The midland journal., 1945-10-19
LOOKHN
AHEAD
y GEORGE S. BENSON
1 presidfwt--Hardi1g College
Searry. .ArkaHsas
Vinson

Shortly after Fred Vinson was
named Secretary of the Treasury
he was quoted in the press as say
ing "the American people are in the
pleasant predicament of having to
learn to live 500 better than they
have ever lived before" When he
made this remark he was talking
about future day, one that had
not come then and has not come yet,
but a completely possible future
day.
Hitler was no longer menace,
when the new Secretary spoke of
500 higher living standard in Amer
lea, but Japan still clouded the Pa
cific. Now that has cleared up
also and today's national problem
is economic rather than strategic.
The strain is no less, but in a diff
ferent place. Ease felt in Amer
lea as firing ceased was like the
relief of changing hands with
heavy burden
Load is on Vinson
About month ago this column
carried an outline of Mr.. Vinson's
tax policies which I frankly con-
slider sound. Now, in view of the
changed International picture, it is
high time everybody knew more
about this generalissimo of postwar
finances, czar of economics in the
worlds most important country. He
is key man on the team that has
to win if liberty, civilization and en-
lightenfnent survive.
Fred Vinson is SIS years old. Half
century ago he was playing in the
yard of the jailhouse in Louisa, Ky.
His father was county jailer. The
next year he started to school.
His coarse hair is half gray
now and he has some loose skin un-
der his chin but he's recognized as
the "best in his line" and on a job
where everybody wishes him we'll,
if that's success.
A Serious Student
Louisa, with some 1000 inhabi-
tants, is across the Big Sandy river
from West Virginia. There young
Vinson entered school, there was
elected district attorney and from
there went to Congress in 1922. At
Center College, Danville, KY, he
worked in the library to help pay
expenses, took leading part in ath-
letics and averaged above 95 in
grades all through college and law
school,
Mr.. Vinson is penetrating think
er. He has years of experience in
government and he knows taxes He
is recognized fiscal expert. That's
what put him on the Ways & Means
committee and here his ability is
still respected He has been a Fed
eral Judge, the successful economic
stabilizer of this country, also direc-
tor of war mobilization and recon-
version-the job that's known as
assistant president"
To Make More Jobs
Vinson has many prime qualifica-
tions for his present job. Anent his
thoroughness, it came out time or
two in connection with his work as
chairman of the tax section of the
Ways & Means committee that he
knew more than his witnesses them
selves about testimony they submit
ted. Recollection of these incidents
naturally tends to keep alive Vim
sons influence among congressman
which is big asset.
1t is told that he studied before
hand the financial statements of big
corporations whose officials were to
testify, and his questioning them
proved repeatedly that he knew
more about certain aspects of cor
poration's business than did it's pres
ident. This is the man who planned
tax program to create the most
jobs, instead of merely raising rev.
enue for the government, something
I have been shouting from the house.
tops for four years.