honestly earned through
practice in the first place and there
after preserved by continuous good
faith. performance and collabora-
ton
If our private enterprise system
Is to go forward. there must be a
new sense of responsibility for the
welfare of all the people"
Then the three groups point out:
None of Americas economic groups
Is self-sufflcient. We are dependent
upon each other. The terms 'busi-
ness and labor and agriculture
lose their capital letters and become
We, the people, when we realize
that all the millions Of us are con-
sumers-each others customers;
that there cannot be full and con-
tinuous employment unless more
people have the means to buy more
of the produce of our collective
brains and hands and invested saw
ings."
Interdependence Stressed.
The Business Committee recog-
nizes that management is depend
ent upon labor 10 man the ma
chimes snd provide new capital from
its savings" Members of this group
add: we recognize the principle
of collective bargaining as sound
and fair American principle. We
also know that what most men and
women want for the future is
sense Of security against unemploy-
ment, sickness and destitute old age,
together with a feeling of Dartici-