Evening star., 1950-06-05
Truman Issues
Freedom Plea
AT Safety Farley
Worms U. S. Cannot
Afford Present Rote
Of Job Accidents

OF Job Accidents
President Truman today used
he platform of his National Con-
erence on Industrial Safety for
/ fresh plea for freedom.
"The United States and other
rec nations throughout the world
ire challenged by the threat Of
otalitarianiSm," he told the
groups opening session at the
Labor Department Auditorium.
Make no mistake about it," the
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 induStriaiStS, traffic
experts and prominent officials.
Secretary of Labor
Tobin.
For Greatest Strength.
He said some people would have
the United States draw back in
its shell while the "totalitarian
tide rolls over the world"
Others. at the opposite ex-
treme," he said. cry Historically
for us to turn ourselves into an
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 pro-
gram that will create the greatest
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 so important
that we press forward with pro-
grams to increase our productive
and improve our stand
ard of living. That is why 1t is
more important than ever for US
to prevent the losses that result
from industrial accidents. We
cannot afford wasted resources or
wasted lives"
The President said that in l949.
the number killed in industrial
accidents was $4,000, equal to the
of the city of Ply
Mass; 10000 were per-
disabled. about the
of Durham. N. c., and
/ ,870,0 900 were injured. as many
as the population Of Oregon.
This is situation we cannot
tolerate" he said. terming such
an accident rate "inexcusable"
and appalling"
He said the conference set Q
goal last year to cut the job acci-
dent rate in half by the end Of
1852. but that injuries In l949
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. "At least 10 per cent Of
the job accidents occur in such
firms"
IF we can, gradually but stead
lily. help to replace sickness with
health, illiteracy with education.
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 frees
dom and the defeat Of Communist
Mr.. Truman said far more than
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
confidence the third
year will spur increasing co-opera-
ton among the Marshall Plan
bringing them closer to
the day when they can contribute
on a self-sustaining basis to the
growth Of all free
nations.
He said the aid authorized for
Korea, non-C Communist China, and
he acknowledgements countries
# Southeast Asia will give them
angible evidence of Americas
continuing friendship and sup
,ort.
The President said he was
glad" over the Arab
efugee authorization. This. he
.dded. was drawn up in the light
4 serious problems facing Pales-
ire refugees and with the "eco-
ionic potential Of the Near East
n mind"
Az ghH