The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-08-25
A STEP in THE RIGHT
DIRECTION
BY j. Il. Jones


so the sole customer for many of the
that furnish jobs to the
greatest number of workers.
eff the Government should, at the
end of hostilities, suddenly cancel
its billions of dollars of orders and
do nothing else, there would be a
chaotic period before normal free en-
terprise and employment could be re-
stored" editorialiZes the New York
rimes-and adds: "Well-thought-out
positive policies are required on the
part of Government to bridge this
transition period But this does not
necessarily mean a stubborn contin-
ance of TIE controls that are now
n existence after the need for those
controls has passed. On the contrary,
he sudden termination of hostilities
nay require in certain cases the
quickest possible abandonment of
3ontrols."
All responsible quarters are now
greed that when the war ends, it
would be confusion of thought that
would lead to criminal waste for the
Government to go on ordering the
production of planes and tanks and
bells in undiminished amount just
o continue to "give employment. :"
the same way it would only retard
Inversion and prolong disorganiza-
ion to keep many of the existing
wage and price controls after they
'ad outlived their usefulness.
Putting it's Ginger on tie spot, :"
he Times editorial offers this prac-
zeal conclusion: "Now and during
he unavoidable transition period it
will clarity public thought if one
guiding rule is followed. This is that
he burden of proof for the retention
f each wartime control should be
placed, after war ceases, not on those
Who believe that the control should
De dropped but on those who insist
N retaining it, We do not want any
postwar controls merely for control
AXE"
Donald Nelson, War Production
thief, has taken TIE initial steps in
authorizing manufacturers of many
Kinds of civilian goods to resume
)roduction-but his whole program
alphabetically provides that items for
william use must not interfere with
he production of necessary military
Goods. Apparently this is a step in
he right direction.
Roosevelt Or Dewey?
Will it be Roosevelt or Dewey?
The American people will decide
hat question. That's what Democra-
y means. War or no war, our leaders
re chosen by popular vote.
But, will the majority OF the peo-
lie elect the president this year? The
.nswer is no." if the present voting
rend continues.
Fewer and fewer Americans have
cen going to the polls in recent
ears. Citizens are forgetting the first
luty and privilege of citizenship. The
rend is toward an alarmingly light
'ote in November. The Gallup poll
nd other measures say less than 40
million will vote this year.
That would mean minority rule
chat would mean a terrific blow to
Democracy in America.
There are SS million American
itizens of voting ages million
more than in 1910. Fifty million
roted in 1910. Normally, SIS million
,hould vote this year. Yet every in
tication points toward less than 40
million.
True, there are many who can't
rote this year. There are men in SER
ice and migrant war workers for
yhom the military and civilian vot-
ng laws are too complicated But,
here are millions at home who can
tote in their places, wko can rise to
he occasion and express the will of
he people.
Who is elected president, or sena-
or, or sheriff is no less important
kan how he is elected If we can
reserve free election by a majority
# the people, we can preserve Demo-
eracy.
No matter how we cast our ballots,
t is solemn wartime duty to get
)ut and vote.
Congress- Resumes