Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1944-06-29
Voters Still
Party Boss
BY LEWIS HANEY
Professor OF Economics, ~. n. Univers

One good thing that comes out
of elections is a realization that
our democracy is still there; that
we are not on the way to fascism
or communism; that our society
and nation are based upon free
dom of individual choice.
There may be lot of wire pull
ing and machine politics, but back
of all stands the plain fact that
all the tumult and shouting are
designed TO influence the popular
vote. Platform planks may mean
nothing" but if that be the case
it is because the choice of the
many individuals who compose the
people is not clear.
Two occurrences illustrating the
reality of our democracy come TO
my mind today. l read a headline
TO the effect that "Willkie con-
dennis peace policy plan" 1t seems
that Mr.. Willkie has received a
copy of a proposed plank in the
platform of the Republican party,
the plank dealing with foreign
relations. He at once releases his
views for the press, and they are
broadcast to the people. Discus
sion results, and kilograms pour
in. Thus the ideas of the party
are clarified or shaped according
to the thought of large numbers of
individuals.
FORCED TO RETIRE
Incidentally, / note that. while
Wllkie wdS practically forced to
retire as a candidate himself, he
continues to have a minority fol-
lowing. Through him, this minor
ity has an influence on the policies
of the Republican party. 1t may
even affect the Democratic party's
platform, since Democratic poll
ticians may desire to get some
votes in this quarter.
The other occurrence is the
telegram l myself sent to the
platform committee at Chicago. A
group of economists is out there
seeking to convince the leaders
that they should take a position
in favor of basing our monetary
system on a standard such as the
gold standard. Knowing that I
strongly favor such a standard,
they wire me to wire my views to
Senator Taft, and this / gladly
do. hoping that even a mere indi-
vidual like myself may have a
small influence because OF his
standing as an expert.
REVEAL MESSAGE
My wire ran as follows:
THE only way to protect
government bond holders Is to
make the dollar equal to gold
dollar. The Republican party
should tell this To millions Of
bond holders now"
l could have presented more
fundamental arguments. but in
politics and in a democracy one
must seek TO use the means that
will be most effective in influ-
encing the choices and actions Of
all sorts of people.
EVENTS PROVE REALITY
Other recent occurrences show
the reality Of our continued de-
mocracy. For example, Montgom-
cry Ward has again filed suit
against the WLB, contending that
the boards order requiring main
tenance of union membership in
the Chicago plant is illegal. So we
still have a chance by legal pro-
cedure to defend ones individual
rights.
Even more striking is the action
of a circuit court of appeals in
denying the Communist leader,
Harry Bridges, writ Of habeas
corpus. The court held that
Bridges had been A Communist,
and that the Communist party
seeks to overthrow the govern
ment of the United States. 1t also
held that he has not been deprived
of due process Of law in the pro-
ceedings looking toward his depor-
tation.
Democracy grinds very slow.
bridges has been in our midst a
long while.) Often the only way
is for the people to learn by expe-
rience-the hard way. But democ-
racy is not apt to make sweeping
continuous mistakes. and can indi-
viduals be happy unless free to
choose?
-SoldIers Buy War Bonds, Too
Order 1Oc United States War
Savings Stamps from your De-
troit Times carrier. He'll de-
a.