FOUR ~,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, . 777F-‘•:,37,;;%:,, This message was included in a speech which Mr. H. E. Humphreys, Jr, gave before the Fifth Avenue Association in New York City, Sept. 30. With the full realization that the future of this country belongs to its youth, we reprint this article as a public service. The seven road blocks to future prosperity are very real problems. understanding them is, the first step toward their solution. I have a Son and Daughter Seventeen days ago I gave my only daughter in marriage. The event wasn't quite as hilarious as the motion pictures would have us believe. Sure, there was gaiety and laughter. But when I walked down the aisle with Barbara on my arm, my steps were less certain than I had expected. There was a tug at my heart I had never felt before. Sixteen days ago, my only son returned to college. I am beginning to underitand what someone said— Being a parent is just one good-bye after another. A Son's Uncertain Future A short while before George left, we were talking—discussing his future—what he might do after college. I wouldn't say my son was exactly bitter about' the state of affairs passed on to him by the older generation. But he was uncertain , . . unsettled . . . uninspired. After he left the room, I went on thinking. There was no denying that things are in a sorry state. Who was to blame? I could name most anyone and everyone. I finally faced up to the one fact which, I suppose, is the hardest for a father to admit. I had let my own son down. I had not spoken up, I had not stood up for him as I should. I had sat idly by while someone had almost stolen his birthright. Now, Pm not alone in this sin of omission. I can find plenty of company among my own business associates and neighbors. How about you? Have you spoken up lately? As One Father To Another What I would really like to do is to talk as one father to another with the next President of the United States, whichever of the candidates he may be. I would say: Mr. President, you and I both are fathers. Just what have we done to our boys? Where do they go from here? I don't know about yours. But, frankly, my boy doesn't know which way to turn. Take Korea. Should he jump in now and fight, perhaps die for his country? He's not afraid to. But, if he did, would he really accomplish something? Or would his sacrifice be for nothing? • Should he continue college? If he does, what then? If my son wants to become a businessman, like his father, what chance will he have to rise or fall by his own effort? What incentive will he have? Will taxes be so high or government controls so rigid that success will not seem worth the struggle? Or, if my son wants to run for political office, like you, Mr. President, will he find a challenge? Or will he be dismayed by further decline of integrity and moral courage among govern ment leaders? Take my son's future married life. Will he have an oppor tunity to make a better life for his loved ones, as you and I did? Or will the government insist on giving him birth-to-death se curity? with no room left for individual initiative? Yes, my son doesn't know which way to turn. Why has he been put in this spot? The way I see it, our country is suffering because our gov ernment has a don't know policy abroad and a do-it-all policy at home. I'm not trying to put the blame in any one place, Mr. Presi dent. Thus far I have seen little sign of great improvement from either of our major political parties. First of all, Mr. President, we need a foreign relations policy that we all understand and approve. You know how this must be done—through public debate by our duly elected represen tatives. You know the kind of policy it must be—a firm policy that calls for us to take the initiative for peace. Titan Metal Manufacturing Company •! , ;.:5'.-r . -!; . :f.z?::::! , ..