Evening star., 1950-06-05
Truman Issues
Freedom Plea
AT Safety Par|ey
Warns u. S. Cunnot
Afford Present, Rote
Of Job Accidents

~ ~S1 HSSt0StttS
President Truman today used
the platform of his National Con-
ference on Industrial Safety for
a fresh plea for freedom.
THE United States and other
free nations throughout the world
are challenged by the threat of
totalitarianism,'' he told the
groups opening session at the
Labor Department Auditorium.
Make no mistake about it," the
President added. THE most i'm
portant job for you and me and
every other American today, is to
do our full share in preserving
freedom and establishing peace in
the world"
Mr.. Truman spoke before an
audience of industrialists, traffic
experts and prominent officials.
including Secretary of Labor
Tobin.
Secretary Tobin introduced the
president. The conference ad-
journed Immediately after Mr..
Truman spoke. William L. Con-
molly, chairman, and director of
the Bureau of Labor Standards
in the Labor Department, called
attention to a review of the last
Governors Conferences scheduled
later today.
For Greatest Strength.
The President said some people
would have the United States
draw back in it's shell while the
"totalitarian tide rolls over the
world"
Others. at the opposite ex-
treme," he said. "cry hysterically
for us to turn ourselves into an
armed camp overnight-without
regard to what happens to the
rest of our national life. Neither
of these courses will meet the
problem.
What is called for Is a pro-
gram that will create the greatest
possible national strength-civil-
ian and military combined-over
a period of years.
"This Nations voice in the
world can never be any stronger
than our national economy and
the will of the people to defend
their way of life.
Can't Afford Waste.
'That is why it is 80 important
that we press forward with pro-
grams to increase our productive
capacity and improve our stand
ard of living. That is why it is
more important than ever for us
to prevent the losses that result
from industrial accidents. We
cannot afford wasted resources or
wasted lives."-a
The President said that in 1949.
the number killed in industrial
accidents was $4,000, equal to the
population of the city of Ply
mouth, Mass; 10000 were per-
manently disabled, about the
population of Durham, N. c., and
100000 were injured. as many
as the population of Oregon.
This is a situation we cannot
tolerate" he said. terming such
an accident rate "nexcusable"
and appalling"
He said the conference set
goal last year to cut the job acci-
dent rate in half by the end of
1852. but that injuries in 1949
were reduced by only 7 per cent,
which is mot good enough"
Hopes for Inspiration.
The President expressed the
hope that States which have not
yet held industrial safety confer
ences will be inspired by those
which have.
I'VE must concentrate on reach
ing the smaller firms which have
no organized safety programs" he
asserted. cat least 10 per cent of
the job accidents occur in such
firms"
IF we can, gradually but stead
fly. help to replace sickness with
health, illiteracy with education.
poverty with a higher standard of
living, for the millions of people
who live in under-developed areas,
we shall make a tremendous con-
tribution to the strength of free
dom and the defeat of Communist
Imperialism"
Mr.. Truman said far more than
Government help is required in
this work. He said he looks for
ward to the continued work of
many private groups in this field,
to the interest of young Americans
whose technical skills can find i'm
portant employment in the work,
and to expanded business invest
ment.
Reports ERP Progress.
The President said the European
Recovery Program had made great
strides in the first two years. He
expressed confidence the third
year will spur increasing co-opera-
ton among the Marshall Plan
countries, bringing them closer to
the day when they can contribute
on a self-sustaining basis to the
economic growth of all free
nations.
He said the aid authorized for
Korea, non- Communist China, and
the acknowledgements countries
of Southeast Asia will give them
tangible evidence of Americas s
continuing friendship and sup
port.