Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-08-05
Postwar Employment

OS(W0I LIII k|iS
THE fact that the President discussed the problem of
postwar employment of demobzed men in his recent
radio address and then returned 10 the subject few
DAYS later with program for It's solution emphasized
the general concern over this important matter.
1t is not problem involving war veterans alone.
the President correctly pointed although would be
serious problem confined only TO veterans since there
VIII be in excess of 10 million uniformed men for whom
employment must be found after the war
But In addition there viii be many millions of civil
workers insecure their employment after the war, 10
sa, the laast-becase of the difficulties and uncertain
ties attending conversion from war to peace production.
Hence there has been great public interest in what
the President had say about the matter and general
approval OF what me proposes to do about 1t for the
veterans in the way of usterngout pay, unemployment
insurance and other benefits.
HOWEVER. it is to be doubted if the President sup
l poses or that anyone-especiay including the vet
erans-would agree that ANY program Of benefits
be the whole solution of the problem
What the dcmoblized veteran and the converted war
worker will and need after the gainful
and secure employment in the permanent enterprise Of
the country, preferably PRIVATE enterprise
This raises a related question, and challenging
facts about it.
Senator Alexander Wiley of Wisconsin presented
very good summation of those facts in a recent public
statement
since June, 1910" Senator Wiley said 1.-THE govern
ment has financed plants to the tune about Sl515O-
100000. In other words about Is per of
facilities are OWNED By THE FEDERAL GOVERN
MENT."
WHAT will the government do with these indus
w trial holdings after the war?
Are they going to continue to be operated govern
ment enterprise they going to be converted to
private enterprise?
In the latter event which is of course desired by
of the people and essential preservation of the
traditional AMERICAN way of life will existing private
enterprise be financially ABLE to absorb the faci
ties, if they offered at fair price?
II must be remembered that conversion from war to
peace production of the basic plants which existed before
the will require monumental expenditure
which private industry must have substantial reserves,
somehow acquire them.
WITH the entirely productive facilities created
w by government financing super-imposed upon this
basic structure the vastly expanded of
and absorption is easily vsualzed
But Senator Wiley makes the disturbing point that
private enterprise may not have such financial reserves
any way to acquire them-for the simple that
current federal policy PREVENTS the accumulation of
such reserves.
In fact says Senator Wiley:
Zone real THREAT to industry found in the policy
which prevents the establishment of adequate
for conversion in the postwar period Without
for conversion industry founder in postwar financial
chaos"
THE government should evolve clear-cut program
about this vital matter First of ALL it should declare
its fixed policy to return and restore the nations produc
tive enterprise to PRIVATE enterprise after the war
And at the time should permit private enterprise
to accumulate the financial necessary for
version
If these things done forehandedly and wisely
productive postwar employment will develop naturally
and adequately That will be much beneficial to
the country and much preferred by and
war workers than any program of benefits"