The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1952-10-16
Softening Up Progress

The chronological advances made in industry through
invention first of machines and then of better and better
machines have enabled American workers to produce more
while olng fewer hours and everncreasng real
wages Machines have taken away much of the backbrea
ing effort and thus have made the lot of the easier
and more pleasant
Most are agreed that this is as it should be and
most OF hope that further inventions make possible
even better machines that will further the pro-
ducon the worker afford him even greater real
and make for him still easier and pleasant existence
This benefit to the worker has him through COM
blnation OF his own efforts and better machines
But beneficent all this may be, it is softenng up
process which portends danger to the welfare and safety
this nation. More about that later in this piece.
pursuing the American Way Of accomplishing hings
through giving initiative and ingenuity and ade
decades has stepped into the picture Bit by bit it has
ed functions formerly performed by the state by
ties and by private corporations and individuals 1t
undertaken the impossible task of providing security"
all by attempting to convert our Constitutional Republic into
up program has been launched and planned" for
the future.
In other words Federal Government is encouraging the
American people believe that they longer should fend
for themselves and that paternastic government
them living Thus disregards all the teachings of history
which prove that government has able to do
for its citizens the things they should do for themselves
without eventually bringing ruin and degradation upon the
very people it sought to help.
Great Britain is modern example of the falacy of
establishing the welfare State proud sefreiant
nation already has been reduced greatly reduced stand
ard OF living for its people Regarding this the London
(England) Economist has this to say:
"In the long nobody the British people living
and the point must when they enjoy only that standard
OF living for which they are prepared to work
AS to what has been tranSpring in America, Captain
Eddie Rckenbacker recently made this pointed comment:
"A welfare state which the people live from HAND
OUT to mouth"
More than half century ago, Henry George, famed
American economist looking far into the future with pro-
phetic vision, uttered the following warning
The ideal state is not that in which each gets equal
of wealth. but in which each gets in proportion
his contribution to the general stock"
But to return to the life of comparative in
which the American worker XuraeS today and the danger
it porends to the actual welfare progress and safety of
America please read what Thomas Edison had shortly
before his DEATH
II am wondering what would have happened to me by
if so fluent talker had convinced to
the theory that not fair to my fellow workers put
best efforts into work glad that the eighthour
day had not been invented when young If my
life had been made up of eghthour days. do not believe
could have accomplished great deal This country would
amount much it does if young of so years
ago had been afraid that they might than they
paid for
Now lest someone should develop the idea that
opposed the improved lot of the worker let hasten
say that heartily favor of it. The point I'm trying
make is that American workers do not need welfare
State that under American system they have achieved
the highest standard of living in world history and that
for them the things they doing well
for themselves.
When government gives, it also dictates. Freedom is
lost. Winston Churchill recently put it this way:
Resisting tyranny is the duty of every citizen who
wishes to live in a free country"
We should resolve that there shall be further soften
ngup of our economy Next should act by carefully
screening the candidates for election November 4th
should for those candidates who publicly pro-
claim that elected they will do their level best bring
halt the sofening-up process" which is eating away
at the vitas of American George Peck