Milford chronicle., 1959-04-24


and head that way, at least for reconnais-
sance. An island and an ample supply of
buckwheat cakes, might be the, difference
between being snuffed out in our modern-day
society, or in the next war, and living to
say, II told you so.'
NOT "ANTI-LABOR"
In the last few months the American
Retail Federation, the Chamber of Com
merce of the United States, and spokesmen
for many other organizations and cOmpan-
les have stressed the need for business peo-
pie to play far more active and respon-
sibe role in the world of politics than has
been the case in the past. The purpose, in
large measure, is to provide balancing
force for the political power of labor.
Inevitably, some people have jumped to
the conclusion that business activity of this
character will be out and out "anti-labor'.
So a point that Raymond Moley makes in
NeWSweek is of very great significance. Ad-
vanced thinking in the business world, he
writes, realizes that a., whatever business
men do in politics and public affairs must
not be anti-labor. Their concern must be
positive, not negative. The unions and
their members have won very great ma
jority of their victories by doing exactly
what all public-spirited citizens should do
be they butchers, bakers, candlestick makers,
corporation executives, lawyers, or labor
leaders. They have gotten sympathetic peo-
pie Interested in politics, have gotten their
neighbors registered and to the polls by
hard skillful, efficient work"
In short, the labor organizations have
effectively and intelligently concentrated
their political activities on the grass-roots
level, where the individual votes are. This
is what businessmen must do if their voice
is to be heard and its influence felt. Above
all, as Mr.. Moley says, they must offer posi-
tive ideas and programs. Then the people
at large, and the peoples representatives in
government, will be able to weigh all the
evidence and arrive at verdicts.
@Z@N&
PITIFULLY UNINFORMED
One of the most alarming things about
the United States, and our people, is the fact
that they read less and less, apparently, of
the serious, informative and educational
things. AS the latest example, "a widespread
poll recently revealed that almost forty per-
cent of those interviewed did not know that
Berlin lay within Red-ruled East Germany.
AS has been pointed out so often, the
trash which makes the best-seller list and
which makes hundreds of thousands of dol
lars for its authors, reflects melancholy
picture of what the American people think
about, read, and do with their leisure time.
Two courses which every American
youngster should study, and which most of
them do, are US. history and the history of
the Communist movement. And us. his
tory should certainly cover the years up to
the present, since the international picture
changes SO frequently these days, it is man.
datory to give our youngsters an up-to-date
history of events up to now.
Of equal Importance, and more urgent
problem, is the challenge which faces each
citizen-the challenge of keeping himself
somewhat informed. Rather than watching
television for endless hours, reading sex nov
els and piddling away all ones life with lei
sure, in various forms, each of us should de-
vote some time, daily, to keeping abreast of
the news, and the issues of the day, in order
that we might be better citizens.
$4,000 ACCIDENTS
There have been $4,000 US. military air
craft accidents in the last five years, accord
ing to the latest study in Washington. These
accidents have cost the United States $3,
000,00O.000 and 5000 fatalities.
While military aviation cannot be COM
pared to commercial aviation, for various rea-
sons, comparison between commercial air
lines and MATS, the military air transport
service is interesting
These figures show that the record of
MATS reveals about twice as many fatali-
ties as that of the average commercial air
line. We would think, tentatively and claim
ing to be no expert, that this is excessively
high
We wonder whether military transporta-
tion ground vehicles also show similar dis
parity with commercial counterparts. In any
event, it seems that added attention to the
problem of military air accidents is indicated.
Happily, the 1858 record was the best in
some wears. and it is hoped that this trend
-, C,n f,.up.