The Nome nugget., 1947-12-12
Friday, December IF, 1947
A Proud Silence--And Stupid

brightly in naughty world. Senator Taft of Ohio is content with that assurance. He thinks that good deeds in behalf of Western Europe and of peace and covery everywhere, sufficient advocate for against all critics of our policy and performance
 The Senator's cOmplacence is revealed in form let ter he is dispachng to inquiries about his position on an adequate truthful and understandable program of information about the works and purposes of the United States in international affairs The letter emphasizes two points, first that MT. Taft "has received so many letters the subject that substantial public interest is indicated and second, that his mind is made up and he doesn't expect to change it.
 His letter constitutes pretty definite opposition the Mundt bill awaiting action by the Senate This measure would give full legal stature to the state departments information program abroad It would enable that pro- gram to be adequately financed It would give us full round voice with which to replace alsehood with truth and to remove misunderstanding which plague even our friends overseas.
 T am extremely doubtful about the effectiveness and desiraby of direct broadsdes to the populace other countries the Senator wrote.
 The Senator may doubt their effectiveness and desr ability but the Russians do not They increasing their output of islander about They have the show almost to themselves; broadcasts by state depart ment and under departmental supervision by private networks pitifully limited by comparison
 No find out, the Senator continues, really getting worried what kind of doctrine has been going out over the air. but quite sure that great deal of it is something with which you and would not agree"
 If Senator Taft not preoccupied with his par tsan duties chairman of the Republican policy mitee in Congress- and with his candidacy for President of the United States he could easily find out exactly "what kind of doctrine" is being broadcast There's secrecy about it.
 In view of his admission that he cant find out" what doctrine is broadcast the Senator's certainty that he wouldn't like it if he did know stamps him man of very suspicious nature If he entertains such sinister thoughts about the information program, he ought to move for it's complete abolition national menace perhaps to the Republican party. How does he know he wouldn't like it? We assure the Sena tor it is much easier to like than the broadcasts that from Moscow about us-and about him.
 The silence that Senator Taft would impose upon us before the world may be proud sence but is stupid
 Does he know how the bread and meat send to hungry Europe mixed with Russian poison before they reach the mouths of the needy?
 Swallow that food, these people are told by Russian propagandsts, "and you must also swallow Wall street domination of your lives henceforth. Eat American grain and save your vesbut you will lose your liber ties if you do" The hungry swallow food-but they swallow fear of us with it.
 Senator Taft may think, in his naive provincalism, that that sort of thing is of doubtful effect.
 But we'll bet pretty right now that when the paign for Presidential nomination begins the good Sen ator will not sit by silently and let his rivals all wered say what they please about him. his weaknesses