The Producers News

Progress toward catastrophe with the imminence of European War is the outstanding impression as one surveys the political field at the close of the year.

At home the decline of popularity of President Roosevelt due to his trying to carry water on both shoulders until now he is attacked both by business groups and progressives, and the collapse of the NRA are most noticeable in the turn of events, although the President has lost two of his chief critics in the deaths of Senators Long and Schall.

CREDIT SIDE OF NATIONAL LEDGER

On the positive side of the ledger there has been a very evident pick-up in business conditions due to government subsidy and the increased efficiency of the machine, an improvement of farm incomes through the AAA, the passage of neutrality legislation, beginning of a social security program, the munitions investigation, the splendid growth of the cooperative movement, the success of progressive political movements in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Bridgeport, Toledo and other places with the organization of Farmer Labor parties in several committed to a production for use program and opposed to the profit system. The remarkable growth of the Townsend movement indicates that the voters will not be satisfied with the meager program for social security sponsored by the administration and that something really socially secure must be adopted. The Townsend program strengthens the hands of those working for the economy of abundance.

It is very indicative that during the year the State Federations of Labor of Oregon, Utah, Connecticut, and Rhode Island; the United Textile Workers, the American Hosiery Workers, the Amalgamated Clothing Workers, the International Union of Mine, Mill and Smelter Workers, the American Newspaper Guild, and the National Farm Holiday Association have declared for a new social order and national new party.

NOW, THE DEBIT SIDE OF THE SAME SHEET

On the negative side of the ledger there has been no real improvement during the year with reference to unemployment. The pick-up in business has left the 12,000,000 idle workers outside the picture of progress. Relief conditions were getting worse as the year closed with the Federal government pushing the responsibility back upon the states and cities which cannot use the means of taxation exercised by the national administration. Child labor has increased rapidly during 1935. The deaths of Senator Cutting and Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes have been a real loss. Organized labor is close to disruption because of the struggle between craft and industrial unionism, although this conflict may finally result in a labor movement stronger than ever.

The slaughter by automobiles has increased. Fascist tendencies are more marked through the passing of legislation in several states requiring teachers' oaths of loyalty, the growth of vigilantes, and the increasing display of violence against strikers, the unemployed, and progressive and radical leaders.

DARK SIDE OF INTERNATIONAL PICTURE

On the international side, the picture is very dark. The Italian-Ethiopian war has put Europe in despair. An armament race is on. The League of Nations gained back some of its prestige during the year because of its determination to keep Italy from aggressive war. As 1935 closed, however, the League seems to have come to an impasse.

On the debit side of the international ledger one also finds Japan pushing forward its imperialism of China and Hitler threatening to do the same in Europe.

THE CREDIT SIDE OF THE WORLD BALANCE

On the credit side there is the formation of the Peoples front in France uniting the Socialist Communist parties against Fascism, the debacle of the Hoare-Laval program for partitioning Ethiopia, the progress of the British Labor party in the recent election, the opposition to the holding of the Olympic games in Fascist Germany, the Chinese student uprising against Japanese aggression, the freedom of the Philippines, the progress in Palestine, the coming into power of the Labor Socialist government New Zealand, and the new high levels of economic progress achieved during the year by Russia. What our trade treaty with Canada and the Social Credit party in Alberta will accomplish most be left to 1936 to decide.

THE FATE OF WORLD ACTORS

CRISIS FOR 1936 WAR AND FASCISM

The year 1935 has been leading us toward a crisis through which we shall probably pass during the New Year. The dice are loaded for war and increased dictatorship throughout the world in 1936. At home our presidential election will decide in which direction we shall go. Never did the voters need to do more intelligent thinking and more aggressive organization of their forces to avoid war and dictatorship, and to achieve an economy of abundance. That alone can make 1936 a Happy New Year.