The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-02-26
Saving Freedom
Depends as Much Upon People at Home as Those
 on Our Fighting Fronts.
FROM CONNECTICUT ECONOMIC COUNCIL

saving and buying War Bonds and by competing as little as possible for consumer goods. We can do 1t by giving our cordial cooperation to all essential civilian war services. We can do 1t by making our own job, whatever 1t Is, the most efficient contributor to winning the war.
 Everyone in his own way has been thinking of the character of his service. Our thoughts voice the general longing to do the days task in way that may make for max mum contribution toward winning the war in the shortest possible time. This is the best way to take some of the "fIell" out of war.
 From the newspapers and the ra- dio we get another impression. From these sources we know of the strivings of the different political blocs to further their own selfish interests. Their pleas are concerned with furthering what the blocs want collectively with less thought of backing up the boys at the front, When thus misled we forget our good intentions to make our max mum contribution. Some of us scramble for fatter pay envelopes or for more profit, others become hoarders. while others imagine that only their sons have been drafted to assume the risks of war. The spirit of sacrifice for a common cause fades away and the call oi business as llsuap takes It's place It is true that when acting on our own impulses we work for the conl- mon good, but when we act collec- lively through our representatives we compromise and turn to political and selfish motives which increase the evils of war.
 | We, as individuals, want to strive for that ideal of service that each one give to his country the highest character of service which he Is qualified to offer. It is not true that this necessarily means service in the armed forces. It requires at least seven men in industry to sup port the one man in the front lines. It is certain that many of us are of far more value to our country by working in the shop, on the farm, or in the office than we would be in i the trenches or on tie ships of war None the less, we lack the pressure of imminent peril to undergo the same degree of discipline; to un- dertake the same sacrifices, anc to give the same measure of effort as do the boys in uniforms who are carrying their country's flag for ward. tr.t
 If we were fighting in the ranks we could only take our allotted day' of furlough. When we are working at the bench we should take nc more. To be loaferS at work is just as reprehensible as to be absent without leave (AWOL) from thu army. If we were facing the enemy there could be no question of any. thing less than an all-out effort. Il we are making gun nothing elst can answer. If we are marching ir the ranks we work for an average of less than $2.OO a day. Can w strike for three times that amount when our whole object is to sup port the boys at the front?
 Let us put aside the politica questions which so divide us. Let us forget for the duration whai union or bloc or party we belong to Tn brief, let us remain true to oul instincts of loyalty t the fighting men. Then we will give without compromise what we can do best tC help win the war and save our free doms.
 It is certain that proper wages sufficient food for civilians, and ex- tension of the draft gre all involved in winning the war. The character of services, however. must be con. stantly judged by what they con- | tribute toward that end.
 From this point of view. what ars fair wages?: they are those wage' which will make for the production of the greatest amount of war nu- nitions, measured by what others Of similar skill and experience could produce without lowering their VI
 wages which do not represent such Standards increase the cost ol war, and burden the country tol years to come: limit the arms which can be turned rut: and prolong thl war and wnste human fife.
 The soundesk baeis for futurl Creedorns are such iliEentsVes 9Ilf profits aG will encourage individual effoFt up % the point Of the ex' hanstion of ttiose human and phy' sieai resources upon which cur pres ent and future security depend.