THE PEOPLE'S FORUM
. . . THE PEOPLE'S FORUM . . . Free Enterprise Dead Dear Sirs: "Individualism" and "free enterprise," demanded by the scions of wealth, were possible and practicable when the U. S. Government was...
...The builder should not be taxed for the food he exchanged for the house...
...They show just what the artist thinks without having to embellish a story with tongue-twisting words...
...his de termination to maintain the British Empire exactly as it always has been, combined with the gigantic power wielded by the British Prime Minister either in war or peace, may well cause us to ask exactly what it is that the United States is now supporting with the blood of our best young men and the cream of our resources...
...Treason is something entirely different—it is an act of commission...
...It therefore follows that I am a blue-nosed prohibitionist, shocked by such things as liquor and beer and tiddledy winks, and any red-blooded, red-eyed American will say "pooh...
...I do not agree with much that Chamberlin writes, but I read him every time, and derive much information from his writing...
...Frankly, I believe The Progressive must be very muddling to many readers...
...24, an article by William Henry Cham-berlin hailing the Dewey triumph in the Wisconsin primaries as a victory for democracy...
...I believe in a mutual profit sharing world wide trade, free of all tariffs with all nations, regardless of their respective forms of government...
...Human beings, they claim, are too selfish to accept voluntary collectivism...
...The food is his just as though he had produced it...
...In the first place, the balloting was very light, and in the second place few if any individuals with progressive ideals voted with the Republicans...
...E. Paul Conine King Ferry, N. Y. * * * Opposes Currency Plan Dear Sirs: The plan for a world bank released to the press recently by the Secretary of the Treasury, Mr...
...We have a great job ahead turning our destructive rivers into a chain of lakes where they are needed most, creating all kinds of power along the banks for the cities and towns and villages, and also irrigation projects...
...It is his to live in...
...Lansing, The Inside of the Peace Conference...
...If the collectivism of the future is not to be totalitarian internationally and nationally, its national government must be of the people, by the people, and for the people, and its international government must be of peoples, for peoples, and by peoples...
...Furthermore, the right to propagate that opinion is in my opinion a right that should never be denied to anyone...
...Edward Torney New York, N. Y. Dewey's 'Suicidal' Ideas Dear Sirs: If meager reports in our newspapers on Gov...
...If I thought that Fascism was the right way of life (which I do not— I despise Nazism and Fascism as absolute slavery, mentally and economically) I would say so and feel I have a right to say so...
...Newby's article in the Mar...
...All history is a running commentary on the truth that Sir Edward Grey learned too late for anything but insertion in his Memoirs: "Large armaments lead inevitably to war...
...To learn just what happened behind those peace doors at Versailles one should read the book by our then Secretary of State, Mr...
...Now I can't help wondering whether you wouldn't start singing the praises of Anaconda Brass and Standard Oil if somebody slipped you a big mess of stock, or if somebody would increase your gasoline allotment for it...
...Thus, a man can build a house...
...Criticizes Chamberlin Dear Sirs: At the very time that The Progressive is conducting a drive for increased circulation, it is shocking to find it presenting as its leading feature, in the issue of Apr...
...Keep up the good work and don't be discouraged when some of our so-called "liberals" discontinue their subscriptions because they disagree with some writer or other...
...Dewey's recent speech rightly represent this man for whom so many Republican delegates are enthusing, and if our nation has no one better versed in the secret of America's success than this New York Governor appears to be, the future for America and the world certainly is black...
...Collectivism' Dear Sirs: It seems to me that some form of collectivism, international and national, is inevitable after this war...
...Since all men need them they should be available to all...
...The best monetary system for the United States is a nationalized banking system owned and operated by the Government, the common people, free from interference of the international money changers...
...Air, light, and water present no marked difficulty...
...We have had William Henry Chamberlin ad nauseum...
...Naturally, England and the USSR are in favor of this plan...
...To have an opinion in America, unless it concurs with our strictly monopolistic capitalistic conceptions, is a crime as brutally attacked and suppressed as Hitler and his Gestapo do in Germany...
...J. O. COLLERETTE Casa Grande, Ariz...
...The anachronism of the past is giving way to the collectivism of the present and future...
...My 10 years' service in the House of Representatives and record in support of public power (Bonneville, Grand Coulee, TVA), farm, labor, war veterans, and old-age pension legislation is well known...
...Mor-genthau, should be rejected by the common people of the United States...
...and stop reading right here...
...I believe this is still a free country, and we still have the right to express our opinions, speak of things that are done wrong...
...One thing is certain...
...Second, there was no democratic control by the people who became under the Constitution citizens of the new and inclusive Federal Union...
...Then he will have only commendation for our Congress which rejected that treaty...
...Let us keep awake, before America goes com pletely haywire...
...If you lack facts, I think I can get them for you...
...24th Progressive...
...I would like to see the review made compulsory reading on the campus of the University of Chicago which a strange educational cult calls home...
...Small Ohio and Indiana wheat farms are no match for the bonanza mechanized farms in Kansas, Nebraska, and North Texas...
...There is little, if any, in Carlson's book that smacks of treason...
...Borah was bitterly affronted...
...Of the Four Freedoms for which we are supposed to fight, I consider freedom of speech and opinion the most valuable...
...Bernard Raymund Worthington, O. * * * Praise For Rodell Dear Sirs: Hurrah for Fred Rodell and "The $64 Question...
...However, there are angles to this thing that we preachers are fond of calling "the liquor problem," that apparently don't occur to the Editors and writers in The Progressive...
...Another man produces more food than he needs...
...Could you not have Coleman do a series of articles on the CIO...
...The thing that makes me wonder is the fact that the most unscrupulous, underhanded, profiteering industry of all (even leaving out all consideration of the nature of the product they purvey) never comes in for much more than a wistful love tap in the columns of The Progressive...
...The affair was analogous to the fable wherein the sheep went into the wolf's den and the wolf came out disguised in the sheep's clothing...
...Correction Dear Sirs: We wish to thank you for mentioning our textbook pamphlet, Twentieth Century India, in your publication...
...THE PEOPLE'S FORUM . . . Free Enterprise Dead Dear Sirs: "Individualism" and "free enterprise," demanded by the scions of wealth, were possible and practicable when the U. S. Government was projected and the Constitution adopted, and for decades thereafter...
...Poor fellow, why doesn't he skip Chamberlin if he doesn't like him and read some of the other many worthwhile writers...
...I wish more people knew about The Progressive...
...We also owe the men small acreage homesteads, to be built along most public highways and fenced in for the safety of their growing families...
...Rev...
...C. S. Seely and Harry Elmer Barnes just as much space and prominence as you accord the reactionary Mr...
...To use Fred Rodell's expression, I am a "gentleman of the cloth...
...Your periodical features the destructively critical attitude above mentioned, and hence I want it no more...
...The fathers relied on public opinion to enforce Supreme Court decisions between our states...
...Here are a few articles that have especially appealed to me: Stuart Chase's "Full Employment for Postwar America" (So many men in the plant have read this issue that the paper is in shreds) and Harry Pax-ton Howard's "Can Japan Keep The Peace?," one of the most important series of articles in many months...
...But land does...
...George Maychin Stockdale Middleville, N. Y. * * * Cheers For Otto Dear Sirs: Three cheers for Prof...
...Mind you, I like The Progressive...
...Arend M. Kraan Egg Harbor City, N. J. * * * Inspiring Journal Dear Sirs: One of the biggest regrets of my life is that I didn't subscribe to The Progressive sooner...
...This incredible performance recently staged by Prime Minister Churchill shows that statesman running true to form as a determined opponent of democracy and women's rights...
...I have never known a time when the public was as hungry for the truth and reliable information as it is today...
...Jobs For Veterans Dear Sirs: I believe Secretary Ickes' suggestion to have the returning servicemen given shares in the Government-owned war developed production plants is fine...
...I be lieve if the people would get out and use their American right to vote, this country would fare a lot better...
...Keep it up, especially with articles by Representatives and Senators...
...Unless we do so in the World Federal Union of States, the structure will be no better than another League of Nations or the old Articles of Confederation, both so futile for two reasons: First, they relied on force that states won't use anyway, as history proves...
...17 calls attention to facts of causes leading to this World War which have been shunted to obscurity by our present commentators...
...On Being Wrong Dear Sirs: Certainly there are things about The Progressive that I don't like...
...Therefore, land should have the especial attention of that collective agency known as Government...
...Silly, I think...
...A column by Norman Thomas would help out if you could pry him away from the Call...
...Rosamond Lee Publications Secretary Institute of Pacific Relations New York, N. Y. * * * Hungry For Truth Dear Sirs: The Progressive is the order of the day...
...How funny...
...From the small ads I used to see concerning It, I gathered that it discussed politics in a rather small way—but now I know it is a very heartwarming and inspiring journal of social affairs...
...He's a great writer and would make your paper even more interesting than it already is...
...Your good articles are too numerous to mention...
...Individualism and free enterprise are not for the people, and there is no way of implementing them into our mass life...
...If more of our political leaders would break down their silly party policies and work wholeheartedly for the good of the world, there would undoubtedly be fewer of the minor difficulties that give our militarist and capitalist compatriots reasons to start bigger and better wars...
...Boiled down, his theory is this: What men acquire by the labor of their hands is theirs...
...Also, I'm not above reading aloud bits here and there to my long-suffering acquaintances...
...They are the prerogatives of the rich...
...The one best thing about The Progressive is the fact that it is willing to let both sides be heard...
...The story persists that Sen...
...President Wilson did not carry any popular mandate to negotiate the treaty and both Clemenceau and Lloyd George knew it—so his $3,000-a-day retinue, his almost royal progress through the Allied capitals was as much a joke to the Big Three as it was a scandal to the democrats at home...
...Wendell F. Farrington Trona, Calif...
...Obviously, Rodell, Meyer, Mayer, Harding, et al, like intoxicants, judging by things they have written about them...
...Encouragement Dear Sirs: In renewing my subscription, I want you to .know that I value The Progressive far more than all the rest of the publications I receive...
...Max C. Otto for his superb review of Van Doren's book...
...Is The Progressive "agin" everything...
...He calls Chamberlin a liar and places him among the select Max Eastman, Norman Thomas, and Freda Utley, all liars...
...W. F. Hiller Brighton, Colo...
...Would you be kind enough to call attention to the fact that Twentieth Century India and all of our textbook pamphlets including Behind the Open Door are 40 cents list price—30 cents to schools...
...I occasionally give out a subscription...
...So I respectfully ask that you henceforth grant more progressive men like Lt...
...Churchill's opposition to freedom for India, his repudiation in part of the Atlantic Charter, his exclusion of the Jews from Palestine, his insistence on starving the civil population of Norway, France, Holland, Belgium, and Greece (the latter fed by Mohammedan Turkey...
...The thing that your thoughtful readers like most, I think, is the exposure of the methods, lies, swindles, etc., of big business...
...By taking thought now, it is possible for us to determine what form that collectivism will be...
...It had its greatest impetus under the Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover Administrations...
...adopting that practical course...
...Do we in the long run have to struggle again to regain that...
...Paul, Minn...
...Opinion, sometimes erratic, sometimes brutally, sometimes frankly, expressed, yes—that's all...
...Henry George proposed a plan which is simple enough...
...So long as there are peonte like Houck, Kagawa, Bayard Rustin, and Gandhi in the world we won't have to worry too much about going entirely to the dogs...
...I am going to fight to "carry on" the fight for public power and liberal, progressive principles which has been led so gallantly in our state by Homer T. Bone for over a quarter of a century...
...But as you know, Bullitt has been proved a liar before...
...It makes me laugh when I read where some readers withdraw their subscriptions because they do not like the way some of your writers express themselves...
...27 issue and your editorial comment on John Roy Carlson's Under Cover shows how low American freedom has fallen...
...But to those of us who hold that governments were made for peoples, not people for government, totalitarian collectivism is a nightmare...
...I like Mayer, I like Meyer, I like Patri, and furthermore, I like the fellow none of the testimonials on the Forum page seem to remember—Rubin...
...Villard's article on Puerto Rico is certainly an eye-opener...
...Grover Wright Tracy City, Tenn...
...collectivism must be imposed on them and administered...
...Private monopoly everywhere is making a monkey out of the fetish of competition...
...But sometime, when you have an extra half inch, let's see some of the truth about the real black sheep of the family, the liquor industry...
...On with the dance and let the heathen rave...
...More power to you...
...How unspeakably, unlaughably funny...
...And this era of organization and regimentation began, not with Franklin Roosevelt, but under Republican rule following the Civil War...
...Wesley Frost Putnam, Conn...
...Elizabeth Sawyer Los Angeles, Calif...
...The Liquor Industry Dear Sirs: "He that is without sin may now throw the first bottle...
...Yet we wonder how any American can hold such suicidal ideas...
...These matters should be discussed with light, not heat...
...How can Americans call themselves "real patriots," to use George Washington's term, unless they try to do so for our world situation through a new Federal Union what our fathers did for their situation in setting up our Constitution...
...If our Congress approves this scheme, we will lose our rights as a free and independent nation...
...If I could afford it, I'd give out subscriptions like a tract society...
...However, the point is not stressed, as I think historians in the future will stress it, that the American delegation to the "peace" conference faced failure because of its very make-up...
...The trouble is that so many of our people are cowards at heart and do not dare to stand up for their rights...
...This type of program would create work for all the returning forces for years if they do not find work locally—work which would be worth doing, in fact, imperative, and work the workers would be proud to perform, and not be ashamed as they were of WPA puttering...
...Nevertheless, I'm irritated...
...An opinion should never be subject to censure no matter how that opinion differs from anyone...
...10 issue), and I want to thank you for keeping such a Christian attitude when there is so much petty bickering going on...
...I would suggest that this be done only for those who have seen combat duty overseas, not those who remained here in camps in training, for there will not be enough to go around...
...New Subscriber's Comments Dear Sirs: I have just received my first copy of The Progressive (Apr...
...The surplus he may exchange for a house and that house is his just as though he built it...
...Anyone with even the most elementary knowledge of political lineups knows that the result of the Republican balloting in that state is the verdict of the least democratic, most hopelessly reactionary part of the electorate...
...Specifically, hand tools of produc-tion disappear before the rising tide of organized industry...
...However, you mentioned that the price was 25 cents instead of...
...Herbert L. Jordan Lynn, Mass...
...But there are things which men have not made and cannot create...
...I'm for...
...Catherine Berkins St...
...I especially liked your People's Forum as a proof that Progressives will listen to both sides of a question before making a decision...
...It's easy to attack the villains that don't pay off...
...Public opinion and not force to keep the peace...
...And for this it deserves great credit...
...This is the single tax — simple enough — collectible enough, and fair enough as far as it goes...
...T. P. Nugent Chicago, Ill Betrayal At Versailles Dear Sirs: The Editor of "The Last Column" of The Progressive of Apr...
...Soviet Russia will never forget how Wilson and the Allied Premiers treated the new U. S. S. R. and will decidedly not permit a repetition of 1918...
...and that calls for a change in our administration of government...
...The Gloom Boys Dear Sirs: I've had just about enough...
...Can you imagine an American believing that "a structure of peace, backed by adequate force," can possibly "prevent future wars...
...Which brings me to a point...
...This would also create temporary jobs until we got started on the reconstruction of our 'country...
...But if we do not take thought, that form will be determined for us, as it was determined for the German people by the Nazi gang...
...The Single Tax Dear Sirs: We are anxious to have taxes simplified...
...Such progress is retarded by ivory-tower constant criticizing of the weaknesses of the organizations etc...
...And in the whole book there is none...
...In fact we get more reliable information in The Progressive than any other publication...
...Perhaps the memory of that defeat added gusto to his ridiculous triumph over the teachers' just de< mands...
...Like it or not, the Biblical question of my brother's keeper is going to be answered in the affirmative...
...Nor can they rightfully purchase or barter with others who have not made these things...
...I believe and know your pa per does a lot of good, and it should be in every American home, so people would get some of the truth and this country would be a better place to live in...
...I am going into the fight to win...
...Ha, ha...
...What shall be said if his sole excuse for such desertion is that country's' wish to bestow upon women teachers an elementary measure of justice—equal pay for equal work...
...A. S. Albert Oceano, Calif...
...Chauncy S. Curtis Chicago, Ill...
...Comdr...
...His 14 Points, the principles of which Britain, France, and the other Allies accepted and for whose attainment the United States entered the war, were rejected at the Peace Conference, but the name League of Nations was retained...
...My favorite is Milton Mayer, but I am stimulated by most of the other writers, including especially Hanighen, Holmes, Villard, and Pa-tri...
...Pastor John Houck's Easter Message brings to mind the fact that there are still a few Christians in the world in spite of the fact that another gentleman of the cloth put forth a very bigoted and narrow-minded view on the other side of the page...
...Chamberlin making toward unity against fascism...
...Petersburg, Fla...
...Joe Marty Silverton, Oreg...
...How can a situation like that exist under government of, by, and for the people...
...That is common sense, and it will lead tb peace...
...I am doing so...
...They are the largest producers of gold in the entire world, at a low cost of production...
...Loud-Mouthed Winchell Dear Sirs: Congratulations to Rev...
...Is it for that reason that the liquor industry is seemingly the darling of The Progressive ? Well, keep on hammering away at the oil, aircraft, copper, steel, and rubber industries...
...John R. Keister Greensburg, Pa...
...Tens of millions" need not "fight like hell...
...Collectively this right should be guaranteed to all...
...Loudmouthed Winchell is held in disgust by those who believe in real democracy...
...Your cartoons are very good...
...Generally, Congress is blamed for many of the causes that culminated in this present war because it failed to ratify the Covenant of the League of Nations...
...Chain stores and banks are driving out the little fellows...
...And the farmer should not be taxed for the house he traded for the produce which is the result of his labor...
...May we have more of these articles...
...that he was not even invited to go along, let alone consulted...
...When the Liberal Party of which he was then a member, after a long absence from office, was campaigning during 1905 and 1906 in the general election, Winston Churchill, running for Parliament as an anti-suffragist, was defeated in Manchester by the Conservative candidate chiefly through the efforts of the Suffragettes led by Christabel Pankhurst...
...What they need is information and sane leadership...
...Mary Winsor Philadelphia, Pa...
...The real test of courage is whether we are willing to attack a villain whose, villainy we are participants in because we like his product...
...True, every man must be permitted "to have his say so" in a democracy, but what contribution is the Russia-hating Mr...
...This, in my opinion at least, stamps them as no believers in democracy...
...The Progressive is performing a notable service in publishing the broad and enlightening contributions by Stuart Chase, Dr...
...Or is that phrase outdated...
...If this paper could reach every American family, I believe that the money changer and war makes would soon be eliminated...
...It is being accentuated today as a war measure, and necessarily so...
...The idealism of President Wilson was grand...
...In Every Home Dear Sirs: I have been a subscriber to your paper for a long time, and read it with great interest, as your writers explain, without fear, what the people ought to know — and we don't get that in other papers...
...Force and peace will mix as profitably as gasoline and water...
...On With The Dance...
...It should be used in such a way as to yield benefits for the enjoyment of everybody...
...Fran D. Slocum New York, N. Y. True To Form Dear Sirs: What shall be said of a man's patriotism who threatens to abandon the leadership of his country in its bitterest crisis...
...Despite our democratic boasting, the American people are being dissipated and regimented and compelled to do as they are told...
...That's good...
...But then, that's not what you lack...
...Here in America our fathers and those who have followed them, when they did follow them, have built one of the best examples of a working democracy the world has ever seen...
...I might add that Bayard has been jailed for his religious convictions...
...And there would be only one way to stop me— the Hitler way, lock me up or shoot me...
...That is the reason I want it...
...Were they foolish enough to allow the Supreme Court, as the authority of last resort, to have the power to call out armed force to enforce a decision between states...
...Huber Rees Twin Falls, Idaho Candidate For Senator Dear Sirs: I am going home to the state of Washington to campaign for U. S. Senator and will need The Progressive while...
...Bruce Bliven should have called your contributors the gloom boys instead of the hang-back boys...
...The bounds of good taste are pretty wide these days, but Mr...
...Or if he desires food, instead, he may exchange the house for food...
...If Jesus, or His gag writer, had thought of that cute saying, | I'm sure it would have appeared in the Bible after the manner of Mr...
...Holmes, Mayer, Bob La Follette, Chamber-lin, and many other fearless writers...
...William LaRule of Vista, Calif., wants his paper stopped because he says he cannot stand that renegade Socialist, William Henry Chamberlin...
...Had they done so, we can be sure our Federal Union would long since have been wrecked...
...But they who use it should pay for the privilege of using it, just as the renter now pays rent to a landlord for the use of what we have accustomed ourselves to think is the landlord's land...
...Fiend Dear Sirs: I need no further prodding—I'm now a confirmed Progressive fan, or fiend, and not only read it column by column myself, each week, but pass it on to friends...
...If true, Bullitt's account of the early recognition of the secret treaties by Wilson is very significant...
...Most everything written by the following writers is good: Norman Thomas, McAlister Coleman, W. B. Hesseltine, E. L. Meyer, Max C. Otto, T. Swann Harding...
...Chamberlin...
...I know that among totalitarian collectivists voluntary cooperation is considered a pipe dream...
...Too Critical Dear Sirs: Progress, socially and politically, is achieved on this planet by organ-izations adopting a course consisting not of perfection, but of the lesser of two evils...
...Would our country fall as low and despicable as that...
...Be that as it may, Mr...
...Air, light, water, and land, since no man made them, belong to no man...
...Robert Hoagland and the Editor of The Progressive regarding their stand on behalf of Milton Mayer's democratic views about war and international money changers...
...According to Henry George, if the rent from all real property were converted into reserve, the government would have ample means to carry on its work and would not have to resort to the present system, so fraught with inequities and annoyances, and so cumbersome in its operation...
...That seems important these days, and we who don't own a lot of stock in the offenders are just about the only people who can expose them...
...Martin F. Smith Hoquiam, Wash...
...George H. Shoaf Costa Mesa, Calif...
...Social security and old age pensions are a partial answer...
...40 cents, which is the correct price, and we have been receiving orders at 25 cents...
...H. S. Porter St...
...Harding's "Bunk About Booze" has managed to exceed them...
...Harding in the Apr...
...If we both believed alike, and I were wrong, then we would both be wrong...
...Wilson's Failure Dear Sirs: The recent series in "The Last Column" on the inside story of President Wilson's failure at Versailles was very good...
...Cowards At Heart Dear Sirs: Mrs...
...E. F. Brink Hartford, Conn...
...Do not be surprised if you have an upsurge in subscriptions in the near future...
...They are collective property...
...Because it is theirs it should not be taxed...
...Martin Graf Spokane, Wash...
...Economic change and crowding populations make imperative a homogeneous rather than a heterogeneous society...
...Transcontinental transportation has replaced the stage coach...
...Dear Sirs: Mr...
...But the industrial revolution has changed much in our method of making a living...
...Politicians, even, and editors and radio commentators, like the rest of us, must take orders from a master class, and that class is the top, not the middle or lower classes...
...These two points of our own historic success must be in any plan for a lasting peace through a United States of the World...
...The paper is doing a fine job right at that point...
...We will be affected by every business depression in Europe and Asia...
Vol. 8 • May 1944 • No. 20
