The Pittsburgh Press (September 20, 1944)
‘Freedom of opportunity’ demanded by Bricker
Republicans convinced that U.S. must stay a republic, Syria Mosque audience told
By Kermit McFarland
Beginning a 40,000-mile campaign tour which will crisscross the country, Governor John W. Bricker, opened up here last night with a plea for “freedom of opportunity” in the American industrial system.
Speaking to an audience of 3,000 in Syria Mosque, Governor Bricker demanded a post-war America in which “creative genius has its reward, in which the inventive ability of our people is utilized and fully protected, where there will be work and the security of productive jobs.”
He said:
But America cannot be that kind of a land if selfish interest and the exercise of great power, be it the power of wealth or of government, is to replace the public interest. It cannot be that kind of America if we are to proceed on the New Deal theory that our nation is fully built and that government alone has the wisdom to plan.
Deviating momentarily from his main theme, the vice-presidential nominee lashed out anew at Sidney Hillman, chairman of the CIO Political Action Committee. He said:
It was a great disservice to the American people, to the Democratic Party and especially to free labor when the New Deal sold out to Sidney Hillman.
Mr. Bricker said the issues of the campaign “may be fairly summed up” in one question: “Shall America continue to be a republic?”
He said:
This party of ours [of the Republicans] is convinced that America shall continue as a republic.
‘Miracle despite meddling’
He asked:
Why is it that the United States, with only 10 percent of the population of the Allied nations, has performed this miracle [of war production] in spite of governmental opposition and bureaucratic meddling almost beyond belief?
It is because the American industrial system developed within an atmosphere of freedom which encouraged inventive and administrative genius. It is because the American workingman also has been free to work in an atmosphere of freedom, to own his own home, to start his own business if he wished.
There is more to freedom than security. It does mean that, of course. But freedom also means the opportunity to risk – to win or to lose.
New Deal ‘fallacy’ hit
He said the country must turn its back on what he called the New Deal theory that the nation is “fully built and that government also has the wisdom to plan.”
He said:
The New Deal idea of economic maturity the idea that there are no more frontiers to conquer – is an utter fallacy.
There is no reason for defeatism in the thinking of business, of labor or of government as they look forward toward production and employment after Germany and Japan shall have been defeated. There is no reason to fear that which shall come.
If we will use common sense, if we will have that faith, the stage is set for a great future… War has tremendously increased our capacity to make things. Jobs come from production. The larger our capacity to make useful things, the more jobs there will be.
Mr. Bricker said the government must restore the incentives that “bring public and business confidence.”
He said:
It can’t be done by more planned economy, or more collectivism, or more government control. It can’t be done by appeals to class consciousness and racial prejudices, or by favoritism to noisy minorities. It can’t be done by bigger debts and high taxes, and deficit financing after the war.
The fallacy of any idea that it can be done by such a course is demonstrated by the utter failure of the New Deal to break a decade of depression and unemployment. Under the New Deal, it took a war to put men back to work again.
New Deal ‘failure’ charged
Considering the background of New Deal failure, the American people have a right to ask these questions.
Is the New Deal planning to meet the post-war employment problem by keeping our boys in the Army and Navy?
Is it planning to meet the post-war employment problem by employing our workers in government-owned plants at the taxpayers’ expense?
Is it planning to meet the post-war employment problem on the basis of a worldwide WPA, for which the American people would supply the goods, the money and some of the men?
‘Let’s talk of jobs’
The New Deal talks of giving and unemployment. Let us for once talk of jobs and employment.
We can’t buy the goodwill of other countries, but we can gain it if we deserve it.
Governor Bricker came here after appearances at Erie and Meadville and left last night for his speech from the steps of the State Capitol in Harrisburg today. Tonight, he speaks in Wilkes-Barre.
Governor Bricker’s address tonight will be broadcast at 10:00 over WCAE.
Introduced by Martin
He was introduced to the Syria Mosque audience last night by Governor Edward Martin, who is accompanying the Ohio Governor on his Pennsylvania tour.
Governor Martin said:
We don’t want anything in Pennsylvania again like the four years of the Earle administration.
Governor Martin, introduced by Republican County Chairman James F. Malone, made a stage entrance at the close of the introduction and the band, missing a cue, played “Beautiful Ohio.” When Governor Bricker made a similar entrance, the musicians, unperturbed, played the Ohio song over again.
Others speak also
Mr. Malone said Governor Bricker and New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, Republican presidential candidate, are running against Sidney Hillman of the CIO’s Political Action Committee, and Earl Browder, head of the Communist organization.
Mr. Malone said:
Mr. Hillman is the No. 1 lieutenant of the New Deal and Mr. Browder is No. 2. We don’t want anything to do with Communism in any form.
Governor Bricker was preceded by two other speakers, County Court Judge Blair F. Gunther and Hobson R. Reynolds (Philadelphia Negro police magistrate, ward leader and former legislator).
‘Roosevelt vs. Stalin?’
Mr. Reynolds charged that the Democrats “won’t give Negro troops a chance to fight.”
He said:
If they will turn the black troops loose in France and Germany for 30 days, we’ll have all the troops home in a short time.
Judge Gunther charged President Roosevelt “doesn’t have the moral courage to say ‘no’ to Joseph Stalin” in the dispute over the division of post-war Poland.
He said:
In spite of all the beautiful words, the Atlantic Charter is at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. The administration is improvising our foreign policy.
He alleged that Mr. Roosevelt is “hanging on to the coattails of Mr. Browder and Mr. Sidney Hillman.”
Adams presides
District Attorney Russell H. Adams, presiding at the rally, said the nation still faces the “same problems” it faced when the Roosevelt administration took office in 1933.
In a press conference preceding the rally, Governor Bricker said President Roosevelt’s order to the Budget Bureau to start planning for reduction of wartime government agencies was “necessary” but had come “very late.”
He said:
It should have been started long ago. Many of these bureaus should never have been treated. Many, even those that are essential, are entirely overstaffed.
Candidates introduced
U.S. Senator James J. Davis, a scheduled speaker, sat on the platform but did not address the rally. Mr. Malone said he had asked to be “excused.” Superior Court Judge Arthur H. James, Mr. Malone said, was unable to appear because of court work.
Supreme Court Justice Howard W. Hughes (candidate for a 21-year term), Judge J. Frank Graff (candidate for the Superior Court), State Senator G. Harold Watkins (candidate for Auditor General) and Philadelphia City Treasurer Edgar W. Baird (candidate for State Treasurer) were introduced.
Mr. Malone also introduced three CIO representatives from McKeesport unions. He said they were “evidence that Sidney Hillman doesn’t boss all the CIO members.”