The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1947-08-14

AAEAD
: GEORGE S BENSON
. Pfesidexi--H aSdiss Censys
Starry. IKkassas
It's Up to Usi

Today 1t doesn't require a genius
of a Barney Baruch to look into the
future and see that America faces
a great crisis. 1t doesn't require the
wisdom of Solomon to know that II
present conditions continue we are
headed right into a deep and shock
ing depression so great that it might
affect the fundamental pattern of
our economy, and hence the en-
tire future of the nation.
We can, if only we would, prevent
a serious depression for many
years. But to do SO would require
three things we now definitely lack.
These proper things will not likely
be done and the depression will like
ly come. In the midst of a sober
ing depression, however, we might
muster sufficient courage to do the
right things and thereby shorten its
duration.
What II 1t Comes?
l want to outline those necessary
steps which could prevent depres-
sion if taken now, and which would
shorten a depression if taken after
1T is upon us. In the first place.
there is required a. brand of bold,
courageous, fortnight, non-politicaI
executive leadership beyond any,
thing Washington seems likely to
display.
In the second place, 1t would me-
cessitate a lot of new, daring, ven
turesome, resourceful Industrial ac-
t1vity, which because of unfavorable
tax rates, industrial strife, and gen.
eral want of vision, we seldom see.
In the third place, it would REQUIRE
from labor leaders in general a
very genuine, honest, sincere, and
effective effort to remove all prac-
tees and policies that hinder maxi
mum production per man-hour, and
that needlessly add to the cost of
goods, construction, and so on, of
which we likewise see but little.
Toward Real Raises y
These three steps would bring
about three conditions necessary if
we are to prevent depression, I'm
employment, and mediocrity. One
of the first things this formula
would lead to would be real under
standing and cooperation between
industry and labor, which Is an es-
sential to the continued welfare Of
this nation. We have not fooled
ourselves into the foolish belief that
these great segments of industry
must ever be at cross purposes.
In the second place, these things
would lead to an increase of at least
40 per cent in actual amount of
goods produced without increases in
labor costs. AT the same time there
would be no decrease in rate of
wages earned. This would rapidly
increase the effectiveness Of COM
petition and would bring cuts in
prices ranging from 20 to Is per
cent. thus giving a real raise in
standards of living for the entire
public, labor as well as others.
A Simple Formula
In the third place, these lower
prices would Increase demand for
u goods. American industry has,
more nearly than that of any 9TH
err nation, reached the mass mar
kets. Our industry has produced
goods that make the least of us
veritable kings. And the end of this.
is nowhere in sight.
This advice sounds extremely
simple, and it is just that SIM
plicity that makes the formula
worthy. This simple formula for
prosperity of the entire nation re-
quires only honest, intelligent, un-
selfish, courageous citizenship and
leadership. May God raise up the
leadership for the sake of this ma
ton, our posterity, and the world.
May we, individually, exercise
the intelligent citizenship the days