The Wilmington morning star., 1943-09-30
PERHAPS Two Years More

Perhaps the best hint of the time still re-
CURED to beat the Germans was Winston
ChurchiIl's declaration to 5000 British women
gathered in London that the nations war ef-
fort must be maintained at the present top
speed for at least two years more.
It could be, of course, that he added months
to his estimate to provide for unforeseen even
Qualities, but considering his earnestness and
insistence it might be believed he was more
enemy's power of resistance.
There is the chance that if the Russians,
who have the Germans on the run, could cut
off their retreat by an encircling operation
before they reach the Polish border, and force
the surrender Of the divisions now engaged
south of Smolensk, the end might come sud-
denly on the Eastern front; but this would
still leave western Europe to be reconquered
"a task involving tremendous risks, great
battles and heavy losses.
Germany is still strong. There are signs
that her military command is withdrawing
large forces from the Eastern front and con-
centrating them at invasion points along the
English channel and North sea. Two years
probably is not far from the time needed to
down the foe in Europe. 1t is at least better
to think that the war will continue that long
and have it brought to an end earlier than
to assume on the evidence of present Allied
successes that hostilities will cease sooner
and have them drag on far beyond their an
ticipated end.
Assuming two years of war still are to be
endured, it is fitting to look into the accumu-
lating costs Of the conflict to the United
States In the fiscal year of 1942-1943 our ma
tional expenditures amounted to $4,000, OOO,-
900. The year before they were S36, ,000,-
OOO This fiscal year it is estimated they will
total s1os 900 100000.
If the same ratio of increase continues, the
following year will see them close to $780,
900 900 900, which will be six times the cost
of the costliest year of the former World war,
and is not far from the total national income
of 1943
Unless this income is capable of being ma
terially increased, this means that the stag
gering federal expenditures next year will abb
sorb practically all of the national income.
If that sacrifice is essential to victory, and
the people can find means of subsisting with
out money, all well and good They will give
their ALL and willingly for victory But it must
be apparent that they cannot very we'll carry
on, or even muddle through in this bankrupt
condition for any considerable period Of time
A stop must be brought to the high cost
of war and government if this nation and its
people are to weather the aftermath Of drains
now imposed upon private and corporate rev.
enues. And the place to put on the brakes is
the government itself Let it cut to the bone
in all matters not directly connected with the
war. Billions of dollars might be Topped from
the peoples tax bills if this is done.
For example, of the Sl09, 600, 600. 900 estimate
of federal expenditures here cited, 81. O0O 00O,-
900 cover non-war costs and S. 900 OOO0 are
set up for government corporations What per-
centage of these are actually required for
the orderly conduct of the governments bust
ness? What percentage represents waste? Let
the government in all its ramificatons find
the answer to these questions. The power of
survival lies in that answer.
"