THE PEOPLE'S FORUM
. . . THE PEOPLES FORUM . . . Chamberlin On CO's Dear Sirs: I wish to express my sincere appreciation to your splendid paper and to William Henry Chamberlin for the accurate article of his on...
...But I'm glad to find that I have not noticed such obscene language being used recently...
...We know what Churchill is fighting for...
...President Roosevelt, when seeking to pack the Supreme Court, decided than men of 70 should re- tire...
...But these delinquents did not add that the President had said...
...But three paragraphs later you state that BOTH the Republican platform and the President's recent declaration place virtually all the emphasis on the enforcement of the settlement, rather than the substance of the peace...
...Dewey is not qualified to serve as President...
...unless we are attacked," which we were...
...But there it is, right before our eyes: a capital enterprise, refusing to continue at a loss, shuts down and turns its men loose...
...This leads to the erroneous assumption that men are dependent upon some one to employ them, not free men, but dependents, thrown into a world where nature has not provided any means for their support except the capitalist...
...Too Profane Dear Sirs: I should enjoy The Progressive much more if some of the writers did not use such profane and indecent language, so that I cannot recommend it to the young people...
...What is important to a sound farm economy, is a fair net return on operating cost and every attempt should be made to guarantee such returns...
...He strikes directly at our sovereignty, and, if he has taken advantage of citizenship rights, he should have them revoked and face deportation proceedings...
...and buy through the producers' coops and stick by them, the way the McNears and the Averys stick, in 25 years you can buy their stock in their holding companies at auction...
...I think it would not hurt if Mr...
...Dewey's Insult To Age Dear Sirs: I listened in to Thomas E. Dewey's speech of acceptance before the Republican Convention and must say that it was the greatest effusion of immaturity to which it has ever been my task to listen...
...Outstanding Dear Sirs: I certainly got a thrill out of that full-page announcement of coming features in The Progressive...
...I heartily agree with H. C. Kennedy's letter published in the June 26 issue...
...Mayer, Mr...
...If this represents a reversal of policy, then perhaps we should advocate something in the nature of the rent control policy current in urban centers...
...As a practically self-sufficient North America we need not fight for the expansion of foreign trade, except to perpetuate our debt economy of scarcity and money profits...
...Perhaps that is what prompts me to take issue with his insulting remarks about people of my age, for in making them he was not alone referring to President Roosevelt but hitting us all over the President's shoulder...
...With those conclusions I stoutly disagree...
...How can I have faith in such men to build a better world when they cannot practice honesty in their own land...
...From my understanding of the word sedition, Frank Kingdon should be defendant No...
...He cannot take the middle-of-the-road and assume that he can "baby" both along and lead the world down the primrose path of peace...
...The proposed policy is but one weapon in the fight against inflation and needs the support of all parties...
...No wonder he is proud to have Gov...
...Hence, he will veto any considerable effort to emasculate the modest gains of the past 12 years...
...Robert C. Tveting Cincinnati, O. * * * Chamberlin On CO's Dear Sirs: The article by William Henry Chamberlin, entitled "Prisoners of Conscience," is fair, accurate, and timely...
...it is the old "balance of power" which is the very soul of British imperialism, and contains the makings of World War III...
...This is surely true democracy...
...What use are party platforms if they are not carried out, and why make such a to-do about them...
...However, it is argued that he should continue operating at a loss rather than becoming the cause of unemployment among men...
...His column of notes on the Republican National Convention didn't add up to much sense...
...Dewey would say that Gen...
...Today, a tired, old party, still re- ferred to as the New Deal, seeks to delude the people into believing that a fourth term is desirable and that a cabinet, composed of ancienjt members, should prove acceptable...
...It fearlessly calls a spade a spade when necessary, and it is not afraid to present both sides of various questions...
...But let us examine this theory a little further...
...Does Mr...
...As an ex-banker who got caught between the millstones of private enterprise of the Federal Reserve Banks and the Comptroller of the Currency, and who enjoys a check of $51.51 a month under the Social Security Act that most of us opposed, I hold stock in a Union Bakery, Farmers Cooperative Elevator, a Cooperative Creamery, and a Cooperative Oil Company which is linked up with the C. C. A. of Kansas City and which started 15 years ago with $3,000 and now has assets of eight million...
...I think we all need the information found in The Progressive...
...Robert Taft of Ohio...
...However, what surprises me is how easily we forget the broken pledges by a candidate for public office, and to top it off we defend such a candidate if he happens to be of our particular party breed...
...That does not sound like friendly collaboration...
...Nora E. O'Brien Wichita, Kans...
...Dewey know that people of our mature age have some self-respect even if he has none for us...
...next year may be too late...
...Regardless of the cause of war, we must put it to an end as soon as humanly possible...
...I will buy a share in any consumers' cooperative that may start up and I will walk five blocks out of my way to patronize them...
...1 in the trials dragging along at this moment...
...Florence Arnold Washington, D. C. * * * A Corker The new health column is a corker...
...I am sure all your readers want the facts, but there comes a time when we have to make a choice and be practical and do what can be done toward better government...
...all in all it is one of the best, and that, I think, is saying a lot...
...Well, I'm not...
...4. I concur in the democratic foreign policies of The Progressive...
...Thomas Harthner Chicago, 111...
...Purril E. Riegel Lima, 0. * * * No Complaint Now Dear Sirs: I had intended to write in protest against the brutality of Prof...
...In the 12 months ending Nov...
...H. J. Franklin Seattle, Wash...
...H. J. Norton Boston, Mass...
...Fresh, vigorous new blood was needed, he said...
...The best to be said for the criticism is that it objects to the Government's intention of raising farm loan interest rates, but this in itself is not evidence of a reversal of policy...
...MacArthur, who is 64, is too old and tired and quarrelsome for his position and straightaway remove him...
...The Socialist Party is the only one that bases its platform on the Golden Rule, for the general welfare of all, and is the only party in existence today that can possibly bring about an enduring peace, as well as prosperity for all and not for the greedy few...
...The error lies in a lack of understanding the function of capital...
...Chamberlin, for a truly liberal and accurate article...
...We claim to be fighting fascism...
...Why Not Thomas...
...The only western powers that can balance it are the United States and the British Commonwealth of Nations...
...The USSR enjoys the same, or even more, potential plenty in the field of basic resources...
...It is the Government's responsibility to support that policy which will maintain stability in peace and war...
...But who but a delinquent will take such protection not only to criticize our President but to slander him...
...THE PEOPLES FORUM . . . Chamberlin On CO's Dear Sirs: I wish to express my sincere appreciation to your splendid paper and to William Henry Chamberlin for the accurate article of his on "Prisoners of Conscience" in the July 3 issue of The Progressive...
...Louis, Mo...
...Nevertheless, I shall vote for him for a fourth term...
...On the contrary, the Republican policy nowhere mentions maintaining a status quo peace, but instead calls for attaining permanent peace with organized justice and promises cooperation to assure these "ultimate objective s," stating that "peace and security do not depend upon the sanctions of force alone...
...We must infer from his remarks concerning civilian interference with the management of the war that he confesses his own incompetence for the task...
...Dewey's position is not greatly different, Perhaps I don't sound enthusiastic...
...The Progressives do not have a candidate so that apparently we have a choice of the lesser of two evils...
...It will cause many standard books in the soldiers' libraries to be burned...
...He cannot lead us too far astray...
...Ro-dell's attack on Thomas Dewey...
...H. R. F. Oehmler Pittsburgh, Pa...
...Hope In Co-ops Dear Sirs: As one of the few remaining Republicans whose progressive ideas date back to the early 1880's when "Fighting Bob" La Follette was first c cted district attorney, and who has voted three times for Roosevelt because the bulk of the support for Hoover, Landon, and Willkie came from the very grass roots of every country club in America, I have come to the conclusion that the cooperative movement is the greatest hope of the people in building a postwar world and avoiding World War III...
...Does the American farmer have to be reminded of the doleful '30's...
...My vote goes to F. D. R.—for want of somebody better...
...Dear Sirs: ' The Progressive is one of my favorite papers...
...For a man who has in the past repeatedly criticized the malicious New Deal and then wrote, "I give you the Republican Party, as I am unable to find any use for it"—for this kind of man I have nothing but the greatest contempt...
...Walter C. Day Phoenix, Ariz...
...Sincere thanks, and congratulations, Mr...
...in 1912 he came to the United States and began his life as a Methodist minister — (a field in which propaganda may flourish like the Green Bay tree...
...Dewey...
...There is reason in all things...
...Besides, Mr...
...Chamberlin shows a deep appreciation of civil liberties when he says, "There is no valid reason why a CO who is doing compulsory work should not receive a soldier's pay, along with his maintenance...
...Moreover, I cannot bring myself to vote for a rock-ribbed Republican...
...Does Mr...
...If the Republicans win this Fall it will be for other reasons than the hits below the belt that were pulled off at Chicago...
...Pass This Paper On...
...J. Wunderlich New York, N. Y. * * * 'Time To Save America' Dear Sirs: I am entering my protest against smearing Dewey...
...The Government is concerned with the magnitude of the current farm land boom and has delayed in taking positive action until the last moment...
...In recent articles published, especially a recent one by Mr...
...Villard, in the July 3rd issue, presents a clear if terrifying picture of what such a war could well mean...
...Let us keep the farms in the hands of the operators and out of the hands of the speculators...
...Rubin must be greatly confused...
...A. C. Finke Sioux Falls, S. D. * * * Function Of Capital Dear Sirs: In the Forum of June 12 there are two replies to Neera Gokhale's question whether capitalism is the cause of unemployment...
...It does seem to me that The Progressive ought to help...
...I also wish to refer to President Roosevelt's management of the war...
...Foreign Policies Dear Sirs: In your comment on foreign policy in the issue of July 10 (page 12) you admit in one paragraph that the Republican platform has "several sensible provisions" contending "that peace cannot be maintained by force alone" and calling for "cooperative effort to promote 'a world opinion to influence the nations to right conduct.' " With that I agree...
...I am not sure that our erstwhile "allies" are such "peace loving" governments that we can be sure that the form of the peace they dictate will be worth maintaining as a perpetual status...
...Roosevelt Versus Dewey Dear Sirs: I have shared your growing mistrust of Mr...
...Dewey, the Republican nominee, has been severely criticized so that one begins to wonder what it" is all about...
...He is still with us and now says: "There is no single power in continental Europe to match the USSR...
...I am 62 years old and I suppose "quarrelsome...
...Censoring The Soldiers Dear Sirs: I greatly appreciate The Progressive...
...I am laying the cause of this war squarely at the feet of the capitalistic system...
...Russell Egner Minneapolis, Minn...
...Now will little civilian Dewey claim that he knows more about it than these men...
...Miss Fanny Vust George, la...
...and in the following paragraph you again say that under both policies it is possible "to commit us to enforce an intolerable status quo around the world...
...He is fighting to save the economy of exploitation of weaker nations and keep them divided and submissive to the will of the British imperialists and the monocled morons that constitute the majority in the ruling class of Britishers...
...3. Norman Thomas is a thoroughly admirable person, and I should like to cast a complimentary vote for him...
...Wars, poverty, and depressions are the normal reaction of the inherent life force to abnormal conditions...
...Space does not permit a review of the booklet...
...Broken Pledges Dear Sirs: I have been a subscriber to your paper for over a year and have enjoyed the pro and con attitude of your readers on leading subjects...
...Whom are you for and whom do you expect the people to support during the coming election...
...He does not even try to deceive us...
...However, there is one thing I cannot understand...
...S. B. Laughlin Salem, Oreg...
...If the low rate is in effect too long, the general level of farm land values will boom and the speculative value will become the basis for taxation and mortgage loans...
...Dewey for what he probably is and you have made it clear what the Republican Party really stands for...
...It is necessary to point to Kingdon's background first...
...I find out how things are going in a political and economic way — material that I don't get in other papers and magazines...
...That alone carries the seeds of war...
...This is more than we can expect from Mr...
...It does seem purposeless for you to knock both of the major parties (and justly so) without being willing to support an opposition party that represents the interests of the common people...
...Dewey had a few more years of experience...
...Today we have Booths in our nidst who have in their hearts the ancor against President Roosevelt for saving our country from the forces of fascism: Booths on the Loose...
...Capital is saved and accumulated wealth used and applied in assisting the production of more wealth...
...Maverick Lloyd Winnetka, 111...
...Charles Winter Pasadena, Calif...
...Perhaps then he would not be so ridiculous and illogical...
...Until the Progressives have candidates in the race, let us support Dewey and Bricker and help to make them what we think they should be...
...Give the people full freedom, give them access to the soil, and capitalism will be their assistant and not an enemy...
...They are the effects of a cause, rather than that they are abnormal and unnatural...
...Mr...
...C. K. Chilberg Portland, Oreg...
...Which brings me to the point I wish to emphasize...
...As matters stand we cannot separate the chaff from the wheat, for a statement made today can be broken tomorrow...
...Mrs...
...It was on its way out by its own stupidity...
...You have constantly exposed the weaknesses, failures, and hypocrisy of the Roosevelt Administration...
...At the Republican convention we heard those who took carte blanche in this regard and even accused out-President of starting the war, after he had assured us of never sending our boys to foreign soil...
...Since we have nothing short of imperialism with the present Administration, it would appear that a change of administration would break up the combinations that are threatening our democracy...
...Rodell or The Progressive...
...It can be nothing else than wages and interest on the capital invested sufficient for the upkeep and renewal of his plant...
...They will determine their own wages...
...Although it may not be perfect, it is to be preferred to the present Administration which has disregarded so many of its platform promises...
...There is the fundamental differ-3nce that the Republican policy realizes that peace is not something static to be decided by the victors and "maintained" or "enforced," but a just peace is a continuing state of mind that can only be promoted and attained by continued striving by men of good will...
...Booths On The Loose Dear Sirs: Edwin Booth assassinated Abra-am Lincoln...
...the withholding of dependency allowances is an inequity that should be rectified...
...Dewey's acceptance speech on the radio, reading the reports of his activities, and watching him in the news-reels, I do not think I have any complaint to make to Mr...
...he dreamed it might be...
...It censors soldiers' reading matter...
...His seizure of Iceland and plans proposed at conferences in the mid-Atlantic, Africa, Canada, and Asia have been pronounced as the most brilliant in the annals of military strategy by men who by their accomplishments must be classed among the military great of all time...
...Bricker as a running mate, as Bricker has definitely shown that he has no sympathy for anyone guilty of the crime of being old during his six years as Governor of Ohio...
...And if I were managing the campaign I'd order the mouths of some of the campaigners closed...
...Dear Sirs: The July 3 issue of The Progressive is brim-full of interesting and informative material...
...Dewey For President Dear Sirs: The Progressive could render valuable service to this country by supporting Dewey for President, but since you are not doing this, you may cancel my subscription...
...Marion P. Bryant CPS Camp No...
...Total conscription of men, machines, material, and money with national service for all and profits to none is necessary now to save from further destruction the natural resources of the earth and the lives of millions of people...
...He isn't the man he used to be, but he's still head and shoulders above anything the Republicans have been able to trot out for our inspection...
...For these reasons: 1. Mr...
...Turning Tide Dear Sirs: According to Shakespeare, con- sistency is a jewel but one looks in vain for the gem in the New Deal crown...
...I have nothing but the highest regard for your publication, but if this calumny continues I will discontinue my subscription...
...In the words of Claude R. Wickard, the speculative rise in land values "promises to be more disastrous than after the last war...
...It was sponsored by Sen...
...Christ thundered in unrelentless and uncompromising denunciation the most terrific exposition, impeachment, and scathing indictment of the system of his time that the world has ever heard...
...We must make the decision individually by taking the proper interest in our country as electors by voting and voting for men at least of good character...
...Fred W. Frey Waukesha, Wis...
...I suppose that Mr...
...Our President must come out and clearly state his position...
...However, I feel that these are dangerous times and I must choose between two possibilities—not between a possibility and a wishful thought...
...All the concentrated capital of the wide world cannot stop grain and textiles from growing or the cows from giving milk...
...T. O. Thompson Oceano, Calif...
...Roosevelt is not much more of a progressive, but he is a vain enough person to desire to preserve some of the progressive legislation which bears the imprint of his Administration...
...The aspirations and their platform at least sound fairly good...
...What is this profit...
...Roosevelt...
...There Comes A Time' Dear Sirs: The Progressive has over a period of time disclosed interesting and shocking facts about the present Administration and has given plenty of evidence why the people should want a change...
...Through Fred Rodell, you have shown up Mr...
...The two replies are alike in this respect, that there can be no more men employed than there is capital available with which to employ them...
...Cora E. Powers Marshalltown, la...
...Contempt For Mayer Dear Sirs: I am taking this opportunity of vehemently condemning the article by Milton Mayer entitled "What This Country Needs...
...It seems that all but plain fools could see this...
...For the present an upward revision of farm loan rates would no more than maintain current value and, it is hoped, arrest further inflationary tendencies...
...The Civil War was yer and the embittered renegades the South laid all the troubles of eir own making on the one who ad saved the Union...
...J. B. Sager St...
...This seems conclusive that capitalism is the cause of unemployment...
...However, after listening to Mr...
...In the Roosevelt declaration quoted by you, three times does he speak of maintaining the peace, with adequate forces for joint action (does that commit us to furnish troops at demand of some international force...
...2. Mr...
...Frances Smith Minneapolis, Minn...
...This war will give it a new lease on life...
...Since you know that both of the old parties represent Big Business and that there is practically no difference between their platforms, why are you not willing to come out and back the Socialist Party under Norman Thomas...
...E. K. GOLDSBOROUGH Washington, D. C. * * * 'Luce' Talk Dear Sirs: We have heard a lot of contemptuous reference to globaloney, but I must say I prefer it to Luce talk— and I do mean loose...
...From this assumption arises the idea that the man employing capital should be compelled to employ men he does not want, but he may not compel men to work for him against their will—a sort of upside-down logic current at this time...
...Doubtless others are asking the same question...
...1, 1943 farm land prices rose 13 per cent and this figure is surpassed only by that of the boom year of 1919-'20...
...His plea that conscientious objectors should be allowed to serve in more useful and socially significant work than they are now permitted is very praiseworthy...
...But I know that Congress as a whole and two-thirds of the Senate must approve his actions...
...World War I was in the incubator at that time...
...Kingdon On F.D.R...
...I have liked The Progressive, but I have not always agreed with everything and I certainly did not like the July 10 issue...
...Praise For Seely Dear Sirs: We are greatly indebted to The Progressive for Commander Seely's sound, sane, and always helpful comments on the military situation as it is, and not as...
...E. C. Barney Los Angeles, Calif...
...You are building The Progressive into one of the outstanding magazines in the country...
...Farm Loan Rates Dear Sirs: Sen...
...You may not agree with the Socialist Party platform in its entirety, but surely it comes closer to what you advocate than the policies of the two worn-out old parties...
...Robert La Follette in his article of June 19 chastises the Federal Government and its agencies for a "reversal of farm policy...
...Surely the Booths, the character assassins, are on the rampage...
...Why can't it be sold on news-stands...
...It seems that Mayer belongs with Marshall Field and his slanderers who take pride in belittling and smearing the only sane group of men left in this country—the Republican Party...
...He is perfectly right in saying, "Two fields where they would be most useful because of their beliefs and psychology would be in social service jobs where race relations are strained (I never knew a CO who did not feel strongly on the issue of race discrimination) and in relief and reconstruction work during and after the war...
...This is the time to save America...
...I see, however, that an outrageous law has just been passed by Congress...
...It is becoming increasingly evident that not even ambitious leaders can halt the tides of time, and the New Deal, now aged, appears destined to be engulfed...
...He grew up in London, where he graduated from University College...
...76 Glendora, Calif...
...Summed up, it becomes clear to those willing to open their eyes and see...
...I recognize that President Roosevelt does not, at least not openly...
...The capitalist is accused of operating for "profit...
...It Will Make New Friends...
...These delinquents are today using the protection of free speech allowed them by our Constitution and the recent Supreme Court decision that we can with protection of our courts even praise Hitler...
...When the Soviet Union comes to its full strength, Germany and France will be second-rate nations by comparison...
...This theory has been exploded many years ago and is no longer held by reputable economists...
...The Farmers Union is making great strides in advancing the co-op movement...
...Without an opposition party, the two old parties will ride roughshod over all human rights even more so than heretofore...
...I will say in conclusion that any man or woman who condones, defends, ignores, or apologizes for a system that plunges the world into a war and impoverishes the human race, dishonors the name of Jesus Christ...
...The War System Dear Sirs: If millions of returning soldier and all their kindred continue in the future as in the past with the inertia, lethargy, apathy, and com placency of and for a system that plunges humanity into war (mass murder) then the sons and daughters of the rising generation will spill their blood in a war of science against science which will be so appalling, so horrible, that this carnage will be tame compared to it...
...Dewey realize that as President he would be Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, therefore by his own admission is not qualified for that high office...
...Rubin Confused Dear Sirs: Mr...
...A. J. Marshall Miami, Fla...
...F. F. Allen Portland, Oreg...
...The war and the multiplying complexities create a fertile field for propaganda, and it is British propaganda that I wish to discuss, especially that brazen blast incorporated in Frank Kingdon's That Man in the White House...
...Capital employs labor and labor also employs capital to the mutual advantage of both...
...Only One Choice Dear Sirs: There's only one choice for liberal - minded folks, and that's Franklin D. Roosevelt...
...It is the USSR or imperialist Britain and World War III...
...Now if every member of organized labor would get hooked up with the consumer co-op...
...I have felt —I who have voted for him three times -— that his progressivism is thin and artificial, that power is more important to him than principle...
...It seems to me that we are going in that direction very rapidly...
...But it's a choice I must make nevertheless...
Vol. 8 • July 1944 • No. 31
