Clinch Valley News

Let Us Tighten Our Belts
For The Struggle

(Reprinted from the Rockbridge County News)

Senator A. Willis Robertson, upon his recent well merited elevation to the chairmanship of the Senate Banking and Currency Committee, listed as the nation's most important task the maintenance of peace, and second in importance, preserving a stable economy.

Keeping the peace is commonly believed to require military strength equal to that of Russia. This equality is regarded as essential to insure us against aggressive attack by the Communists, who might not hesitate to launch such an attack if they believed they could destroy our ability to strike back. Just what it will require to achieve and maintain this equality is hard to arrive at, but it is likely after full consideration of the matter that more money than the President calls for in his budget will be spent for armaments.

As to the economy, its gravest threat now is inflation. Deficit spending and endless increases in the national debt add to the inflationary pressures. Many believe that President Eisenhower is overly optimistic in his budget estimates of income figures.

It is also evident that numbers of Senators and Congressmen are plugging for bigger home expenditures in airfields, housing, slum clearance, aid to depressed areas, power dams and other things commonly listed as "pork barrel" items. Many are favoring these things because they believe their constituents want them.

For the safety of the economy, these costs should be held to the barest minimum. Those who realize the serious implications of inflation and its cruel results should communicate at once with their representatives in the Senate and House and let them know in no uncertain terms that they are against these expenditures at the moment of crisis in world affairs.

Dr. Philip Jessup in his address in Lee Chapel here last week told of the efficacy of letters from individual constituents to their representatives in Washington. These men are entitled to know how the people at home feel. Senator Robertson has let it be known that he will try to see these expenditures held down. Others in Congress will join him if their constituents demand it.

Americans tightened their belts during World War II and went to work. This is still war time-not hot war, but cold war of the most dangerous kind. We are challenged by a ruthless and powerful antagonist that is determined to win, either by hot war or by besting us economically.

Let us therefore gird ourselves for this struggle, support all moves for economy at home and insist upon adequate armaments until the time comes for realistic disarmament. Meanwhile, not lower taxes, but higher taxes may be in order.