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Show WEEKLY NEWS ANALYSIS 6ost of Living Continues to Climb Throughout Country; Truman Asks for Funds to Finance Mobilization Drive President Truman In his message To the average American, the man who has a definite Income within which he must live, a new ro Notoi When oplolooa (he la oslonjn. txprtssed of Western or tbott Nwppef now Union's analysts and not necessarily of Ulo newspaper,) tf (Editor' and serious worry has appeared. Prices have continued to climb alnce the beginning of the Korean war, not as fast as the first days after the opening of the conflict, but a steady upward spiral that is beginning to cause hardship for those with low Incomes. The creeping advance widened out it vy through the list of goods, clothing and food. Only a few items essential Wr& ' vs. to America's standard of living remained at the level of the first frightening days of the Korean conr Eisenhower , trial materials. FOOD SUPPLY: More Than Enough As prices continued to climb, the government began a campaign of telling the American people there is more than enough food in this country and that hoarding is selfish and unnecessary. . ' President Truman stressed that point in a recent speech and the department of agriculture repeated it with a statement that the nation's food supply is so plentiful that price increases are unwarranted. The departments report stated flatly that with high production prospects and large storage stocks, supplies of food for civilians in this country are expected to continue at the same high level as In past years. "There has apparently been some speculative buying and price increases in food in recent weeks substantially similar to those occurring In 1939, which receded as soon as consumers realized that food supplies said. are adequate," the report But the increases In prices, a number the caused report, spite of repercussions on the home front. An immediate investigation into supply, demand and cost was Indicated by some government sources. American housewives added their voice to the turmoil. More than one retailer found his displays Ignored and demands for price controls and even rationing were being heard in some quarters. The government reported commodities on which stocks were high Included dairy products, eggs, poultry and potatoes. Fruits and veg stables were termed ample. Total meat output in 1950 probably will be slightly larger than last year, the report said. Many believe any campaign the government might launch for rationing is doomed to de- col-anta- ry , 4 Gen. eral, about the situation when be said: "The free world has made il clear, through the United Nations, that lawless aggression will be met with force. This Is the significance of Korea and it is a significance whose Importance cannot be over- "I shall not attempt to predict Eisenhower, president of Colombia University and a national defense consultant of President Truman, wears a quizzical expression as he is interviewed by newsmen. He does not see todays Korean fighting as necessarily the start of World War III, but Insisted "weve got to win". lie added, "If our forces In Korea are defeated the entire world will be thrown Into another great war." Dwight KOREA: Reds Advance For four weeks Americans had picked up their morning newspapers and read about the Communist advances in Korea, Now, as the fifth week of the conflict began, the Reds continued to make advances, but not with the ease of the early weeks of the invasion. The military picture in Korea was not bright by any means, but at the same time, it was not so hopeless as it seemed a few days ago. The Communists had advanced into Yongdong, about 20 miles south of fallen Taejon, on the central front. Along the western coast, the Commies advanced south to Mokpo on the southern tip of Korea. On the northern front that touches the east coast, Yongdok, captured by American forces, was retaken by Red troops. North Korean troops had captured s of South Korea and were continuing steady pressure upon American and South Korean troops. The line was slowly being pushed back toward the main American supply port of Pusan. According to U. S. military experts, however, the picture had its brighter side. They pointed to the number of reinforcements that have reached Korea, the telling blows of the U. S. air force on supply lines and tanks, and the success of the new 3Hlnch bazooka against Red tanks. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, commander of United Nations forces in Korea, made the statement that the Communists have lost their chance for victory. A new. view of the conflict has been taken by the Pentagon. At first the Korean affair was looked upon as a minor fight which this country could take care of in six months. That estimate has been revised sharply upward. There is no lack of optimism over the eventual result, but there Is a clearly defined desire to discourage any thought of a swift victory. In fact, some military authorities report it may be next spring before an offensive can be launched and as many as 200,000 men may be used in it. A general summary of the situation would seem to indicate the picture has many unpleasant features, but is not entirely hopeless. two-third- to congress on the Korean situatior called for $10,000,000,000 down payment on a vast mobilization drive tc win the war and combat any Red aggression elsewhere in the world. He left no doubt in the minds ol Americans, and the world in gen- looked. flict. The experts believe the American people are bringing the increases upon themselves. Consumers still crowded Into stores to stock up on goods they remembered as scarce In the last war. Department store sales soared 24 percent above the same period of last year. The greatest gain was 39 percent In Dallas, Texas. Sugar, coffee, cocoa, flour, lard and eggs were reported higher throughout the country, The price of meat climbed rapidly in some localities, although wholesale prices were reported to have fallen since the opening of the Korean conflict. Observers pointed out that by hoarding, Americans are creating a demand. In turn retailers are taking advantage of the demand and increasing prices for quick profit. It was the old story of quick profit and greed and the selfishness of a minor group of individuals causing hardship on the public generally. As compared to prices a week before the conflict began, tin was up 15 cents a pound, wheat up 18H cents a bushel, rubber up 1U4 cents a pound, eggs up 8 cents a dozen, lard up 44 cents a pound, and hogs up $4 a hundredweight. . . This trend, if continued, can mean price controls will become necessary. It may mean, also, rationing of food, clothing and vital Indus- There was one question in the minds of the nations young men as these day,, It h the Korean conflict went into Us anything going fifth week: how soon will I be in the There I, one non-Commun- ist priorities-and-alloca-tlo- non-essenti- al thingV'? armed forces? number Although the question can not be answered with a quick and definite reply, the present trend would indicate the young man under 25 has a good chance of being in service within the next five months. A number of reserves have already been called and more can expect a call. The Marine Corps is calling all organized reserve ground units to active duty. Officials said these totaled about 47,000 officers and men. The Navy has already summoned several air reserve units said by officials to total 9,000 officers and ffiW ployed. 1 According to the Uh, ment, between J?1 the 30.000 men. course of events. But I am sure that those who have it in their power to unleash or withhold acts of armed aggression must realize that new recourse to aggression in the world today might well strain to the breaking point the fabric of world peace. "We will not flinch in the face of danger or difficulty." He recommended anti - inflation controls, a swift stepping up of war production, additional huge sums to nations and a arm sharp boost in taxes. He authorized the calling of reservists and guardsmen, along with free use of the draft law to build up fighting units. Secretary of Defense Johnson was authorized to call units as needed. A summary of the steps asked of congress: Remove all statutory limits on size of the armed forces. Provide $10,000,000,000 additional military funds; details to be supplied later. n Authorize a system for materials for purposes; prevent inventory hoarding; authorize seizure of materials needed for the fighting effort. . Authorize government loans and loan guaranties to spur defense , 1 A number of Army reserves and National Guard units have been called to active duty. The number has not been announced. On top of this the Selective Service is back in operation and at least 20.000 will be called for the first draft. Undoubtedly, other drafts will follow. . of pay ,1I w there wa a in January number of p'eVpto dVi SrSLta"rc b' The statement did ) the number who had exhtf" amounts they could uary pensatlon; In Jlme The total amount uary. dr.l? X 2,077,508 were i.ssj paid out ,186.383,000; In in i The census bureau that total United State! ment was 4,480,000 last X j, A further drop in Is expected as the unemphja. armed feT Increased and Industrial crease production of arms pW AUTOMOBILES: Production Drop A spokesman for the autooott indication that many has predicted t sharp young men will see service is the industry in the industrys production tt! measure being considered by conthe five months. next gress to lift the legal limit of Evidently many Americans hr men of the three armed figured the same way, W forces. The number in uniform is already cause dealers throughout the some 500,000 short of that figure. try report a great jump in orfc;1 This would indicate that reserve for new automobiles. In many k units may be called to fill the gap up calities waiting lists have alrec to the legal limit and the draft will been formed. be used to increase the services The automobile industry does thereafter. need a big volume of warordeist Congressional and military lead- curtail its civilian car and tret ers are also pointing out that a vic- production. All that is needed lit' tory in Korea does not necessarily diversion of large amount! of itt mean world peace and this nation to arms output Building a must, therefore, maintain a larger mobiles also takes a lot of critic: military establishment. For how materials besides steel It require long is not indicated, but could copper, zinc, aluminum, lead id stretch to 10 or 15 years. other such materials vital to & With these facts in mind, men un- craft and other war weapons. der 25 would seem to have a good As a result, estimates of chance of being in the armed forces years probable car and truck oubefore the first of the year. tput were being revised downward Before the Korean outbreak, ind SECURITY: try sources agreed 1950 vehicle Another Mi-p- would Call F. B. I. POPULATION: President Up 19 Million Trumans statement officers asking all and amateur detectives to channel suspicious information regarding espionage, sabotage, and subversive activities to the F.B.I. has caused many Americans to wonder what is in store for the U. S. The statement presumably was prompted by the Korean war. Truman stressed that all such inquiries "must be conducted in a comprehensive manner on a national basis, essary. all information carefully sifted The final figures will be used by and out and correlated in order to avoid congress to help determine how confusion. many representatives each state Truman made no mention of Comwill be entitled to in the house. munists in his statement. Anyone Kentucky, Arkansas, Georgia, Illi- with information should report in nois, Mississippi, Missouri, North to B. nearest the F. I. office, person Carolina, Oklahoma and Tennessee located in each of the nations 51 are likely to lose one seat according to the latest count Florida, Indiana, major cities, or ask the telephone to connect them to the Michigan, Oregon, Texas and Wash- operator nearest office, an F.B.I. spokesman ington, likely to gain one. California could gain eight seats and New reported. The spokesman emphasized the inYork and Pennsylvania lose three formants identity would be kept and two seats respectively. confidential and he would not normally be brought face to face with SENATOR TAFT: the accused. He said anonymous letPay as We Go ters are not welcome. Sen. Robert Taft of Ohio, who has preached economy and a balanced budget to the Democratic administration for years, caused a mild wave of shock among many legislators when he proposed slapping taxes on everybody immediately to pay for the Korean war. The senator said the Russian threat Is clamping a condition on the U.S, at a permanent extra cost of $10 to $20 a billion a year. "Since this is not a temporary condition but one that may continue In a surprise move the First indefinitely, we should tax the people for the whole cost", said Taft Cavalry Division of the U. S. He observed the condition Army made a beachhead landmay last ing near Pohang on the east "perhaps 10 or 15 years". coast of Korea. The landing was Many observers believe that made without casualties or oppressure is building up on congress for quick and drastic tax boosts ' position. to carry the defense load. Kslsased by WNU Fsitars law-enforceme- nt The 1950 population of the United States has been estimated at almost 19 million higher than the 1940 total, the Census bureau reports. The nations population has Just about doubled in 50 years and the 1940 to 1950 jump was the greatest for any period in history. The figures will not be official until checked and revised where nec- 150,-520,0- 00, 10-ye- ar Landing "semi-mili-tar- y" approximate 7,008,1 units, even with numerous id downs for new model change-ove- n Now most informed sources dsf. want to guess how many vahid will be added in the rest of the ycs to the 4,255,373 built since Jans: 1. LEOPOLD III: Uneasy Return Leopold III, King of theBdPj, returned to his throne after was sence of six years, but it secure throne observers behew to The king surrendered in 1944 and was held j tneSp pr u them during World War a with unpopular the cause he did not resist the earlyf, to the last ditch in of the war. Many donotBh commoner. wife who is a If the return of the joy to his supporters, and ) r; an litical humiliation future to the leaders wb n perc him. Fifty-seve- n in voters are on record k detem The kings evident to keep his throne in favor of his wa J Prince Baudouin, sourcef gj quarters as the po1 of W conflict in the country CIGARETTES: Price Goes Up times A trend of the With the announced fte th tag manufacturer had It, cigarette, W cent a package And the tobacco anno tlon, to turn, on would be passed l R. J. Reynolds was the first to increase. The the hike to tlcularly concerns vere -- Reynolds lead. ((r t i tSig1 Sri - cc,B pectea |