September, 1939
TH E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
333
Views and Reviews of Current News By DAN GILBERT Washington, D. C , and San Diego, California
PACIFISM IN REVERSE GEAR: The outlook is indeed dark for those who share the Utopians’ confidence that hu manity, by its own plans and panaceas, may usher in the reign of perpetuaj peace. Even a number of our leading “professional” pacifists have gone back on their own program of "peace at any price.” The Oxford Oath, . which pledged young people to refuse to bear arms even in defense of their country, has actually been repealed by the leading youth organizations which enthusiasti cally adopted it a few years ago. The Communist-controlled “pacifist” groups, which formerly sought to disarm Amer ica and American youth, are now de manding that our youth shoulder arms and prepare to fight to resist “militar ism and reaction.” There always was s o m e t h i n g “phoney” about the anti-war crusade of the radical pacifist groups against “war and fascism.” Revolution— civil war— was never denounced witli the same vigor as was international war. Outstanding leaders of the pacifist
movement are talking less and less about “preserving peace,” while they talk more and more about “collective security,” apparently to be achieved by economic and military coercion, by an exercise of force which can only lead up to another “war to end war.” DEMOCRATIC SPLIT DEEPENS: By the time this comment is put into type, Congress doubtless will have adjourned. During these closing days, as I write, one outstanding development overshad ows all others: The split within Con gress between the “conservative” and “liberal” elements of the Democratic Party is widening and deepening. A working alliance between Republicans and conservative Democrats is gaining the ascendancy. The “revolt of Congress” upset the New Deal apple cart on at least three major occasions. A coalition of Repub lican and Democratic Senators prevented passage of the Administration’s new “neutrality” bill. The President and
Secretary Hull had insisted that Con gress must amend the present neutral ity law so as to enable the United States to aid France and England in Case of war with the Rome-Berlin axis. The so-called “isolationist” bloc within the Senate stood firm, however, re fusing to give an inch. Their position is that America should take no sides, should not become involved in any way, to help any nation, in case of European hostilities. So far as the Senate is con cerned, America shall remain “isolated,” for the present at least. Against Administration pleas and threats, both houses of Congress pushed through the Hatch bill to prevent fed eral officeholders and employees; in cluding W. P. A. workers, from par ticipating in political activity. The bill was aimed especially to prevent the intimidating or terrorizing or threaten ing of government employees by bu reaucratic overlords. It Is intended to prevent the -firing or penalizing- of a worker for political reasons. [Continued on page 355]
THIRD LeTOURNEAU FACTORY DEDICATED TO CHRIST
Recognizing an event that was news in a world of indus trial strife, the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION of July 12 pub lished a front-page story under the following headings: “Toc- coa Factory is Dedicated to Principles of Christianity,? “Guid ance of God is Implored for $2,000,000 Plant,” “Big Gathering of Friends and Employes Cheer Declaration of Policy in Re vival-Like Atmosphere.” The paper stated, “The strangest— and most comforting—pact American big business has known since steam and electricity exaggerated man’s confidence in his own power was recorded high on a hilltop outside this north Georgia mountain city [Toccoa Falls] today when a . , . builder of road machinery dedicated his new $2,000,000 road machinery factory, to the guidance of God and His Son, the Saviour of humanity.” The Toccoa Falls factory of R. G. LeTourneau, Inc., manu
facturers of earth-moving equipment, is the third of the com pany’s plants. Pictured at the left is part of the throng that gathered in the factory on the dedication day for evening revival serv ices. At the right is R. G. LeTourneau, president of the corporation, in a characteristic pose. He said, in part, “We hear the argument of what we could accomplish if we had a man to show us what to do. If we only had a man big enough to lead us out of our problem. A man who under stands, who knows just what to do at the right moment. A man who could win our confidence. We have that man_ that man is my Saviour and your Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.' If we would only listen to Him!” Would that other Industrial leaders In America could echo this testimony and would advance this plan!
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