Evening star., 1947-03-13
Letters to The Star
'Coddling' of Germans Seen
1O10IfHt6 OI oS1 Hf1a1Ic 0O<0
Under American Policy

'Coddling' of Germans Seen
Under American Policy
To the Editor OF The Star:
One of the largest circulated national
magazines makes these irreconcilable
statements about the American occu-
patton of Germany: That 1t. Gen.
Lucius D. Clay is doing an exemplary
job which is unequalled in the French
and Russian occupational zones; that
Congress now is requested to supply $75,-
100000 to feed Germans through June
and $725, ,000, 600 to feed Germany and
the other occupied countries the follow
ing year.
No less an authority than an editor Of
Fortune makes these statements, and in
the same article states that German alb
senteeism in the factories now In pro-
duction is one day in three for the av-
erage worker; that the reason is that
Germans have a surplus of money, that
many can pay their rent and buy what
ever is available without working.
Why shouldn't our administrator be
directed to make his first step in repara-
tions the partial seizure Of personal
funds privately held by all individuals
In Germany? We would thus compel
every man, woman and grown child
to work-whether producing food from
the fields, minerals from the mines, or
fabricated goods from the factories.
Why shouldn't part of their work pro-
duct also be seized: and, as the Four
Powers can't agree ON the basis OF
reparations momentarily. build up a
Preparations stock pile" of German
money or German goods-even finance
the production Of German goods with
the money from this Preparations stock
pile" used as form Of bank?
Calories for Germans.
It seems illogical, with German fac
tory absenteeism one day out Of three,
to worry about the number Of calories
above barest sustenance diet that an
offending people shall have at the ex-
pense of the over-burdened American
taxpayer.
It seems that, under 1t. Gen. Clay,
there is too much concern about the
based on the generosity Of democracy
and too little concern about German
production based on the utmost man
and woman hours exactable from a de-
fiant and unrepentant people.
Russia is accused of stripping her oc-
cupational zone Of factories, machine
tools, etc.-but Russia doesn't seem to
think that this will make the Germans
any less responsive to the enticements of
communism. Why, then, must we make
the excuse that we are showing her to-
ward communism, when we merely make
the vaunted industr1ousness of the Ger
man the basis Of his self-preservation,
instead OF the American bank-roll?
We have already shipped $500, 100000
worth Of food for use In our occupationaI
zone. The request for three-quarters of
q billion dollars more sounds as If 1t Is
in part, largess to succor our own PAM
pered occupational legions of job-nursers
and, for the rest, our administrator"
seem to have in mind coddling bribe to
the Germans people whose recon-
struction, nationally and individually,
should be grim matter OF suitable
penalties. OF first Importance Is making
these penalties felt individually and COL
lectively by its citizenry; rewards of any
kind-comforts, ennoluments Of, Office,
leisure, easy s,lstenance Of life itself,
etc.-should come later, much later.
Isn't there some logic to the above
which fits both the needs of world
security and the interest of the Ameri-
can taxpayer? FRANK ROMER.
.- Give GOP. Time, He Says
To the Editor Of The Star:
Senator Bushfield, In stating on the
floor Of the Senate that the Republicans
have failed in everything they promised
the voters. Is expecting too much too
soon. To cure overnight the Ills
inflicted over . 15-yesr period by the
smart young men," the regimenters,
the tax and takers, the killers of little
pigs, the politically pampered labor
racketeers, the seers, .revelers and
warmers, etc., would require a miracle.
Then, too, progress will be a little
impeded by that type of Republican
who, always disclaiming a narrow mind,
had broad feet, broad enough to be
planted under the opposition's plum
tree, and once q plum strikes him
his political philosophy is not thin
dime different from that Of the New
Dealer
The Republicans have been In con-
troll OF Congress little more than two
months. The New Dealers, according
to the late Alfred Smith, had redeemed
only two campaign promises up to
1885, four years after taking complete
control Of the Government. One Of
these-let them have the credit for it
the repeal Of prohibition, was easily
and quickly brought about 100 per cent
and some thrown in. Many of their
promises have never been kept
Let's be patient, Senator. Leave the
carping to the columnist cooperate
with the acknowledged leaders of your
party, and the promises to the voters
will in due time be fulfilled.
WILLIAM TwoBERRY.
Fare Raise Protested
To the EDITOR OF The Star:
The attempt Of the Capital Transit
Co. to improve It's service by rails
ing fares and suggesting a later hour
for the opening Of schools, borders on
viciousness.
To increase fares will add burdens
to the already dwindling incomes Of
thousands Of poor people. These are