The Omaha guide., 1945-12-01

years. They either close their
doors, or are bought up by comp
anies that have larger resources.
The life of small competitive
business is tough enough in these
days without ~subjecting it to the
impossible burden of holding out
through long ~depressions. Every
new chronological advance means
that larger sums r required for
new machinery and for research.
The price of admission to or sue
cess in business is constantly go
ing up. 1 think that it is a sim
pie, demonstrable fact that we can
not expect to retain our compel
tive system, and enterprise that
is free and open to everyone, if
we continue to allow ~depressions.
Since / am in favor of that sys-
tenn, ! believe that the full employ
ment bill should be considered a
must.
To me it is an act of the high
est stupidity that an organized
society such as our should
have failed to avail itself of the,
productive skills of every man and
woman in the land, regardless OF
origin, race or color. Whatever
any individual is able to contri-
butte to the wealth of the country
should be a welcome contribution.
1t goes without saying that an
opportunity should be freely given
to make such a contribution.
A basic concept of the full en-
ployment program is that it looks
upon all labor as a potential
source of power and wealth which
is available to increase the output
of our economic system and thus
raise our standard of living. This
concept ends for all time the idea
that Negro labor is merely COM
peting in the labor market for
Jobs. The competition under the
iull employment program is for
more production by more people,
not for more production by few
er people. Hence, Negro labor is
looked upon under this program
as a powerful contributing factor
to our potential power and wealth
If the full employment program
were brought to its full fruition,
Negroes would be given opport-
unities to which they are entitled,
not because they would be singled
out for special consideration but
because a great majority of Ne
groeS belong to the class that the
program is designed especially to
benefit. 1t is to the advantage of
the Negroes therefore that they
familiarize themselves with the
social and economic theory upon
which this new program for de-
mocracy is being built. This re-
quires knowledge and understand
ing of the new forces that have
been brought into being by science
and technology and of the various
social and political factors which
are emerging as the result of a
better understanding among men.
A correlative of the responsible
ilities in helping to maintain a de-
mocracy is a voice in determining
its policies. An a%pathetic and un
intelligent electorate is a serious
menace to free institution. In
these days when attempts are be-
ing made by pressure groups to
sabotage both our economic and
political institutions for individ-
ual and collective benefits, we
need an enlightened and intelli-
gent electorate. m.
Experience has shown that a
progressive program of action
tested by discussion and based
upon the facts is the best assur-
ance that we will continue to ex-
list as a free nation. The partic-
ipation of the Negro in making
decisions is just as vital as his
participation in carrying out those
decisions when made.
There is need for organizations
such as this one that will inter-
pref the new forces that are emer
ging from our modern civilization
and which will help to evolve
plans for the intelligent and ade-
quate participation of our Negro
citizens under leadership that you
will provide.
In the economic realm the Ne
gro must accept the burdens as
we'll as the rewards of the new
patterns of labor relations. He
must solve his particular prob
lem within the framework of har-
monious human relations. All
workers, white or Negro, have the
responsibility to secure as wide
opportunities for labor as possible
that both may make their full
contribution to the American econ
omy.
Despite the acknowledged ma
tional aim to provide a fuller life
for all of the people, there are
those who would oppose these de
sirable social advances. Those
who take this position believe
that wealth and political power
should be concentrated in the
hands of a small minority. They
sheer at democracy becaose they
do not believe in it. They pro-
claim that education should be
reserved for their own group and
for those little brothers of the
rich who can be counted upon to
serve that group. They are con-
cinved that leisure will only be
misused by those whom they re-
gard as the lower classes" and
therefore that it is better to keep
such men, women, and children
hard at work for no more than
sufficient to keep them in. work
able condition. They believe that
human, as well as natural re-
sources, r God-given for their
personal exploitation and should