The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1951-07-26
TOO DUMB TO UNDERSTAND

In of and speeches since the outbreak
of the police action in Korea President Truman has told
what must all do working together to avert the danger
of initiation during this crucial time when defense production
must first call on economic resources.
He told to buy only what they need He told
business to cut down and hold down Inventories to
increase the efficiency of their operations as much as
possible and manpower He asked everyone
work harder and longer and forget about increased
profits.
self restraint and added IF all work together
team if everyone does his part we beat infation
the defense of this nation and keep down
cost of living for the average family"
No one quarrel with the Presidents suggestions,
but it to that he the head of the executive
branch of government should to it that every
department. bureau and agency of the puts his
he of armed forces that he should
also insist that the Department of Defense follow his
concentrations. So let's look at the record
All departments bureaus agencies the executive
branch of federal spending money
today than year ago and almost without exception
people their payrolls than they had when the
shooting started in Korea Some of these non-defense
departments spent than 1400 times much in 1850
they spent in 1940
During the past year average of 6O73 employees
per week added to the federal payroll in the executive
branch of our government costs you and and the
other taxpayers eight billion three hundred million dollars
per year to pay the salaries of these bureaucrats
Does this indicate that the President is following the
advice he gave the American people combating nfaton
conserving manpower increasing efficiency, work.
"You do as say not as do" Or is it continuing applica-
ton of the Hopkins formula "The people dumb
understand anyway we'll and tax spend and spend
elect and elect?"
The Department of Defense doesn't to have taken
the Presidents advice very seriously. Here a few
examples which will show why make that statement
Since the start of the Korean campaign with less than
two million men under arms, the Army has purchased
100000 can openers.
During the nine months ended March 81, 1851 the
quarermasters crops brought 19100O pounds of black
pepper. Maybe this is weapon which is used by
sneaking up the Reds and throwing it in their eyes.
The Army set up requirements of 4636,oO0 web belts
for 1851 This approximately three belts per although
only one belt is issued per per year.
On combat boots the Army requirement for 1851 was
set at 1753000 pars of which expected to 100000
pairs during the year.
Last January while the quartermaser buying
100000 pounds of oeomargarne at 25 per pound
the Department of Agriculture selling 50OoO pounds
of surplus butter to Italy at Is cents per pound
What effect did this large scale scare" buying
prices? Since June 1850 the price of Army blankets has
from $782 to $1,000 EACH Combat boots up from
$603 to $1l63 per pair army mattresses from $783 to
$1342 each and and throughout list longer than
your
How this terrific waste of be stopped? There
is only way and that's for the people tell their
gressmen and senator's that it's got to stop Every dime
spent by anyone connected with part of the govern
must first be appropriated by congress have written
to my congressman and both of my senator's Will you write
to