Evening star., 1945-03-16


than it well can stand. Just
as in the matter Of taxation
upon large incomes, so in the
matter Of production for pur-
poses foreign to the needs Of the
civilian population at home, there
is a saturation point beyond which
the inexorable law Of diminishing
returns begins to operate.
There are clear indications that
we are approaching that point now
and considerable apprehension is
felt in high quarters lest a con-
tinued ignoring of the realities lead
to serious consequences.
Expressions such as starving the
cow that gives the milk" and kill
ing the goose that lays the eggs" are
being used by recognized authori-
ties who feel that warnings are in
order.
Teamwork Essential.
They do not, of course, antici-
pate a general breakdown of the
civilian economic system, but they
do insist that the situation Is OF
major importance and requires an
understanding and cooperation be-
tween the Arrny-Navy supply serv-
ices, the rehabilitation and relief
organizations and the domestic gov
ernmental management such as
do not now exist.
The essential adjustment can be
made with intelligent teamwork,
but without that we are in for
trouble. That is the emphatic view
of those in best position to Judge.
The fundamental fact is that the
necessary but always growing de-
mands Of the armed services have
overstretched the home economic
machine which has been unable in
a long time now to get repairs and
renewals. The need for these has
become increasingly great month
by month.
AS a result of the lack of repairs
and renewals, shortages and search
ties, the stage finally has been
reached where the civilian machine
no longer can function at the high
speed it has been maintaining for
nearly three years. There comes
point where the need of repairs Is
certain to slow 1t down. Soon or
late it has to slow down far enough
to make the parts essential to keep
it running.
Experts believe that that time is
not far off. They point out that all
transportation and industrial equip
ment has been overstrained and
underrepaired for long time now
and that this cannot go on in
definitely.
They point out, too, that. If the
Government forecasters are correct.
within the next few months there
likewise will be an increasing short
age of shoes and clothes, Of tires and
batteries, etc., etc., all of which will
tend to make 1t more difficult for
people to get to work and not so
easy for them to do their work. All
kinds of equipment, individual as
well as industrial, will be harder to
get.
Some way or other, the civilian
machine has got to slow down long
enough and far enough to secure
repairs, renewals and new parts.
1t cannot. of course, do this with
out slowing down production on war
material.
Work Fight Law Needed.
RECOGNIZING this, the Army, 1t is
said, is planning on 10 per cent cut
after the German collapse, now be-
lieved fairly sure to occur before the
end of April. But, If the civilian
machine is to keep going, it Is de-
clared, more than this is needed.
These facts are wholly aside from
the losses through strikes, absen-
teeism and general manpower short
ages, which things 1t was hoped
would be corrected by the work or
fight" law urged as vital to the war
effort by the President, the chiefs Of
staff and the Secretaries OF War
and Navy.
This condition of the civilian
machine, due to failure to get re-
pairs, would seem to be very real
additional argument for a national
service act-sueh as Mr.. Roosevelt
has asked, and such as the Senate,
cowed by the CIO lobby, seems ur1-
willing to pass.
It would seem that no one could
consider these indisputable facts
about the condition Of the civilian
machine and not realize that the
only alternative to q work-or fight
law is much lower schedules for