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Tht Associated Frost it entiHed exclusively (o th* us* for r*pubt«cofion of all th* local n*wt printed in th»t wwspqpr, at well ot cn a. p. news dispatches. A—14 * THURSDAY, July 29, 1948 A Premature Call In view of all the tub-thumping which has accompanied the President’s call for a special session of Congress to deal with high prices, one would think that, at the least, some member of his administration other than Paul Porter, wnose real job is that of private lawyer, would have been ready to lay specific proposals before the legislators. But the administration is far from ready. When Mr. Truman announced the spe cial session call in his political speech to the Democratic convention he said there was no reason why Congress could not act on his recommendations in two weeks. It appears now, however, that at least a week must pass before any administration spokesman will be ready to testify on such important matters as the President’s request for restoration of the excess profits tax and consumer credit controls, regula tion of inflationary bank credit, and con trol of speculation on the commodity exchanges. This state of affairs came to light yes terday when Chairman Tobey of the Sen ate Banking Committee, who is far more in sympathy with the President’s requests than are most Republicans, tried to line up some witnesses to appear before his committee. A call to Thomas B. McCabe, chairman of the Federal Reserve System’s Board of. Governors, is said to have elicited the response that he ‘ couldn’t possibly” testify before next week. And Secretary of the Treasury Snyder, who might be expected to lead the procession of administration witnesses on the tax and credit aspects of the President’s program, is reported to have said that he would not be prepared to testify until after Mr. McCabe makes his appearance. The effect of all this is to lend a some what farcical touch to the special session call and to discredit the note of urgency which Mr. Truman has sought to inject into his demand for immediate action by the Congress. The President may be sure that the Republicans, who are looking for any opportunity to turn the tables on him, will make the most of this procrastination on the part of his aides. Atomic Policy for Now In his statement accompanying the fourth semiannual report of the United States Atomic Energy Commission, Presi dent Truman has reaffirmed and re emphasized what has been fixed American policy ever since the Russians revealed the uncompromising nature of their refusal to agree to genuine international control of the atom. The policy is as simple as it is impelauvc, It, consists chiefly of holding on to the strictest kind of secrecy for security pur poses and of sparing no effort to keep the Natiqn supreme in the field of A-weapons. At the same time, though priority is thus accorded the military aspects of the atom, the AEC, in close co-operation with uni versities, private industry, etc., is to do everything possible to promote the develop ment of nuclear fission for peacetime uses designed to promote the economic and physical well-being of mankind. As far as the military phase is concerned, both the President and the AEC have made clear that our A-weapons have been ; "substantially improved” since the first bomb erased Hiroshima—a fact demon strated by the recent tests at Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific. The details of those tests continue to be a closely guarded secret, but enough official information has been vouchsafed us to leave no room for doubt that our power to wage atomic war fare is deadlier than ever and that the grim fullness of its potentialities is still undergoing progressive development. Civil ian cbntrol of our nuclear-fission enterprise has had no impeding effect. On the con trary—and this underscores the wisdom of the President’s argument for retaining such control—it probably has been an im portant stimulant. As for the peacetime uses of the atom, the AEC's report and the President's state ment strongly indicate that real progress is being made in spite of the necessary emphasis on military development. Atomic energy to supplement power resources like coal, oil and falling water is not likely to be available in quantity for effective in dustrial application for another twenty years or so, but its beneficial possibilities in other fields probably will be realized long before that. The work being con ducted throughout the country with radio isotopes is particularly significant. It promises discoveries whose influences are expected to be of incalculable value in advancing public heklth, aiding industry and Increasing agricultural productivity in our own land and other parts of the world. Nevertheless, despite the great good im plicit In the atom, the fact remains that the outlook regarding this revolutionary new force will continue bleak as long as the Soviet Union—alone among the major powers of the world—refuses to join in setting up an effective system of vetoless control. Pending the establishment of such a system, the United States has no choice—from the standpoint of self-pres ervation—but to make itself so pre-eminent in the field that no potential aggressor will dare to strike for fear of suffering instant and overwhelming retaliation. Given that, then perhaps the Kremlin may be per suaded in time to act as if it were really a member of the United Nations. Italian Labor Splits The rift in the ranks of Italian organized labor between the Communists and their opponents has now reached an acute stage. Formal schism was precipitated by the Communists when the Red majority in the Executive Committee of the General Con federation of Labor voted to expel all Christian Democratic members. This action was, however, a tactical move to, forestall a breakaway from the confederation by the Catholic labor unions which their leaders had scheduled for Sep tember. It was taken most reluctantly, the aim being to tag the dissident unions as expellees rather than voluntary seceders. This prestige victory will, however, be a minor and hollow one. Every one knows the true facts of the case and under stands that the crisis was precipitated by the Communists themselves in using the labor confederation for revolutionary po litical ends. The crucial test came with the calling of the general strike after the attempt on the life of Palmiro Togliatti, chief of Italy’s Communist Party. The confedera tion’s constitution forbids the calling of strikes for purely political reasons. Under those conditions, the radical and conserva tive wings of the labor movement have been able to work together for mutual economic advantages. And the conserva tives have long had their own organization within the confederation—the Catholic Association of Italian Workers, which is strong in certain labor categories, especially peasants, railroad men and white-collar workers. So long as the confederation was domi nated by the Socialists, the letter and spirit of the constitution were observed. But the passing of power to the Communists had its inevitable results. On the political side the Socialist Party had its first split nearly a year ago, when the non-Communist minority broke away from, the fellow travelling majority. And it now looks as though another breakaway is imminent, this time with the radical wing throwing in its lot with the Communists while the balance throws off Communist dictation and presumably joins the original seceders in a reorganized party devoted to orthodox Socialist principles. The breakaway of the Catholic unions from the confederation presumably heralds the same process of revolt from Communist domination. The Catholic association, as a separate body, expects to have a membership of some 2,000.000. And this split should normally increase the restiveness of the non Communist elements still within the fed eration over Communist exploitation for partisan, revolutionary ends. There is an interesting parallel in all this with the similar secession of the non Communist workers from the French General Confederation of Labor which occurred some months ago. This break away was headed by the veteran Socialist labor leader, Leon Jouhaux. Although a majority of French workers still adhere to the general confederation, the non Communist organization has proved a staunch rival and Communist leadership has had to walk more warily in the calling of French strikes for political reasons. In both countries, therefore, organized labor is waking up to the Communist menace to their own welfare and that of the nation. An expedition is off to explore a sub marine mountain range, which may prove the long-sought compromise for the va cationing family unable to agree on salt water or the hills. Mrs. W. asks a Chicago medical colum nist, "Is the tendency to lie inherited?” Why? What has the golfer’s little boy been saying? What About West Germany? The negotiations between the military governors of the three western zones of occupied Germany and the local German authorities are being conducted in a grow ing atmosphere of unreality. For several weeks the city of Frankfort on-the Vain has witnessed the unusual spectackXof the vanquished seeking to decline l \ * evade political concessions offered by he victors. Those concessions were emboa \d in the program adopted by the London Conference of the Western Powers last spring. Under it, the Ameri can. British and French zohes were to be unified in a regime which, while lacking the basic attributes of sovereignty, were to have a common executive, legislature and judiciary, while the economic barriers be tween the zones were to be abolished. The resultant would be an entity which, with Western Allied backing and integration into the Marshall Plan, could hope notably to further the recovery of West Germany. Nevertheless, the leaders of West Ger many have hesitated to subscribe to the London program,, especially on its political side. The reasons for this seeming paradox are complex. To begin with, the establish ment of such a regime would tend to emphasize the split between West Germany and the eastern zone under Russian -occu pation. This had, indeed, been stressed by Moscow, which has consistently condemned the entire London program as an illegal violation of the Potsdam Four-Power Agreement for the treatment of Germany. And Moscow’s attitude has aroused the fears of German nationalists besides serv ing as a talking point for Communist propaganda. The “Siege of Berlin” was represented by Moscow as the logical result of the unilateral actions of the Western Powers. Furthermore, the hesi tant German leaders knew that the Western Powers were not firmly united behind the London program. France had adhered to it reluctantly under American and British pressure, fearful that it would result in a degree of German unification which might menace future French security. German reluctance has been intensinea by two recent events. One is the fall of the Schuman government of France that had approved the London program, with no certainty that the subsequent govern ment would follow its predecessor’s Ger man policy. Even more Important has been the change of diplomatic attitude by America and Britain toward Moscow, look ing toward the possibility of renewed ; Four-Power conferences on the entire 'German problem. Logically, this puts In question the integrity of the London pro gram. Indeed, everything that the Western Powers have done in West Germany is subject to revision in a possible over-all settlement of Germany as a whole. Itj certainly stamps with a provisional char acter whatever arrangements may be con cluded between the Western military governors and the German authorities in the western zones. The German problem thus acquires a contingent fluidity not visible since the close of the war, before Potsdam. A 'Horrible' Situation Justice Alexander Holtzofl of District Court did not exaggerate when he called the Public Utilities Commission-Interstate Commerce Commission battle over Penta gon bus fares a “horrible contest of juris diction between two regulatory agencies.” The unhappy victim of the struggle is the Capital Transit Company. As Justice Holtzoff aptly said, the company is being ground between two millstones. It is entitled to relief. Relief in the immediate situation can come only through the courts. Justice Holtzoff has directed continuance of the present cut-rate fare arrangement between Capital Transit and thei Virginia buslines, pending settlement of legal issues by court suit. He cited a 1945 Supreme Court ruling that the ICC had authority to fix fares for bus service to and from the Pentagon and other war offices in Arlington. It should be noted, however, that at that time Capital Transit buses ran to the Pentagon and certain other war agencies in Virginia. The question to be decided by the courts now is whether the ICC still has jurisdiction, in view of abandonment by Capital Transit of its Virginia oper ations. The PUC-ICC dispute is not the only example of "horrible” conflict between regulatory agencies in this vicinity, how ever. Relief from these recurring squabbles should be obtained somewhere other than in the courts. Legislation, rather than litigation, is the only hope of permanent solution of the troubles peculiar to the Metropolitan Area of Washington. There is a twilight zone of Jurisdiction, covering a fringe, of overlapping utilities problems, that belongs to neither Federal, State nor District of Columbia commissions. This zone' calls for creation by compact of an entirely new utilities agency empowered to act in fringe cases that cut across State lines, yet which are not properly the con cern of the ICC or any other existing body. It is too much to hope for consideration of this proposal at the special session of Congress. But eventually something will have to be done—by Congress and the State legislatures rather than by the courts —if the present unsatisfactory conditions are to be eliminated for good. The State Department’s collection of modern art, ridiculed by Congressmen, has been auctioned at a 40 per cent profit. Who knows—a knock from Capitol Hill may yet be as eagerly sought as a Boston book ban. An Army recruit with a 15-E foot size enlists in the West and the question arises: Are shoes the thing, or caterpillar treads? This and That By Charles E. Tracervell "DERWOOD, Md. "Dear Sir: "I live on a farm near Olney. A Jew morn ings ago I scattered grain out for my hens, then went into the hen house to fill the hopper with laying mash, when I heard the old turkey hen, with a terrified squawk, run for shelter, and after her fluttered all the chickens. “When I looked out the door, there about 20 feet away, stood an immense bird, with a very long neck and long legs. "It’s body* was as large as a turkey, though chunky, instead of slim, with the general color pure white. "As soon as it saw me, and before I could get a more accurate description, aud with its long legs dangling, it spread its wings and rapidly flew away. "It must have been some kind of water bird. We have no body of water nearer than five miles. Can you help me out on the iden tity? * * * * “I would also like to tell you that two weeks ago when I went to let a chicken hen with a fine brood of baby chickens less than a month old out of her wooden coop, there inside the doer lay a black snake, with three dead chick ens around it, and upon counting them, two more had been eaten, evidently, making the shake so satiated that it would not move. “The man who killed it, said it was four feet long. “He also said he did not like to kill black snakes, because they were useful. “How do you feel about them? "Very truly, M. B. B.” * * * * The large white water bird may have been a little blue heron in its adult, or white, stage. They are often seen in and around the National Zoological Park. It is only after two years the birds take on the pure white color and then only when they are in perfect plumage. Sometimes they are mistaken for egrets, because of this white plumage. * * * * The black snake is regarded as the farmer’s friend. These large snakes look very ugly, but actu ally are harmless to mankind and do a good service in rodent control. It is only now and then that they catch birds. As for baby chicks, black snakes will take them, now and then, when they come across them. All wild creatures are opportunists. They eat as they can and if it chances that they run onto an unguarded hen and family, well, something is likely to disappear. But as a rule the ugly black snake does a pretty good job of letting birds alone. He is not a good tree climber, but can go 10 or so feet high. There is another form, called the mountain black snake, that is a real enemy to bird life. He is known to get birds at every oppor tunity, being a real tree climber, able to get to almost any nest. The regulation black snake, however, is generally regarded as harmless. He has many friends in the country, except among those persons—and they are many— who do not like snakes in any form. * * * * There is a theory that no one would be afraid of snakes if some one else had not inculcated the fear into him as a child. Others doubt this. It seems to them that the fear of shakes, far from being purely psychological, is a genuine thing in itself. There is a good reason for this. Snakes go too far back in time. They are ancient of ancient; they bring back to even the .un thinking something of primeval terror. Let us remember that, no matter how bad the world seems today, it once was worse, far worse. Once upon a time a man could be hanged for stealing a loaf of bread. If we can consolidate our gains, maybe in time we can ! become "as wise as the serpent,” and as mild 1 as the lamb. It^f worth trying for. Letters to The Star School Auditoriums as Theaters To the Editor of The Star: At this late date there remains, apparently, but one solution to the theater Impasse lacing Washington this fall when we will achieve the unenviable distinction of being the one major world capital without a legitimate theater. That is to make available for stopgap the atrical use one of our school auditoriums, sev eral of which are more than adequate for the purpose and would provide a satisfactory solu tion until a permanent theater can be opened. While the effort to make the Belasco avail able for theatrical use must be vigorously pressed, it is too late now for it to be available for fall productions. School auditoriums throughout America are constantly used by our citizenry. In Wash ington they are used by many cultural civic groups, among them the Columbia Light Opera Co. and the Children's Theater. J. G. FRAIN, Executive Secretary, Washington Art Center Association, Inc. Mr. Wallace Won’t Be Shot To the Editor ot The Star: Henry Wallace advocates peace, abundance and human rights. As a beginning, he says that we should get out of Berlin because Russia wants us out, in defiance of interna tional agreement. His first step to peace is the appeasement of dictators. Some years ago. the democratic countries of Europe attempted to appease dictators. Did they achieve peace, abundance and human rights? No, indeed! They got death for millions of human beings, catastrophic destruction of property, incredible privation and virtual slavery. Out of it, also, the United States got hundreds of thousands of dead and crippled, the biggest debt in his tory, the highest prices ever known, and the gravest perils since our country’s founding. Now, Mr. Wallace would have us back out of Berlin, then out of Germany, then out of Europe and Asia. Finally, after Europe was lost, we would be forced to back out of our homes, our possessions, and our rights at the point of dictator bayonets, as Europe did before. Mr. Wallace gives aid and comfort to our enemies. The Constitution says that giving aid and comfort to our country’s ene mies is treason. Mr. Wallace wants to be President. Some millions of American voters will be misled by his muddy thinking, allur ing phrases, cheap ambition. If Mr. Wallace were a Russian, and spoke against his govern ment in Russia, he promptly would be shot. But this is free America. A Bilbo, a Gerald L. K. Smith, a Wallace, is safe. CARLETON R. BALL. Hyderabad to Be Democratized To the Editor of The St*r: The tragic division of India, which has given rise to bloody communal strife between Moslem and Hindu, has evoked a number of letters to The Star. Unfortunately, however, many of the correspondents have very little real knowledge of the situation or are deliberately misstating the facts. Discussions of the Hy derabad problem—such as the letters of Karl Jensen on July 14 and 21—have been parti cularly distorted. It is contended that*the difficulties between Hyderabad and the Government of India are parallel to the Russo-Finnish war of 1940 when the Red Army was supposedly “forced" to invade the little nation for reasons of “self defense,” A quick study of the history of India will readily prove that the situation there is not analogous. In the first place, Finland was an independent sovereign state, recognized and accepted by the family of nations. Its people are not Rus sian; they form a distinct nationality and have a distinct culture and language of their own. Hyderabad, on the other hand, was never in history an independent state and its people and culture are the same as those of India. The history of Hyderabad goes back to 1720 when the Mogul Emperor of India appointed one of his favorites, Nizam ul Mulk, as governor of the southern administrative dis trict of India. The Moguls, it should be pointed, out, were foreign Mongol Invaders of India who were ruling the country by op pression and eventually tried to convert the Hindus to* Mohammedanism by force. As a result of their policy, the country had been seriously weakened by internal resistance and rebellion followed by the invasion of Britain and France. First Nizam Appointed by Mogul. The Mogul ruler hoped that by appointing Nizam ul Mulk, a man of some ability, he might be able to save that part of the empire from destruction. After the death of the Nizam, his son asked the Emperor for the commission as governor and his petition was granted. During the remaining period of Mogul rule, the Nizams of Hyderabad were individually jommissioned by the Emperor as administrative officers. Finally, one of the Nizams came to the con clusion that the destruction of Indian power by the British was inevitable and he decided to desert his own master and make a deal with the invaders. He was granted the right to rule the remaining portions of his ad ministrative area by agreement with Great Britain as a result of his desertion. Thus, the Nizam of Hyderabad became a hereditary vassal of the British crown by an act of treason. Under the entire period of British suzerainty over India, the Nizam of Hyderabad was con sidered to be subject to the central power ruling India and his attempts at asserting some measure of internal autonomy were quickly rejected by the viceroy. In 1926, for example, the liizam was told bluntly by Lord Reading, viceroy and governor-general, that “the right of the British government to in tervene in the internal affairs of Indian states is another instance of the consequence neces sarily involved in the supremacy of the British crown. Its supremacy is not based only upon treaties and engagements but exists inde pendently of them.” With the establishment of an independent Indian dominion, the crown renounced all sov ereign power and terminated all treaties and agreements with the Indian states. The government of India thereupon automatically succeeded to all sovereign rights. In other words, the withdrawal of British power re established the situation in India as it was prior to British control and the "state” of Hyderabad reverted to an administrative dis trict whose ruler is subject to appointment, Control and removal by the government of India. India has not made any such drastic de mands. Thq government merely insists upon the abolition of the autocratic rule of the present Mohammedan' Nizam and upon the Institution of a democratic regime. Today, the will of .one man rules 18 million subjects, of which only 2 million are Mohammedan, within the heart of central India. There is little difference between the desire of the government to protect the people of Hyder abad and the principles expressed 1» our own Constitution. Article 4, Section 4, specifically provides that “the United States shall guaran tee to every State in the Union a Republican form of Government.” There is absolutely no basis upon which the Nizam of Hyderabad can arrogate to himself sovereign powers above the rights of the Indian people. Hypothetical Parallel Set Up. The situation might be clearer if the follow ing comparison were made: Suppose that the Japanese had been able to conquer the United \ v Letters for publication must bear the signature and address of the writer, although it is permissible for a writer known to The Star to use a nom de plume. Please be brief. Stales and were engaged in forcibly converting the people to Shintoism. Internal resistance to their brutal methods develops and weakens their hold on the country. At the same time Soviet Russia and Mexico invade the West and begin to whittle away large sections of territory. The Mikado thereupon appoints a court favorite as governor of the Western States and hopes that the invaders will be repelled. After some time, the governor of the West decides he can get a better deal from the Kremlin and sells out to them on condition that he is made hereditary com missar of "Neutor&do”—the territory formerly known as Nevada, Utah and Colorado. After several decades, the American people finally free themselves of Soviet rule and re-establish their independence and their Nation. But the Japanese commissar of Neutorado, sup ported by a small group qf American quislings, decides he wants to keep on ruling and refuses to have any>deallngs with the central power at v Washington. He proceeds to purchase bombers fjbm Belgium and starts a gun-run ning network—as the Nizam of Hyderabad is doing today! It is not difficult to imagine what would happen to the Neutorado state. It would im mediately be invaded and wiped out and the commissar electrocuted for treason. It is re markable that the government of India has shown as much self-restraint as it has. O. J. DEKOM, Editor. Par Eastern News Letter. Danger of Communism Stressed To the Kaltor of The Star: “Communism possesses a language which every people can understand. Its elements are hunger, envy and death.” Today, the ideology proclaimed by Marx and Engels evokes discussion and discord; and the disunity occasioned by communism is cause for concern accenting the question of individual freedom versus the all-powerful state. The assertion is made that “every Com munist is a potential enemy of the United States” and it is known that Russia is exert ing frenzied efforts to extol communism as superior to other forms of government. William Z. Poster, chairman of the Com munist Party in the United States, when tes tifying .before a congressional committee was asked, “Do you owe allegiance to the Ameri can flag?” Mr. Poster “stated very clearly, that the Red flag is the flag of the revolu tionary class, and all capitalist flags are flags of the capitalist class, and we owe no alle giance to them.” Communism should be fought in the open; there is no place in this Nation "for an ideology contrary to the spirit upon which it was founded. Ex-President Hoover in a recent speech pointed out that as long as we follow the precepts which in the past have contrib uted to the Nation’s greatness, we Will over come all our current problems, stressing the fact that in those nations where truth no lopger is a guiding principle totalitarian “liberals” havq provided “the ladder ’upon which the Communist pirates have boarded the ship of state.” It is obvious from the writing of Stalin himself that Communists count on two events to swing the world their way. The* first is a depression in the United States. The second is a'Third World War, not between the Soviet Union and the United States primarily, but between two capitalist nations with Russia going in on one side and then licking its ally afterwards. Be advised; The ultimate Communist aim is a Communist world empire. Bluemont, Va. WALTER I. PRIEST. Mercy-Convoy to Berlin To the Kdltor of The Star: War-shocked mankind looks in agonized in decision toward the shambles of Berlin, ghoulish^ symbol of Nemesis and the utter futility of hate and war. Soldiers and the anxious fathers of soldiers fearfully recall Sarajevo and the Chinese dead on Marco Polo bridge. Little did we think they were grim portents- of two barbaric World Wars in which there were no victors but death and infinite sorrow. Our worried leaders give us little hope that the starvation-blockade of mortally-wounded Berlin can be resolved without a showdown of force. The high-level decision to fight famine and plague in Berlin by doubling the mercy runs of our airlift is a vicarious show of force. The atheist slavemasters of the Politburo know this and hesitate to call our dangerous hand. Berlin is the best proof that our air power can play other significant roles than break a starvation-blockade by a former ally which has become a predatory aggressor. Yet cold logic consoles them with the belief that bankrupting cost and their old ally winter will make the airlift-rescue an ideological asset with dimin ishing returns. The despair of the abandoned will be the more paralyzing because it follows breach of trust of our Nation’s honor in its treaty obligations. The campaign battle cry of Henry A. Wal lace, '‘Abandon Berlin,” forces a high-level de cision upon our perplexed leadership. Pormer Vice President and now usurper of the mantle of the champion of the Fouj- Freedoms, the late Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Mr. Wallace has become a sycophant and servile pleader for the cynical masters of the Kremlin. Call ing upon the gullible to abandon Berlin, we safely may assume that Soviet-apologist Wal lace is mouthing the atheist prayers of the Politburo with hypnotized servility. Now Presi dential Candidate Wallace, betrayer of the Four Freedoms, presents the hopes of the common man for peace, freedom and abun dance with a choice of evils: Abandon Berlin to the slavemasters of the police state; or break the inhuman starvation-blockade wltn force or Its inflammatory equivalent. The plan herein proposed is predicated on the belief that an armed convoy routed through the besieging Soviet Zone via the autobahn is a poor choice of evils. Those sponsoring the armed-convoy break-through argue that by having the showdown with pawns, the principals are not committed by a local gamble with the dice. Both sides caq save face by saying the fate of civilisation should not hang on the nervous trigger-finger of either a bully or a victim of terror. This would keep the eold war localized to a small perimeter of undeclared war where active belligerency exists without formal declaration of all-out hostilities. Even if the armed convoy does not at this time precipitate all out hostilities the lack of final decision plays into the hands of aggressor?. But an unarmed convoy carrying food, clothing and medicine, bearing Red Cross ln stgnlas *n(i the flag of the United Nations, could break the starvation-blockade in the name erf common humanity. This wquld force the predatory atheists of the Politburo to a high-level decision of future policy and in tention. If they vetoed or denied entry to a mercy-convoy, they would declare their criminally Insane ruthlessness so that even their own enslaved people beyond the Iron Curtain would know it beyond, reasonable doubt. THOMAS E. MATTINGLY, M. D. /*' The Political Mill High Prices and inflation To Be Campaign Issues Drop in Commodities Before Election Would Stymie Truman’s Plans By GoulJ Lincoln The issue of high prices and inflation is going into the coming presidential campaign if President Truman can bring it about. Prob ably nothing more disconcerting to the Tru man campaign could happen than a falling off of prices of important commodities between now and next November. As far as the politics of the situation is concerned, everything de pends on whether the consumer will place the blame for continued high prices on the Presi dent or on the Republican Congress. Obviously. Mr. Truman believes he has the Republicans over a barrel. Just as obviously, some of the Republicans are worried and don’t know which way to turn. It’s a fact the country confronts a condition—not a theory—and people are paying a lot of money for what they buy. On the other hand, the people still have money to pay. If they didn't, buying would stop, and goods would sell for whatever the producers and merchants could get for them, with a slump in prices. In his message to Congress on the legisla tion he wishes enacted, Mr. Truman said a great deal about increase in prices, and very little about the Increases in wages that have gone along, too, except to say that he be lieved some further increases could be granted. He said a lot about production and the full use of the production system. He failed, how eveh to mention that this so-called full pro duction was coming from a 40-hour or leas work week, or to consider how much greater the production could be in many lines if ths workers labored a few hours longer. Contributing Factors. Several (acton art contributing to high and higher prices. One of them, about which apparently nothing can be done, la the huge export of American commodities now going on, with the European Recovery Program as a main cause. Mr. Truman does not suggest that anything material be done to eut down the export of goods, nor does he suggest any fundamental economic remedy. Rationing and price control are the principal planks of his program for meeting lntatlon, and he Is pretty wary about these. He reaHses that these controls are highly unpopular, ones they are imposed. He has good reason know this because he confronted that situa • tion in 1946, when the people were complaining bitterly against these controls which had corns over from wartimes. Mr. Truman, when he could not get Congress to continue the price control legislation Just as he wanted it, began scuttling the system In a hurry. Even so the Democrats lost the congressional elections that year—and control passed to the Republicans. The effect of rationing and price control in those days was to limit production and to shunt great quantities of goods Into a black market. A resumption of these controls would, in all probability, bring about similar condl lions and the people would be no happier with less to buy—and having to pay higher prices to get what they wanted in a black market. Tough Nut to Crack. It’s a tough nut to crack, with grave doubt that any legislation would accomplish relief. The Republicans, with good reason, stick to the claim that retrenchment in Government spending would be effective. If the Repub licans do nothing, and inflation should gain great headway, Mr. Truman will beat the bushes with wide claims that had his program been put into effect the people would have been spared. On the other hand, if prices do not Increase materially before November, Mr. Truman's campaign will have little effect. The Republicans In Congress, acting on the advice of Gov. Dewey of New York, GOP presidential nominee, have promised to give Mr. Truman’s recommendations careful con sideration. To do less would be stupid politi cally. The country knows that Mr. Truman's call for a special session was political, without any expectation on his part that legislation could be enacted, or If It was, that it would be effective. The move seemed to give promise, politically. It was something new. It will soon cease, however, to have any novelty at tached. One effect may be to low Mr. Truman any chance whatever of carrying Southern States, with the civil rights legislation coming up. Answers to Questions A reader can set the tnawer to any duration nf fact by wrltini The Ivenlnc Star Information Bureau. S18 I atreet Nt Waahtncton t, D. C. Pleaee incloae .1 cents for return poatan. BY THE HASKINS SERVICE Q. Did s legless msn once swim 150 miles In the Hudson River?--J.. K. » A. The handicap swim record Is held by the legless Charlie Ztmmy, who swam tha Hudson River from Albany to New York, a matter of 147 miles In 1938, but without any timing for his feat. Q. In surnames like D'Ambrosca. should the “D” be pronounced as ‘‘dee"?—P. D. A. A. The preposition abbreviated In such names as D'Andrea, D'Allesandro, and D'Am brosca Is never so pronounced that It sounds as if written “dee.” The very fact that the vowel has been dropped before the first letter of the proper noun Indicates that it has no separata sound. The first letter of the prepositon blends with the first letter of the basic name. D'Am brosca is pronounced Dam-brhs'-kuh. Q. What was the lowest temperature ever recorded In North America?—W. P. E. A. In 1947 a reading of 78.7 degrees F. below zero was recorded at Snag, a small outpost on the Alaska-Yuksn border. This was, according to the Canadian Meteorological Service, the lowest temperature reported In North America. Q. Who named Broadway in New York City ■The Great White Way”?—P. R. Y. • A. The nickname is derived from the title of a play by A. B. Paine <19011 And refers to its brilliant lighting. Q. What became of ths hospital ship U. S. 8. Mercy?—C. W. A. The Department of the Navy says th# U. 8. 8. Mercy, AH 8, is no longer in activg service. This ship was transferred to the War Assets Administration and sold. Old Road Here once a road Down which the loggers drove Their patient teams. Yonder an elm And there a poplar grove, Where sunlight gleams. And checker berries dot the moss that grows Between the ever-widening laurel rows. Here once a road » That farm folk used to take fn route to town; Bordered by cress And sassafras and brake, Stony and brown, Winding around each hollow and each knoll As though in little haste to reach its goal Here once a road; Bemused, with heart aglow, I lonely fare; A Livingston, A Stanley, I can go Exploring, where The only feet remembered are long dead, And wild grapes tangle boughs above mg head. LALIA MITCHELL THORNTOH. ‘