The Pittsburgh Press from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 10

EDITORIAL PAGE MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1947 Mighty Casey, at the Bat The Pittsburgh Press A ScrippS'Hoicard IS etc paper NOT PHOTOGENIC BUT HELPFUL MRS. WALTER FERGUSON Washington Column Vicfe Presidential Bug Bites a Lot Of Democrats Published by PITTSBURGH PRESS CO. Established June 23. 1884 "TEN MILLION church women working together can change the world," is the slogan of the United Council of Churchwomen. They have established a world service center in New Orleans from which food, clothing and medicines are distributed Edward T.

Letch Editor tt President Frank G. Morrison. Busmen Msntger H- E. Nearc Secretary and Trestmrer By PETER EDSON WASHINGTON Any time in the next 16 months you hear some prominent Democrat speak General OC of tb 411ta TEI.EPHO' Coart 4900 lor Want A1 only Conrt 7200 for other department. to the needy of Europe.

Members of the United Council live in thousands of small American towns as well as the larger cities. Besides these, there are many other church groups dispensing aid. Surely it never can be said of us that we stayed our hand or closed our purses when help was needed. if -fc-'' jra ftCBSmiPTION KATES Carrier 30 frits per wee Sunday 15 cents. Dally and Sunday 45 cents per week.

By Mall In flrat and aecond tonus where there is no essrrtat delivery: One month 85 cents, one year S7 00. Sunday One month 65 cents: one year tt.OO. Extra postage is added beyond second zone. ing on what grea-a-at man Harry Truman is, watch out. What you probably will be listening to is a man who has been hit by the viperous vice presidential virus.

It's very contagious. For now is "Give Light and the People Will Ftnd Their Own Way" MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1947 BALANCE THE BUDGET FIRST AMERICA'S taxpayers have just gone through the agony of settling up last year's income tax, estimating this year's tax and paying the first quarterly installment on all in excess of the withholding. It has been painful, but those who are wise have made their plans for this year to conform to the tax rates now in effect. They would like to believe that, come next March, the country will face a brighter prospect, and they a lighter burden. But the political tactics of the House Republican leadership, in driving fox a hurry-up vote on a 20 per cent across-the-board cut in this year's income taxes, raises doubts that anything at all in the way of tax legislation will be accomplished in this Congress.

If the Knutson tax cut is passed by the House, it is not likely that it will be approved by the Senate. Even if it is, it surely will be vetoed by the President and the veto sustained. For the country is overwhelmingly behind the President's sound insistence that a balanced budget and public debt reduction must come first. Congressman Knutson and those who vote with him, in their drive for political recovery of the GOP, underestimate both the intelligence and patriotism of taxpayers. For a majority of taxpayers well know that even the heavy exactions they have just paid are less onerous to them than the inflated living costs which stem from the Government's continued deficit financing.

The Knutson Republicans could better serve the country by working this year to reduce public spending and the public debt. And by working now on a broad tax reform, eliminating double taxation and other inequities, and making the lower rates applicable to next year's business and income to the end that people may plan ahead with hope and confidence. Congressman Knutson, et. apparently don't think so, but they probably could even get more votes that way. It makes you feel better Mrs.

Ferguson to think of such things. The women doing this kind of work are those who do not often get their pictures in the papers. They are not queens of beauty and fashion. Nobody photographs them in night clubs. They are just home women busy with domestic chores.

Or they work in offices and factories and stores. In most cases, they are the great unpublicized. Yet in an examination of American womanhood they never must be overlooked. Their imprint upon national affairs is more marked than that of the showier types. Their power can't be laughed off.

It is profound, ever-growing, and carries tremendous influence. For ui spite of the attention given to other groups, these are the women wno have and who will change our world, if it is to be changed. "gvs js SMOKE CONTROL ASSURED SMOKE CONTROL approached the status of a reality yesterday, with announcement that the world's biggest coal company will take practical steps to make it possible. The Pittsburgh Consolidation Coal Co which produced 31 million tons of coal in 1346 (more than 5 per cent of the nation's total), wisely announced that it favors the Pittsburgh ordinance and its enforcement on the date now set, Oct. 1 of this year.

Moreover, it favors county-wide smoke elimination. To help make the Pittsburgh ordinance work, the company said it would bring in low volatile (smokeless) coal from the outside, and is willing to help finance other dealers to do likewise. It will aid manufacturers and dealers merchandising stokers and smokeless stoves, including operation of a stoker -center to give 24-hour service. It is making plans to expand the Company's Disco plant in order to provide more of that smokeless fuel. And it will hold back a large amount of Disco now shipped away so that it will be available for Pittsburgh.

IMPORTANCE ty GEORGE MATTHEW ADAMS BOB CASEY, the veteran newspaper reporter, so long with The Chicago Daily News, wrote a book about his adventures and called it "You Meet Such Interesting People." It sold widely, and was read because people like to know about those who are doing important things. That is what makes them important! If they are important, they are interesting. Those who parade about on inherited wealth, or who have even earned it largely for boasting pur Letters to the Editor Why Isn't Production Ball Rolling? Declaring that the people of Pittsburgh have shown they want smoke control. George H. Love, president of the immense company, said: "If Pittsburgh is more prosperous it will burn more coal in the long run." That is the sensible, progressive view to take.

Not only Pittsburgh but other smoke-blighted cities have shown that they are determined to get rid of that curse. So, instead of resisting, Pittsburgh Consolidation plans to promote its own industry by helping them to burn coal smokelessly. Editor's Note: Please be brief, As a rule. 300 words should be Your name and address must accompany each letter. Pen names and initials are not acceptable tor publication.

The Press receives many more letters than it has room to publish Therefore, we reserve the right to condense or reject any letter. poses, are not the important people. Some of Mr. Adams them become confirmed snobs and imagine themselves important. People who do useful things are the only ones who are important.

They don't have to be famous, either, though that may follow. People who keep turning their wealth into new channels of usefulness and creative enterprises are not only important but they keep enlarging their importance. And you don't have to search for such examples. They are in almost every town, city and nation. One of the ways to become important is to improve on something that someone else has done! That is what has given us our great inventors, discoverers, scientists, surgeons and engineers.

Just as we look upon our camera as about perfection, someone invents an improvement over black and white prints and gives us color photography. And now it is announced that we are to have a camera that takes the picture and develops and prints it in almost one operation! These are the important people of the world those who keep looking ahead, seeking out improvements, and searching for means to make' more people happy, comfortable, and hopeful. ment seizure of their mines if the profits of coal mining went into the United States Treasury? They'd scream bloody murder that the country had gone Socialistic, Communistic, Fascistic, Bolshevistic; that their constitutional rights had been violated, that private enterprise had been swept away in one swift blow, that the country was doomed and the whole economic structure would collapse. Ex-Mayor La Guardia is advocating Government seizure of strike-bound properties as a permanent peacetime policy. I guess he means that kind which permits the companies to do business as usual but denies the working man the right to strike against inequalities by ruling him a Government employe.

ED MILHISER. Sheraden. PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER PITTSBURGH office space is at a premium. One of several reasons is that the Federal Government and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania take up so much room. Some Federal offices, as time goes on, may withdraw.

At least, we can offer up a little prayer of hope. But others are permanent, and most of the State offices are permanent. There are two drawbacks to this situation, aside from the occupation of space which is in demand from private business. One is the cost. Uncle Sam is putting out $358,254 a year for office space here.

The State is spending $115,497 in Pittsburgh rentals. The other angle is that these offices are scattered all over. If you have business with Uncle Sam or Father Penn, you need a compass, a bloodhound, a radar set and probably a couple of lawyers to find the right office. The volume of State and Federal business carried on in Pittsburgh branches justifies central offices. And the sums now being spent on rentals soon would pay for a new building.

In the Lower Triangle is a 23-acre area which soon will be cleared for modern structures. It will fringe on the proposed Point Park. It is a central location. The Redevelopment Authority is working on plans to make this area available for up-to-date offices or housing. It might be a solid idea if the U.

S. and the State went together and put up a single office building. Editor, The Pittsburgh Press: During the war six and seven-day weeks were not uncommon. This, mind you, was a war effort, the ultimate aim of which was destruction of life and property of our enemies. In the meantime, production of most essential items that is, essential in our American way ceased.

Now with the backlog of acute shortages at home, plus all-out aid to Bulgaria, England, Ireland, Greece, Russia, Finland and a few others, we develop an acute "40-hour weekitis." A five-day minimum week? Isn't production for peace as essential as production for destruction? Why isn't the production ball rolling? Rolling on a six-day or even a seven-day pace until at least there are no car, housing, tool or any other shortages here at home. It's time enough for all-out aid after our own needs are met. At any rate, it just isn't right to promise the moon and stars to any foreign nation and expect them to believe us when it is plainly evident that industry is geared down to its slowest pace -40 hours a week. CARL H. RAMER.

475 Robinson Ct. a peaceful world may be established It is hardly possible that a practical solution will ever be found to such a problem, but there is one pertinent fact, that the continued imposition of the heavy tax load necessary to carry on such a program will eventually destroy the democratic thinking of the people in this nation. Meet this issue head on and demand a solution of world problems on a just and equitable basis, or keep our resources at home and arm as never before to meet the challenge, which will one day come if the present trend continues. FRANK B. MASTERS.

1410 Hodgkiss St. Mr. Edson the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party by letting it be known that they are modestly and at great personal sacrifice available to become Harry Truman's running mate on the Democratic ticket of 1948. First political gossip after Democratic National Chairman Bob Hannegan first tossed Mr. Truman's hat in the ring recently mentioned the Cabinet officers as the most likely to win second place on the ticket.

That's now considered all wet. Only two members of the Cabinet Secretary of Agriculture Clint Anderson and Secretary of Labor Lew Schwellenbacn ever have been elected to any public office of importance. And it is going to take somebody with lots of vote-appeal and campaign know-how to get this vice presidential nomination. Furthermore, General Marshall doesn't want it. War Secretary Patterson is a Republican, Secretary Forrestal has too many Wall Street connections.

Ditto Averill Harriman. Secretary Snyder and' Mr. Hannegan are both from Mr. Truman's own Missouri, which rules them out. Attorney-General Clark is from Texas.

What the political bosses want is a man from the East where most of the votes are. Sub for Duff? There were a few hints that Secretary of Interior Krug had been bitten by the bug, but that's hooey. There isn't anyone in Washington less interested in politics than Cap Krug. He is the despair of his underlings at Interior, because whenever they start talking politics to him, he just gets bored. That doesn't win votes.

As one Democratic political leader points out, "What Harry Truman really needs as a Tuning mate is a good Democratic governor from New York or-Pennsylvania. If someone would just show us how we could replace Tom Dewey in Albany or Jim Duff in Harrisburg with a good Democrat, the party would be undyingly grateful." Of course, nothing of that kind can happen. But that throws the spotlight on other Democratic governors and ex-governors. Ellis Arnall of Georgia and Jim Kerr of Oklahoma would no doubt be Mon Wallgren of Washington is Mr. Truman's ex-Senate pal.

But don't' look for Mr. Truman to play any favorites in this race. He'll leave it to the convention. Big Jim Folsom of Alabama is said to be a comer, but not yet well enough known nationally. Herman Talmadge of Georgia is well enough known, but the wrong way.

Most of the other Democratic governors still have national reputations to make. There are 21 of them altogether, and a favorite son boom for any or all is possible. Next Bet Senotor Congress offers some good bets. Sam Rayburn would be a natural, if he were not 64 years old and ready to retire. But would he refuse the job of presiding over the Senate for six years if it were offered him? You know darn no politician would.

A good place to look for others who would accept the honor is the list of Democratic senators who don't have to run for reelection to the Senate in 1948. Some of these are Senators Byrd of Virginia, who has even aspired to the presidency, Kilgore of West Virginia, O'Mahoney of Wyoming, Barkley of Kentucky. Lucas of Illinois. Myers of Pennsylvania, Tydings of Maryland, and so on. The really flaming New Dealers probably can be crossed off the list for 1948.

unless the Republicans ball things up even worse than now seems possible. Henry Wallace remember? now seems equally remote. But. say the Democratic wiseacres, don't give the liberals too short odds the people in the Wilson Wyatt and Chester Bowles camp. They may have about a third of the delegates in the 1948 Democratic convention, and that's something to bet on.

The new program announced by this company should meet the need for smokeless coal. But Mr. Love suggested that if, because of the vast job of supplying the initial demand, there proves to be a shortage, then enforcement be delayed in the case only of those homes without central heating that is, the ones which are heated by stoves, grates and base burners. We don't know whether such a delay will be found necessary. If so, it would involve only about 25 per cent of the residential coal consumption and help meet the problem of the smallest consumers the one which is most difficult.

But. in any event, such a delay, if necessary, should be for only a few months. For under the program announced by Pittsburgh Consolidation and in view of the proven facts in the case of St. Louis it is certain that Pittsburgh's ordinance can be made to work. It's merely a matter of enough proper equipment and enough of the right fuel.

Both are made certain by this very favorable program of the company which already supplies approximately 35 per cent of the city's domestic coal. Background of News THREE-DOLLAR WHEAT? By BERTRAM BENEDICT NO. 2 hard winter wheat has been selling for cash for around $2.75 at Chicago. This represents an increase of about 63 cents since Jan. 1, and an increase of almost $1 over the last 12 months.

Wheat is by no means the chief element of Pacts Alone Won't Halt War Editor. The Pittsburgh Press: The trend after the war seems to be for most nations, large and small alike, to rush out and sign non-aggression pacts and you-help me I'll help you treaties with each other. The value of such treaties was clearly demonstrated by Hitler not so long ago when he signed countless pacts and then went ahead to break them. In a peace-loving world, were all nations willing to go to any lengths to secure a lasting peace, such pacts would not be necessary. Signing worthless pieces of paper isn't going to prevent another war.

LEONARD B. RICHTER. 340 Craft Ave. 1 Lower Rotes Due, Reader BeJeves Editor, The Pittsburgh Press: Although the Equitable Gas Co. is reaping the benefits of the greatest conversion to gas in its history, it is appealing for higher rates.

Isn't the economic principle that high production and high sales maks possible lower prices true in their case? If not, why not? JAMES J. CURRY. 825 Virgin WTay. cost in bread, yet the a i ltural economists figure that -when wheat goes up 50 cents, a price increase of 1 cent in a pound loaf of bread is justified. From all over the country come reports that bread has gone up 1 cent.

Despite the recent sharp increase in wheat prices, the Department of Agri 'Hove We Reached The Editor, The Pittsburgh Press: Throughout the years, many historical events happened for which to this day there cannot be found a reasonable explanation. There are events transpiring in this day and age which also defy explanation, and can possibly go down in history as the prize enigma of the world. In spite of the prized Atlantic Charter, the Yalta, Tehran and Potsdam conferences, the United Nations, and the Security Council, we are today in a much more precarious position than this nation has ever faced. On one hand, the top ranking diplomats are meeting to frame a peace treaty. Other bodies are conducting meetings to prove or disapprove charges of Communism.

The papers run banner headlines asking for huge appropriations to stave off the threat of Communism in countries whose sovereignty has been solemnly pledged. Have we reached the inevitable where we accept the fact of an eentual conflict with Communism, whether abroad or in our own country, and are playing for time, or hoping that through diplomatic maneuvering SELF-RESPECT NEEDED WHAT this country needs, even more than a good five-cent cigar, or a good thousand-dollar auto, is a renewed respect for work. That's not a new thought, but it is brought to mind again by a report on an employment survey. Checking employment agencies in 44 cities, the Northwestern National Life Insurance Co. found a definite shortage of "white collar" workers, especially women, in many places.

Most of the blame for the situation was placed on the wartime emphasis on factory employment. Instead of training for office positions, young people leaving school went into the factories. But many of the employment agency managers also mentioned liberal unemployment compensation as a factor. A Buffalo employment man said, "Many young people rate a proffered pay check by subtracting $21 a week -the unemployment compensation rate from it. After also deducting income tax, lunches and carfare from a moderate salary, frequently the difference over and above the unemployment compensation provides insufficient inducement for them to go to work." GOOD NEIGHBORS AMERICANS have friendly neighbors to the north.

And it's nice to hear from them now and then. A reader of The Press recently sent us a letter from a Canadian acquaintance who had this to say: "If somebody could draw a happy medium between the American way and the Canadian way. it would be great stuff for everybody You folks have done a much better job of making Americans out of Europeans than we have up here. Our best thinkers know it and admit it and are trying to do something about it. Especially now that we have our citizenship fixed up so we can say we are Canadians.

We never could until this year. "Our census takers never accepted a Canadian nationality. One always had to go back to the roots of his ancestors and state that he was English, Irish, German, French or what have you? "Now we can say we are Canadians." This, Reader Says, It the $64 Question Editor, The Pittsburgh Press: I would like to know the answer to the $64 question which the men in the mills are facing when they convert to gas in their homes. How can we pay a gas bill of $18 or $20 a month when we are laid off in the mill because of a gas shortage for two to three weeks at a time? I hope some of the people who want smoke control so bad can answer that ouestlon. EDWARD W.

JOHNSON. 3346 Wallace Dr. Half -Cent Coin Is What We Need Editor, The Pittsburgh Press: Well, here we go again on another financial buggy ride. Last year the dairies took us for that half -cent ride. This time the bakers are doing their stuff.

Someone at some time said, "What this country needs Is a good five-cent cigar." I disagree with him. What we really need is a half-cent coin so that a person who buys one article isn't hooked for that half cent. The average working man must watch his pennies in this day and age in order to make ends I think it's high time our lawmakers in Washington did something about it. Either pass a law against half-penny hikes or else mint a ha If -cent coin. The way things are now the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker are all reaping a harvest of half pennies at the expense of the person buying one article because he doesn't need two at one time.

MRS. E. A. LEHMANN. 3963 Oakdale Ave.

'How Con The Keep A Straight Editor, The Pittsburgh Press: The $700,000 question: Do you think if John L. Lewis invited Judge Goldsborough and the Supreme Court judges who susi tained him to a typical coal mine on pay day that they could tell the men they were "Government" employes and still keep a straight face? How long do you think the coal operators would tolerate Govern Daily Quiz It's nice. too. to know that those neighbors of ours can say that they're Americans. Not citizens of the United States, of course.

We sort of monopolize the name "American," whether or not we're entitled to it exclusively. But regardless of the name, were lucky to have such good neighbors. Yes. from a dollars-and-cents angle, these persons may be just about as well off on unemployment compensation. But where is their self-respect? Where is the traditional American desire to do a day's work for a day's pay? We don't expect answers to those questions.

But the growing world-owes-me-a-living attitude must be checked if this country is to get back to normal, producing good cigars and autos and other things at reasonable prices. culture believes that the Mr. Benedict demand for wheat will continue high. Wheat growers and wheat buyers alike are wondering if we shall see $3 wheat before long. During World War I the cash price of No.

2 hard winter wheat rose to a monthly average of $3.01 at Kansas City in May, 1917. (The price at Chicago is apt to be at least five cents higher than at Kansas City.) At the height of the post-war price inflation, during May, 1920, the Kansas City cash price averaged $2.93. Drop to $1.33 Then came the bust. The price fell 50 cents in five months and more than 50 per cent in 12 months, with the average cash price at Kansas City in April, 1921, down to $1.33. When the depression began in September, 1929, wheat was selling for cash at Kansas City for $1.25.

In December, 1932, the average Kansas City price was down to 42 cents, which meant around 30 cents on the farm. A year later the Kansas City price had risen to 80'2 cents. At the outbreak of war In 1939 the Kansas City cash price was around 86 cents. At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor it was $1.20. The Department of Agriculture lays the recent increase in price largely to a rise in the foreign demand.

In August the United States set jin objective of 267 million bushels for export during the fiscal year 1947. The objective later was boosted to 350 million bushels. The carryover on the coming July 1 is estimated at about 115 million bushels. That would be slightly higher than the carryover on July 1, 1946, but only half the average 1932-41 carryover. And all this despite the fact that last year's crop was an all-time record high and Ukt further fact that this year's crop promises to be even higher.

The decrease in supply comes also in the face of a world production, excluding Russia and China, estimated to be the highest since 1939. United States Now First The point is that Russia and China used to be the world's largest producers of wheat, with the United States ranking third. The war sadly reduced Russian and Chinese production, and the United States now ranks as the first producer. The Department of Agriculture puts the domestic supply for the year 1946-47 at bushels, and breaks down the use as follows: Million bushels Food, including Army abroad 525 Feed 180 Seed 87 Exports, including relief under 350 Leaving new carryover of 114 It is possible that the present high cost of wheat will reduce the amount used for feed. The greatest use of wheat for feed is normally In the summer before the corn crop comes in.

ALL IN A LIFETIME LESSON IN ENGLISH W. L. GORDON It Backfired Before A GOOD REPORTER IT isn't good taste, they always say. to -rag on" your own friends, or family, or kids. So we won't do it.

But we'll say it's mighty nice to have someone else do it like having the National Headliners Club give Lyle C. Wilson its 1946 award for domestic journalistic achievement. The citation gave 'Mr. Wilson credit for "consistently excellent reporting in Wtfiii rliviH I 1 Ml CHEE5E AND BUTTER. MY Wnj'Zm C.

'-'I AND 1 GOT USED TO GOING Rj -V WITHOl IT MEAT DURING THE 0Ti jfT SHORTAGE. AND NOW WE'RE fMU '47 Wf Q3 STRICTLY VEGETARIANS lgLM If aav Yat lit Can you answer these questions? 1 Name the first English King of the House of Windsor? 2 The Duke and Duchess of Windsor have been visiting in Florida as guests of Mrs. George 3 Why was the Ledo Road built across north Burma during the war? 4 In bullfighting, which kills the bull the picador or the matador? 5 In which country is the Yangtze River? 6 Who is President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters? 7 The sun is a star; true or false? 8 Complete the saying: "Blood is thicker than 9 What was George Washington's middle name? 10 In which state was Henry A. Wallace born? ANSWERS 1 George V. 2 Baker.

3 To connect with and reopen the Burma Road into China 4 Matador. 5 China. 6 Daniel J. Tobin. 7 True.

8 Water. 9 He had none. 10 Iowv WORDS OFTEN MISUSED: Do not say, "1 have a hunch (slang) that he will be elected." Say "I am confident (or. have confident assurance) that he will be elected." OFTEN MISPRONOUNCED: Culinary. Pronounce ku-li-ner-i as in cube, both Vs as in it, in net, accent first syllable.

OFTEN MISSPELLED: Protege (masculine). Protegee (feminine). SYNONYMS: Congenial, compatible, sympathetic, harmonious. WORD STUDY: "Use a word three times and it is yours." Let us increase our vocabulary by mastering one word each day. Today's word: INCHOATE; being in the first stages; Just begun.

"Each one of us has the prerogative of completing his inchoate nature." J. H. Newman. Readers of The Press are familiar with Mr. Wilson's name.

He has been Washington manager of The United Press for many years, and is intimately acquainted with the Washington scene. He has covered it factually and objectively for so long that readers know any story carrying the Lyle Wilson "by-line" is a story they may read with confidence. We of The Press, who are lucky enough to know Mr. Wilson personally, and who respect him professionally, are greatly pleased at this recognition of his work. Pltspatrtck In The St.

Louis Post-Dispatch..