Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1957-03-01
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A STRONGER EUROPE

OminouS developments abroad have all
but ebscured one most heartening incident
which is definitely on the credit side of the
international ledger This is the agreement
by premiers of six West European nations
or the establishment of customs-free COM
mon market among these nations.
This trade bloc comprising $50 million
people should go long way toward cement
ing together these countries of Western Eu-
rope and strengthening them in their COM
mon purpose. In the long run, this may have
as beneficial an effect on the European econ
omy as the lack of trade barriers between
states has had in this country.
The agreement cannot begin to go into
effect until it is ratified by the various par
liaments. Fortunately, the chances of rati-
ications are good
Once the various nations legislators have
approved plan, it will be put into force on
a gradual basis that will require IL to 1T
years for completion. During this period,
tariffs and other trade restrictions will be
broken down. When the plan is finally in
full operation, there will be free movement
of goods across national borders, and also
Tree movement of manpOwer and capital.
The economic stimulus that will result
can scarcely be calculated Other results may
be equally important and beneficial Econo-
mic cooperation of this sort should do much
to break down the ancient rivalries and hos
tilities that have plagued Europe for so
many generations. All in all, this prelmin-
airy agreement on a Western European COM
mon market is most hopeful event in a
troubled world
AGED NEED HOUSING
The disastrous fire which took the lives
of IA elderly patients in Council Bluffs, Ia
convalescent home focuses pitiless glare on
the whole problem of housing for the aged
This problem is becoming increasingly i'm
portant as the number of aged in the popu-
lation grows. Most states and communities
have done little to meet it.
We have made some advances in caring
for the aged. Financial and medical asss-
lance help to ease their lot. But care is often
inadequate, and many thousands of our So
called senior citizens-a name which carries
a certain irony when one considers the ex-
tent to which the citizenship status of many
of them has been reduced by circumstances
are poorly housed.
A measure of the seriousness of this prob
lem lies in the fact that the National Asso-
citation of Housing and Redevelopment Off
cials has issued a survey of housing and
community services called, Toward Good
Housing for the Aging" This booklet would
make good reading for citizens concerned
about this matter. 1t would make even more
appropriate reading for those who tend to
Shrug off the problems of the aged as being
no concern of theirs.
These are problems that concern all of
us, and will do so increasingly
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THE REAL PERIL
IF our goal is liberty, it is not nearly so
important to have strong president as it is
to have a strong Congress-" This is the
considered view of Senator William E. Jen-
ner of Indiana.
AS, though a Republican, he has been out
of sympathy with the Eisenhower admins
tration, this may color his opinion. Even if
this is not the case, his doctrine has danger
Gus implications. In these times of turmoil
a president often must act quickly and de-
cisively. 1t would be fatal, in many cases, if
national action had to wait on the deliber-
ations of the 425 men who constitute our
Congress.
Also, the President is elected by the ma
ton as whole, and therefore is bound to
consider large aspects. Congressman are
chosen from single districts, or single states.
If their constituents are satisfied with them,
many legislators look no further.
Once Congress was much stronger than
the President, and directed the nation. This
was during Andrew Johnsons administra-
ton, when strong Congressional leaders fore
ed through their own brand of postwar re-
construction. The effects of theirmisguided
treatment of the South are to be seen TODAY