The Wilmington morning star., 1944-01-12
The Presidents Message

! The Presidents proposal for national serv-
ice law for complete mobilization of nlanpoWer
and resources probably would have been one
of the first steps taken by this country after
Pearl Harbor if we as nation and people
had not underestimate the enemy and over
estimated the bureaucratic substitute for con-
stitutional government which has so gravely
imperiled our war program and our home
economy.
It is probably, the most important recon-
mendation contained in Mr.. Roosevelts mes
sage to Congress which he was prevented by
an attack of la grippe from delivering in per-
son. If enacted into law it gives promise OF
settling many internal troubles, including
strikes and threats OF strikes and the Gripping
of production that has resulted from walkouts
and union sessions which are not sessions at
all but pretexts for workers to remain away
from their jobs
President Roosevelts demand for a real
istic" tax law will prove incomprehensible to
the vast majority of taxpayers who are hard
pressed to meet their tax bills now. Special
Ievies to divert into the Treasury unreason
able profits in war industries doubtless are
needed, if we are not to have new breed
of war millionaires, such as sprung up after
the former World war. But such legislation
would have to be very carefully framed to
prevent sapping away from industry capital
essential to postwar production and paving
the way for lettering private enterprise and
business incentive so heavily that neither could
survive.
His proposal for the renogotiation of war
contracts is conlmendabe and deserves adop-
ton on a broader plan than has thus far
prevailed If there can be any assurance that
the economic Sterilization act is capable OF
achieving it's goal its life should be prolonged.
Thus far, however, it's operation has pro-
duced such negative results it is a serious
question that it merits longer life. The arti-
fetal curbs set up under its provisions have
had little if any effect upon Initiation.
1t has been the idea that theoretical floors
beneath and as thin ceilings above price levels
would halt the upward march Of prices and
wages, but the records do not show that it has.
The failure of sterilization as a cure for
economic ills has been demonstrated by the
has gone with the wind since John L. Lewis
forced the government to surrender to his
demands.
If the universal service law is enacted and
has the teeth in it the President says it
should have, the government will possess the
power to control prices, wages, production
and affairs affiliated with the war program
and the internal economy, and the office Of
would be superfluous.
Should Congress fail to accept Mr.. Roose-
velt's recommendation for a universal service
law, the next best arrangement would be the
with prices, wages and other moot questions
in single office, and so do away with the
multitude of conflicting offices, no two of
which can be brought into agreement on any
single problem facing them.
Mr.. Roosevelts message sounded one note
which cannot fail to cause rejoicing through
out the land 1t was his declaration that
despite necessary commitments in he interest
or political or financial commitment at the
war conferences held just prior to the close
OF 1943. When the time comes for the nations
now at war to assemble around peace table
much Of the confusion and wrangling that
characterize dthe Versailles peace conference
should thus be avoided.
-V--