Evening star., 1948-01-07

1886 732, ,966
1,703, 100 1,511,014
ions under the Knutson bill are not
have community property laws where
family income equally for tax report
production and consequent high en-
ployment. We have learned equally
wells that the welfare of industry
and agriculture depends on high
incomes for our workers.
Minimum Wage Obsolete.
The Government has wisely chosen
to set a floor under wages. But
our Accent minimum wage is made
quate and obsolete. recommend
lifting the minimum wage to rs cents
an hour.
In general, however, we must
continue to rely on our sound sys-
tenn of collective bargaining to set
wage scales. Workers incomes
should increase at a rate consistent
with the maintenance of sound price,
profit and wage relationships and
with increasing productivity.
The Governments part in labor
management relations is now largely
controlled by the terms Of the Labor
Management Relations Act of 1947
made my attitude clear on this act
in my veto message to the Congress
last June. Nothing has occurred
since to change my opinion Of this
law. AS long as it remains the law
Of the land, however, I shall carry
out my Constitutional duty to ad-
minister it.
AS we look ahead we can under
stand the crucial Importance of. re-
straint and wisdom in arriving at
new labor-nanagement contracts
Work stoppages would result in q
loss of production-a loss which
could bring higher prices for our
citizens and could also deny the
necessities, of life to the hard
pressed peoples of other lands. It
is my sincere hope that the repre-
sentatives Of labor and of industry
will bear in mind that the Nation
as a whole has a vital stake in the
success OF their bargaining efforts.
If we surmount our current eco
nomic difficulties, we : can move
ahead to a great increase in our
national income which will enable
all our people to enjoy richer and
fuller lives.
All of us must advance together.
One-fifth of our families now have
average annual incomes of less than
$3.50. We must see that our gains
in national income are made more
largely available to those with low
incomes, whose need is greatest.
This will benefit us all through
providing a stable foundation of
buying power to maintain pros
perity.
Business, labor, agriculture and
Government, working together, must
develop the policies which will make
possible the realization of the full
benefits of our economic system.
Our fifth goal is to achieve world
peace based on principles of free
dom and justice and the equality OF
all nations.
Wars Teach Nom Isolation.
Twice within our generation world
wars have taught us that we can
not isolate ourselves from the rest
of the world.
We have learned that the loss Of
freedom in any area of the world
means a loss of freedom to our
selves-that the loss of indepen-
dence by any nation adds directly
to the insecurity of the United
States and all tree nations.
We have learned that a healthy
world economy is essential to world
peace-that economic distress is
disease whose evil effects spread
far beyond the boundaries Of the
afflicted nation.
For these reasons the United
States is vigorously following pol
icies designed to achieve q peaceful
and prosperous world.
We are giving, and will continue
to give, our full support to the
United Nations. While that organ
ization has encountered unforeseen
and unwelcome difficulties, I am
confident of its ultimate success We
are also devoting our efforts toward
world economic recovery and the
revival of world trade. These ac-
tions are closely related and mu-
tually supporting.
We believe that the United States
can be an effective force for world
peace only If it is strong. We look
forward to the day when nations
will decrease their armaments. Yet
so long as there remains serious
opposition to the ideals Of a peace
full world, we must maintain strong
armed forces.
The passage of the National
Security Act by the Congress at its
last session was notable step In
providing for the security Of this
country. A further step which I
consider of even greater importance
Is the early provision for universal
training. There are many elements
in q balanced national security pro-
gram, all interrelated and neces-
sary, but universal training should
be the foundation for them all. A
favorable decision by the Congress
at an early date Is Of world i'm
portance. I am convinced that such
action is vital to the security OF this
Nation and to the maintenance OF
its leadership.
The United States Is engaged to-
day in many international activities
directed toward the creation Of last
ing peaceful relationships among
nations.
We have been giving substantial
aid to Greece and Turkey to assist
these nations In preserving their