The Nome nugget., 1950-03-06
FACTS-OUR PRICELESS WEAPON


 (By George S. Benson President Harding College)
 When certain early 17th Century church ndoctrn- ated it's clergymen for mission assignments the process was called "propagandsm" In the hands of the Nazs Fascists and Communists 300 years later propaganda become something unwholesome only because it prac- ticed distortion of the truth and, quite ofen outright lying. Our American counter propaganda set up to meet and conquer the flood of untruths from Moscow can be of no real value unless it is kept absolutely truthful.
 Uncle Sam's efforts to counteract the Moscow factured propaganda is largely the job of federal gov agencies. But there is another battle for mems minds close at home. On one side are the potco-Socia planners, and their befuddled camp followers, who wish to make citizens subservent to the State. Natur ally, they never admit it. On the other side those who have recognized that the various phases of the So cilaSts planned economy would require giving up personal freedom
 Until recent years the Socialists had the field almost to themselves and making steady headWay per suading people should adopt legislative propos as making the citizen and more the financial ward of his government Increasing millions of Americans now are getting wise to the fatal dangers of such course The best job I've observed in American propa gandsrn" in particular field is being done today in large section of industry.
 Our industrial workers have been the Mo- target of both the Communist and Socialist propagandsts. For years nobody called attention to the hatruths or chal lenged the outright misrepresentations. No wonder great many workers became confused In fact, age old strategy of the Socialist schemers is to spread fusion. The decSlVe weapon against them IS truth facts. Facts infuriae the Socialist fanatics Facts vict them. They hate facts.
 Many companies have Well-organized n-plant educational programs the American way of life and free enterprise economies It is encouraging that most programs conducted with the approval and frequen- y the active help of union shop stewards and others of fcers The secret of their is that the facts used selected with the most painStang thus they withstand the fierces attack of the wounded Socialists and their duped followers.
 An official of one big industry which has well established Americanism program told me that early in his company program few workers spoke up with the attitude: Oh, yeah? Can you prove that?" Oh yeah? So what's behind all hs? He said that at first he and his associates had scramble around get the proof, but that when they'd produce it, and explained the mutually motive behind the program the *skeptcs" became enthusiastic Students"
 It's healthy thing in these times for open-minded people to be little suspicious of just anybodys nfor nation, and to want to examine motives. There is so much transformation being distributed, peddled, and certainly in quarters motives suspect. We might all take our cue from Mssouris brash challenge "Show mel"
 Yes in these days of theological and political debat- ing should say, Go ahead challenge any information, declaration statement not backed by facts readily acceptable logic. On that basis American freedom system cannot ose for in all recorded history other