Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1953-02-01

the conservative members of his
party in Congress have also slowed
him down, and the Fair Deal pro-
gram has been held up.
1t is said that Truman's judg-
ment has been married by SYM
pathies and antipathies. And pos
terity may be right in saying that
the president was not always able
to cope with situations. And GER
tainly he has to expect criticism.
But when dishonest officials and
employees were detected in the fed
eral government with it's ever
increasing domains of activity,
President Truman was made per-
sonally responsible despite the fact
that he is an absolutely decent and
honest person.
In view of the domestic policies
Truman has pursued, we can easily
say that he has tried to extend
Lincoln't work of social and econ
omic liberation. He has proposed
wider measures for civil rights.
He has vigorously worked for So
cial legislation (Fair DeaD. That,
among other things, has brought
him into conflict with Southern
Democrats and his former friend
and Secretary of State, James F.
Byrnes.
In view of the endeavors of the
two presidents to create unity in
the world, comparison between
them appears most natural. It was
Lincoln's job to promote and Sc
cure unity in THE New World"
AS a result of the differing views
on civil rights for Negroes,
number of states betrayed the Re-
public. Lincoln took upon himself
to combine the enormous territory
that states of the nation repre-
scented into a Union of independ-
ent states with free citizens.
A hundred years later, Presi-
dent Truman, with equal vigor,
waged an outstanding struggle for
another and greater union. When
he got into office in 1915, large
parts of the world lay. in ruins.
World War II had brought about
mpoverishment and a new econ
omic chaos. Once again the peoples
yearned for an era of peace. The
United Nations was created out of
the best intentions. The support
United States has given United
Nations has prevented it from
being shipwrecked like the League
of Nations. The significance of
this support was demonstrated by
the bold and speedy way President
Truman dealt with the aggression
in Korea when it started. The
Korean War has certainly not CIV
en- the president many laurels in
the United States, but neither can
it be doubted that it has stopped
Communist aggression, both in
Korea and other places. The war
also brought Truman into conflict
with a prominent and popular
commander-in-chief. It wasn't Nc
Clellan, but Macarthur this time.
The need of solidarity within the
United Nations must have meant
more to Truman than a possible
brief, but hazardous extension OF
operations.
The United States has also CIV
en- the rest of the world substan-
tial material assistance of proper
tons that are unequaled in history.
Measured in Norwegian crowns,
the assistance runs up into astro-
nomical figures. Since the end of
the war, it is figured that United
States turned over more than 80
billion dollars from it's Golfers, a
figure that would have been even
higher if Truman had had his way.
That assistance continues. Soon
the sum that was spent for the
Lend-Lease program will be sur
passed. To western Europe's econ
omy the aid has been of decisive
Importance. We can't help think
ing what U.NR.R.A. has meant to
war-torn Europe. We must also
keep in mind the enormous assist
ance called for in Trumans Point
Four program.
Looking at our own country II