THE PEOPLE'S FORUM
. . . THE PEOPLE'S FORUM . . . Cause For Alarm Dear Sirs: The ignorance of the American people as evidenced by Hadley Can-tril's Office of Public Opinion Research is very discouraging at a time...
...Paul Squibb Headmaster Midland School Los Olivos, Calif...
...Even if this isn't good strategy there is a chance that it would start a fifth column in Europe—perhaps in Germany—that would help the invasion forces...
...I solved the problem by keeping all important items in two large scrap books I made myself...
...It did not...
...In this way all topics can be read at one time...
...W. W. Shannon Houston, Tex...
...John Campbell Chula Vista, Calif...
...The Faded Reds' Dear Sirs: We note in the press reports that the Communist party has changed its name...
...Misses Ameringer Dear Sirs: . We were followers of Oscar Ameringer for more than 40 years and certainly miss him...
...About one-sixth of these very considerable plate deliveries came from Irvin works...
...Kaiser, let us individualize our economic system and life, that is, restrict by legislation any man or combination of men to only one economic activity and no more...
...Kaiser wants to build a boat his layout man gets busy, not the fellow cutting the portholes...
...Protest On India Dear Sirs: I want to write a few lines of protest regarding Dr...
...I am strong for the Four Freedoms, with a fifth added: Freedom from the New Deal Administration, which I hope will happen on Nov...
...The Rotten Tree Dear Sirs: Henry J. Kaiser's article, idealistic as it is, lacks again as almost all of them do, the remedy...
...we have done pretty well as it is without him...
...In time they may solve the problem of India...
...The remedy for the evils inherent in privately owned monopoly is public ownership, the same as the postal system, in the coming era...
...It's nice to have such a patriotic superman as Mr...
...Of course we, as a nation, can do nothing about cartels, but we have Federal and state laws galore against private monopolies, with not one single instance of success or dissolution of the evil...
...The pacifist Gandhi and his followers could no more handle the situation than a group of small children...
...I do not refer to the Forum, where one expects to find shades of opinion as opposite as the poles, but rather to such diversity as expressed by Harry Elmer Barnes and William Henry Chamberlin...
...Villard in a recent Christian Century — and now being distributed in reprint form by the Post War World Council — in which he vigorously argues against this proposal...
...why don't men like him do the writing...
...Further, I will guarantee that none of my products will pop open in the middle of the ocean and drown a lot of good men...
...I believe if every American had had The Progressive in the past, we would not now be in this devastating war—a pretty strong statement, but I believe it...
...Great Britain is our closest and most understanding ally...
...The Daily Worker's reference to "irresponsible element s" and "Trotskyites" among the Montgomery Ward labor leaders does not apply to the leaders of the strike, but to perverted elements who created disunity among the workers and thus gave the management of the factory an excuse for refusing to grant elementary rights to the workers...
...Either the capitalistic papers are more interested in juicy scandals or else John Q. Public is so self-centered that he doesn't give a darn about what happens beyond his own petty whims and fancies...
...I would like to make a deal with Uncle Sam...
...Delbert A. Edelman Bethlehem, Pa...
...If the idea isn't entirely sound, it would certainly do some good, and if it could save one American life it would be worth a fair-sized expenditure of the taxpayers' money...
...If he will buy me 10,-000 acres of good farming land, put all the necessary buildings on . it, furnish it with the necessary tools and implements, pay my hired men (and pay me a 10 per cent bonus for hiring them), furnish me with the necessary capital—and contract to take all of my produce at about 375 per cent of its market value, I will show the country a miracle of farm production...
...A. J. Ranger Harlowton, Mont...
...One of the great concerns today, it seems to me, of any who profess to be a liberal should be the impending peacetime conscription bill now being considered in Congress...
...More than half of the group didn't know that the U. S. hadn't joined the League of Nations...
...The militarization of our educational systems, our thinking, our institutions and government would be virtually inevitable...
...It did not...
...Herridge, for your contribution to clarify our situation...
...Robert Alexander Pacific, Mo...
...I see," says Mr...
...The British have done very well by Canada and Australia...
...The Government was un able to present any evidence connecting Carnegie-Illinois with a de struetion of records...
...Can it be done in our economy of rent, interest, and profit—stock, bonds, mortgages, and securities as the incentive and dominating force of industry, to say nothing of a private monopoly of money...
...If you keep them up, your circulation will rise to a higher figure than you ever expected...
...Why could not the Progressives, Democrats, and Republicans get together and elect him President...
...Kaiser...
...However, they are now out for the re-election for a fourth term of the great "I Am," or, as Monte Cristo said, "The world is mine...
...Every one knows that when you increase production, you lower costs...
...He goes on telling his readers, very elaborately, about national and international conspiracies against trade, that is, private monopolies and cartels, but he states no logical or possible remedy for this evil...
...The Progressive "principles" did deal with the latter, somewhat...
...That wouldn't seem to make much difference anyway because the Charter seems to be going out the side door without even a stir in Washington...
...This one Forum letter has done a lot of good...
...Such statement reflected my firm conviction that none of the plates supplied by Irvin works were either defective nor inferior, and that any irregularities in test reports which might have occurred concerned relatively unimportant variations from the specifications...
...but if he must preach to us, let him start with true premises and he will get a truer answer...
...My statement has since been proved to have been entirely accurate...
...To change the subject and perhaps to get onto something a bit more constructive, I'm wondering what kind of policing will be done after the war...
...Helpful Dear Sirs: We find The Progressive helpful in our current affairs forum...
...Your so-called full freedom — the laissez-faire of Adam Smith— has brought us trade combinations, trusts, and monopolies in production and distribution, and the end of individual initiative, planning, and execution...
...Barnes could give a detailed and workable formula for democracy, political and industrial, since he has a scientific understanding of the evolution of industry and politics it has created...
...7. C. B. Ballard Appleton, Wis...
...4. The passage at this time of such a bill is defeatism pure and simple...
...I suggest that you even ask F. D. R. for an article—he can do no more than refuse and might not refuse...
...Excuse me...
...To any one who has made even a superficial study of India the one outstanding fact is that that benighted country is the least able to govern itself of any in the world...
...Also articles on the cause of war and U. S. policy are in a second envelope...
...I wonder why people haven't thought of that years ago...
...If you want to revive (for they are as dead as a doornail) initiative and individualism, Mr...
...And don't believe the tommyrot that the big business bosses make either our domestic or foreign policy...
...What good do public education, the OWI, and our "free" press do if they can't teach us to think for ourselves and then give us the facts to base thoughts upon...
...But they are still battling effects...
...Raymund's guidance to writers is real constructive criticism...
...It is worth the price of The Progressive for a long time to me, for I know people are beginning to think...
...Unfair To Communists Dear Sirs: In "Strange Redfellows" in your issue of May 29, you display a distorted view of the Montgomery Ward labor dispute...
...Suggestion Dear Sirs: Neera Gokhale in the May 22 Forum asks for proof that capitalism is the cause of unemployment...
...Perhaps you are acquainted with the splendid article by Mr...
...Did the Standard Oil Company quit when ordered by Federal courts to do so...
...John Haynes Holmes' May 29 article, "The Release of Gandhi...
...Senator, keep on telling about private monopoly's depredations...
...at lower costs you increase sales, and that increases profits, making possible better wages to the workers and to more workers, and better dividends to the stockholders...
...If she will read The Soviet Power, by Hewlett Johnson, Dean of Canterbury, she will find the explanation...
...Helpful Letter Dear Sirs: Among the fine, bright, splendid features of this superior magazine, one of the most helpful is the letter of Nellie M. Ferry in the May 29 issue telling how to get a complete list of Senators and Representatives and Congressional committees by writing to Mr...
...M. Palmer Bryant Glendora, Calif...
...Brother, you took the words right out of my mouth...
...Mr...
...A third has articles on the Army, food, disease, etc...
...New York, N. Y. * * * On The Right Track Dear Sirs: Your articles on the economie-possibilities for postwar America are the best ever in constructive criticism...
...Elwood Brown Alhambra, Calif...
...Try and stay there...
...5, 1943, you will be interested in the following statement by Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation, XJ...
...I hope someone will pick up this ball and keep it rolling until it becomes world-wide in our time...
...How can we have a people's government if the people don't know what they want...
...The OPOR survey brought out the fact that 60 per cent of the people polled didn't even know how the United States would ratify an international treaty if one were proposed...
...Show America'that The Progressive stands for a free press...
...You seem to be right about as often as anybody, and when you are wrong I usually like the way you are wrong...
...Bureaus No Answer Dear Sirs: So The Progressive, according to an editorial in the June 5 issue, thinks a Federal system of public medical and hospital care would be the answer to the appalling situation that four million physical and mental misfits were rejected for Army service in the land of the free...
...Here I would like to offer a few reasons why I feel a most aggressive opposition should be made to the May Bill or any similar proposal for compulsory peacetime military training: 1. Universal conscription of youth has long been the foundation stone of the autocratic and militaristic European regimes which in due course gave place to the dictatorships...
...You slur the cooperative attitude of the American Communists towards the new economic policy with its promise that "America can win the peace...
...Give them their freedom tomorrow and you would have chaos...
...No, there is not a single instance wherein the anti-monopoly laws have interfered with the growth of the private monopoly evil...
...Can't The Progressive see that nothing short of a revolution in modern living is the answer: a revolution that includes good food that hasn't had all the vitality manufactured out of it, healthy work instead of monotonous factory and office routine, security and independence in employment instead of being robots, freedom from the horrors of wholesale slaughter, and a decent family life...
...I can't do without your grand paper, because the President said not to believe what you hear over the radio, or what the newspapers tell you, and, of course, who would...
...In some form, yes...
...It has more truth and news in it than a whole week of daily papers has...
...If there is one group of citizens I abhor more than any other it is the haters of Great Britain...
...6. It is both wrong and foolish to take boys out of their home circle before their characters are formed and thrust them into the vicious moral atmosphere of a camp, where they will be subjected to every vile temptation and moral pitfall known to man...
...It is very probable that Dr...
...Let us say, "You can have only one factory, one store, one economic activity of any kind to make a living...
...Let Herridge run his own country, if his people will let him...
...I have read Trotsky's book in defense of his own policy...
...The big hogs are displacing the little hogs at the trough...
...They'd like to, many of them, but not many in the Congress "take orders...
...Perhaps he knows the futility of offering corrections of existing injustices in which your writers excel...
...My hat is off to you, Mr...
...Their feelings toward Hitler are mild compared to their unreasoning hatred of Great Britain...
...Diversity Of Opinion Dear Sirs: I too read The Progressive from cover to cover...
...THE PEOPLE'S FORUM . . . Cause For Alarm Dear Sirs: The ignorance of the American people as evidenced by Hadley Can-tril's Office of Public Opinion Research is very discouraging at a time when every freedom-loving person should be doing his utmost to understand the world situation and forming an opinion as to what kind of a peace he will sponsor...
...I am a "white collar worker" at a very modest stipend...
...S. B. swinbhart Route 1, Dayton, Wash...
...I do not want to miss a single ono of the articles in the postwar series...
...Must we continue to expect The Progressive to sponsor running to Washington for every answer...
...Had I never made any other study of economics and political philosophy and their historical origins and never tried to analyze the mechanism of the production and distribution of human necessities, this reading would leave me in a confusing maze and mental distress...
...Perry continued, "testified either before the Truman Committee or before the Federal Court at Pittsburgh that any defective steel plates were ever supplied by Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation from Irvin works or elsewhere...
...After an exhaustive three-weeks trial just concluded before Judge Robert M. Gibson in the U. S. District Court at Pittsburgh, such complete exoneration has been obtained...
...All I have read so far has come from idealists without a plan — dreamers, well-m e a n i n g, but nevertheless dreamers, who fail to see or miss the courage to lay the ax to the rotten tree of monopolistic big business...
...But I have spent a good many years in public accounting and I know what makes a good business "tick," and I have yet to meet an executive who aims at "scarcity...
...2. The extent of its damage to the democratic way of life would be incalculably great...
...Herridge And Scarcity Dear Sirs: In your issue of May 15, William Herridge, former Canadian Minister to the U. S., starts with a false premise and wanders far afield, when he attempts to tell his neighbors in the U. S. what to do in bringing about an economic revolution as he would like to see it...
...Kaiser...
...Louis, Mo...
...I believe it will...
...But won't every country be interested enough in her own safety to build or hold a sizeable standing army...
...Agrees With Sam Harm Dear Sirs: I would like to compliment Sam J. Harm on his letter in the May 22 issue in the People's Forum entitled, "Chamberlin on Russia...
...Almost unbelievable is the amazingly low price at which you offer such a distinguished and capable array of writers...
...Liked Herridge Article Dear Sirs: Every issue of The Progressive is always most enlightening and fearlessly candid...
...The way Mr...
...So far, we have heard no protest from the Commander-in-Chief...
...For until private banking is liquidated public operation of the other natural monopolies will remain polite fiction...
...But for the heroic defense of England by the R. A. F. in 1940 there might well be German bombs dropping on Dr...
...Are we at war with Germany or Great Britain...
...But right now public capital is financing the most expensive undertaking in human history, though public control is absent...
...What good is it to rave about the beauty of the world as it ought to be, to paint sky pictures and mirages in the economic wilderness, unless you tell what to do in a sensible, easy-to-understand, practical manner...
...Hessel-tine blasts the idea of an international police force, that seems to be out of the question...
...Arend M. Kraan Egg Harbor City, N. J. * * * Kaiser For President Dear Sirs: Henry Kaiser's article in the May 29 issue Was the best of all...
...The "scarcity" boys are in Washington, and Wallace is the idol (remember the little pigs...
...Ye gods...
...The Best Yet Dear Sirs: Henry J. Kaiser's article in the May 29 issue is the best 1 have read yet...
...Of course, the organization would have to be world-wide...
...He has built dams other great men said were impossible, showed the world how to build ships, and shows by his article in The Progressive that he would be a strong, honest man that the big boys could not push around...
...It may be the fellowship of the faded reds...
...I suggest that you print articles by Eric A. Johnston, Paul T. Bab-son, Wendell Willkie, and George A. Welsh, even if you don't like them...
...Carnegie-Illinois is justly proud of its outstanding productive record in support of our country's great war effort, including the de livery of more than 10,000,000 tons of steel plates of all kinds since Pearl Harbor...
...Please don't consider me unduly pessimistic, but anything as startling as this poll can be pretty discouraging...
...Mrs...
...We must have more Kellys and fewer "posers" in the big jobs...
...Fred Padgham Stroud, Okla...
...He has always been fair with labor—that's why his men help him do things that appear impossible...
...How is it that of the biggest powers now working for freedom of people everywhere in the world to decide upon their own form of government, Britain holds India in subjugation, the United States holds Puerto Rico in economic slavery, and China continues to shoot Communists...
...Frank Ward Tiffin, O. Hats Off To Raymund...
...The jury in that case acquitted Carnegie-Illinois of the charges, contained in forty-seven counts of an indictment, that it had falsely certified tests on certain plates furnished to or for various Government agencies...
...Sixty per cent had never heard of the Atlantic Charter...
...I am one of them...
...Russia is for Russia first, last, and always...
...D. C. Bond Alhambra, Calif...
...Wesley Frost Putnam, Conn...
...Federal Judge Gibson directed a verdict of acquittal on another indictment charging Carnegie-Illinois with the destruction of pertinent records...
...We have forgotten the new label...
...Is it too much to hope that public credit may be utilized to achieve Henry Kaiser's goal—plus the will of the people...
...In these I placed topics which belonged together...
...I want to add that in the issue of May 15, William Herridge has a particularly fine article which is so to the point with out theorizing or side-stepping that it must surely strike every reader as bedrock fact...
...When Mr...
...He asserts that the "bosses of the system have one god . . . Its name is scarcity," and "these bosses determine the nation's domestic policy and its foreign policy...
...5. Conscription is state slavery...
...Mildred Jensen Loomis Brookville, 0. * * * Remedy For Monopoly Dear Sirs: Sen...
...J. B. Sager St...
...E. Smelser Joplin, Mo...
...I simply would not throw away the . striking articles which explain so many things we Americans, unfortunately, never know...
...W. Bouck Sedro Woolley, Wash...
...As I gather it, the Progressives are not opposed to exploitation of man by man, but rather as to who is to continue to do the exploiting...
...Those are my sentiments oh Russia, and I hope every Progressive who reads The Progressive will read his letter...
...Thank you, Mr...
...Please give the simple truth a chance...
...Private monopoly is now having its era...
...All of this was just right for England and would certainly drag us in to her assistance...
...It seems as if a simple declaration of our peace aims—if we have any— would do a lot more "softening up" than bombing civilians ever did...
...Alma E. Meyer South Lyon, Mich...
...You are on the right track...
...When I read your magazine I honestly can't tell...
...This is a poor time to give their ideas publicity...
...Even a country housewife can see the light when laid out clearly as in this article of yours...
...Carnegie-Illinois Exonerated Dear Sirs: In view of The Progressive's editorial on the subject on Apr...
...Truth And News Dear Sirs: I don't want to miss an issue of your paper...
...Some of us that were once "col-lectivist" now see that establishing a Federal bureau will cure absolutely none of the evils today—only education will...
...Perry added: "About a year ago, when indictments were found against Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation relative to alleged false reports of tests of steel plates at Irvin works, I stated that Carnegie-Illinois was confident that when it was afforded the opportunity to present in court the full facts, the outcome would be complete exoneration...
...With the means at hand for a bloody war of aggression, what can stop them besides having another nation step in...
...There must be a mass beginning and mass knowledge: Dr...
...3. The detrimental effects which are inherent in conscription upon the-individual personality are too numerous to mention...
...Or is Russia our enemy...
...Who can escape its conclusions...
...I am not even an employer...
...At least the Canadians and Australians believe so...
...The author of "A Better Doorstep for All," reprinted in the May 22 issue, verges on the classical and the sublime...
...Could we have an article on a world police force that would really work and couldn't take on the power of the Praetorian Guard...
...Your liberality in this respect is comparable to that of the fine general policy of your paper...
...It seems the headquarters of this Government are in Moscow, London, and Wall Street and the hindquarters in Washington, D. C. My grandsons are supposed to be fighting under the Union Jack that stands for the British Empire, aggression, oppression, and slavery, marching to the tune of "God Save the King...
...No witness," Mr...
...The impression that it gave me is that Trotskyism can be defined as a factional movement without any clearly defined program, but by its very nature a subversion of progress...
...How naive, Mr...
...What good will it do to make the war safe for democracy if the people won't (it isn't a case of can't) think for themselves...
...Why don't we hear more about cause and how to remedy it...
...That is the best suggestion I have ever read, and I believe it would work...
...Henry Kaiser has splendidly stated what must be done, tactfully avoiding detail...
...Kaiser is the gentleman who sometime ago, when the tax bill was before Congress, said we should raise many billions more now...
...Any number of our "best people" have insisted that we have always had capital and that we shall always require it...
...I can't help but agree with Norman Thomas when he asks for a peace offensive in connection with the Allied invasion of Europe...
...Holmes' church by this time...
...When you start to build a house, you commence with the foundation and not with the roof...
...In other words, get out of the trough, you swine of 200 corporations, and give all a fair chance to get their bread and butter by their own effort and will...
...Churchill states he is out to uphold, maintain, and preserve the British Empire first, last, and always...
...Katherine Davis Union Star, Mo...
...S. Steel subsidiary: "We are happy to have the public know that the unfair and unsubstantiated accusations made by the Truman Committee of the delivery by Carnegie-Illinois of defective plates have been completely refuted," J. L. Perry, president of Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation, U. S. Steel Subsidiary, said in commenting upon the acquittal of Carnegie-Illinois in the criminal suit prosecuted by the Government against it in the Federal Court at Pittsburgh...
...The Lusitania Dear Sirs: I want to tell Clare Boothe Luce, who was quoted in the May 22 issue, that I was on the pier at the sailing of the Lusitania and that I saw and heard messengers from the German Embassy pleading with passengers going aboard not to sail on the boat because they knew that was carrying contraband of war and would certainly be torpedoed...
...The May Bill Dear Sirs: Add my voice to the growing number who are firmly convinced that the top-notch liberal paper in this country is undoubtedly The Progressive...
...It is not for Americans to solve the problem of India...
...The "competitive" era had its days, and never can be resurrected...
...Kaiser...
...Raymund...
...Carl H. Schmidt Mosinee, Wis...
...Now, I am not connected with "big business...
...L. Miller Sandusky, O. Strong Statement Dear Sirs: I was interested in those Forum letters asking for a binder or even different paper make-up...
...Chamberlin named "freedom of investment" as one requisite of future world peace...
...Dear Sirs: Bernard Raymund's "gentle correction" in the May 29 issue of John Chamberlain's "Two Conceptions of Planning" in the May 8 issue is to my mind the best reading in your paper to date...
...The National Opinion Research Center has found that although 71 per cent of us want a Union of Nations after the war, 59 per cent believe that we will have to fight again in 50 years...
...Briefly, the May Bill calls for one year compulsory military training for all boys reaching the ripe old age of 17...
...There must be some cause for this...
...Applauds 'Peace Union' Dear Sirs: I want to comment on the Forum letter of E. Ernest Garner in the May 22 issue on a Workers Peace Union...
...Try it...
...We won't be surprised to find The Progressive advocating a Federal Bureau to Eliminate Human Selfishness...
...It concedes that future wars are certain, and sanctifies war as a proper means for settling international disputes...
...When asked how he would raise it he answered, "By a sales tax...
...It is a perfectly natural growth and never will be forced back...
...Joseph Schafper San Diego, Calif...
...La Follette's article, "Breeding the Next War," in the May 22 issue is interesting...
...These wieked bosses are of course "big business...
...J. C. MacDonald Assistant to Chairman U. S. Steel Corp...
...Kaiser, "our Government restoring to individuals and to enterprise that full freedom which gives them not only opportunity, but the sense of responsibility...
...During the trial Carnegie-Illinois introduced evidence to establish the actual heat numbers of the steel involved in each of these 47 counts, as well as evidence to prove that all of the steel in question has in fact been properly tested and had met the chemical and physical requirements of the contract specifications...
...For example, all articles on the countries, Japan, England, etc., are grouped together in one large envelope on one page of my first book...
...His article ought to be circulated widely among the defeatists of this country...
...Mrs...
...South Trimble, Clerk of the House of Representa tives, Washington, D. C. K. C. Warder Jeffersonville, Ind...
...We wonder if our Democratic friends are pleased or profoundly and deeply shocked in having these strange bed fellows...
...The words, "The age of potential abundance has begun," and "our productive system has spectacularly demonstrated its immense capacity," remind me of similar arguments in the literature of the Technocrats who long ago enunciated such a realistic statement of facts...
...For instance, did the Northern Securities Company quit years ago, when ordered to do so by the courts...
...Critical Of Kaiser Dear Sirs: In The Progressive of May 29 there is an article by Henry J. Kaiser, and on the editorial page of that issue there are very laudatory remarks about Mr...
Vol. 8 • June 1944 • No. 25
