BEVERIDGE MILLIONS
Sut,—I must assume from his persistent refusal to discuss the main issue that " Janus " himself is beginning to entertain doubts of the propriety of the Beveridge publicity ramp. I cannot believe that he is indifferent to the employment in this free country of methods hitherto reserved for the dragooning of opinion in totalitarian States.
But as " Janus " teturns to the minutia of his own selection, I must give him what satisfaction lies in my power. First, he quarrelled with my grammar, on which I took refuge in the Oxford Dictionary. Finding that issue less to his liking than he expected, he now explains that what really disturbed him was my use of the words " at the taxpayers' expense." Had I said " at the taxpayers' risk " the point would not arise, for " Janus," with a simpler faith than I can attain, accepts an official claim to have made a profit on part of the extensive Beveridge printing programme.
On that if " Janus " would secure a complete account of all the expenses incurred by Government Departments to popularise the Beveridge brand of pauperism, he would find that " millions " and " expense " were not so inappropriate as he would like to believe.—I am, ["Janus " writes : There was never any issue so far as I am concerned except Sir Ernest Benn's statement regarding the Beveridge Report that " millions of copies have been circulated at the taxpayers' expense." As to the numbers, it is relatively immaterial whether Sir Ernest only exaggerated by zoo per cent. (as he thinks) or 30o per cent. (as I think). More important is the allegation " at the taxpayers' expense," but since Sir Ernest, as I understand him, now withdraws that, all is harmony again.]
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