V.gabond Editorials

Bv Jack Dionne

I knew Robert A. Long. And because I knew him and liked hirn and he liked me, I am a better man than I would otherwise have been. He was a knightly gentleman, a gallant and inspired leader, and a h"ppy, helpful friend. He has gone on another route, and I am still traveling this one, but those things that he left with me, will be with me always, for they are indestructible as the name and fame of Robert Long.

Mr. Long was essentially a helpful man. Some day I am going to prepare and preach a sermon on the subject of HELPFULNESS. Truly it is the most dazzling star in the firmament of human characteristics. Helpful people are God's most gracious contributions to society. A man may possess no great gifts of mentality, fiiotl€/, or influence; but if he be HELPFUL he stands shoulder-high above the gifted, and the rich, and the powerful who lack that matchless spiritual inclination. The grandest thing on earth is a helpful human; and the saddest parody on humanity is he who has the gifts, the money, or the power to help, but lacks the willingness, the understanding, or whatever the consciousness may be that says to 3 [sp4n..BE HELPFUL.'' ***

One of the finest things I ever heard said by one man about another was: "He is so busy appreciating others that he has no tirne to appreciate himself."

It was a so-called l"fidJ *" ""rU this: "It is wise to so live that death may be faced serenely; if there is another world the best way to prepare for it is to make the best of this; and if there be no other world, the best way to live HERE is to be happy and make others happy." ***

A friend just handed me an advertisement that just naturally grabs the spotlight and runs off with it. It is issued by The East Texas National Bank in the little city of Palestine, Texas, and after detailing their financial statement the ad reads: "OIJR LOAN POLICY. We have consistently through advertisements and in many other ways let it be known that we are and have been at all times prepared and anxious to make loans, when such are needed for useful purposes, for the advancement of the commercial, agricultural, and other worthy interests of this community, and for the creation, operation, and continuation of all en- terprises that in our judgment should be encouraged and helped." Now what do you think of that? ***

Three loud and rousing cheers for that bank in Palestine. Some of that leaven scattered throughout the land would put this over-advertised depression high up on the shelf with the cold pie. And, why should not the good seed take root in Palestine? Wasn't it in Palestine that the greatest forward thrust in human history found its inception? :!*{.

"Termitesr" says a wood treating authority, "occur in three groups." There you are ! Highly organized and always hold group meetings ! No wonder they get results ! ***

I get mighty well fed up on this "build on the ruins of the past" line of junk. There is no more depressing thought with regard to our present situation than the sad folderol that the past is a ship that has gone on the rocks and been beaten to pieces by the sea, and we've got to build us a new ship. Of course, nothing could be farther from the truth. V[/e are really just in the trough of a wave. We rode high for awhile on the crest, now we sink low in the trough. And, foolish folk would have us think it is the bottom of the sea, and not just the bottom of the wave that we've struck. And, we'll swing high again one of these days. And, being just foolish humans, we'll do the same things then that we did before. And, when the time swings round again, we'll drop down into the trough of the wave again. We always have. We always will. t*{.

It looks to me like we're not so very far from the crest, again. These things are like gefins. They run their course, and, if the patient stands the siege, the germs die and the patient lives. We've been getting better since the banks folded up last March. For three years we'd been sitting shivering, fearing for the banks. Then, when they all folded up for awhile and opened again, the national mentality and morale rose like a bubble. And, we've been steadily improving from that day to this.

Continued reduction ., *"tOaa hours and increase of pay is, in the great majority of industries, sadly impractical. In the first place, if all we are going to do is continue to divide EXISTING employment among a continually greater number of people, we accomplish nothing toward genuine recovery. Such a plan is purely artificial; as much so as CWA. What we have got to have is more employERS. Just to keep heaping the loads on the saddlegalled backs of present employers, cannot possibly be the answer to our prayer. New jobs and new kinds of jobs is the crying need. Don't say to the money now invested in industry, "Carry a bigger burden," but say to the billions of idle money in the country-"Qet to work and carry some of the load and put some men to work or we'll tax the living Hell out of YOU." ***

Away back last surnmer someone declared that within a year the codes would make us a nation of chiselers and spies. Looks to a country boy like that prophet wouldn't have to wait the full year to begin saying, "I told you so." Just as certainly (but infinitely more speedily) as the dry law made us a nation of drinkers and law-breakers, so must the attempt to legislate harnesses for business make us a nation of dodgers. Surely, none but the blind can think otherwise. Only as a temporary expedient-like a shot in the arm in time of great distress-has it merit. ***

Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker, American Ace of Aces, was not only denied the right to speak his mind on things political but was soundly lectured by one of our political pygmies in official Washington the other day. Of course Rickenbacker only shot down thirty-six German planes in the world war. What score a man would have to shoot to be allowed to speak his honest American mind in official Washington these days? In other words, what's par on that course?

The three leading buyers of newspaper advertising space during 1933 were Camel, Chesterfield, and Lucky Strike. And none of them are complaining about the depression, or wondering when business is going to get back to normal. ***

"The anonymous letter is never forgivable," says a well known writer. I'm not so sure. How about the perfectly good guy who has B.O. and is blissfully unconscious of it, and whose "best friends won't tell him." I'm inclined to think that if ever there is a case where the anonymous writer may be forgiven, that's it.

"Do Colleges Prepare For Life?" is the caption of an editorial that lies before me. Who was it said that colleges are places where "pebbles are polished and diamonds are dimmed?" And, the Rev. Sam Jones used to say that he never sent his boys to college because he "would rather have them reading their ABC's up in Heaven, than reading Greek down in Hell." Of course I don't agree with such chaff. But the most solid impression that I DO get out

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