Evening star., 1949-12-15
Trend 10 MiIifarism
Seen as Threatening
Our Way Of Life
Freedoms Are Forfeited
In Program for Security,
Liberal Group Warns
Ry David Laurence

How far are militarism and the
sweep of dictatorial power begin
ming to make inroads in civilian
government today?
The Committee for Economic De-
velopment, group Of liberals IN
business and the professions, has
issued through its research and
policy committee a statement of
national policy that raises rather
plainly a fear of the diminution OF
civilian control.
The CED was once headed by
Paul Hoffman and 1t is noted for
its progressive approach to ma
tional policies. The new statement
says in part:
Though adequate security is
essential to protect our freedoms,
the program aimed at security
raises new threats to our freedoms
and to our way Of life. Under 1t
there has been a great increase In
the role of the military in our
Government, a great increase in
bureaucracy, an expanding domi-
nance of Government over indus
try and an increasing interference
with individual freedoms.
Freedoms Forfeited.
much of this is inevitable.
When we increase our military
defenses we necessarily increase
the role of the military in our
Government. When we increase
the share of our resources devoted
to armament, we unavoidably en-
large the scope of Government IN
industry, In politics, in science ana
education and in every sphere OF
life.
1--WE have already given up i'm
portant freedoms without ade-
uuate challenge. Freedoms unex-
ercised may be freedoms forfeited.
This trend, particularly II cou-
pied with fear and hysteria or
with complacency and ignorance
may produce policies which. IN the
name of security. endanger essen
tial liberties. Security measures,
uncurbed by the requirements OF
freedom, can undermine our free
institutions. Public apathy ana
the pressure for security can LEAD
MS along a dangerous road-a road
that ends in what has aptly been
called a garrison police state.
I'm a garrison-police state. the
soldier and political policeman
rise to power while the institu-
tions of civilian society and OF
freedom shrink. In the name OF
security, channels Of public IN
formation dry up; the press be.
comes a mere purveyor OF ofnclal
handouts. Cut off from significant
information, editors, commenta-
tors and group leaders become
less accurate in their Judg-
ments. The process OF public dis
cussion atrophies. Political parties
decline. The power OF Congress
dwindles. Administration by civil
tans shrinks, relative to admins
tration in uniform. The courts
weaken. Cut off from information,
the power of the citizen fades.
Local plans are subordtnated 10
central purposes. The free market
is CONSTRUCTED. Labor Is hedged In
by special regulations. Consumers
find their range of choice reduced.
Decisions come to be made by
an an-powerful Government. All
freedoms suffer"
: Weaknesses in Structure.
The committee report points
specifically to weaknesses IN the
governmental structure. It says
the National Security Resources
Board and the National Security
Council each has mot lived up to
its potential" /
There is also yelled criticism OF
the Defense Department through
out the report. The report con-
cludes:
"At the present time. there is
reason to believe that our security
program is neither efficient nor
in balance. There are evidences
Of low efficiency and. despite the
uniflcation act of 1947 and the
changes effected in the summer Of
1s49, the Nations defense forces
are characterized by deep-seated
service rivalries, by widespread
conflict over basic strategic con-
cepts and weapons, and by an
alleged low state Of morale in one
of the services"
The report might have added
one comment-in free America 1t
is not possible to get harmony by
knocking heads together" or by
Furnishing American citizens. even
in the armed services, for ventur-
ing to express their honest con-
victions.
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