Evening star., 1943-07-05

hort and plead 'Davio As"fenc''
and try to obtain the peoples CO.
operation in rationing and the
many sacrifices that are needed to
support a maximum effort on the
battlefronts, but such pleas and
exhortations are not needed as
they should be.
There is friction where harmony
should prevail and there is waste
and incompetence where the ut
most in conservation and efficiency
should be achieved. Irritation has
replaced calmness, and clashes of
policy and lack of functional CO.
ordination particularly in Washing
ton have given the people generally
a discouraging picture OF their
leaders.
It will do no good to start blam-
ing the other fellow-a favorite
tendency when one feels his own
guilt and does not have the cour-
age to admit it. Neither will do no
good to assume that the disease is
incurable, because at bottom it has
the germs of political ambition,
selfish quest for power or the main
tenance of public Office.
Critical Period Ahead.
II 1t were conceded that most OF
the problems are as perplexing as
they are because President Roose-
velt-though a man Of broad vision
in foreign policy and world strategy
is just the opposite in domestic
administration, and that there can
be no relief until and unless a new
President Is elected, the fact re-
mains we are faced In the next 18
months with the most critical Pc
riod OF the war and under our sys-
tenn Of Government, no other lead
ership in the executive branch Of
the Government is available.
Who, then, can help the home
front? The responsibility rests pri-
marily on those who have been
thick-and-thin supporters Of the
President and who must have faith
in and influence with him. There
must be in the ranks of the New
Deal men Of such strength Of char
acter as to recognize that the con-
flict on the home front can be re-
solved only by the application by
them of some of the basic principles
OF the Christian philosophy. There
can, for instance, be no reconcllia-
ton OF groups if either or both sides
of controversy insist on the max
imum obtainable or if one or the
other deals with governmental
power on a dictatorial or dogmatic
basis.
Room for Reform.
Faith and confidence are instillled
In a nation when the men at the
top not only abide by the rules but
do not seek to take advantage OF
wartime to change the fundamental
rules without consulting the peo-
pie. There is, for example, room
for considerable reform in the re-
lations between the Supreme Court
and the people. 1t is no exagg-
geration to report that never IN its
whole history have lawyers gen.
orally so little esteem for the court,
believing it political and class
conscious
There is need, also, for a better
handling of the labor problem. Many
hard working, conscientious men,
bers of labor unions and their OFF,
GERS are being condemned for the
acts of a few. Also, the admins
tration is not playing the game
fairly as between employer and en-
ploye but is conducting what appears
to be a political game OF special
privilege. This only sows the seeds
Of deep theological conflict.
Just as left-wing extremists were
born out of the stupidity and selfish
ness of the conservatives, so today
extremists are being bred
every day and the seeds Of an Amer
ican kind of fascism or state social
ism are being sown by the Stubborn
ness and intolerance of power con-
scious left-wingers.
OF First Importance.
To those of us who strive for the
middle way and who see in right
wing attitudes as many dangers as
in the so-called reforms of the left
wing, the task Of rebuilding the
home front on a new basis looms as
of transcendent Importance. For,
notwithstanding the prevailing op-
timism about the military situation
today. this war may last at least
another two or possibly three years
more, and there is no telling how
long it is going TO take to conquer
Japan.
Meanwhile, we shall multiply irri-
tations and sap the vitality of the
home front unless we take refuge
in the basic principles of self-exam-
ination and fair play. For govern
ments are no stronger than the in
dividuals who exercise its powers,
and nations are no stronger than
the moral fiber of their leaders.