The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1945-08-10

(iub wednesday noon al tne
USO.
Roy Givens. president, presid-
. ed at the meeting and introduced
numbering of visiting Rota-
rians and guests, and several an
ncuncementS were made prior TO
Mr.. Virgins talk.
Mr.. Virgins talk was titled
"One Sound Way to Improve Our
Government" and dealt with
the family unit, its prosperity
ard happiness as the basis Of a
sound and healthy government.
Ever since we have become a
nation, Mr.. Virgins said, We
have been called upon periodi-
cally to defend its freedom But
In addition to war our country
hes had to face another recurring
evil financial trouble, and
each generation has had to face
hard times, depressions and
panic.
I'VE are trying to stop wars"
he added, "and | hope we can,
but are we doing all we can to
abolish 6epressions7 We can lose
our freedom without losing a
war. We know what has happen
ed to countries in Europe, such
as Germany. When people don't
have the necessary things Of life.
when people get hungry and the
government has not provided
some way for them to make a
living, they will grab onto any
thing. They will listen to crack
pots with their radical ideas as
to government and with their
promises OF power and plenty.
The people think they can do no
worse and are easily led into
mischief aH5 misery"
pspressions Bring Less of Faith
ADepressions cause people to lose
faith in their government, and
after the price we have paid for
freedom over many years. we
should make freedom that will
last, he said. Such a freedom
should include freedom from
went and freedom from fear, per-
sonal freedoms that affect every
home.
Financial soundness must be-
gin with the family" he said "a
nation of independent, self sus-
tanning, thrifty families, is a
happy and prosperous country.
IF our families are financially
sound, our country flourishes. II
on the other hand, our families
are not solvent, then our country
becomes unsound. Every family
is a business concern. Its sol
vency and its happiness depends
upon its income and outgo."
Nationwide efforts are under
way to avoid unemployment af-
ter the war, and make possible
fair income for all who are
willing to work, he said. Equal
attention should be given to the
American family with its "out-
go'' problem.
One factor for bringing this
about would be the teaching of
home finance in our schools, how
the money that is earned should
be spent, saved and invested. Re-
gardless of the earning of any
family head. he should have a
plan for his spending worked out
so that he can keep his family
on sound financial basis. Such
a plan could be developed
through the Commerce Depart
ment of the Government he said,
given the proper publicity and
aid materially in helping fami-
lies achieve a sound financial
basis.
1.-THE average American family
viii buy more than IL can pay
fer Mr.. Virgins said. This is
a violation of one of the main
principles of finance. Over
spending creates more unhappi-
ness in the home than anything
else l know of MANY fathers
and mothers fail because they
do not know how to budget their
spending. When they are fail
ure they cannot properly teach
their children. When we have too
many unsound homes, we have
an unsound government. Under
a Democracy, our government
can be no better than its peo-
pie. As we improve our families
We improve our country >
II Rigid Credit Control
There should be a more rigid
control of credit, he said, add
ina that easy terms have
wrecked many an American
nome. We must learn, too. he
added, that when the federal
governments money comes out
of the family purse, and the pro-
lection of that purse is therefore
q national problem.
Finally | suggest that all Of
US, young and old. should culti-
vate the virtue of self reliance,
Mr. Virgins said in closing. 'Fol