Montgomery County sentinel., 1943-09-23

Is being pressed against the
German and Japanese enemy
there is an increasing interest in
POSTWAR planning. Most of the
great dreams of a beautiful
world expressed so eloquently
by those who would have all
people love peace so passion
ately that war would forever be
banned as a curse of mankind
are being shelved for more prac-
teal ideas. Men
After in key positions
We Win in Washington,
The War London, Mos
cow and other
important centers over the world
are studying ways and means
Of maintaining the peace by
force and at the same time plan
ming methods Of absorbing all
the men and women in the
armed forces and in war work
back into civilian pursuits. We
are naturally interested primar-
ily with plans for rehabilitation
in America. Yet it would be a
mistake to indulge the idea that
only through a healthy Ameri-
can economy can we, as a peo-
pie, maintain contentment and
prosperity. Too much depends
on conditions prevailing in other
countries. And we are for
tunate that so much attention is
being given this phase of ulti-
mate peace.
On the American front we
will be faced with so many prob
lens that il. is difficult to point
TO any single one as of most
Importance. Naturally demobili-
zation stands at the top. But
this has already been given fore
thought and the millions of
service men will not be thrown
on the public as fast as was the
case in 1919. Provision for the
gradual liquidation of our armed
forces will act as shock abb
sorber. But no provision has
yet been made for the absorption
of the millions of war workers
into civilian industry. 1t will
take months for the thousands
of industrial plants to make the
changes necessary for civilian
production. Automobile manu-
facturers will provide employ
ment for millions of workers but
cannot absorb them Immediately.
The period of transition will be
shortened by the pressing de-
mands for goods but the unem-
ployed will need income during
this period. This will prove
heavy drain on unemployment
funds.
Reshifting of population will
become a factor. Return of
many families to the country is
inevitable. Unemployment in
country sections
Many is likely to be
Problems as general as in
To Be Faced the large centers
of population.
Lifting of rationing and various
restrictions will cause confusion
and this problem needs advance
planning to avoid scarcities of
some products which might re-
suit from "runs."
Public works are being given
thorough study and considera-
ton. Most of the states are
now preparing plans for public
improvements. Building of roads
stands highest among promul-
gated plans. In Maryland the
Governors Committee for Post
War Planning and Rehabilita-
ton has been in session and var
ious subcommittees appointed to
study means of meeting peace
conditions. Counties are begin
ming to advance ideas for local
improvements.
All of this is an indication
that there remains no question
as to the final unconditional sur
render of the enemy. The only
question is WHEN?
With SO many problems to be
met there are only two real ones.
First is PEACE. Second is re-
employment. And to secure peace
we must win the war. To that
end everything else is secondary.
The problem Of unemployment
viii prove the test Of our organ
King abilities. Most Of the other