Evening star., 1947-12-29
Letters to The Star
Speculation Up to Congress

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Speculation Up to Congress
TO the Editor Of The Star:
With all the talk about speculation in grains
and demands for information as to the names
Of the individual SPECTATORS the real issue
involved has been lost From the tenor Of the
press 1t would appear that speculation in
grains Is some sort of crime, when as mat
ter OF fact trading in commodity futures is
done on many different exchanges throughout
this country. Each OF these exchanges is open
to any person who has the necessary resources
and the desire to enter the market. No broker
legally could refuse to handle his account.
There is no secret manipulation required in
order to gain access to these markets. There
is no undercover operation. There are no
laws prohibiting speculation. The identity Of
every trader Is available to the Agriculture
Department.
The real issue is this: Is it consonant with
the national interest for the grain markets to
operate freely during these times when it is
obvious that the tremendous need for grains
far exceeds the supply? II the answer is NO."
then 1t is Of supreme Importance for Congress
to pass legislation required to keep prices IN
check
Let us stop talking about things in terms
Of ethics Our economic system is based upon
the principle Of profit, and money and people
almost automatically move to the places where
it is possible to make the largest profits In the
shortest possible time. Wherever it is not de-
clared specifically illegal to engage in specific
type of operation, we can expect to find some
persons attempting to secure economic advan-
tage for themselves. This, Of course applies
to current speculation in grains as well as to
in commodities short
ply. The only method to curb unhealthy spec
uation is for Congress to take the necessary
legislative action speedily. BONA FIDE.
Appreciation for DR.. Harris
To the Editor OF The Star:
1t has been pleasure to read the two ex-
cellent articles contributed by Rev. DR.. Fred
erick B. Harris and wish to thank you and
Dr. Harris for the enrichment thus offered me.
1.-The Spires" and Again the Bells" are well
come views in world bewildered and per-
picked. They are indeed refreshing words and
such as give timely encouragement. I was
deeply impressed by the claim made upon
peoples who have liberty and well-being to
share their benefactions with our fellow
humans who today are dispossessed,
NORMAN MAXIM.
Case for Religious Instruction
To the Editor of The Star:
AS I read about Mrs. vashti McCollums
attempt to bar religious education from
Illinois schools in case now before the
Supreme Court, 1t seemed to me that during
the hearing statements and questions OF cer-
tain judges prostituted reason.
Justice Jackson for example, said that the
question before the court was as follows:
Under the Constitution, can the State compel
citizens to give up part Of their time-by
making them go to school-and then give
some OF it back, on condition they go to
religious classes?"
That obviously is not the question.
The question is this: Under the First
Amendment to the Constitution can religion
be taught in a public school, If all children
have an equal right to be instructed in their
particular religion?
Or stated in another way, does the Cham
paign plan establish religion or especially
favor one already established?
Clearly it does neither. Whether a particular
religion has thousand pupils or only one in
a school, it has the right to teach its faith
under the plan. In the case OF atheism, since
atheism is merely the negatioh of all belief
in God, there is nothing to be taught and
athestic pupils can study their arithmetic,
or what have you in what for them Is merely
another study period.
At the same hearing Justice Frankfurter
asked whether it was wise to bring such
dvisive factor as religion into the schools.
That religion can be a divisive factor Is
admitted, and the solution to Mr.. Frank
furter's question iss simple, let us just forget
about God and we will not fight about God
Ethics Identified With Religion.
But when We forget about God, we forget
about the Ten Commandments, we forget
about the Golden Rule, and we live in
society in which the only law restraining
men from rape, murder, and violating and
killing little children, Is the law of other men.
Isn't it possible that by keeping the fear of
God, or more Importantly the love Of God
from which flows love Of fellow men, in our
chldren's hearts we may Obtains more law
abiding Nation?
Furthermore, 1t is not necessary to grant
that religion is any more divisive in schools
than it is anywhere else. After all. the facts
of the case reveal that the different religions
do not hold classes in the same room at the
same time
The great danger of our time and of future
times is not that one religion will override
another, but that forgetfulness of God will
override all religions
I happen to be Catholic, but I am happy
to see Protestant child or a Jewish child
learning the principles of his faith because I
know that no matter through what medium
the Will of God may come, when applied
to life in the United States, it will make our
Nation better because of its application.
Our descendants will have happier and
more secure future If they come in contact in
future centuries with men and women who
are religious even If the religions themselves
still are different.
In the past, differences in religion have
caused trouble,N but the religions themselves
have accomplished good. Even Mrs. Vashti
McCollum hardly can say that the teachings