Milford chronicle., 1947-02-28
TT HAS OFTEN BEEN STATED that

the appetite of the socialists is lnSatlaDle.
Once they make inrOads on nations lnouS-
tries, it is simply matter OF time until the
whole economy comes under sOclallSuc at
tack.
That is being vividly demonstrated IN
England The Labor government began
with socialization of the British coal nduS-
try Production has not been increased,
costs have not been lowered, and the miners
are as dissatisfied as ever. 1t is now pre-
pairing to take another long step by complete
ly socializing Britains power and light m
dustry though some of the best experts are
extremely pessimistic as to the government
ability to better service or do anything eX-
cept add billions more to the cOuntryS pubic
debt. And, to top it all off, it is planning TO
extend vast and completely dctatorlal gov
ernmental powers over farming, farm lana,
and the farmers themselves.
The farm bill is written IN optimistic
terms, and heavily stresses such alleged
benefits as guaranteed prices and assured
markets for agriculture. But it has teeth IN
it-sharp teeth. For instance, the govern
ment reserves the right, under the terms OF
the bill, to dispossess farmers by compulsory
purchase of their land if they fail to comply
with government directiveS and advice given
by government agencies. In other words, the
bill is written on the familiar totahtarlan
principle of "Do what we tell you-or else.'
There is a lesson here for all free nations
no economy can be part socialist and part
free enterprise { That is the basic issue
when our government socialiZes the power
resources of a section of the country or
makes private enterprise in any field lmpos-
sible. If government is to provide our cleo
tricity, government may eventually provide
our insurance, our food, our newspapers, and
everything else. History, which is simply a
collection of precedents, proves that con-
clusivey-as England is proving it now.
~So&&
THE SERIOUS FARMER who wants to
increase output will often 60 to no little eX-
pense to use better fertilizer and pest con-
trolls or to get better equipment. He is doing
with his farm just what the business man
has to do with his factory putting more
money into the business to improve it.
Some persons do not seem to understand
the role profits play as the source or stimu-
liant of the capital invested in our economic
enterprises. Profits are not a luxury; nor do
they benefit only those who own stock. The
assumption that output per worker increases
annually and automatically = that it is a
natural growth somewhat like the steady
accumulation of rings on tree-is false
assumption. False too is the assumption
that the worker is primarily responsible for
his increased productivity.
The fact is increases in productivity re-
suit from improved tools, new processes, new
Inventions These come about because some
one is willing to put up the money for their
development-in the hope of making profit
It's a strong incentive Between 1849 and
1889 investment in industry per worker in
creased from $500 to $4,000. In 1889 work
er was aided by five times as much power
machinery as he had to help him produce
- &0o1
out of profits OF from the hope of profits.
Our big job today is to increase produc
tivity. 1t has gone up little in recent years
chiefly because of the war. But if industria
productivity does increase further it will no
be because millions of workers develop
stronger muscles OF sharper wits-it will b
because management has devised more effec
tive methods of production and has beer
able to obtain investment money for the pul
pose of providing the necessary tools.
NS>&o>N~&
THE PHILADELPHIA RECORD ha
folded up. At one time it was one of tn
great newspapers of the country, but it me
tragic death. J. David Stern was TOP
man of the Record The American Newspape
Guild began a strike against the RECORD
November of last year, and finally the pull
fishers of the Record acknowledged that the
were beaten-So they sold the publicatio
and all it's rights "down the river" turnin
over it's good will and subscription lists to ii
competitors. That threw out of employmer
the wreckers-600 members of the Guild an
800 other employees
That brings strikes fright home" for a
publishers of newspapers throughout til
United States, inasmuch as this is one of tf
most tragic events that has occurred in the
industry.
Excitabe men and women continue a
tempts to destroy so-called Capitalism" TIL;
is a mess on OUR doorsteps. Publisher Stel
during the New Deal heyday fostered tt
beast that destroyed him For that reason |
has little sympathy from conservative pu
fishers.