Evening star., 1946-01-21

women from the service. The points
are based chiefly on length and
character Of service, and on the
existence of dependents.
Over million from the Army
have already passed through the
separation centers.
The Navy, including the Marine
Corps and the Coast Guard, has
discharged over one and half mil
lion.
OF the IL million men and women
serving in the Army and Navy at
the time of the surrender of Ger
many, one-half have already been
released. The greater part of these
had to be brought back to this
country from distant parts of the
world. ''s
Our national safety and the Sc
curity of the world will require sub
stantial armed forces, particularly
In overseas service. At the same
time it is imperative that we relieve
those who have already done their
duty, and that we relieve them as
fast as We can. To do that, the
Army and the Navy are conducting
recruiting drives with considerable
success.
In case the campaign for volun-
teers does not produce that num-
Der, it will be necessary by addi-
tional legislation to extend the Sc
lective Service Act beyond May l6.
the date of expiration under exist
ing law. ."
Turns to Domestic Affairs.
Prophets of doom predicted that
the United States could not escape
a runaway imitation during the war
and an economic collapse after the
war. These predictions have not
been borne out. On the contrary
the record of economic stabilization
during the war and during the
period of reconversion has been
an outstanding accomplishment
'S% In general, the outlook fol
business is good, and it is likely
to continue to be good-providec
we control imitation and achieve
peace in management-labor rela-
ton. Our chief worry still is
imitation.
During the war, production 70,
civilian use was limited by wal
needs and available manpower
Economic stabilization required
measures to spread limited supplies
equitably by rationing, price con.
trolls, increased taxes, savings bono
campaigns, and credit controls
Now, with. the surrender of oul
enemies, economic sterilization re-
quires that policies be directed
toward promoting an increase in
supplies at low unit prices. =
We must aid small businessmen
and particularly veterans who are
competent to start their own busi-
nesses. The establishment and de-
velopment of efficient small business
ventures, I believe, will not take
away from, but rather will add to
the total business of all enterprises
While we are meeting these i'm
mediate needs we must look for
ward to a long-range program o1
security and increased standard o1
living.
The best protection of purchasing
power is policy of full production
and full employment opportunities
Obviously, an employed worker Is
better customer than an unem-
ployed worker.
Wants Fair Wage Structure.
There always will be, however
some fictional unemployment. Ir
the present period of transition VIZ
must deal with such temporary un.
employment as results from the fac
that rehabilitation will proceed
faster than reconversion or indus.
trial expansion.
The most serious difiiculty in tn.
path Of reconversion and expansion
is the establishment of fair wage
structure.
The ability of labor and manage.
ment to work together. and tht
wage and price policies which the,
develop, are social and economi,
issues Of first Importance.
: Both labor and management hav,