The Daily Alaska Empire

COST OF PREPAREDNESS

While we realize that the United States must spend billions for preparedness, it is of utmost importance that our responsible officials watch carefully those expenditures and, so far as is possible, prevent undue profiteering in the national emergency. The cost of equipping an infantry division, at the close of World War II, approximated $19,000,000.00. Today. the cost is closer to $70,000,000.00. Some of this increase stems directly from inflation, but much of it is due to increased firepower and the development of newer and better weapons. A large item is the cost of armored battalions. War, and preparation for war, is always a costly and extravagant use of a nation's wealth. Accordingly, responsible statesmen in all times have attempted to limit excesses in such expenditures, because they have realized that every dollar extracted from the nation's economy for warfare means a lowered living standard for the people of the nation. With these things in mind -and recognizing the possibility of a developing militaristic spirit, we fail to see how the United States can do anything other than continue its tremendous program of defense preparation. The world situation. Communistic aggressions and the uncertainty surrounding Soviet policies makes it necessary for free people everywhere to be prepared to defend their civilization. their culture and their liberties. Whatever the cost - it will have to be paid. Whatever the risk involved in the temporary sacrifice of personal freedom - it must be taken. The people of the nation. however, must understand that these actions are in support of a calculated risk. The money cost of preparedness is high enough without permitting some of the fantastic abuses brought to light during and after World War I and World War II. We have in mind the five percenters and some of the fly-by-night manufacturers who sprang into being like mushrooms at the outset of both these conflicts. We hope that Government leaders and those charged with the procurement of equipment and supplies will be on guard against those leeches who would enrich themselves unjustly while better men die fighting for their country.