Madison Journal - US enters World War II - First two Editorials

Date submitted: July 24, 2013

Submitted by: Richard P. Sevier

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The Madison Journal- W. L. Rountree Editor
December, 1941

FIRST TWO EDITORIALS AFTER UNITED STATES ENTERS WORLD WAR II

Editorial 12/12/1941

FOR LOCAL DEFENSE
Town authorities, in another place in this issue, have announced that it is desired that almost one 
hundred men enroll in the Auxiliary Fire Fighting Service here in order that they be prepared for any 
emergency. It is recommended that only those who are not likely to be called into the military service 
enroll, as they must be given training, and if one is trained for this service and then called into 
military service, this means that someone else must be trained to take his place.

While it has been felt that before war was declared against Japan, we were a long way from the scene 
of conflict, the realization of our closeness was brought home to us by air raid alarms on both the 
east and west coasts. And, while it may be that we in Tallulah would not expect an air raid, it has 
been said that in this total war one can expect and be prepared for anything.

The personnel of the local fire department will receive their training from training centers, and they, 
in turn, will give this training to those who enroll in the auxiliary service. The meetings for this 
training are held every Tuesday night, and it is desired that all the members who are to enroll start 
at the beginning, and enroll Tuesday night of next week. Any information about the service may be 
obtained from Mr. Lott, at the fire station.
		
THE BANKS WORK OVERTIME
In this national emergency, the number and the extent of the problems that banking must face, are almost 
limitless.

Upon the banks fall the job of financing a large part of defense activity and at the same time keeping 
ordinary business going on a nearly normal a basis as possible. The banks have been the primary sellers 
and promoters of Defense Bonds and Stamps, a work, incidentally, which returns absolutely no profit to 
them, and reduces their individual deposits. The bank must accurately advise individuals and businesses 
who are confused by the swift changes that take place when a great nation switches from a peace-time to 
a war-time basis of doing business. The banks must help enforce the new installment loan restrictions. 
And the banks play a major part, in cooperation with the Treasury, in the immensely complicated matter 
of freezing foreign credits.

This is but part of the job. No industry is more important to the successful progress of the nation that 
banking. And banking has been doing its work superbly well. There has been no delay in providing money 
for any necessary activity. The highest government officials have praised the banks for their cooperation. 
That is one reason why there have been no important financial bottlenecks in the way of defense.

So, again, private banking proves its worth and its efficiency. It did much to build this nation. It is 
doing much to protect it now.
		
VOTE ON QUOTAS
Every Louisiana cotton farmer will have an opportunity on December 13th to express his opinion as to 
whether or not the cotton quota system should be continued in operation. Some farmers are advocating 
that the quota system should be abandoned, but in so doing they may not realize the great danger that 
may come to other parts of the marketing program.

Under the present quota system a parity loan is possible. This loan has been large enough to stabilize 
the cotton market this fall at a price nearly twice as high as a year ago. If cotton quotas are voted 
down and the market is allowed to seek its own level, farmers run the risk of getting a total income 
which might be less than un¬der the present system. Also, the reduced cotton acreage makes it possible 
for farmers to utilize more land in producing the additional food and feed crops which are necessary to 
bring about a better balance in our agricultural program.

Editorial December 19, 1941

THIS WAR AND THE LAST
As the United States enters this war with the axis powers, one cannot but look back and compare the 
country at this time and at the time we entered the world war.

In the first place, now American industry is already geared to war production and set for greater 
expansion. This present production was promoted by the federal government, whereas, in the other war 
the only war materials being produced here were those contracted for by other powers.

In the other war, after hostilities had been declared, the most of the armed forces took the attitude 
that there was a job to do, and they were ready to do their part, but the enthusiasm was not so lavish. 
Now, after Pear Harbor, the rush for enlistments have been so heavy, and enthusiasm of the volunteers 
has been so great on the part of the volunteers to get into the service to fight the Japanese, that 
most recruiting stations have been swamped.

In the last war, we had a job to do; in this war we still have a job to do, but in addition we have a 
debt to pay back, which will greatly add to the pleasure of "doing the job."
		
A LOCAL JOB
Like the armed forces, those of us who remain at home have a job to do—in fact, before it is over, many 
of them. But at present, the most important job will be an answer to the call which has come to Madison 
Parish from the American Red Cross. This organization has asked the United States for five million dollars, 
and Madison parish, in turn, has been asked for $4,250.

There is no question but that this amount is going to be raised here, and quickly. In fact it must be done 
quickly, so that those who are undertaking the work can be released for their own work and such other demands 
as will be made on them.

To this end, a committee of Madison Parish men has been formed, to be known as the Red Cross Central Committee. 
And, they are making a record card of every firm and individual in the parish, and, taking the financial 
status of such person or firm into consideration, are making an estimate of the amount they will be expected 
to contribute to this call. This same information will be also used in future calls, the amount being based 
on a greater or smaller quota assigned the parish. Every effort will be made to have every individual in the 
parish contribute, and thus no one will be hurt. The solicitors will have nothing to do with the individual 
quota, and it would be useless to complain to the solicitor about the amount you are expected to give. Every 
caution will be made to be fair, and every person will be expected to do his part. If any person is not satisfied 
with his quota, it would probably be the best policy to make the contribution on the first request, and then 
protest to the committee, and get your status adjusted for future calls.

Let us remember, if everyone does his part, Madison parish will be among the first to respond, and no individual 
will have to give enough to make up for himself and his neighbor.

THE INEVITABLE HAS HAPPENED
The unprovoked attack of Japan on American possessions simply marked the occurence (sic) of the inevitable. 
For many months, most authorities have been convinced that we could not avoid formal participation in the war 
that now engulfs all the continents. The big question was when and where the spark would be ignited. The Japanese 
militarists, spurred by their Axis comrades, have answered that question for us and for the world.

The American people enter this war with a sense of grim and bitter necessity. No thinking man wants war. It is 
to the great credit of our government that it did everything possible, within the bounds of our national honor 
and interests, to maintain peace. That effort failed through no fault of those who administer our governmental 
affairs. It failed because the ruthless conquerors of our time are bent on world domination. Nothing less can 
satisfy them. It is all or nothing. And so, at last, the democratic world is allied in arms against the totalitarian 
world in the greatest war history has ever known.

Here in America the task is clear. The American people will support their government to the limit, and they will 
make whatever sacrifices prove necessary. The issue of intervention versus non-intervention is as dead as last 
years' news. The iolationist (sic) leaders, displaying that patriotism which characterizes all true Americans, 
however different their opinions, have pledged their support to the President and the nation.

The soldiers and the sailors who fight in this war carry into battle a traditional freedom. They are not the 
unthinking, "heiling" subjects of a dictator. They are not slaves, living and dying like puppets at the whim of a 
master. They have been reared in the freest of all great nations, under the ideals which Lincoln called, "The 
last, best hope of earth." They know what they are fighting for. They know how precious freedom is. And they know 
the sorrowful truth that blood must be shed if freedom is to be preserved.

Back of the fighting men of America will be a production machine unparalleled on earth. Labor and industry will 
not shirk the gigantic task that time and circumstance have given it. The price of failure would be the death 
of freedom. The days ahead will be hard and bitter, but no one can doubt what the eventual end will be—victory 
for freedom, for a way of life that respects the dignity of man.

It is all there in one word—freedom. Freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of worship, freedom of enterprise. 
These are what we possess, and these are what we are fighting to save to prepetuate (sic) forever.

American industry is ready for this war. Go down the roster of our great private enterprises—the railroads, the 
power systems, the steel mills, the motor makers, the coal  and metal mines, the oil wells and refining plants, 
the airplane factories and the rest. American enterprise reprsents a veritable miracle of preparedness. And now 
the tempo of production will be stepped up again and again. There can be no "business as usual," "strikes as 
usual," or "politics as usual," from now on.

Let there be no despair. Let there be instead, uncompromising determination. War has been forced on us. It has been 
forced on us by a nation to which we offered firm freindship (sic), economic cooperation, aid in solving its 
problems—everything, in short, except the right to pillage and destroy and conquer. Now our enemies will learn how 
free men, backed by limitless resources of our free enterprise system, can acquit themeselves (sic) in battle.