Evening star., 1946-05-21
Letters to The Star
Veteran Appeals for Realization
OF Prevailing 'Emersency'


United States in state of emergency,
although most armed hostilities have
ceased. And I suggest that the best
single event that could happen would be
public recognition Of the national emer-
gency as matter of fact as we'll as law,
The emergency was declared in 1941
because peacetime America was not
geared to fight a total war. Is the time
| yet at hand when we should attempt to
revert to the peacetime system? I think
not. But those who suggest stripping
OPA OF its authority, those who strike,
those who want the draft stopped-all
imply that the national emergency is
ended.
But market shelves are scantily
stocked here and nearly empty abroad;
demand is fantastically ahead of sup
ply; millions are without proper hous-
ing, and international bitterness and
distrust are mounting. These are undis-
puted facts and these facts alone make
1t preposterous to claim that the ma
tional emergency is ended.
The shooting was only part of the
emergency that has existed since 194l,
and the fact that most guns are silent
does not mean that the emergency is
ended. Besides the shooting, the ma
tlonai emergency involved ripping
apart the whole national economy,
stopping normal housing construction,
Gripping food production. literally max
ing weapons instead of butter
Granted that smoking guns cool
rapidly. the loss in housing, food and
other goods and services cannot be re-
placed overnight--or even over wears.
Until there is an approximation of bal
ance between supply and demand
consider the national emergency very
much with us.
The hurried attempt at returning to
the pfeWar way Of life may have been
nooly inspired, but the attempt has
made it possible for certain men to
jeopardize, to hinder even to halt the
rebuilding of America and a needy
world. The loss in production caused
by past strikes cannot be regained, but
tion can prevent occurrences. The Ma
tional Government should recognize
that grave national emergency con-
tlnues and should meet all problems
domestic and international-with the
emergency in mind.
Merits Of labor disputes are not con-
siderations here. Until the emergency
subsidies strikes should be barred. There
is something pathetic in the rejection
OF presidential plea for arbitration
any time. But tears well up when the
spectacle occurs in the midst of a sit
uation as grave and far-reaching as the
one We face today. I doubt that anv
one ever should be allowed to strike
against the American people, but there
should be no question about any right
70 strike during the present situation.
NO matter how We meet the emer-
gency. we certainly should have the
honesty and courage to recognize it's
existence. Everyone wants the earliest
possible return to peacetime Standards
especially veterans like myself-but I.
Tor one, want no premature return.
instead of complicating the emer-
eency by lodging 1t, let's face it and
work to end 1t. That calls for states
/ men OF courage and vision. a novelty
during an election year.
PAUL FINDLEY.
Opposes Loan to Britain
To the Editor of The Star:
agree wholeheartedly with the SEN
tlments expressed by Patricia r. Godev
In her letter in The Star of Nav Is
more particularly with reference to the
BRUSH loan. And I feel that If Mr..
Jonn q. Public is going to continue to
SIT helplessly by and simply shrug his
shoulders at the antics being performed
by some OF our able" legislators on
Ihe HILL" 1t is high time for Mrs. J.
q. P. to come forward and insist that
We tell John Bull that he is not going to
bleed us any more.
Our country has done more than
enough for Great Britain. She owes
us much more than debt of gratitude
we owe her nothing and are not opli-
gated 10 her in any way to make this
loan, out we do owe something to the
future welfare of the United States of
America and to those who will be
carrying on when we are gone. We
cannot and We must not betrav our
very own and continue to pile up debts
Tor them to liquidate, while John Bull
is laughing up his sleeve at our stu
pidity.
If this loan bill finally passes, our
country, In the years to come, will be
shackled by debt. If we lend to Britain
our other Allies will be wanting similar
loans and If we do not comply we will
make many enemies. And we SURELY
will not be able to accommodate them
all, Where is the money coming from?
We already are deep in debt! If we
nnance the world now, future genera
hons In this country will have little
incentive to carry on. Their backs will
De bent under the strain of paying for
our mistakes and credulity.
I was present during some of the
debate In the Senate and when an
amendment was defeated which would
have given England an opportunity to
sell to the United States some few bar
rem islands to be used as bases, in
order that she might obtain the needed
money. Senator Barkley saw to it that
this very fair amendment was defeated.
do not call it leadership when a poll
tician can crack a whip and tell the
lawmakers of this country what they