THE PEOPLE'S FORUM
. . . THE PEOPLE'S FORUM . . . Too Anti-Russian Dear Sirs: I hold the magazine in high esteem and wish never to be without it. But I wish also to state that I have a complaint to register. I have...
...Secondly, by failing to pay men for service which it requires them to perform, the Government has in effect instituted a pattern of forced labor...
...Lowell Morris Pine Village, Ind...
...Furthermore, Congress has, through shortsighted legislative, action so incorporated in the Federal Reserve Act, given all our gold in the United States Treasury amounting to around $20 billions of value to the Federal Reserve Banking system, for which the people have paid taxes for over a half century...
...Why not have some articles on the money question...
...Now, just think of having our homes plundered...
...Mr...
...We are a government of laws not men...
...So it seems...
...Isn't it worth a little time and a three cent stamp...
...It is not the business of commanders to be firing on each other...
...Make it so plain that any fifth grade school kid can understand it, so that it will stick in his mind when and if he goes to the noils for the first time...
...All excuses and aims of whitewash do not remove the stain and blot out the corroded condition before the eyes of those who have viewed and trailed the perpetrated calamity from beginning to end...
...17 attacked Lord Vansittart on the grounds, among others, that he was a leader in the "appeasement" policy toward Hitler...
...Gertrude Nape Seattle, Wash...
...W. H. Richards Indianapolis, Ind...
...two and one-half years in the GPS system I have worked in three types of service projects—a base camp of the CCC pattern, a mental hospital where I worked on the wards and1 in the office, and a medical experiment unit in which I participated as a human guinea pig...
...Consider this fact for just a moment...
...On the whole my work in these projects—especially the latter two—has brought me many satisfactions...
...The labor, machinery, and other costs involved in planting, cultivating, and harvesting 50,000,000 acres of additional crop land would probably cost American farmers as much as a billion dollars a year—more than three times the present annual expenditure for fertilizer...
...The fertilizer industry is proud of its record...
...Representative of an industry which is basic to the life and welfare of this country and one which is providing the American farmer with the best and cheapest fertilizers he has ever had, it is determined to call attention to the threat to private enterprise involved in the Hill-Bankhead and Flannagan bills...
...If precedents are being established in this country for using unpopular minorities as slave labor, it should be a matter of wide concern...
...The politician wants just that...
...Sure, it's his privilege to smoke...
...Tell your Senator and Congressman and President to go over there and do the policing for $50 per month, and see how they like it...
...One Better Dear Sirs: In a recent newsletter Frank Hanighen relates that Mr...
...Aiken and La Follette in The Progressive of July 2 a plan whereby, while keeping a tight ceiling on wages, the Government would issue coupons with which the families in the low income brackets could purchase some of the necessities of life and this government lay-out of course would be paid by taxes on those whose income was greater...
...This leaves the U. S. A. the only major country that is still keeping the millionaire class in the saddle and riding on the backs of the really useful members of society...
...Rodell...
...Not that Russia may not deserve some criticism but there are plenty of fascists in this country to carry on against her...
...However, my letter appeared with a misprint, changing the whole meaning of one phrase...
...The columnist further refers to reports that the industry is prepared to sell "the same old diluted fertilizer, containing more non-nutrient items than plant food...
...It is simply following the dirty road of British imperialism, and, like Churchill, it is not going to relinquish any of the old empire's craftily acquired wealth...
...The National Fertilizer Association, long-established organization of fertilizer manufacturers, has no intention of altering its name...
...There are about 110,000 Americans of Japanese parentage here who have been taught our language, educated in our schools, and lived under our form of democracy...
...Bring your boys home...
...I will not allow it...
...William Fuson Cherokee, la...
...Further agitation against Russia simply fanned the flame of prejudice and hatred which many, here in America, have carefully cultivated...
...Floyd Parks, to surrender all their gold, silver, and other treasures within 10 days...
...That would leave no profits for idle drones who now own the means of production and will not allow a wheel to turn without profits to add to their already overflowing coffers...
...17 issue entitled, "Britain's Top War Criminal," by Harry Elmer Barnes, and "America Demands the Truth About Pearl Harbor," by Oswald Garrison Villard, facts are exposed, and fact findings demanded, which should interest every citizen and reader whose aims are of getting facts and reliable information, which so far, te*a certain extent, have been concealed...
...The same AP, same date line, reports out of Paris: "Gen...
...Furthermore, Congress has, by compelling the taxpayers of the several states, that is the taxpayers of the Union, to pay taxes to cover the interest payments of a national debt now amounting to approximately $270,000,000,000, which payment amounts to an involuntary servitude, because such taxes do not benefit the government but only benefit the Federal Reserve Backers system (a private institution) and thereby violates Article XIII to the Constitution...
...We are required to pay for the holocaust...
...In 1942, farmers bought 9,000,000 tons of fertilizer for what 8,000,000 tons cost in 1939, and the average ton sold in 1942 contained 10 per cent more plantfood than the average ton sold in 1939...
...His Grace refused, saying, "No, no...
...Collective ownership of all big industries under democratic control, with careful planning, would put an end to poverty...
...1 is one of the most dogmatic effusions that ever oozed from the fingers of an authoritarian...
...R. Kagi Santa Cruz, Calif...
...Hong Kong, a crown colony, is the answer to any doubting Thomases on this theme...
...Why not let Asiatics clean their own country...
...While freedom of conscience has been given a large measure of legal recognition, the lack of wages, compensation for injury and dependency allotments constitutes financial discrimination against persons because of their religious belief...
...G. F. Fischer Centuria, Wis...
...If you expect preachers to back you up, cut out the rough stuff...
...Treas...
...If anyone thinks we need no definition of liberal, let him examine some of the first acts of England's new "liberal" or so called "labor" government...
...George S. Patton, Jr., accepted the plaudits of French crowds after returning to the nation six French regimental flags captured by the Germans in the Napoleonic wars...
...Our Commander-in-Chief needs some peace advice to counteract our military men's ideas of a great Army now...
...When Burton swears that he "will administer justice without respect to persons, agreeably to the Constitution and laws of the United States," we should expect that he will do so...
...The Socialist Party offers the only real way out of the mess we are in...
...Some discussion is in the news now about occupation in Japan also...
...There has been a Constant overall increase in the plantfood content of fertilizer materials and a reduction of inert filler...
...The author is in error when he says that the first strategic move to meet the threat of Government control has been to change the name of the organization...
...Therese H. Koscherak New York, N. Y. * * * Praise For Beats Dear Sirs: The article, "Good Neighbors Don't Wear Brass Knuckles," by Carleton Beals in the Sept...
...20 issue opened a clam shell...
...Justice Burton in The Progressive of Oct...
...Its policy is that the improved machinery and mass production methods should be used to their fullest extent...
...If we had dealt honestly with her, perhaps she would be doing differently now...
...Nisei For Occupation Dear Sirs: It's the same old war scare which comes after every conflagration that burns up the young people...
...Add to this all the unbelievable hardship, slavery, hopelessness, persecution, humiliation, bloody and brutal police methods impressed upon a defeated people . . . and only a fool could believe that this would ever be forgotten and forgiven...
...But that's not all...
...What Now, America...
...I have been disappointed in that so much space has been given in recent months to criticism of Russia...
...Rodell the Constitution shall only be the "Supreme Law of the Land" when Mr...
...During the same period prices paid by farmers for all the things they buy have advanced to 75 per cent over 1910-1914 and 40 per cent over 1939...
...O. K. Suppose we want to pass your paper on...
...They have black hair and eyes and similar habits...
...He has directed Eisenhower to evict German families from their homes, and move in Jews from displaced persons camps...
...J. F. Carlisle Columbus, O. * * * Wants Itemized Account Dear Sirs: In reading the two articles published in The Progressive of the Sept...
...There appeared in an article by Sens...
...Riverton, N. J. The Socialist Way Dear Sirs: Now jobs for all is all nonsense...
...If you didn't crowd out the letters in the Forum with other matter, it would suit me better...
...If the Hong Kong steal is allowed, all the other steals are "legal" too...
...MacArthur in your Sept...
...Alfred L. Fisher Portland, Me...
...Overlooked Facts Dear Sirs: Whether I agree with you or not in many of your articles, it is a pleasure to support a journal in which the unorthodox ideas and the overlooked facts find expression and reportage...
...Roosevelt, the Executive, wanted the judicial mind to go along with "his" executive...
...Let's not stir up any more hatred in this country for Russia...
...The letter conveys to the reader that Mr...
...With improved machinery reducing need for man power and utilizing our facilities to the end of providing plenty for all, enough could be produced by heads of families in a much shorter week than 40 hours to provide every family with every luxury...
...Benjamin L. Candee, Jr...
...This injustice in its immediate effects on the persons involved in the system, but more importantly in its dangers, as a precedent, to our whole democratic way of life, in my estimation far outweighs the opportunities for constructive service found within the system...
...Millions of boys, returning from the wars, will land in a social and political jungle infested with traps baited with phoney security—traps planted by phoney or so-called "well meaning" people...
...Rose Andrews Nichols Blowing Rock, N. C. * * * Liberalism Dear Sirs: It is time for a definition of "liberal" and I suggest that The Progressive stick its chin out and give us that definition...
...The truth is that the percentage of plantfood in mixed fertilizers has increased steadily except for a slight recession during World War I, due to scarcity of potash, and another small decline in 1943, due to a temporary shortage of nitrogen...
...Atomic bombs were not exploded anywhere near the palace where the Emperor of Japan lives...
...Dear Sirs: I would appreciate it if you could find it possible to print my open letter to the Attorney General of the United States...
...A peaceful revolution at the ballot box is the way out and all it needs is enough individual votes like yours and mine to make our country a paradise on earth...
...2) The clothing situation is reasonably good and improving...
...John McDonough Edgewood, la...
...Not just Nazi daggers, flags and Oscars, but musical instruments, cameras, vases, tableware, stamp collections, lamps, telephones, musical bed chambers, and even an electrically-heated cane for invalids...
...By increasing output of American farms one-fifth, the fertilizer industry has virtually presented the American people with 50,000,000 acres of farmland...
...The German people are to provide 1,000,000 blankets besides sheets, clothing, and boots...
...While I disagree strongly with some of Lord Vansittart's views, such a charge as this is wholly unfounded...
...We are entitled to an itemized account of the acts and conduct of our servants, Administration, and appointed leaders of our past and present situation in which we are involved...
...If that does not elect Democratic Mr...
...Do you value the support of ministers...
...Slave Labor For CO's...
...His objective is votes...
...Just why it should be the policy of a liberal paper to knock that country is more than I can digest...
...They can understand the Asiatic habits and minds...
...Washington, D. C. * * * Correction Dear Sirs: Thank you for publishing my letter on Petain in the Sept...
...I. H. Schwartz Cincinnati, Ohio Dogmatic Effusion Dear Sirs: Fred Rodell's open letter to Mr...
...What writing...
...The election over, Mr...
...The habits of the school-room have gotten the best of Prof...
...Germany and Japan surrendered, didn't they...
...The liberal camp has accumulated so many of these borderline "liberals" since World War I that only an atomic bomb could blast them out of their positions...
...3) The heating situation for the Winter is well in hand...
...India's 300 million people are in for more of the same swindling...
...17: "Berlin residents were ordered today by our American Maj...
...On the contrary Lord Vansittart was one of the very first to see and understand the danger of Hitlerism, and he fought it from the beginning with every resource permitted a civil servant...
...Mayer On MacArthur Dear Sirs: Milton Mayer's article on Gen...
...Peter J. Hagerty Buffalo, N. Y. Plunder Dear Sirs: Our Associated Press reports out of Berlin, Aug...
...Can't you get a picture of a contributor without a pipe in his mouth...
...I have felt that whether such papers as The Progressive take up the issue against Russia or refrain from doing so may mean the difference between War and Peace...
...The social security plan now being considered and which will be put over is worse...
...In substance the column is an endorse,-ment of Government action as opposed to that of private enterprise in meeting the problem of restoring America's soil through the manufacture and distribution of mixed fertilizers...
...The National Fertilizer Assn...
...However, I have become increasingly concerned as time went by with the basic injustice of the system...
...I had said "that there were enough arms" (for those Frenchmen willing and able to fight) and my letter appeared with "there were not enough arms...
...What do you expect a preacher to do...
...In order that -you may not think that I alone see the CPS program as an evil precedent, I quote from a recent official report of the American Friends Service Committee: " 'The American Friends Service Committee is especially concerned over two unfortunate precedents implicit in the situation...
...Let us instead remove the beam from our own eyes—a task to which The Progressive often applies itself well...
...Ads And Pipes Dear Sirs: Congratulations for finally omitting those ads of atheist publications in your columns even if they were in fine print...
...A neighbor of mine, whose boy is in Germany, has a room full of "war trophies" as he calls them...
...A large number can be sent under military and civilian control to Japan, to teach their mother country against imperial militarism...
...Neither of these practices, we believe, can long continue without jeopardy to the health of our democracy.' "I am still willing to do the 'work of national importance under civilian direction' which the law requires of me...
...The UNRRA announces that (1) The food situation in the camps is good, all inmates receiving 2,600 calories daily exclusive of fresh vegetables and fruits...
...Now we're told we must teach them democracy with a gun in their ribs...
...You could not prove it any better than you do in your attitude towards Russia...
...Roosevelt, when up for reelection, sought Jewish votes by cultivating the Zionists...
...We go to Europe to destroy Hitlerism and it's done...
...Howard Warburton Merion, Pa...
...Social Security Dear Sirs: As a reader of your paper I have come to the conclusion that you could do much good by giving consideration to the U. S. social security farce...
...Believing this, it would be wrong for me to remain in and cooperate longer with the CPS system of unpaid, forced labor...
...Anybody can vote for old age pensions (the poor-house in your own home) or jobless insurance, and still be a heel according to my dictionary of liberalism...
...Rodell's idea of "liberalism" as of his day and age fits his thinking at the moment...
...Why not draw on them to police Japan a while...
...To Prof...
...Roosevelt promised King Ibn Saud the United States would not back the Zionists' claims...
...It is based on every day common sense...
...Beyond Price Dear Sirs: Your valuable magazine is beyond price to me, and every issue seems better than the last...
...D. S. Murph Ex...
...Philip F. LaFollette Madison, Wis...
...The U. S. Congress as such is supposed to uphold the Constitution by oath or affirmation...
...Truman has gone his predecessor one better...
...It is the products of labor made obtainable by those whose labor has created them...
...17 issue, is worth the complete year's subscription if there were nothing else...
...Here is how it can be done...
...Belle Chaapel Canton, Pa...
...by Mor ris H. Rubin, the Editor, in the Aug...
...Expendability Dear Sirs: In Siborne's History of The Campaign of Waterloo it is related that during the battle an officer of the artillery asked the Duke of Wellington for permission to fire on Napoleon who was in plain sight and within range...
...Russia has every reason to distrust her Allies...
...24 issue should be read by every member of Congress...
...Why do we need to "marry" them and keep them for "better or worse" to please our munition makers and military minded officers...
...Economic Slavery Dear Sirs: The U. S. Congress seems to be unaware that it has wittingly or unwittingly violated the United States Constitution as a whole by violating Article I, Section VIII, Paragraph 5, by the creation of the Federal Reserve Banking Act of 1913...
...This would prolong the capitalist profit system, but, why should there be families in the lower income brackets...
...Any screwball who can get three people to hear him through the first hundred words may now be found in the liberal camp...
...24 issue, in reply to H. E. Barnes' articles on that subject...
...You taboo that, as most all publications do...
...Ignorance canned, eventually becomes sealed with unimpeachable confidence...
...There is need of improvement...
...It has on the contrary not only violated the above mentioned paragraph of the Constitution, it has violated parts of Article VI of the Constitution...
...Rodell has all the answers, that he knows in advance of the process of evolution just what "liberalism" means, "in all its four corners...
...And last but not least, Congress has by such legislative action made the enforcement of the bill of rights negligible and therefore it must be assumed that our Constitution is mostly circumvented and the enforcement thereof is most impossible in fact, concerning our economic affairs of the nation, and only a fool will not recognize the fact that economic slavery will not permit political liberty...
...Those officer jobs that gave a salary of several thousand dollars a year must be hard to give up to return to peacetime realities...
...We need not follow Russia's tactics...
...He wants the New Deal to be deemed "liberalism," in spite of the fact that in many of its aspects it is built on the idea, the medieval idea, that the "king can do no wrong...
...The act in itself gives the power to issue money to a private corporation known under the name of "Federal Reserve Banks," under the misleading and private guidance under a fake name of Federal Reserve Board, which does not and cannot represent the economic interests of the United States...
...E. U. Briggs Prospect, O. * * * Anti-Russia Dear Sirs: I'm a hundred per cent against a system of greed and war and you're a hundred per cent for it...
...We are an enlightened people and can do in 6 months more than Russia did in 20 years and do it better...
...Karl Liepold Atchison, Kan...
...O'Dwyer Mayor of New York I do not know what would...
...Let the guilt strike wherever it is due, be they living or dead...
...Result of the election in England indicates that the English people are waking up...
...During my...
...Do it now...
...The people killed by the atomic bombs were little people who never amounted to much, anyway...
...Reply To McMillin Dear Sirs: Recognizing your long-established reputation for liberal thought and action, I am asking that you consider certain points of refutation to statements appearing in Miles McMillin's column, "The Fight for Soil Fertility," published in The Progressive July 30, 1945...
...Fay H. Frykland Santa Cruz, Calif...
...Your paper tells more truth than most religious papers...
...It is not sweat and wear and tear of human energy on which we live...
...Vansittart No Appeaser Dear Sirs: Harry Elmer Barnes' article in your issue of Sept...
...And I don't mean maybe...
...The problem raised, though pertaining to persons who are conscientious objectors to war, is primarily not a matter of conscientious objection or pacifism, but of civil liberties and religious freedom...
...Although prices received by farmers have doubled since 1939, fertilizer prices have advanced only 21 per cent, according to the U. S. Department of Agriculture...
...Your paper can and usually does devote itself to worthier endeavors...
...It should be apparent to many people now that there was, for a time, a determined effort made to strain relations between the United States and Russia and, if possible, bring these two nations into conflict even before our troops could be sent home from Europe...
...This is equivalent to the areas of Iowa, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Delaware combined...
...This is to inform you that I have 'walked out', of the Civilian Public Service set-up for conscientious objectors...
...But I refuse to do it any longer in a condition of slavery...
...How about our privilege...
...It is nothing more than a pauper dole consistent only with an unsocial, insecure manner of existence...
...Rev...
...That country is now under Socialist control and is on the way to a system of plenty for all and poverty for none...
Vol. 9 • October 1945 • No. 42
