V.sabond Editorials

By Jack Dionne

We have arrived at a situation in the history of the American people that chills our very marrow; a time when no man, no woman, and no child is safe from KIDNAPPERS. What a shocking admission to have to make !

History abundantly proves that there is only one certain way to PREVENT any sort of crime, and that is to convince the prospective criminal that he will be punished, SWIFTLY, CERTAINLY, AND IN SUCH FASHION AS FITS THE CRIME.

The other day a t "ppi, tlrrro*""rra boy was "snatched" and butchered like a beast by two human harpies. Astounded by the atrocity a great mob of people tore them from their keepers and sent them crashing to meet their God. Their death was not one-tenth as terrible as that of their innocent victim.

The Governor of the ",J" tlrdJrred the act. He has been both praised and assailed by many. I wonder if any of his assailants ever had their child seized and butchered?

Mob violence is a ,.rrrJr" anr"*. But not one-millionth as terrible as the crime of kidnapping, which is infinitely worse than rape or murder. And, it should be punished according to its horror.

Say what you will about the words of the Governor of California, but one thing is certain; kidnapping is going to be scarce in California so long as he is Governor. Which is what we have got to accomplish in some fashion in every state.

Why temporize with OrU"*n*", I say that no extreme is too great if it will destroy this horror that has come upon us. I should like to see capital punishment mandatory for kidnappers everywhere. And, kidnapping will not stop until we make it so.

we have got to *"oJ.ri. J.""n" for kidnapping so terrible that even such heartless butchers as the "snatchers" of the Lindbergh and Hart victims would shrink from it in craven fear. Personally I would rather see every kidnapper torn limb from limb on our streets than see one innocent child subjected to the nameless horrors of kidnapping. And, on that rock I stand; and I believe every decent man in America stands there with me.

Authoritative information comes from Washington that we may confidently expect an infux of Russian lumber as a result of our new relationship with the "offskys" and the "inskys." That will really be swell ! A minimum \yage, a maximum week, and a code of fair practice for the American lumber industry; to meet the competition of lumber with little or no raw material cost, manufactured by men working under horrible conditions, with a belly half-filled with soggy black bread for wages. I know we'll enjoy that !

If we hadn't u""r, totJ oi"r*"rrd over again that our recognition of Russia is to encourage trade between the two countries, I wouldn't believe the report of impending imports of Russian lumber. I cannot conceive of anything so thoroughly unreasonable as to put American lumber under a code and then subject it to Russian competition in our own home territory. Price-cut Russian goods have been' driving American goods out of foreign territories everywhere for the past five years. But American codemade goods meeting Russian imports in THIS country would be a little more than we could stand. Any man who could laugh that off would indeed have a sense of humor.

***

Henry Stude, of Chicago, President of the National Bakers Council, publicly suggests to the Government that what is badly needed at Washington now is a sales manager, and advises them to exchange four economists and two experts for one sales manager. "A sales managerr" says Mr. Stude, "would bring to NRA a different point of view, a different spirit, a different philosophy. He would convince them that fear and threats never promoted the fow of goods, and that a pat on the back is more effective than a sock on the jaw." Mr. Stude excellently words what seems to be a pretty general national opinion right now.

***

I really regret to have to agree with one of our leading "economists" because his stuff usually gives me an awful pain in the neck, but he is out with one declaration that is wise as a barnful of owls. He advises the elimination of surtaxes to induce the people left in this country who HAVE money, to invest it. He's exactly right. Made job, and made contracts cannot live for ever. They must merge into practical and genuine business things; or we've missed our entire recovery shot. And how are you going to get people to invest their money and put people to work in times like these, with all the attendant hazards of business, if they know in advance that any profits they make will be taken away from them in income taxes? Would YOU do it? Of course not! And neither will anyone else. The wise man-even though he be naturally patriotic and

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Vagabond Editorials

(Continued from Page 8) willing to help-isn't going to be caught in any such badger game as that. Money is too precious to bet on a game where the winner loses. Nor are the banks likely to get loose enough to extend credit for business investments, where the business returns are scooped up by the tax collector. It's one thing to declare for a redistribution of wealth by a greater distribution of profits, and another thing to get those with money to invest it under such conditions. Tax-free investments look too good by contrast.

Money has become " nrttJ""ihing to the few who still possess it. A friend said to me the other day: "I still have some money left; I keep it in a bank; I go down there every morning to make sure it's still there; and I wouldn't invest it today under any circumstances." I didn't blame him. But we've got to get those who still have money into another frame of mind than that, if we're ever going to get industry moving through investment.

"The darkest night trru loola 1", u*,u, seen, did not put out the stars." So writes Mr. R. A. Long in his Christmas message to the friends of himself and The Long-Bell Lumber Company. The entire message is splendid and inspirational, and breathes something of the magnificent spirit of its author. Many, many years past the biblical "three score years and ten" allotment of human life; buffeted by such business stoffns as few men even in the prime of life ever survive; and surrounded by conditions that would break the spirit of the strongest; Mr. R. A. Long has been a veritable beacon in the midst of storm to those who have watched him these last several years. Personally I have followed him with utmost wonderment, marveling at the power of him. Unquestionably he has manifested the calmest, finest, most courageous outlook on life and things, of any beleaguered man I have known through the depression. Surely, it can never be said of him that "he can dish it out but he can't take it." R. A. Long's chin has adamant beat to death for sheer strength. And all that strength emanates from a deep reservoir of intelligent faith and understanding of the spiritual things of this life, without which his fragile physical make-up must long since have crumbled before the storm. That, and his rnagnificent sense of humor, make him the outstanding personality he is. I tell him stories and his laugh rings out as heartily and genuinely as it did in "the old days" before the great tempest broke. I'm tremendously fond of R. A. Long. Now and then I visit with him, and when I do, I enjoy a momentary peek at life through his eyes; and he renews my batteries, and recharges my faith. Long may he wave!