The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1951-07-13
ARE WE PREPARED FOR PEACE?

ARE WE PREPARED FOR PEACE?
AS this is written armise talks have started in Korea
in which had business being involved will depend
entirely whether spirit of give and take prevails The
rary attitude Similarly or else demands by the Chinese
and North Koreans will enthuse
tory feeling toward great people whose friendship in
years we have esteemed
And, suppose out. Suppose that both
belgerents, after nine months of bitter fighting
able to compromise that both save face ARE WE
PREPARED FOR SUCH A CONTINGENCY? Can our indust-
rial economy stand the shock? What planning
been and being done to take the slack in employment the
mlitarization program is gradually tapered off?
Admittedly because materiel already
and to be placed within the next year industrial
showdown not likely until after the elections
But should the possibilities of lasting peace grow
people will become increasingly FESTIVE under the heavy
yoke Despite the frenzed efforts of hysera peddng pro-
pagand the people going demand drastic reductions
in the huge of tax presently being
the military. Congress will respond accordingly
WHAT THEN?
Today approximately national income and
production capacity is going into military channels Next
bg brass already telling double the
Instead Of SCI billion for the God of War military planners
want $12O billion To increase the military budget by
5ee1b ou Sns A s OF amDa
to confscation-TAX INCREASES which will reduce rs per
below.
But, should the prospects for peace steadily improve
there be $3.50 billion for military to waste Likely
therell not even be fourth of that amount.
Therein will lie dilemma One hundred and fifty mil
lion Americans will demand drastic budgetary curtaments of
the military will demand similar drastic federal
However economy geared to dumping very consider
materiel Without that market for surpus
will into taspin with the likelihood as
20 million people will be unemployed year af
ter szeable curtaiment of the military Unlike after
World War H. there shortage goods
houses full of refrigerator radios Failure
sales to keep with production has laid off
workers in all major automobile Chryer
Further there is huge backlog of savings
IN 1916 to spark industrial machine capacity produc
ton of consumer goodeven there shortage of the
latter.
What avenues then open our economy-to .
capitaistc system, should wasefu military program be
substantially curtailed? q
AS nearly this editor determine there are onv two
l. Vast public and private development within this country
create new wealth. jobs generally higher of
living for all Americans
T. huge Point Four" not dssmar the multi -
blon-dolar plans outlined early in 1850 by
Mahon and UAW-CIO President Walter Reuther -
contemplated under the first would include:
The building of upwards millions of new homes with
public and private financing of Americans NAV for
the first time enjoy adequate housing e
Development Of all major river basins along plans similar T.
10 VA 10 ensure reforesaon and aoresaton reclamation
Oh every acre that Will lend itself to irrigation greater pro-
oucy the most gigantic soil program in -
american history; scientific replenshing wdfe; great ~
er recreatonal opportunities all to on sefliou
atg OASIS with the major portion repayment funds coming
ne expanded development of the power of the
nation by public agencies - on
The undermining of our educational institutions b ria I
piS'icdl plaltS ana professional personnel mu
iul-scae national health program-includng greatly me
expanded hospital building program more medical COLLEGES