The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-12-22
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MY "Two-Bit's Worth"

The December issue of True Maya.
zine carries an important article by
Senator Stephen Young of Ohio giving
some important facts and figures re.
garding civil defense. which clearly
indicates the lunacy. not to say the
unmitigated assininity of bomb shelter
construction, and likewise exposing e
few of the gratis in the civil defense
programs.
The question arises in the mind of
the skeptfc to who are the advO-
Gates of shelter building and why?
1t is readily apparent that Civil De-
Tense officials, who have a salary to
protect and others who expect to gain
financially from such construction
along with some politicians and yes,
even President Kennedy. are the chief
promo ters of the hysterical movement.
No we'll Informed scientist familiar with
the radioactive fallout, or with the i'm
m ediate effect of all-out nuc1ear war
will guarantee full protection from an
atomic bomb strike nor adequate flu
ture immunity from fa11out in case of
all-out nuclear war
Why then should our influential
political leaders be endorsing such a
program?
To a student of economic conditions
the answer is readily apparent Our
pr1ce-profit economic system is again
approaching another collapse. Purchas-
ing power in the hands of the greatest
consumer, the public or working
groups, is, and for long has been in
adequate, to purchase the products of
and industry
Private industry, free enterprise,
does not and will not, or cannot put
sufficient purchasing power in the
hands of the ultimate consumer to cor
rect this defect. Governments officials
are reluctant ito embark on a program
of public works to relieve the tragic
unemployment situation, which will
grow rapidly worse due to ssutomation
and they hope by creating in the minds
of the public a lhysterica1 fear of nu-
clear war, to- have communities and
individuals embark on a spree of spend
ing; money which few have, many
overburde ned with installment
purchases, to put more money into cir
to. relieve to small extent
the tense situation. and this at the
expense of Individuals, municipalities,
and some states already overburdened
with future paym ents. And for a pur-
pose which will be totally ineffective
When such a noted scientist as Prof
B. Elliot of the British Research
Department. warns Bikini natives to
avoid the giant clam which still may
Do contaminated from TT. S. bomb tests
If fifteen years ago, can any sensible
Individual believe that even should he
escape the result of an immediate bomb
strike that he could come forth to a
world uncontaminated with radioactive
about to a life worth living?
Can anyone, logically claim that
there is or can be any certain protcc-
ton against nucIear war except peace
spelled P.E.A.C.E.7
+ Our Ycold war" is "a war of economics |
nd whichever side can first solve the |
problem of poverty in the midst of |
,1enty" stands the best chance of win |
ing that war. Let us hope that our |
OPP scientists and political figures |
will devote their attention to that prob |
EN- rather than to creating a mass |
lysteria for protection from a danger
rom which there is no adequate pro-
ection.-LEVERNE HAMILTON, Mis-
oula.