Milford chronicle., 1948-03-12


small demands from local districts that can
cause political leaders unnecessary trouble.
We believe that the Highway Department is
in error in it's decision againgst proper safe
ty lights at Haven Lake Many, many others
are so vOicing their opinion to us.
5000
ANY RELIGIOUS ISSUE is charged
with controversial dynamite and can end in
endless argument and confusion. 1t would
seem that the decision of the United States
Supreme Court on Monday wherein it ruled
Overwhelmingly that it is unconstitutional to
teach religion in the public schools will re-
suit in just such argument. We have no in
tent to argue this question, either pro or con,
but it is evident from the Associated Press
account of the decision which appears on the
first page Of this issue of the Chronicle, that
the effect will be far-reaching indeed The
Supreme Court ruling is. broad. 1t can be
made to fit innumerable situations and cases.
Whether the decision affects the plan of re-
ligiOus teaching now in effect in Milford is
prOblematical. In this city the children are
allowed to go to the church of their choice at
a time set aside for religious training. We
have discussed this matter with two lawyers,
both of whom are well informed in cOnsti-
tutiOnal law. The first man said unequivO-
cally that it is his opinion that this weeks
Supreme Court decision rules out such a
plan. The second lawyer was not so sure
While he would not go as far as lawyer num-
ber one, he said he could see where the Mil
ford plan might be within the Supreme
Court ruling
Certainly we are not versed in the law.
We have no intention. nor desire, to inter-
pret the meaning of the Supreme Court de-
ciSiOn. But to us it would seem wise for the
nd Of IN 1OO1y into
matter thoroughly. At the time the present
program was inaugurated here. we received
two bitterly WOrded communications con-
demning the plan. Because of the long stand
ing policy of the Chronicle against publish
ing such letters, we destroyed them. In view
OF the Court decision, however, it is possible
that just such persons as those who wrote
us several months ago could create trouble
now. It is to be hoped that no such action
will be taken here.
WRITING IN AMERICAN AFFAIRS, |
DIR. M. j. Bonn presents an objective and
thoughtful discussion of socialism in Eng
land. His last paragraph sums up his con-
clusiOns: ''It would be a great pity were the
Socialist Labor Party to be released from
power and responsibility before a majority
of its followers has learned the lesson that
leisure is the result of plenty and plenty isl
the result of work"
The faVOrite catch-phrase of socialism in |
all countries is it's pledge to divide the
wealth." This at once coniures up heavenly
visions OF a society in which everyone will
live IN luxury with a minimum of effort |
What actually happenS-and England today
is living, breathing example of that's
that the wealth is destroyed, and what is
distributed is the poverty. When we arbi-
trarlly attempt to lift all men to the top we
only succeed in pushing all men down to-.
ward the bottom.
The capitalist system, by contrast, is bas-
ed on the principle of incentive. There is a |
minimum of government meddling in our
affairs. A man can 90 as far as his ener-|
gles and abilities allow. And if the proof
OF the pudding lies in the eating, this system
has produced more leisure, more wealth,
more luxury for the masses of people, than
any other since the world began. In Russia,
for example, we have the sOciaized state in !
the extreme. And the average Russians in
come, measured in terms of what it will buy.
is about ten per cent of the average Amer
leans.
Furthermore, the class distinctions and
ABUSE OF special privileges the socialists are
always talking about are far more fragrant
IN the SOclallZed state. Again, Russia is the
best example. The ruling class and their fav-
0rltes live in luxury of Czarst proportions.
Everybody else lives in comparative squalor.
Lastly, and most important, the abuses
OF capitalism can be cOrrected-as the whole
history of the United States illustrates. The
people are top dog, and when they become
enraged they get remedial action. The abuses
OF socialism and communism, once they are
hrmly entrenched, can be corrected only bv
reVOlutiOn-the state is all-pOwerful, and #
is ruthless whe nit comes to perpetuating it.
self. That is just another way of saying that
the total state must be police state making
full use of guns and clubs and concentration
camps to hold the people in line. 1t always
happens when a nation trades freedom for
dubious promises of security.