The Wilmington morning star., 1947-04-22

NEW YORK April 81 - W'H =
Following is the text of Preslden
Truman's speech at the annua
luncheon of the Associated Press
Freedom, in the American ira
dition, is always coupled will
service. The American press -
free press - must never forge
obligation to the American people
Its treatment of the recent wal
and it's discussion Of u presen'
foreign policy are examples OF the
finest efforts of a free, response
BILE press. Without abandoning
constructive criticism. the press
with rare exceptions. has carried
the facts, fully and fairly to the
American people, SO that they
could be the judge.
We are now at a stage in ou1
national economic life when the
American press car render SINH
lar service.
The manner in which the Amer
lean press makes clear to oul
citizens the problems that we face
in maintaining our prosperity -
and the reasons why it is essential
to advance that prosperity - can
help determine the future welfare
of every family in the United
States.
We all want continued and ever
increasing prosperity. 1t is a SIM
pie, normal, human desire to
want to improve the standards of
living for all our people. The de-
sire for better living conditions is
not the only reason. + viewer, why
continued prosperity in this coun-
try is essential.
We know that the freedom and
integrity of the United States are
safe only in a world of free peo-
pies living at peace with their
neighbors and engaging in free
and friendly commerce. Hence, it
Is our policy to aid the free peo-
pies Of the world in their efforts
to maintain their freedom.
Many Of these peoples are con-
fronted with thu choice between
totalitarianism and democracy.
This decision has been forced
upon them by the devastation OF
var which has so impoverished
them that they are easy targets
for external p%ressures a n d alien
ideologies.
BY providing economic assist
ance by aiding in the tasks of re-
construction and rehabilitation,
we can enable these countries to
Withstand the forces which SO di-
rectly threaten their way of life
and, ultimately, our own well-be-
ing. But we can provide the nee
essary assistance only if we our
selves remain prosperous.
And only if we maintain and in
crease our prosperity can we ex-
pect other countries to recognize
the full merits of a free economy.
We know that our system of pri-
vate competitive enterprise has
produced the highest standard of
living the world has ever seen. By
steadily raising this standard, we
can demonstrate to all other ma
tons the vitality and superiority
Of a free economy. Our system of
private enterprise is nov being
tested before the world. If we can
prove that it is more productive
and more stable, more generous
and more just than any other eco
nomic system, we shall have won
the test.
But if we ignore the needs and
shirk the responsibilities of our
economy, we shall lose both our
power to help others and our ca
pacity to inspire others. Economic
trouble in the United States would
provide agitators with the oppor-
tunity they seek.
It is necessary that we develop
4 new realization of the size and
strength of our economy. Our ire
mendous production during the
war astounded the world. 1t was
a phenomenon which no one
thought could endure after hostili-
ties ceased.
We are beginning to sense the
fact, however, that our peacetime
economy can not only equal our
wartime economy, but can sur
mass 1t