Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1948-04-23
Hoffman
Given OK
By Labor
by Nj. HI. Hedges
LPA COlumnist

Wires from all parts OF the
world burned with questions,
on the announcement of the
appointment of Paul Gray
Hoffman, as head of the Eco
nomic Cooperation Administra-
ton.
FWho is Paul Hoffman? What
does he stand for? Why was he
appointed?", the world asked.
In Washington, labor leader
remarked: All things considered,
Paul Holman is the best possible
man for the place" Mr.. Hoffman
himself said: II see chance to
work for world peace"
Why do the labor leaders en-.
dorse Paul Hoffman's appoint
ment? First, Paul Hoffman Is a
successful businessman, in the
traditional sense. Without being
the go-getter type, he Is a 60
getter He made the most brilliant
sales record in the auto field
ever made, not yet excelled. He
took a small independent auto
company and gave 1t leadership,
and prestige.
Most of all, he refused to take
the slogans, the half-truths, the
philosophy of self.interest, ad-
vanced by the propagandistic ma
tional manufacturers association,
and undertook to look beneath
the surface. He helped found the
Committee for Economic De-
velopment, a new kind of busi-
ness organization, developed a.
staff of research men, who dared
to look at our economy, at first
hand, to ask questions about it,
to offer solutions and make pro-.
posals. Paul Hoffman showed
that he is endowed not with
shallow verbal patriotism, but
with profound regard for this
country. In this hour of crisis,
what are sane policies - overall
policies - for America?
Good Business Record
Old-line businessmen looked in
consternation-What is this guy
up to? They dared not attack
him for his business record was
too good. But they feared him.
Hoffman is the kind of man
who seeks facts, and respects
facts. He is the kind of man who
allows facts to change his mind.
He is the opposite of the propa-
gandist.
He has had the courage to say
this:
"A state is not necessarily So
cialistic because 1t engaged in
some public enterprises. AS a
matter of fact all states, includ-
ing ours, engage in some public
enterprise =. We must differen-
tiate sharply between the state
which Is carrying on some public
enterprise, and state which has
undertaken seriously the attain
ment of the socialistic objective
of complete public ownership"
Not A Graduate?
Paul Hoffman attended the
University of Chicago but never
graduated. He holds nine hon
orary degrees, however, and is a
trustee of two institutes of learn
ing. He does not despise learn.
ing, as do many businessmen. He
defines economics "as the study
of human behavior"
1t can readily be seen that such
a man can do much with the
ECA. He can place it on a high
level, and it can forward democ-
racy throughout the world, He
can-if he is permitted to. He
will find himself surrounded by
cliques, lobbyists and machines.
He will be made a prisoner-if
he can be-by determined men,
now determined to negate his lib
beralism, and make him do their
bidding. Other good men have
met such adverse factors in
Washington. We hope Paul Hoff-
man will be pugnacious enough
to beat the gangs who lie in wait.
Much depends on his immediate
official family. Much depends
upon his own large grasp of the
needs of the country, and of DEM
ocratic procedure.