University of South Carolina Libraries
THE NEWBERRY SUN. VEWRERRY. S. C. Washington Di9cstj Is U.S. Going Socialist? It's World-Wide Argument By BAUKHAGE News Analyst and Commentator. WASHINGTON.—As congress sharpens its teeth for the *True-Deal” program (The “true” being for Truman), some of the gentlemen who have watched things going on behind the scenes in Washington for a long time (maybe too long) have a habit of blinking and saying in hushed voice:— “Say, is America going socialist without knowing it?” Long before the November election a number of European statesmen, editors, professional politicians and others who are backing the various socialist and socialist-inclined governments, including Britain’s, were getting really worried lest a probable Republican victory should make an emphatically capitalistic America less sympathetic toward left-of- center regimes. The Truman upset caused them to whoop with joy. After they read the President’s state of the union message on January S, and after his appoint ment of Dean Ach- eson as secretary of state, they pulled out a chair on the left side of the inter national table, ex pecting him to sit right down and join them. What was prob ably as much wish ful thinking as any- BAUKHAGE thing else caused the official Social ist party organ of France to hail the administration program as definite ly socialistic. Most of the rest of the French press took about the same view, even to the somewhat lonely, pro-capitalistic Figaro which said the message was "close” to socialism. The same view was taken by the left-wing press in other European countries—(I’m not counting the Communists who merely rang the old propaganda changes). However, the independent Manchester Guardian, long known as the rock of liberalism and likewise as an outstanding voice in British jour nalism, took a different tone. The Guardian always has been exceed ingly well informed concerning the United States and probably under stands America as well as any foreign newspaper. It said: "Mr. Truman’s program is an indication that socialism is not the only path for the left. Its goal might be called the insur ance state. Its method the de liberate shortening of the odds against the weak. But without abandoning the basically in dividualist way of life which is accepted as characteristically American.” Comment from the extreme right in this country, in congress and out, chose to see Skipper Truman chart ing a course for the Ship of State which veered far to the left of cen ter, in fact headed straight for the rocks on which free enterprise, in dividual initiative, in fact all phases of capitalism, would be sunk with out a trace. That, however, was not the opin ion of the majority of the Repub lican party, and, already signs are showing that it isn’t the intention of the majority of the Democrats to let such a catastrophe overtake us, even if they think the Skipper would be willing to risk it, which they don’t believe he is. The alarmists point to the rather startling suggestion on the part of the President that the government study production with a view is offering loans to the steel, and other industries for expansion of plants and increased production. If the companies refuse to co operate, it was suggested the government-owned steel plants would be erected. That does sound like a long step toward nationalization of industry. But other observers, both those who consider the idea fatal to free enterprise and those who be lieve in such government-run ventures as the Tennessee Val ley Authority, consider it more of a threat than a promise. In that connection the recent con troversy behind the iron curtain which has finally leaked out in specific and detailed form is inter esting. One document consists of reports of a three-day conference of Soviet economists held last May, the other is a study of Russian economy during World War II, by a member of the all-powerful polit- buro. Both documents attack the theories of Eugene Varga, interna tionally known Russian economist and former director of the World Institute of Economics in Moscow. Those ‘Anxious’ Russian Leaders mysterious remarks, it might in dicate that there is or was an element in the Soviet leadership which felt it was better to try to get along with us. The explanation of the contro versy among Russian economists is this: Soviet foreign policy, specifically maintenance of the cold war, is supposed to be based on a belief that the United States is headed directly toward another de pression. This “bust” will so sap our strength that all the Soviets will have to do is to take us over with little or no real military struggle. (The revolt of the proletariat) We’ll be too down and out to help anti communist Europe. The anti-com munist countries will fall easily into Communist control. Then we can be beaten largely by infiltration, fifth column “action committees” and other methods because there will be general unemployment, discontent and general chaos. This belief is based on the teachings of Marx and Lenin that capitalism is bound to de stroy itself because it produces “boom and bust” cycles which grow increasingly worse, and therefore, it is impossible for a capitalist country to try to do anything permanent for the masses to increase their stand ard of living. Now, however, along comes Var ga, introducing a new argument. He argues that by adopting measurer which he describes as “state so cialism” any major depression in the United States can be prevented or at least postponed for 10 or 20 years. If this thesis were accepted by the Soviets it would be wiser to cooperate with the United States and other non-Communist coun tries, rather than to take for granted that our economic system as well as theirs is going to continue for some time. On that theory it would be to the Soviets’ interests, for the pres ent at least, for the Kremlin and the White House to play ball. What are the measures of "state socialism” Varga is talking about? The various social and welfare proposals like expanded social se curity, national health insurance, federal aid to education, under takings like the Tennessee Valley Authority and the many other re forms which started under the New Deal, and which President Truman now urges should be carried for ward or expanded. In the early part of the Presi dent’s state of the union message he announced in popular language the underlying theory of his ad ministration. He said: “We have rejected the dis credited theory that the for tunes of the Nation should be in the hands of the privileged few. We have abandoned the ‘trickle- down’ concept of national pros perity. Instead, we believe that our economic system should rest on a democratic foundation and that wealth should be created for the benefit of all.” Whether or not the majority of the people have rejected that theory remains to be seen. There are still many people who believe that no country can be prosperous unless it is strong at the top and that it can not be strong at the top, that busi ness and industry cannot prosper, unless free enterprise have the widest liberty possible. That capital should be encouraged by the in centive of profit to take risks and challenge competition. That govern ment interference destroys the ini tiative which has made the country great. That once business is un shackled by federal bureaucracy, the benefits flow (not trickle) down and spread out to benefit the whole people. The National Association of State Chambers of Commerce, one of a hundred business organizations tes tifying against a bill which would would permit the TVA to build a new steam plant at Johnsonville, said: This controversy, according to Walter Lippman, may be the real basis of President Truman’s Kansas City statement that there were "certain leaders” in Russia who were “exceedingly anxious” to reach an understanding with the United States. Even if the row among the economists wasn’t the inspiration for the President’s ". . . this government can not continue much longer to aid in the growth of tax-exempt or govern- ment-owned enterprises, thus narrowing the nation’s tax base, without throwing greater bur dens upon the remainder of the taxpayers and without gradually strangling free enterprise to death.” CAN-CAN "GIRL” . . . C. Robert Jennings, Eufaia, Ala., is dressed for his role as a chorus member In Princeton university’s annual Triangle Club show, this year en titled "All in Favor.” He is of the class of ‘51, a Culver graduate, active in crew and tennis and a member of the editorial board of the Princeton Tiger magazine. He is wearing the costume of the can-can number, one of the high lights of the show. TOGETHER . . . Mrs. Cara Cor- tazzo, 107, is shown with her great - great - granddaughter, Sharon Patricia George, in Wil- merding, Pa. Mrs. Cortazzu was born New Tear's day, 1842, in Italy. DEMOCRATIC SPEAKER . . . Representative Sam Rayburn, Texas, ousted as speaker by Re publicans in 1946, takes over his old job again after being elected on a straight party vote of 255 to 160. BULGARIA’S NO. 1 RED . - - Prime Minister Georgi Dimitrov looks so much like Russia’s top man in the Kremlin that in his big mustache, he is often mis taken for the Red chief. But he’s big man enough in Bulgaria, where he is Stalin’s right hand man. PULPIT TEMPEST ... An or dained minister at four, Marjoe Gortner raised a tempest of crit icism when he performed the wedding ceremony for a Cal ifornia couple. Supporters said there was no age limit on min isters, the ceremony was legal. However, it was ruled illegal. DON’T BELIEVE IT . . . There’s an old saying that the "camera never lies”, but that you can’t always believe what you see is amply demon strated here. Seaman apprentice Robert Bradford of Chicago apparently is supporting Italy’s famed leaning tower of Pisa with his own two hands, but it’s only camera magic. Bradford is a member of a naval unit visiting Italy. "INTRODUCTION” . . . This photo, made some time ago, seems prophetic in view of the resignation of Secretary of State George C. Marshall. Secretary Marshall is pointing to Under-Secretary of State Dean Acheson as if introducing him. In announcing Marshall’s resigna tion, President Truman said Acheson had been named to succeed him. The post of undersecretary will be filled by James E. Webb, budget director. NO HOOKEY PROBLEM . . , No scholar is likely to play hookey from the Sam Hughes public school in Tucson—at least not during "go western week”, for school is more fun than a three-ring circus. Pupils don western garb, as do teachers, and the curriculum for the week includes lessons in rope spinning, technique of handling a six-shooter and other cow country folklore. RUGGED VOYAGE . . . That’s what seems in store for Oarl Madrid, 44, Chicagoan enroute to New Orleans aboard a raft which he made himself, and which is powered with an outboard motor. Madrid was uncertain as to how long it would take him to complete his journey, but said that when he reached New Orleans he plans to live aboard his raft and do some writing. RESOLUTION TROUBLE . With the new year well in its stride, Mr. Elmer Twitchell today reported that his new leaf turning, so bravely undertaken a few days back, has run into a stone wall. To day he found himself picketed a; unfair to organized leaf turners. * Mr. Twitchell claims that he had hardly turned over a new leaf be fore he was cracked down on, with heated contentions that he could not turn over a new leaf single- handed, but must put on from one to three helpers. • It seems that even the Leaf Turners are organized. Mr. Twitchell was notified almost immediately after making bis brave New Year’s resolution that (1) he has violated the rules by not submitting his new leaves for a vote, that (2) in all cases where more than two leaves are to be turned the work must be shared and that (3) he must pay extra for this assist ance. “I got notices from the American Federation of New Leaf Turners, the Committee on Organized Good Resolution Makers, the National Association for the Substitution of Good Habits For Bad and the Na tional Association for the Substitu tion of Good Habits For Bad and the National Federation on Changes in Personal Conduct," said Mr. Twitchell, “all asking where I got the ide& I could turn a leaf on my own. . > “All my new leaves were ruled null and void and I was notified they would remain so until I agreed td turn them all over again, using two helpers—one to assist in the actual work of turning over each leaf, the other to assist in the daily work of keeping each resolution. This second helper insisted on the five-day, 40-hour week, which would leave me with no outside assistance in keeping my good resolutions Saturday and Sunday. • / “Furthermore, I am at my weakest in keeping resolutions between 6 p. m. and midnight and would have to pay overtime for all help after 4:30. * “Well, I argued that I had always done my own new leaf turning, boy and man, and could not afford help; but I was picketed in no time as unfair to organized makers to good intentions. I appealed to the NLRB and it sent up a commit tee last night to go over the whole matter. I made a poor impression before it because, in the confusion and excitement, I had forgotten what new leaves I had turned over and was all balled up. ♦ “I don’t know just where I stand today, but I think I am licked. I just heard a jurisdictional dispute has cropped up. Somebody has claimed that I lack jurisdiction in my 1949 resolutions. It looks bad. I may forget the whole business and go back to my 1948 habits.” • • • Shudda Haddim is still moan ing low because he missed the recent Tropical Park $2,386 daily double, with Sue’s Special and Little Mattie, the latter, winning at $254.70. “And I have the hunch!” he weeps. “I trip over the bathmat that morning, which I know means sumpin’. But I dope it out to mean Mattie Girl, which comes in a bad third and I miss Little Mattie entirely. I tell ya racing is crooked!”, • • • Te Gotham Bugle & Banner Something of a wonder man in his way is Irving Caesar who reached the bights of a Carnegie hall appearance the other day with his program for arousing the in terest of the small fry in tolerance, safety and health through songs. Caesar had a new idea and he stuck to it. It may bring him a fortune. Hope so . . . One of the first jokes ye old ed everheard in a theater was that old crack, "You look like the feller who once sold me an Essex,” and darned if Phil Silvers didn’t use it on his video show a few nights ago . . . Dunn- inger’s last mind-reading feat was to read the headline being written by a Philadelphia editor almost 100 miles away and he did it! . . But in greeting Bobby Lunn as a prelude to the stunt he called him "Jimmy.” • • • Speaking of horses, a horse called Hash Night won a race in Florida the other afternoon. The chartmakers probably reported that it showed plenty of everything and looked like a repeater. • • • Architects report now that the White House is a far greater wreck than we had supposed and that it may cost 10 million dollars to make it safe for occupation. That goes to show what can happen with one piano and a lot of movie people and night club pro prietors dropping in. Truman Answers Taft W HEN MEMBERS of the nation al labor relations board dropped in to see President Truman the oth er day, they found him seated al his desk writing a letter in long- hand. Looking up, he said: “I’ll bet you don’t know whom I’m writing to.” Then, without wait ing for an answer, he added: “Sen ator Taft.” Continuing, Truman read Taft’s letter, which went somewhat as follows: "As I leave for Europe I want to send you my best wishes f or your new administration. “You and I have differed on some things in the past, and no doubt will differ ag^in in the future. But I want you to know that in such cases where we agree, I hope you will call on me for whatever help I can give you in the senate of the United States.” Looking up from the letter, Tru man winked at the labor board members and said: "You know I don’t think that fel low wanted Dewey to win, after all.” • • • One-Man Lobby Congressman George Bender of Ohio, Republican, is the man who gave his friends Christmas presents of new brooms when the 80th con gress came into power exactly two years ago. Today Congressman Bender finds himself swept out of office by popniar reaction to the Re publican broom; so this Christ mas, Bender who has a real sense of humor, has been send ing his friends a different kind of Christmas present. It con sists of Dewey campaign neck ties, and sweatshirts featuring a picture of the G.O.P. presiden tial candidate, with the admoni tion "do it with Dewey.” Furthermore, the resourceful Ben der has alreac’y found a job. He has appointed himself a one-man lobby for the American people, snd plans to appear at all congressional committee meetings to read some interesting literature to the Demo crats. The literature he intends to read will be: the Democratic platform, » • • Mushrooming Maryland During the last year of the Civil War, Gen. Jubal Early came within a few hours of capturing the capital of the United States. His troops ar rived at a point of Wisconsin Ave nue where now stands the Sears Roebuck store, and if Jubal hadn’t stopped for a round of mint juleps at the farm new occupied by Eugene Casey of Gaithersburg, Md., the capital would have fallen to the Confederacy. Immediately afterward the Mary land area which his troops occupied just outside the city was captured through peaceful politics by the Democratic narty, and has remain ed Democratic ever since. In the succeeding years, it also has become the second largest city of Maryland. Actually a suburb of Washington, D. C., the mushroom city of Silver Spring ranks second only to Baltimore in the size of Maryland cities. Silver Spring and sprawling, densely populated Montgomery county around it for a long time were governed—and rather well— by a Democratic boss, E. Brooi: Lee, Then the Republicans, hungry for power, two years ago persuad ed local Maryland voters to install a system of nonpolitical government by council and county manager. This has proved an important experiment. One aspect also has proved amusing. For, although the county supervisor has given the area the best, cheapest and most efficient government in years, the Republican commis sioners now want to get rid of the whole system. Reason: Their brief taste of ru. ning the second largest city in Maryland and its surrounding area has whetted their appetite for more. « * * Successful Experiment This amusing aspect, however, only helps to emphasize the effic iency of the experiment taxing place under the nose of the city which governs the rest of the Uni ted States. It is an experimert which already has grown to 812 other cities of the U. S. A. and to 15 counties. What’s happened In Maryland’s Mongomery county is that school teachers, once woefully underpaid, now are better paid in some cases than those in the District of Colum bia. The measly sum of $12,500 or.ee spent annually for school mainten ance has been increased to $128,000. The amount of new roads built ev ery year has been tripled. The pol ice system ha* been revamped and modernized. Nurses’ salaries have been raised. And the mushroom are- which thrives on the edge of the capital hag become one of the most progressively governed in the East Classified Department BUSINESS & INVEST. OPPOR. GROCERY, GAS STATION—3 rooms living quarters; including stock and equipmenl worth $1,000. Eleven acres ground with 2 acres under irrigation. Large garage build ing with 5 rooms overhead, all for $8,000. $3,000 down. Terms. 3 OAKS STATION, Cork Rd., Plan* City, Fla. Ph. <B-87l. $115 PUTS YOU IN POPCORN BUSINESS Profit 70%. Electric machines, all supplies; new peanut roasters. Send for^pirculars. POPCORN SUPPLY Box 838 - - Atlanta, Ga. SELL BY MAIL Start a Mail Order Business in your spare time. 25c brings exciting booklet. “How to Sell by Mail.” BUNCO, Dept. A, Grand Avenue, Rochester 0, N. Y. BAKERY With retarding dovgh box. Good oven with new oil burner. Nice store; neon __ Ample room and equipment for outside business. WIU sacrifice for *3,500 for quick sale. TRAIL BAKERY, Sl«l S.W. Sth St* Miami, Florida. CLOTHING AND JEWELRY STORE FOB SALE. Located in smaU town in Polk Coun ty. Ideal for man and wife. For further In formation write THE FASHION CENTER. Davenport, la. HELP WANTED—MEN HOUSE TO HOUSE SALESMEN make 501$ selling New-Molene, Dr. Holland’s old fash ioned mutton suet rub for colds. Send 25e for sample and particulars. . Universal Remedies Co. - Cord el e, Ga. HELP WANTED—WOMEN WANT GIRLS THAT CAN RIDE HORSES to train for aerial ballet with circus Who are over 18 and free to travel; room and board while learning. Write ROGERS BROS. CIRCUS - Edison. Ga. Staff Registered Nurses * For Permanent Assignment of Choice 11 P.M.—7 A.M. OR 12M.—8 A.M SALARY without maintenance, $190 month, with maintenance $145 month. Uniforms Laundered. TWO WEEKS, each vacation and sick leave with pay. Medical Care and Hospitalization Insurance FIVE (5) DAY work week (40) hours. REQUIREMENTS—Age 20-50. Plus Ga. Registration for Nurses WRITE OR TELEPHONE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT EMORY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL Emory University, Ga. MISCELLANEOUS THE DUVALL HOME for mentally afflicted, bed-ridden children. Excellent care. SATSUMA, FLORIDA. SEVENTY-FIVE UNITED STATES Com— memoratives or 100 French, British, (Col onies also) Polish, Greek, Mixed Countries. All bargains. Neatly mounted. Only $1 per booklet. Guaranteed fine condition. DELAUNAY 1812 Fowler Fort Myers, Florida EUGENE KNOWLES VIOLIN MAKER ^ , J|I Repairing, Bows Rehaired. 117 West 6th St. Charldtte. N. C. MACHINERY & SUPPLIES CONCRETE BLOCK and Brick Manufac turing machines. Write for prices. GEO. KITTRELL - Greenville, N. C. PERSONAL ANYONE KNOWING the whereabouts of Willie J. Stephens, age 37, height 5 ft., !• inches, blue eyes, bald head, please notifY his mother. MRS. LIZZIE WILLIAMSON. 132 Experiment St., Griffin, Ga. REAL ESTATE—MISC SPORTSMEN ATTENTION By owner, new 4-room hurricane proof block house, all modern, new furniture, home, lodge or syndicate. Two large waterfront, private boat dock, 1947 Craft cabin cruiser, like new. Best fli and hunting in Fla. Owner leaving stab Sell Below Cost D. H. METZGER, Owner Marco - - Florida SEEDS, PLANTS, ETC. PECAN TREES FOR SALE Government inspected; guaranteed true to name: Schleys, Stuarts—money-makers. Write for Prices CALVIN HARMAN - Stovall, Georgia ORANGE TREES FOR SALE—2000 Ham lin, 1500 Valencia, 1000 Parson Brown, 1000 Temples, coming 3 yr. buds, 4 yrs. root, sour orange stock, price 50c to 75c. Harry Honghlan, Inquire at Rd. 39 aad Sam Allen Rd., Plant City, Florida. OUTSTANDING FRUIT TREE, Shrub Col lections to offer at very reasonable prices. Free colorful catalog sent upon request. Liberal discounts on commercial orders “Its the Quality that Coun'^s” EMPIRE NURSERY A ORCHARD P.O. Box 100 BAILEYTON, ALABAMA PECAN TREES FOR SALE Government inspected, guaranteed true to name. Schley, Stuart. Money-makers. CALVIN HARMAN - Stovall, Ga. BUY U. S. SAVINGS BONDS. IF YOUR COMjDxs mnnr, 2 drops in each nostril check watery flow, sniffles, sneezes. You' breathe easier quickly. Ask for— Just rubRC'-d Penetro on?»'.-w4 chest, back. V" / Eases muscle >2/ aches, coughs and chest tightness. White, stainless. PENETRO osd” PENETROSgRUB Eczema ItchiNG Steal Your Sleep v Why scratch and suffer tonight when soothing, medicated Resinol Ointment is made specially to relieve itching, fiery skin? Famous through four generations for its quick, lingering comfort. A SODTH/NGDRUSS/NL a MOROLi N Er WNU—7 04—49