Toledo union journal. [volume] (Toledo, Ohio) 1942-current, 1948-02-06
Behind The
Scenes In
Politics
BY
Clayton
Rusch
CIO

DeIore congress WHICH Vltdlly
affect the welfare of all of
us. At a glance they seem to
be unrelated subjects, but
are actually intertwined.
These are the Marshall plan
which will determine the
course of democracy in
Europe and the civil rights
amendments to enhance de-
mocracy in the United States.
One of the principle argu-
ments advanced against the
Marshall plan by Senator Taft
and others is that it is too
costly. First of all, it should
be recognized that any plan
which will materially aid in
staving off or possibly pre-
venting a new world war is
dirt cheap at any price.
There are other good argu-
ments for the Marshall plan
VIII ich far outweigh the
economy arguments of the op-
position. 1t ought to be appar-
ent by now that our techno-
logical system being what it
is, we are nearing the end
of our consumers backlog.
Even if the people had ample
purchasing power we are
rapidly reaching a point where
commodities are being pro-
duced faster than they can be
sold or even consumed on the
home market.
There is no sense in at
tempting to refute this point.
1t is an inevitable conclusion
based on a scientific analysis
of trends in the modern econ
omy.
COMING
The net result of such a
condition can only mean that
production will be curtailed
and workers laid off. This
will result in reduced pur-
chasing power, lowered de-
mand and still more layoffS.
OF course this problem can
be solved by shorter hours,
increased purchasing power,
that is, higher wages, re-
duced prices, smaller profits,
a long range adequate housing
program, improved social Sc
curity laws, and an adequate
public works program de-
signed to abolish unemploy-
ment and provide useful faci-
litieS and services to the peo-
pie through a tax structure
based on ability to pay.
1t should be quite obvious
that such essential social re-
forms cannot be put into eff
feet in time to prevent an eco
nomic collapse.
The Marshall plan, designed
to subsidize the rehabilitation
of Europe, will provide a for
eign market for our goods dur
ing the period when such an
outlet for our products is alb
Solutely essential to the eco
nomic welfare of the Amer
lean people.
Let us also look at the situa-
ton from the standpoint of
the lily clad, underfed, poorly
sheltered and impoverished
people of Europe. Without aid
from the United States these
people will be driven to accept
one or the other form of to-
talitarianism. Whether it be
the communist or fascist form
is of small consequence. Either
one will destroy the initiative
and freedom of the people.
Through aid from the
United States as provided by
the Marshall Plan, they can
choose the middle road and
establish genuine industrial
democracies on the European
continent.
AGREEMENT
1t is only common sense to
agree with Henry Wallace and
the other critics of the Mar
shall plan that such aid should
have gone through and been
administered by. the United
Nations. However, common
sense tells Us that no genuine
European aid program could
get by the Soviet veto. Una.
nimity is required before ac-
tion can be taken by the United
Nations as it is now consti-
tuted. We must reform the
structure of the United Ma.
tionS, but European aid can
not wait on that.
The other vital issue now
before Congress is the civil
r G h IS amendments recon.
by President Truman.
Without legislation to abolish
poll taxes, lynching and dis
elimination, our constitutional
guarantees are, so far as Ne
groes are concerned, simply
farces.
1t is important that all of us