The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1943-04-01
TWO PLANS TWO PROMISES

IN SPITE of the differences in the scope of the
two plans, the resemblance in spirit between
the program of the National Resources Planning
Board and the English Beveridge plan is striking.
Yet there are a few further analogies between the
Two plans which deserve to be stressed because
they have received less attention First Of all, it
IS no coincidence that both plans had almost iden-
tica origins. The governments of the two great
democracies at realized that, in order to sur
vve and to secure a lasting peace democracy will
nave to offer economic and social security to the
peoples after this war.
When, after long-drawn out and thorough
studies, the plans were finally published, the re-
action in the two countries was quite similar In
both countries, labor greeted the plan enthusi-
astically. This was only natural for it is labor
which is bound to suffer most from economic and
social insecurity. And it is labor in whose minds
the tragic history of the misery and humations
which spring from want and insecurity is most
deeply engraved.
On the other hand business and other con-
servatve groups in both countries have not con-
cealed their distrust Of the plans. Although a
great many enlightened business and conservative
leaders are fully aware Of the urgent need of
meeting postwar problems with constructive
plans of economic and social security, the major
ity of them are apprehensive of government en-
croachments in the field of distribution of wealth
and Of private business initiative.
The two plans will now be subjected to the play
of political forces, and their ultimate fate will
conservatism still holds on the peoples of most
countries may be, there can hardly be any doubt
that the urge for security, which is felt deep
Ily in the hearts of all the nations, will eventually
prove stronger than the powers of the past.
The United States and Great Britain are not
just two members of the family of nations. They
ARE destined by their role in the war and by their
political and economic weight to play leading
part in forming the world which is to emerge
from its repercussions in the rest of the world.
The British government was well aware of this
fact when it had the news Of the publication of
the Beveridge plan broadcast to all the world but
Especially to Germany. 1t know that the news
would fill the peoples who have been subdued by
Ifascism with new hope and confidence in a future
led by the Western democraces.
National and international policy will be close
by interviewer in the postwar period In the At
Ilantic Charter the United Nations have pledged
themselves to strive for freedom from fear and
want "for all the men in all the lands" Yet to
Iattain this goal they will have to begin at home.
TO establish an international order devoted to the
ideals of peace and security the leading nations
Iof the world will first have to establish systems of
economic and social security in their own lands.
Both the Beveridge plan and the program of
the National Resources Planning Board which
President Roosevelt recently submitted to Con-
Igress designed to be the cOlnerstones of such
security systems The world anXiously awaits the
Ifufllment Of the promises held out in these two
IplanS.