The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-12-08

WNU Service, Union Trust Building
Washington, d. @.
When the mysterious Ninth army
suddenly rose full-armed on the
western front and the First army,
beside It, started General Eisenhow-
er's winter offensive there was one
question on most peoples lips. VIII
peace come in Europe before
spring. In Washington, on the lips
Of many thoughtful people, there
was another question, too: IF 1t
comes Cor for that matter when 1t
comes) win we be ready for it," In
one Of the many compartments OF
government which must be prepared
for the ordeal Of sudden peace,
preparations are now going for
ward which, I believe, are both sig
nificant and hopeful.
Specifically, I am thinking OF q
report made by the director Of the
budget, Harold Smith, summary
of which was passed along by Sena-
tor Murray, chairman Of the COM
mittee on small business, for the con-
ISOLATION 1t might bring. The direc-
tor Of the budget believes that in
formation needed by the govern
ment and valuable to small BUSH
ness is going to be obtained, while
the statisticians who obtain 1t are
at the same time going to cut down
on the number of forms which the
small businessman will have to fill
out.
Filling out forms, especially the
income tax blanks, Is the subject
Of considerable testing these days.
But there is a more serious side to
the process if we accept form fill
ing-out as a symbol Of the growing
part which government plays in reg
ulating our personal and business
affairs.
That Is why this promise coming
from the bureau of the budget Is
significant, especially when it Is con-
sidered side by side with two trends
to which my attention has been
called this week and to which too
few people have paid sufficient at
tention.
Expect Government
To Take Lead
One is the tabulated result of
poll made by the National Research
center expressly for Factory mag
azine, a McGraw-Hill publication,
and the other is a statement, which
I heard recently. 1t was entirely
unofficial and surely an expression
of his own view, set forth by a
British diplomat.
The question which Factory mag
azine had asked of men earning hour
ly or piece wages only (no super
visors or foremen) was this:
"Who do you think will do the
most to solve the job problem after
the wharf.-the government, the Ia
Dor leaders, or company heads?"
Forty-seven per cent Of those
interviewed looked to govern
ment; "A per cent looked to COM
pany heads; IA per cent to labor
leaders; Is per cent undecided.
The opinion expressed by the dip
lomat was this:
after the war we can look to-
ward a United Kingdom where con-
siderable government control Is ex-
ercised - ownership Of railroads,
utilities, mines sort OF socialis-
tic monarchy"
Both these opinions together indi-
cate q trend in the thinking on both
sides Of the Atlantic along parallel
lines. The American workman feels
that the American government will
take the responsibility for employ
ment after the war; the British Of
fetal feels that the British govern
ment win take over several Of the
nations important industries.
More "forms to make out" II you
will.
Which brings US back to small
business, Committee Chairman MUIR
ray, and Budget Director Smith,
and the promise Of more help for
business with less forms to make
out, and (symbolically) we hope,
less actual domination Of business
by government.
Small Business
Measure Of Enterprise
I chose this particular example
because I believe that the relation
ship Of small business to govern
ment is vital. The people who
have made the most careful studies
Of the subject agree that the meas
ure Of small business Is the measure
of the whole system of private en-
terprise, that If small business Is
crushed in the process Of reconver-
sion, all private enterprise win
II r. REEFS