Milford chronicle., 1947-07-11

THE REDUCTIONS so FAR made in
Federal expenditures aren't drop In the
bucket to what must be accomplished. That
may be unpleasant to many, but it is fact
If nothing else, the cost of maintaining our
position in the world and preparing for all
possible eventualities will make irOn-clad do
mestic economy unavoidable.
The recent report of Presidential COM
mission may indicate what lies ahead. This
commission stated fatty that America must
begin $1,750,000000 system of universal
military training, and spend untold more mil
lions on it's armed fOrceS-Or invite "eXter
minatiOn" in a sudden, atomic war that could
come in four to eight years. What makes this
chilling pronouncement all the more impress
i've is the character of the commissions men,
bership Headed by DR.. Karl Compton, presi-
dent of the Massachusetts Institute of Tech
nology, it included the president of General
Electric, the presidents of Princeton and
Georgetown Universities, one of the nations
leading churchmen, and other citizens of the
highest abilities and patriotism.
The costly Greek Turkish aid program,
which was passed by Congress by heavy
majority and with relatively little dissensiOn,
may be but the beginning of . an infinitely
more ambitious and expensive policy in the
conflict between Communism and Capitalism
We are committed to helping the democratic
world, and no one can tell now what that may
entail
In the light of all this, it is the plain duty
of the government to trim it's financial sails
in every possible direction in order to obtain
the money for purposes which may literally
mean the difference between national survival
and extinction. There can no longer be any
excuse for wasteful, tOp-heavy bureaucracy
or the dissipation of our money on projects,
such as tax-exempt, government power
plants, which can be built by taxpaying pri-
vate enterprise. The great hopes for peace
full collaboration between the major powers
have not materialized-seldom in world his
tory have international relations shown such
rapid deterioration. Our national expend-
lures must reflect that grim but obvious fact
NS0N&
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING is a pleas
ant, harmless-sounding phrase and if you
have had no experience with it, you may pic
ture it as peaceful, gentlemanly exchange
of ideas and proposals by representatives of
employees and employers around conference
table, with gracious give-and-take on both
sides. But the way it actually operates under
the Wagner Act is nothing at all like this.
Representatives of the employes-in most
cases radical labor leaders-hold all the aces.
Figuratively speaking, they WELD club over
the employers head and say, "these are our
demands, either we will get what we want or
we strike and shut down your plant" Which
is another way of saying that either YOU
come across, Mr.. Employer or we kidnap
your plant and it will be closed down and
held for ransom.
Business organizations are prevented
from price-fxing by the Sherman and CLAW
ton Acts Labor unions, thanks to the Wag-
ner Act and collective bargaining, are free to
TX wages and build up powerful labor monop-
lies, as has been done. If we are to have free
Of IfIyO aarofo1
we must have it 100%o, with no strings at
tached, and with all individuals employers
and employees alike-free to work as they see
mt, employ as they see fit, join or not Join a
LABOR union, hire workers willing to work if
others strike. There is no halfway position
consistent with the rights and privileges of
our people as guaranteed by the Constitution
Either we have individual freedom or we
don't.
THERE ARE 27 MILLION people who
hve on the land, plus thousands of additional
hlfed workers, who are responsible for pro
ductlon OF food and fiber for domestic needs
and some for export
During the 1859 period an annual
average of 1O,92O,OOO workers were EN-
ployed in agriculture. Farm operators anC
unpaid family workers made up about three
fourths and hired workers one-fourth of this
total force Of the hired group, consisting Of
approximately 2,568,000 workers, about &C
percent were year-round hands; more thar
one-half were local seasonal workers, anC
One-seventh were migratory workers whC
followed the crop season from one area tC
another.
During the prewar period an ADEQUATE
supply of labor was usually on hand wher
needed, except in small isolated areas. Loca
labor was available for short-time employ
ment, and considerable numbers ,,oox1od fuoY,
one area to another seeking EMPLOYMENT
Farmers could hire help needed for a dav. ;
week, or for the entire season.
AS things level off this condition chorle