PoA
THE MICHIGAN DAILY
WEDNESJDAN, A?.UIL A381
OPA Death Watch
T HIS COMING JUNE 30 marks the first
anniversary of the death of the PA.
Most of us remember the events surrounding
this decision. The country had been living
under a program of price controls for over
four years and although three-fourths of the
population were still behind them, our rep-
resentatives in Congress, under the pressure
of an indignant block of business interests
decided that it was for the best interests
of the country that these nasty controls be
lifted. So OPA was killed.
At that time the cry of anti-OPA propa-
gandists that was heard so loud and so long
was, "Sure prices will rise for a time but
give free enterprise the chance to function
and competition will bring them down." The
sad fact is that in the last ten months whole-
sale prices have risen 31 per cent as com-
pared to an 8.5 per cent rise during the en-
tire 37 month period that the "hold the
line" program was operating.*
It does no good now to lament the folly
of our premature abandonment of price
controls but instead of profiting by the les-
son we and our congressmen should have
learned, all sorts of explanations and justi-
fications for high prices have infiltrated into
public thinking. A few of the most com-
monly heard conjectures are these: (1)
Prices are high but so are wages. Therefore
the deleterious effects of one are cancelled
out by the other, (2) high prices are neces-
sary to get production going, (3) the fault
lies with the business man who refuses to
cut his prices and (4) labor is entirely to
blame for its incessant wage demands and
constant strikes.
As to the first assumption it need only
be noted that wages never keep pace with
prices in inflationary periods. Over half
of the families in the country are still
living today on less than $2,000 a year and
according to the Bureau of Labor Statis-
tics, 40 Per cent of this must go for food.
The second justification, asserting that
high prices are necessary to stimulate pro-
duction, reflects equally specious reasoning.
As prices skyrocket and wages lag, the pur-
Editorials published in The Michigan Daily
are written by members of The Daily staff
and represent the views of the writers only.
chasing power of millions of families has
been reduced. Consequently production is
actually less in some fields than it was a year
ago. The actual unit volume (not inflated
dollar value) of food sold today is roughly
eight per cent below that of last year at
this time. Other non-durable goods are off
15 per cent also, so that leaves just the auto-
mobiles, the radios, and other durable goods
to account for an overall increase of pro-
duction. This merely means that there are
still people who can afford these goods even
at the high prices and this doesn't give the
middle class wage earner much consolation.
w
Argument number three imprecating the
business man for his reluctance to cut
prices falls right in line with President
Truman's recent appeals to retailers.
While lower prices are highly desirable,
this is quite an idealistic way of looking
at the picture. Human nature being what
it is, can we really expect the business
man to cut his prices 30 or 40 per cent
below what he knows he can get? And
unless the entire business field were to
have the same altruistic propensity to jack
down prices it would be impossible for
any individual to 'do it. One business man's
price is the next one's cost, so no matter
how public-spirited he may be, he is sel-
dom the master of his own decisions on
price matters..
THE ECONOMIC GROUP most often sad-
dled with the blame of high prices is
labor. Again, a comparison of price rises
for industrial products and of wage rises
since OPA went off shows a 26 per cent rise
in the former to a 5 per cent in the latter.
With the added production under price con-
trols, this 5 per cent wage jump might easily
have been absorbed. Higher wages are often
made the excuse for higher prices but too
frequently the price advance precedes the
wage increase.
Indeed, many an individual business
man felt the impact of OPA blunders dur-
ing price controls and had legitimate cause
for complaint. But, eliminating controls
seemed a little bit like cutting off one's
nose to spite one's face; OPA was by far
the lesser of two evils. Now Congress is
faced with the gigantic task of passing
legislation to cushion whatever future re-
percussions their folly of ten months ago
will bring.
*Figures are from Department of Labor
statistics.
-Bruce Schwartz
NIGHT EDITOR: GAY LARSEN
MAN TO MAN:
The
City Editor's
SCRATCH
PADD
TfHE CAMPUS has been seeing a new ap-
plication of popular sovereignty of late.
Last week the residents of the Lawyers'
Club asked for-and got-an explanation
for the rental increase that is to become ef-
fective July 1. Whether the explanation
satisfied the residents is debatable. Ap-
parently, a majority of them weren't satis-
fied, as they voted to request the student
members of the Board of Governors to call
a meeting of the entire Board membership
to review the case. The point is that a ma-
jority of the Law Club residents saw fit to
demand enlightenment concerning a mat-
ter which is vital to their welfare.
Yesterday, 2,267 students voted approval
of the Student Legislature's resolution call-
ing for a "public review" of the action by
which Michigan Youth for Democratic Ac-
tion was banned from the campus. A total
of 3,826 students participated in the refer-
endum, and the figure is regrettably small.
In a matter so vital to the welfare of all
students, the most representative vote pos-
sible was desired. But here again the fact
that a majority of persons interested in the
matter saw fit to demand an explanation
is significant.
Taken together, the two events indicate
a trend toward a new view of students in a
university scheme of things. Prof. John L.
Brumm, of the journalism department, sum-
med up this view in his address to the Town
Hall forum last Friday.
Said Prof. Brumm:
The Committee for Academic Freedom
"rejects the assumption that teachers, be-
cause they are public servants, and students,
because they are wards of the state, are re-
stricted in the exercise of civic freedoms ac-
corded other citizens."
Similarly, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
said editorially not long ago:
"One of the things st/idents should learn
in school, we think, is not to let their public
servants push them around. It's more im-
portant in state-supported schools than in
others, because very often their officials are
pushed around by legislators and sundry
public officials on whose favor they depend
for appropriations.
"Perhaps the educators may feel some-
times that they have to curry favor, but the
educatees don't have to, and shouldn't do
it. Quite the contrary. As citizens, they
are sovereign, and while they shouldn't push
their public servants around, either, they
ought to feel perfectly free to express dis-
approval."
Out in the cruel, cold world, citizens have
the right to make their public servants
stand up and explain. It's accomplished by
periodic elections, by the referendum and by
other devices. A university, by and large,
is a community by itself, but that does not
mean its rank and file citizenry, i.e., the stu-
dent body, should be excluded from rights
enjoyed by citizens in other communities.
It is but another ramification of that thing
called "academic freedom," which, even in
its most limited interpretation, means that
students are young adults, not weak-minded
children who are still a little damp behind
the ears.
Students have no right to try to "run"
their university. But they do have the
right to demand reasonable and reasoned
explanations for the acts of their officials
when they believe their welfare is not being
properly regarded.
ON WORLD AFFAIRS-:
Unify Europe
By EDGAR ANSEL MOWRER
RN HIS March 12 message to Congress,
President Truman stated that "totalitar-
ian regimes imposed on free people by direct
or indirect aggression undermine the foun-
dations of international peace and the secur-
ity of the United States."
His request to the Congress for aSitiskanc(
to Greece and Turkey was understood $*
inean that the United States will oppose
further Soviet expansion.
Several people - including this writer -
have pointed out that American support in
the Middle East will be wasted unless the
cracks in western Europe are cemented.
'Western Europe - once the world center
of political strength - is exhausted and par-
tially ruined. Its weary and divided peoples
could certainly not offer serious resistance
to the Red armies. It is doubtful if they
would try.
Many observers consider this a permanent
and irremediable situation. Even that self-
confessed Machiavellian, James Burnhaw,
in his latest book, "The Struggle for the
World," excludes as power factors all
countries but the U.S.A. and the Soviet Un-
ion.
Conceivably, these impulsive spokesmen
are mistaking a change in political weathler
for a change in political climate.
The forces of western Europe are not com-
bined because their countries are atomized
and disunited. United, they would constitute
a very great power, equal in stature, perhaps
superior to the U.S.A. or the U.S.S.R.
BILL MAULDIN
freedom of all students on
campus,"
Kelly Maneuvers
By HAROLD L. ICKES
ORMER MAYOR EDWARD J. KELLY of
Chicago has at last reluctantly bowed
himself out of the City Hall but by no means
has he yielded political power. Nor does he
intend to. Kelly wanted to run again for
Mayor this month but some of his political
friends, plus the Republican landslide the
preceding November, caused him "voluntar-
ily" to decide not to be a candidate. Then he
was persuaded to support Martin H. Ken-
nelly, the present Mayor. So Mr. Kennelly,
who had been a private citizen of fine stand-
ing, ran instead and won by approximately
275,000 votes, whereas Boss Kelly, four years
earlier, had been reelected by only 114,000
votes.
It was thought that Mayor Kelly, who is
a very rich man after a lifetime spent in
active politics and who is well over 73 years
old, would also surrender his sceptre as Boss
of the Democratic Party. But he had differ-
ent views.
Although Mayor Kennelly was to be
responsible for the governance of Chicago
for four years, Mayor Kelly would not even
let him organize the City Council, a ma-
jority of which were Democrats. Kelly
was like a divorced wife, insisting on con-
tinuing to hire the help and make put
the menus. And, of course, besides the
City Council, Mayor Kelly controls im-
portint country patronage offices. lie also
continues as the Illinois nemnber of the
Democratic National Committee.
Mayor Kennelly was so decent a man that
he expected the Kelly people also to be de-
cent. Consequently, he was too generous in
his attitude toward the holdovers fron the
Kelly administration and too naive in be-
The new American policy, inaugurated in
Greece and Turkey seems to be to accept
openly the challenge of the "two worlds" and
to oppose vigorously any attenpt to shift the
present demarcation line between them. This
policy has been criticized as leading to war.
But if the alternative is to retreat and con-
cede one area after another, then the ex-
perience of 1938-1939 shows clearly what
policy is least likely to ensure "peace in our
time." But containing successfully the So-
viet domination within its present bounds
will not solve the central problem of our
security - that of atomic weapons,
True, we may thus prevent Western Europe
from becoming an adjunct to the Soviet
scientific and technological arsenal. We may
keep most of the U.S.S.R. under the threat
of our advanced bases for the delivery of
atomic bombs, and prevent the Soviet bases
from being pushed that mrh closer to our
shores. But these are but "elative and tem-
"Be right back, Ma. I'm goin' out fer a breath o' carbon monoxide."
Letters to the Edr ...
this
lieving that Kelly and all of his aldermen
would see the impropriety of continuing to
take orders from Kelly. On one point, how-
ever, he did stand up. The Kelly aldermen
wanted to organize the Council for a full
four-year term. Kennelly was successful in
restricting this control to one year.
But this is only part of the story. Mayor
Kelly was successful in having his protege;
Gael Sullivan, appointed Second Assistant
Postmaster General. Mr. Sullivan accom-
panied Postmaster General Hannegan
around the world, with Senator Tydings of
Maryland acting as chaperon, .at Govern-
ment expense, to "inspect" postal systems.
Returning, Mr. Sullivan resigned as Mr.
Hannegan's right-hand man in the Post
Office Department and became Mr. Hanne-
gan's right-hand man in the Democratic
National Committee. His title now is Exe-
cutive Director and his salary is considerably
above what he received as Second Assistant
Postmaster General.
Mr. Hannegan's health has not been
good. tie too has done well in politics and
he wants to resign. But he has conditioned
his resignation upon the selection of Mr.
Sullivan, a second-string, ward politician
from Chicago as his successor. He has no
intention of leaving either his flank or his
re ar* exposed to those who might seek
poliical rcp;risals.
" Is a strange '1irtaI"3 ce, thG rapid rise
in political powcr of Mr. Gael Sullivan, who
possesses none in his own right. He has
been brought up by bottle by that cunning
politician, the ex-Mayor of Chicago. When
Mr. Kelly, at the beginning, aligned himself
with Doss Hague of New 'Jersey to try to de-
feat Roosevelt for the nomination for Piesi-
dent in 1932, Mr. Gael Sullivan was against
Roosevelt. When the Mayor, changing his
battle-cry to "Roosevelt and Humanity,"
clung desperately to the Roosevelt band-
wagon, Mr. Sullivan hung on with him. At
Chicago. in 1944. when Boss Kelly and the
other city bosses who were rinning the
D emocrat'ic National Convention swung to
't-ruman for Vice-President, Mr. Gael Sulli-
van was at hand within beckoning distance
of Mayor Kelly. Mr. Sullivan is a versatile
young man. Mr. Sullivan carries his own
protective coloration with him. He can' be
as hardboiled a politician as Mayor Kelly,
but he can also be as "liberal" as Boss
Kelly.
If Gael Sullivan should be selected as
Chairman of the Democratic National
Committee, Edward J. Kelly could' and
would be expected to tell him what to do.
1'huls the, Democratic Committee would
have 1ad as Chairman three successive
city a chine bosses - Edward J. Flynn of
EDITOR'S NOTE: Because The Daily
prints EVERY letter to the editor
(which is signed,t300 words or less
in length, and in good taste) we re-
mind our readers that the views ex-
pressed in letters are those of the
writers only. Letters o more than
300 words are shortened, printed or
omitted at the discretion of the edi-
torial director.
EDITruR's NOTE: To date, 'he IDaily
has received about 25 letters o con-
ment on the withdrawal of University
recognition of AYDA. Because of
space limitations, we will print only
a few typical letters in full, plus ex-
cerpts from EVERY letter received.
In each case we will indicate the
number of persons signing the letter.
Open Letter to the Student Leg-
islature:
We, the undersigned, residents
of Vaughan House, although not
members of M.Y.D.A., protest the
summary action taken by Presi-
dent Ruthven today (April 22) in
revoking the charter of the stu-
dent chapter of Michigan Youth
for Democratic Action. We be-
lieve that such action was incon-
sistent with the principles of de-
mocracy and healthy university
atmosphere, in that there was no
proof offered and no defense al-
lowed.
Therefore, it is ourdbelief that
open and publicized hearings
should be held.
Richard S. Fallows,
and 31 others
To the Editor:
Why all the clamour from the
'great majority' who value the
American Way of Life on the ban-
ning of MYDA from our campus
organizations? The local chapter
was asked to break connections
with the National AYD because
of Communist influence, by Presi-
dent Ruthven but they refused.
Thus, as an affiliated chapter of
such an organization they were
banned.
We cannot disregard the. FBI
in their statement that the AYD
is a Communist influenced organ-
ization. No one more than I de-
sires to keep the freedoms guar-
anteed us by the constitution. We
believe in the rule of the majority,
not of the few: but Russia is dom-
inated by 1, fxw that seized con-
I rol by rebe iLn at the tilime of ka -
tiona I c istrcsb sa ns0im rest, The
Russian people have lost many
freedoms, for that is the only way
the existing government can main-
tain control. Communists have
since been known for the trick of
seizing a country when it is weak.
How can wve allow a minority, 40
out of 18.000 students, to group
together on this or any campus
in a frontal organization to fur-
ther the-cause of Communism that
desires to destroy our existing
form of democracy? It is time we
quit worrying about our freedoms
and remembered our responsibility
to the constitution.
Bill Wake
.o thie Editor:
The'issue extends beyond
the banning of a single campus
organization and encompasses the
entire concept of academic free-
dom. Is this the first of a series
of authoritative measures which
seek to control student opinion?
Are students-to be prevented from
holding views contrary to those
believed proper by University of-
ficials or State politicians? ...
Robert L. Beneteau,
and seven others
To the Editor:
The University of Michigan
chapter of United World Federal-
ists feel that President Ruthven,
by taking arbitrary action in re-
tracting the recognition of an ap-
proved campus organization, has
by-passed the authority of the
Student Affairs Committee and
has presented a threat to the free
activities of every campus group.
Bette Hamilton (secretary)
-* * *
To the Editor:
" ..When men as prominent
and well-informed as J. Edgar
Hoover, director of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, label the
AYD a Communist-front group,
we do not feel that any further
explanation from President Ruth-
ven is necessary ...
John M. Averill
and two others
*
To. the Editor:
" .:.Granted that AYD is the
recruiting ground for future Com-
munists: Can we combat this by
putting them underground .
by refusing them recognition as
a campus organization? The an-
swers to these questions are de-
cidedly "No"!
Edward Tumin
Kenneth Glancy
To the Editor:
I. "I disapprove of what you say,
but I shall defend to death your
right to say it."-Voltaire.
II. "I disapprove of what you
say; you will be shot at sunrise
or before."-Stalin.
That's why we did it, MYDA!
Bob Kirby
''o the Editor:
" ,.. .We believe that each in-
dividual should have the oppor-
tunity to think as he desires and
to express his opinion freely to
others. We therefore strongy
urge that AYD be given a fair
trial and an opportunity to de-
fend itself.
Ellen Stringer,
and seven others
To the Editor:
" . ..By supporting the position
of the Callahan Committee and
banning MYDA from any campus,
the administration has failed to
protect the rights of students to
express an active interest in the
progressive aspects of their local
and national, social and political
life .
Hazel Berkenbush,
and eight others
'Ii ic members o the Umiversity
of Michigan chapter of the Inter-
collegiate Zionist Federation of
America uanimousy condemn the
curtailment of freedom as exem-
plified by the arbitrary banning
of AYD from the University . .
We, therefore, strongly urge . .
a fair and open trial.
Intercollegiate Zionist Federa-
tion of America
* * *
To the Editor:
" . ..We feel that this is a direct
infringement on the academic
Jerry Schwartz,
and nine others
Tb the Editor:
While the majority of us
are not members of this organiza-
tion (MYDA) we realize that this
is an unjust move and a threat
to academic freedom."
Miriam Bernstein,
and 18 others
To the Editor:
We protest the banning of
MYDA as a direct threat to the
academic freedom of every cam-
pus organization, and to the free
thought of every student of this
University.
Dorothy E. Wilson,
and 22 others
To the Editor:
" .. . I protest from the stand-
point of the sudden and swift
compulsion by which the group
lost its right and recognition as a
campus activity unit . . .
Wiliam Hyde
To the Editor:
T .he.E.In Michigan, a student
organization has just been banned
from the University campus be-
cause it is affiliated with a nation-
al organization which seems to
have some tenuous connections
with a political party that started
a revolution in Russia a quarter of
a century ago ...,
David F. Ross
To the Editor:
"..The principles of democ-
racy have always implied the ac-
ceptance ,of minority groups and
their opinions. As a democratic
institution the University of Mich-
igan should pledge itself to uphold
the rights of minorities rather
than to suppress them."
Marilyn Jane Kopel,
and 23 others
To the Editor:
In the interests of democratic
proceedings we protest the hasty
and arbitrary banning of AYD,
and request hearings in which in-
terested students may participate.
Edythe Levin
Constance M. O'Brien
* * *R
To the Editor:
" . . .I have enough confidence
in my rational, Michigan educated
mind to listen to the ideas of Com-
munism and to the ideas of De-
mocracy, and to select finally De-
mocracy after open consideration
of the two ..."
Arthur B. Gronik
To the Editor:
T .he.E.But weak compromises
are notoriously ineffective in the
face of a cynical and ambitious
foe. There is no reason for be-
lieving that the threat to civil
liberty will die of its own accord.
It can be conquered only by de-
termined and unalterable de-
fense."
Lyman H. Letgers, President
Student Religious Association
To the Editor:
We protest the manner of ban-
ning AYD on camps as ill-consid-
ered and undemocratic.
Lois Hanson
Yolanda Gramatieoff
* * *
To the Editor:
" . We suggest that similar
action be taken against other
groups, such as AVC, IRA, SRA,
IFC, Lawyers Guild, Student Leg-
islature, Karl Marx Society, Com-
mittee for Academic Freedom, a
larger number of fraternities, so-
rorities, and residence halls, and
the American Legion ..."
Carl Kaufman,
and two others
To the Editor:.
"We, the undersigned, none of
us members of MYDA, regret that
President Ruthven believed it
necessary to ban MYDA without
giving it a chance to defend itself
Virginia Rock,
and four others
* * *
To the Editor:
" . ..This arbitrary action taken
by President Ruthven is a further
indication that the students are
merely a flock of clay pigeons as
far as having any real voile in
matters which concern them."
Betty L. Boyd
* * *
To the Editor:
"President Ruthven's abroga-
tion of MYDA's rights as a recog-
nized campus organization ca i
only be understood by campus and
public opinion to be a complete
capitulation to a smear campaign
which has been masterfully car-
ried on against AYD in the State
of Michigan . .."
Kenneth S. Goodman
To the Editor:
As students in a democracy, we
object to any punitive action
against AYD or any similar or-
ganization without complete and
fair investigation.
915 Oakland
University Famine Commit-
tee: 4:30 p.m., Lane Hall. Final
.plans of the Clothing Drive of May
5-12 will be made.
Corning Events
All former Spring Parley mem-
bers: Organizational meeting for
resumption of Spring Parley on
May 16 and 17. 4 p.m., Fri., May i
2, Union. All former Parley mem-
bers urged to attend.
A
The Student Legislature will
sponsor a meeting at 8 p.m. to-
morrow in the Union at/Which Jim
Smith, of the University of Texas,
president of the Continuations
Committee of the National Stu-
dent Organization, will speak on
"Why WeNeed a National Student
Organization."
The Annual French Play: Le
Cercle Francais will present "Le
Malade Imaginaire," a comedy-
ballet in three acts by Moliere, at
8:30 p.m., Tues., May 6, Lydia
Mendelssohn Theatre. Tickets on
sale at the box office after 2 p.m.,
May 3, 5 and 6, tel. 6300. Free ad-
mission to members of the club
(except tax) upon presentation of
their membership cards.
Alpha Phi Alpha, Epsilon Chap-
ter: 7 p.m., Thurs., May 1, Union.
The Art Cinema League presents
THE STONE FLOWER in new
color process dialogue. Also short
on animal behaviorism, "Life at
the Zoo," Thurs., Fri., Sat., 8:30
p.m. Box office opens 2 p.m. daily.
Reservations phone 6300, Lydia
Mendelssohn Theatre.
Regular Army Commissions for
'47 Graduates ]Holding Commis-
sions during War: The Army's new
program to offer regular com-
missions to former officers who
will receive degrees by July 15,
1947, will be explained by a War
Department representative 'at
4:15 p.m., Fri., May 2, Natural Sci-
ence Auditorium.
Si~j~gn ~zv
A
DAILY
OFFICIAL
BULLETIN
,Conit'm edf rom Pge 31
7:30 p.m., Rm. 1042 E. Engineering
Bldg. Those unable to attend the
Air-Meet Banquet. notify the
Banquct Chairman at this meet-
ing.
C'niiversity of Michigan Sailing
Club: 7 p.m., Rm. 229, W. Engi-
neeiing Bldg.
AVC: 7:30 p.m. Union. Plans for
the National Convention, will be
made, including adoption of plat-
form and nomination of delegates.
All members urged to attend.
Quadrangle: 7:45 p.m., Union.
A. D., Moore and Dean Christian
Gauss, of Princeton, will talk about
Quadrangle history. About 9:30
the meeting will be transferred to
the Allenel Hotel for refreshments.
Camp Counsellors' Club is spon-
soring a song-fest for all persons
interested, 7:30 p.m. at the W.A.B.
German Club: 8 p.m., Rm. 302,
Michigan Union. The German
Club from Wayne University will
present a skit.
Underwriters: Regular Wednes-
day-Luncheon, noon, Russian Tea
Room of League.
Delta Sigma Pi, professional
Business Administration fratern-
ity:Election of officers, 7:30 p.m.,
Rm. 304, Union. Pledge meeting,
7 p.m., Rm. 304, Union.
J
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Fifty-Seventh Year
Edited and managed by students of
the University of Michigan under the
authority of the Board in Control of
Student Publications.
Editorial Staff
Paul Ilarsha ......... Managing Editor
Clayton Dickey............City Editor
Milton Freudenheim..Editorial Director
Mary Brush'..........Associate Editor
Ann Kutz........... Associate Editor
Clyde Recht .......... Associate Editor
Jack Martin.............Sports Editor
Archie Parsons.. Associate Sports Editor
Joan Wilk...........Women's Editor
Lois Kelso .. Associate Women's Editor
Joan De Carvajal... Research Assistant
Business Staff
Robert E. Potter .... General Manager
Janet Cork ......... Business Manager
Nancy Heirnick ...Advertising Manager
BARNABY
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