Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1948-03-26
The World Today


ton of those who are seeking to secure
or retain public office, we cannot mini
mize the significance of President Tru-
mans speech before the Congress last
week
As a matter of fact and this is rather
significant, none of the leadership of labor
organizations have attacked the President
as an alarmist or a war mOnger, even
though they may privately disagree with
some of the measures which he has advO-
Gated to prevent another world catas-
trOphe.
Both during World War ii and since
the Congress of Industrial Organizations
has taken an active interest and as far as
has been possible in the face of the lack
of cooperation from Soviet unions an ac-
tive part in attempting to bring about
harmony through mutual understanding
on the part of the labor unions of the
world.
1t is easily understandable why Amer
lean labor should have a strong wish for
world peace and why it has, for the most
part, given its backing to the Marshall
Plan to aid in the economic rehabilitation
OF the nations OF Europe.
Nobody understands better than CIO
the dangers inherent in both have not ma
tiOns and have not people. The nation
which cannot live in decency because of
its &c On IN c conditions regardless
whether they be natural or man made, is
a threat to the peace and security of the
rest of the world, just as truly as an in
dividual becomes threat to the peace and
security of the community when economic
forces place him in hopeless situation
Nor can the problem be resolved into
simple terms and glibly explained by say
ing that the world situation is merely the
grasping, short of war, of state which
appears TO think il can succeed where Hit
Ter and Germany failed Ii is that of
course, but il is more than that. II is the
Towering of the mistakes and weaknesses
of ourselves and other nations i'm the his
tOrical past.
Based upon the talk on all sides, it
now appears that the American people no
longer doubt that there will he another
war, but are merely trying TO guess the
date for its beginning. Such mood is not
only dangerous to this nation but danger
Gus to those states which are in dire need
of our help.
In such circumstances, the question of
ever establishing sound and secure peace
becomes increasingly doubtful, a fact
which fill us, or should fill us with great
concern. At the same time, we must not
throw up our hands in resignation as we
prepare to arm ourselves to the teeth TO
defend that which we call "the American
way of life"
Peace like war must be won.
winning the peace, and il is doubtful
in the face of the world situation as il
exists today, If peace can now be won
must be tied securely To the Marshall plan
to give our help, financial and otherwise,
to the economic rehabilitation of those
European nations which are struggling
against great odds political and economic.
1t would be trite but true to say that,
1T is later than we thought il was" At
the same time, the concern of responsible
Americans in and out of government can
not be laughed off as the political witch
hunting of ambitious officer seekers. The
danger is very real, very threatening, and
more important than either, very close.
This is not the time for recriminations
'r name calling. This is the time when
wise induStrialists will not need the urg.
ng of labor to give labor what il needs
n order TO live. This is the time when
hose who have saddled American labor
With repressive and almost destructive
avs would, if they had real wisdom. re-
consider their acts and remedy as quickly
IS possible the harm that has already been
lone.
This should not be merely time for
alarms and girding ourselves for the even
Qualities of the immediate or remote fu-
lure, but time for striving to make de-
nOcracy work so well and so effectively
that those who impede it would be known
10 be its real enemies along with that other
state.
Nobody can save the world and perpe-
uate democracy and make it grow save
America. BY the same token, only Amer
ca can save itself. Ours is the choice TO
make, and from that choice can come a
'etter realization of the ideal we profess
o believe in, or a reaping of the fruits of
rrOr in the shape of an indescribable
1Orld catastrophe.