The Nome nugget., 1948-12-20
AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY
(By George s. Benson)

Now and then sorry scene is staged in the drama of American life. refer to the tragic American denial of basic American principles by misled persons and groups acting in the of religion grates on my ears when head of it. Though of these persons are sincere doubtless get plenty red when read the news that church group decided that those principles which have so long brought prosperity and we-beng, must be replaced as behind-the-timeS
 Here free Americans, citizens of land that grants them freedom of religion assembly, speech-c- zens whose founding fathers dedicated this nation truth. They know that in America the most liberty is found in doing right deeds Yet-these who receive so many bessngs-yet will they deny the heritage which should be theirs to pass to their children Believe me- they are yelling for the wrong team.
 In New England last June, group of ministers met and in unanimous agreement called for "change toward the better society," So far good But then this group denounced the idea of profit incentives! 'Monopolstic capitalism, they said What blindness In this frame of mind, would 1t not be easy for them to embrace munis? It chs my blood to think that any religious body in America could be unaware of dangers ahead
 This group called for the creation of "commun- ity without loss of individual freedom" What contra dctions What impossbilities! Do you know what com munty is? It is not individual freedom the right your decisions not the exercise of self reliance That shadowy wording state control of every thing. Community is common ownership; it is Con- munism. This is amaZing for religious group to call for a state dictatorship system-for Communism itself
 Out in California last year very large and nfuen- tia group of churchmen accepted conference report which ashed out against the un-Chrstian motivation of industry by the lust for profit In simpler terms.this you under suspicion if you have ideas about either having making money. One religious leader present said it not profit itself but just the desire for profit, that opposed What nonsense for educa ted men!
 To say things like that is to condemn industry in whole and in part Labor right along with managenen is socked right between the eyes This kind of thnkino denies the basis of Americas strength It would repeal the principles which have made land the finest anywhere at any time It calls for the overthrow of th American system That is exactly what will hove to take place if the profit-motive is discarded.
 More than in any other country, we here in AmHrc2 have achieved the goal of the greatest good for the greatest number The accomplishments of our economic system put other nations to shame. Our country is not perfect nobody claims that. But is it time for change about-face? Mo- I'm not ready to exchange the Amer ican system for some vague scheme that never has worked and gives little promise that it ever will.
 I cannot help wondering why these churchmen say these things Is it because they have not read the Para ble of the Talents Mahew 25)? Can they they following right in line with those who long to de- stroy America? Do they want Goddess nation, like Russia Are they the unassigned agents of systems for eign to America? have not the answer But do place confidence in the religious people of America All to-