Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1945-09-07
Critical Problems

AS congress meets this week, II races
problems of peace no less critical than the
problems which were created by the Japs
sneak attack on Pearl HarbOr. The JapS
peace attack caught us just as flat-footed
as their initial sneak military blow.
When the Japs brought the war to us,
Congress was in Washington. Quickly, in
fact, the very next day, the representa-
tiveS of the people met to hear President
Roosevelt'S narration of the "day that will
live in infamy" and it responded by
Immediately declaring war on the aggres-
Sor.
When the Japs brought sudden peace
to us, Congress was fishing, or taking
junkets to Europe at governmental ex-
pense, or building political fences back
home. Nobody got excited, least of all
our congressional representatives. OBJ
viOusly, it makes difference who is at
tackled and who does the attacking.
In 1941, there were several million
unemployed in this country. War require
ments demanded full production, and full
production demanded men and women
and even young boys and girls to meet
the need. Laws protecting female and
child labor were set aside for the dura-
tion and American Labor put its shoulder
to the wheel in great national effort to
bring defeat to the enemies of the coun-
try.
And so today we stand, nation which
has achieved military victory in the
worlds bloodiest and most destructive
war waiting for our Congress to inaugu-
rate the beginning of the campaign to win
the peace.
Today, whether Congress realizes it or
not, the future peace of the world rests
in its hands, for more than any other fac
tor which exists in the world today, upon
the treatment of the American working
class depends the future peace and well
fare of the world.
Full employment is not unattainable
in peacetime. What can be done for war
and death and destruction, carf and must
be done for peace and prosperity. No
other course is open TO us. We must make
our choice.
Labor has made its choice. 1t is for
peace and prosperity through full employ
ment and adequate social security for ALL
Labor's position is clear. II demands the
ing wages, in time of peace which was
grudgingly given ii of necessity in time of
war.
Congress, that great, stupid, slow NOV
ing body composed largely of second rate
statesmen, pernicious politicians and frus-
trated lawyers, must rise above itself and
perform as it has never performed before.
1t must recognize that it is not kicking
around narrow, sectional political ques-
tionS, but issues which involve the peace
and future welfare of the entire world.
Full employment, increased unem-
ployment compensation and adequate So
cial security benefits for all are not
gifts to labor, but the rights of every man,
woman and child in this country to live as
befits their dignity as human beings, with
a fair stake in the resources of the coun-
try which they transform into usable
wealth.
Labor has no illusions about the pres
ent Congress. 1t is not overly optimistic
nor unduly pessimistic. Ii recognizes that
the political minds in the two great poll
tical parties remain about the same today
as they were before the war They only
see what is close TO them, regarding
military attack of an enemy with fear,
anger and military retaliation, but SUI
pinely and indifferently standing by
while unemployment grows and people
use up their dwindIing resources in
vain struggle against unemployment and
is tragic results.
Congress can do one of two things.
either it can stall, and compromise, and
ow the seeds of newer and bigger emer-
'encies, or it can recognize the situation
or what il is-part of the continued crisis
# an economic system which cries for
rec enterprise and profits without giving
ne workers of hand and brain their fair
hare in the products of their toll.
The end of the struggle did not see
ne end OF the international economic
'rlsis, but merely change in its condi-
ION. Congress must meet that challenge
Jr face the consequences.