Evening star., 1946-01-14

llldG is causing unpreceQenteQ worry
and alarm throughout the Nation.
Not even during the war was
there more acute general concern.
There seems the beginning of the
sort Of fear that took possession
OF the people back in 1888 when
the banks were closing. Actually,
there is greater cause for fear now
than then. For crisis has arisen
IN the union-induStry conflict more
serious than we have ever had.
1t is the direct consequence of
l3 years Of close alliance between
the CIO and the Roosevelt ad-
ministration, by which the former,
through unwavering Government
support, attained such strength that
the latter hailed 1t as its greatest
political asset.
Power to Strangle.
Disregarding agreements Tin the
case OF the Western Union fragrant
ly violating the written contract)
the CIO bosses have brought about
what, in effect. amounts almost to
q general strike in the country.
They have demonstrated willing
ness-and ability-to take the Ma
tion by the throat, to halt produc-
ton, concededly the vital thing in
the struggle to avoid imitation, and
to create a state of economic and
social disorder in order to enforce
their demands. This is not to say
a reasonable advance in wages can
not be justified. But the union
demands are clearly unreasonable
and cannot be justified.
The plain fact is that there is
much more in this struggle than
wage increase. Strike and a partial
victory; strike again and further
gains; strike again with the. same
result. Each time the unions get
more money and, what is more
important, more political power.
That Is the strategy, and the in
evitable outcome is greater and
greater union domination of our
politics and public life.
Speeds Imitation.
This means, of course, drastic
changes in our economic system
changes certainly not desired by the
bulk Of the unorganized masses of
American citizens. 1t also means
a sharp rise in the cost of living
and the speeding of imitation.
In this menacing situation, Con-
gress and the President have
seemed equally inadequate. The
welfare of the whole people is
deeply involved. Clearly, the poll
ticians cannot find the solution.
Clearly, the problem calls for intel
ligent, nonpolitical thought and un-
selfish action. Clearly, the people
are entitled to be advised by the
best brains in the country.
No one will claim that these are
now to be found in either White
House or Congress. Under the cir
cumstances, Mr.. Truman might well
follow the example of his predeces-
sor. When, as was frequently the
case, Mr.. Roosevelt got himself into
a mess by mistakes of his own or
his advisers, he called on B. M. Ba-
ruch to help him out.
Mr.. Baruch always responded and
always helped. And, in the end,
Mr.. Roosevelt always took his ad-
vlce-although on occasion his de-
lay In doing so cost the country
heavily in time and money. The
great advantage of Mr.. Baruch as
an adviser rests not only in his
ability and experience but in his
complete disinterestedness. He has
no personal ak to grind. He does
not want anything. He Is not
swayed by class prejudices and has
shown a sympathetic understanding
OF labor problems.
Best Men Needed.
II Mr.. Truman wanted to supple
ment Mr.. Baruch, he might call on
two other able and disinterested
men-Herbert Hoover and Henry l..
Stimson. Objection may be made
that these elder statesmen are too
old, their ages ranging from 70 to
79. The answer is that, old though
they be, it would be exceedingly
difficult to find more brains, expert
ence and unselfish patriotism in any
other three men in America at any
age.
Perhaps Mr.. Truman may know
three better men to study the situa-
ton and recommend a solution,
Perhaps better men can be had. But
the names do not occur offhand
The big point Is that to meet this
exceedingly grave national crisis the
Nation needs the help of the best
men available, regardless of party,
or age. or personality.
Such men would be certain to
agree quickly on fundamentals.