Imperial Valley press., 1944-03-06
BARUCH'S FREE ENTERPRISE
(Christian Science Monitor)

The one central fact about the Baruch-
Hancock report that must give reassur-
ance to those segments of American busi-
ness disturbed of late years by pyramid
ing governmental encroachmentS, is that
the Job of reconversion is to be left to
private enterprise.
The fundamental philosophy of the
Baruch- Hancock report is that the Gov
ernment should speedily and cleanly
wind up its wartime dealings and con-
trolls so that free enterprise can lead
America into IAN adventure in pros
perity"
This philosophy is being accepted by
the President with a grace that must
surprise some) and is already becoming
partly effective Unless the present frac-
ture between the President and Congress
widens to include even a divergence on
post war blue prints, the Baruch-f1an-
cock program seems likely to be applied
without serious alteration. This is espe-
cially true since close perusal OF the plan
will show that despite the fact it was
prepared under the aegis of War Mobill-
ger Byrnes, and hence might necessarily
lay special stress upon action by the
executive wing, Messrs. Baruch and Han
cock retained clear appreciation of the
part Congress must play in effecting
postwar plans.
The philosophy is inherent in the plan
and will prevail, but it serves no useful
purpose to pretend that the good days
are returning for private enterprise in
all their former glory. Americans eX-
pect more of business today than ever
before Business faces not only the re-
sponsibility to provide jobs, but also to
keep its skirts clean.
If some portions of American business
have their own postwar plans, ana IL
these include such denials to better pro-
duction and wider distribution of the
implements of improved living as the
suppression of patents, perverslon OF re
search to develop mOnopolies, or cartels
to limit trade and eXtort excessive profits,
they should note that America IS far
less naive country than in 1919. The
latest study of the Kilgore Senate sub
committee on war mobilization, bringing
out schemes to deteriorate quality OF
electric bulbs to obstruct chemical IN
dustries in bringing out improved prod
ucts, and international plots for control
of competition, indicates, if nothing else,
that Congress is now alert to the brand
of ball some concerns want to play.
Also, it is only realistic to warn that
at best free enterprise will not reign un-
confined. Henry Ford did not get Muscle
Shoals in the early 1920's; it is probable
even though the Baruch-Hancock report
itself would not specifically support the
conclusion. that many portions of the
s15,OOO,OOO, worth of Government
developed war plants and resources will
be denied private exploitation following
this war.
1t will be an era of much give and take,
but the acceptance thus far of the
Baruch- Hancock report suggests that in
the main free enterprise is to get new
and hopeful opportunity.
Who are we, people of the United
States, to set ourselves up to teach the
other peoples of the world?-Dean Will
liam F. Russell of Columbia University
Teachers College.
Sop up the gravy and squeeze the
grapefruit dry. Pick up the bones in
vour fingers ond tin the soup bowl to