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Show THE BULLETIN WEEKLY NEWS ANALYSIS BY JOSEPH W. LaBINE Bruckart's Washington Digest Idea-of-the-We- ek Advocates of Public Ownership Make Real Bid for Their ;Plan Welles Expedition Bears Fruit In Shower of Peace Rumors; Russo-Finnis- h Truce Forecast (EDITOR'8 NOTE When opinion! are expressed In these columns, they Group of Government Officials and Other Interested Individuals Mix 'Movement' Into National Ralcaaed by Wtatcrn Nawapaper Union Affairs and Politics. are those of the news analyst and not necessarily of this newspaper.) Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Aus tria; (2) return of former German colonies; and (3) destruction of Britain's control over world sea lanes. But the Welles expedition was not without profit. Europe had suddenly become filled with peace plans, and all the powers were talking tough about the minimum terms they would accept. This indicated they were at least ready to talk peace. The Wars in Brief Finnish Front. Soviet troops reached the suburbs of Viipuri. western stronghold of the line. Northeast of Lake Ladoga, the Finns claimed they had destroyed the thirty-fourt- h Red tank brigade, sent to relieve the badly shredded eighteenth division. Western Front. Local patrol activity. Nazis reported building pontoon bridges to reach Luxemburg frontier. Aerial reconnaissance increased by both sides. At Sea. War again invaded the western hemisphere. A British freighter was attacked 130 miles east of Puerto Rico, and a Nazi freighter burned in the West Indies. Man-nerhei- m Welles Sideline Oriental Front Chinese claimed one of their Yangtze er mines had downed a Jap riv- U. S. AND THE WARS America's growing concern with Eu rope war made newt in early March from Washington to Berlin and Rome. Chief motivating factors were (I) U. S. loans to Finland, approved by con-gnand (2) V. S. peace feelers in European chancellories. Mr. Welles in Berlin "Usually reliable sources" vied with "informed quarters" and "un impeachable sources" to inform America about the success and failure surrounding Sumner Welles conversations with European leaders. On a peace mission reminiscent of CoL Edward House's junket during the World war, the U. S. undersecretary of state met in Rome with Benito Mussolini, then rushed to Berlin for conferences with Adolf Hitler. No official announcement followed, but the diplomatic grapevine revealed Der Fuehrer would have no truck with peace projects which gave him anything short of a strangle hold on middle Europe. The most generally reported terms were domination (1) over Czecho- - Aside from his announced mission, Sumner Welles was instru mental in two other developments First, his visit apparently paved the way for a return to Washington of Dr. Hans Dieckhoff, German ambassador recalled in 1938. Second and most Important he had evidently smoothed U. friendship by trying to settle Italy's coal problem. The trouble: Britain, enforcing her blockade of German exports, had first tried to persuade Italy to buy coal from her Instead of the Reich. Failing, she stopped German coal bound for Italy, drawing an angry protest from Rome. Whether by accident or not, Mr. Welles' arrival coincided with reports that Italy would seek a $100,000,000 credit to buy coal from the U. S. Obviously this pleased the allies, for Italy would not only be freed from blockade pressure but would find her cooperation with Germany restricted. NEW KENSINGTON, Pa., AThigh school students watched demonstrations of a testing ma- chine powerful enough to flatten a locomotive boiler, yet gentle enough to crack a watch crystal without harming the works. Installed In research laboratories of the Aluminum Company of America, the machine showed how it could squeeze 3,000,000 pounds or pull 1,000,000 pounds. After exerting a million pounds pressure to crack a solid oak tree trunk, the machine staged its neatest trick (above) : It cracked the shell of an egg about to hatch. Out stepped an Easter chick. MEDICINE: Indeed a Trade Almost two years ago the U. S. justice department brought suit against the American Medical association, two of its affiliates and 20 individual physicians. Charge: That defendants had violated the Sherman act by opposing activities of a group of health assoanti-tru- st ciation in Washington. Last July Justice James Proctor of federal district court upheld an A. M. A. demurrer. His argument: The A. M. A. could not be prosecuted under the Sherman act because it was not a "trade." The legal concept of the word "trade" had Finnish Loan long been settled, be said, in a Passed by the senate in jig time Supreme court decision "expressly were house amendments to a bill excepting the learned professions." boosting by $100,000 the Export-ImpoLast October the Supreme court bank's capital. Purpose: To refused to pass on the case, but make loans for pur- Trust Buster Thurman Arnold was chases to nations whose war debts adamant Up he went to the U. S. are not in default Principal bene- court of appeals, which ruled at ficiary was Finland, whose $20,000,-00- 0 long last that the indictment was Federal Loan Administrator Indeed valid, that A. M. A. and other Jesse Jones allocated even before defendants could indeed be prosePresident Roosevelt signed the bilL cuted under the Sherman act Back Unexpectedly, Mr. Jones also an- went the case to district court for nounced loans of $15,000,000 to trial Sweden and $10,000,000 to Norway, both funds to be used for financing PENNSYLVANIA: U. S. exports. Happiest of all was Finland's Minister Hjalmar J. Pro-cop- Sinking City For years the earth under mjd-cit- y who immediately began buyShenandoah, Pa., has been honing gasoline, oil, grain and vital supSaid he: "When the war eycombed with anthracite mine plies. started, most people thought wc workings, long since abandoned. would be beaten within two or three Early one morning after a days. We've been fighting three rain Shenandoahans were awakened months now and we'll fight on, con- by a rumbling. It felt like an earthfident that help will come." quake, but everyone knew what had happened. While police scurU. S. Mediation? ried about residents fled from a area and watched their city Even more persistent than rumors After seven hours, some of an Allied German peace were re- sink. had settled 18 inches. buildings ports that Finland and Russia mav soon reach a settlement probably Homes split in two, widening cracks under U. S. sponsorship. European streaked across sturdy brick buildobservers who watched Sumner ings. Gas and water lines broke Welles confer with Adolf Hitler also and pavements caved in. noticed that U. S. Ambassador Lau rence Steinhardt broke bread in UTILITIES: Moscow with Russian Premier Death Sentence Molotov. Several weeks ago the Securities Whether the initiative came from and commission threatthe U. S. or elsewhere, the' Finns ened Exchange to take the initiative unless were indeed ready to talk neaee. U. S. utilities voluntarily proposed Sorely tired, they had a choice of as provided under integration plans accepting Russia's terms or calling the "death sentence clause" of the British-French for aid (something, 1935 holding company act. By contrary to Dooular ooinion. thev March, SEC was well at work.early The have not yet done). Some observg Middle West corporation, ers thought the mysterious mediator 25 companies in some 15 was Sweden, a possibility which operating Electric Bond & Share comstates; might have unhaoDy conseauences. pany, and Engineers Public ServShould Finland be made a sort of ice company were ordered to Russian Slovakia, Norway and Sweden would be even more firmly held Next day similar orders were is under the Russian-Germa- n boot sued to the $837,616,000 United Gas Improvement company and the CONGRESS: $422,595,000 Cities Service Power & Light company. Both were ordered Politics, Front & Center Tanned from his Caribbean trio. to show by April 12 how their prop Franklin Roosevelt stepped back erties should be reshuffled. (The act into the White House and began his requires holding company systems to be integrated into geographic eighth year as President A Gallup units and simplified in their corpopoll showed 84 per cent of the na tion supported his policies, yet only rate structure.) 46 per cent would vote for a third term. Another Gallup poll showctl 55 per cent expect a Democrat F. D. R. or somebody else, to tu nxt rt non-milita- e, NEWS of the STATES Georgla Hangers-o- n at Georgia's state-hou- se yawn with boredom nowadays when national guardsmen give the bum's rush to W. L. Mil ler, ousted highway chairman. It's been on for go-in- 3 g months, ever since Gov. E. D. Rivers fired n Miller on the Chairma GOV. RIVERS charge that he was using his office to boost his gubernatorial candidacy. Nat to be licked, Oustee Miller appealed to a federal district court. Sustained was his contention that he had been wrongfully deprived of his property. Governor Rivers was ordered to appear in court and answer contempt charges for failing to attend the injunction hearing. Louisiana Defeated for the governorship nomination by Sam Houston Jones, Louisiana's Gov. Earl K. Long made frantic efforts to aave the remnants of his machine. A rump Democratic central committee nom inated Long for secretary of state, but Jones fused to far-flun- in the News President Next Long Politics, thus evident at the White called a special session House, also held sway in eonntiL the senate looked favorably on Secretary of State Cordell Hull's re ciprocal trade program. Candidate Hull's 1940 presidential stock took a precipitous boost It lumoed still higher when Republican Thomas W. Lamont a Morgan partner, wrote in support of the trade program in Collier's weekly. Already passed by the house, a resolution to extend the Hull plan three more years seemed a cinch to get through the Pope Pius XII observed his sixty- fourth birthday and the first anniversary of his papal election by celebrating a pontifical mass in St Peter's for inhabitants of his native city, Rome. It was the first special mass ever said by a pope for the Romans. Gov. Leon Phillips of Oklahoma announced the body of Will Rogers, humorist will soon be housed in a memorial erected at his birthplace, CIa rem ore. senate. Meanwhile the senate lumoed George Washington mil. president waist-dee- p into pontics by areuine of American Tobacco company the a bill to extend the Hatch act The past 14 years, threatened to resign plan: Prohibit pernicious political if stockholders change the "incen activity among a half million state tive compensation" plan under employees paid in whole or part which top officers share in profits. with federal funds (state high- Hill's 1939 remuneration: $420,300. Prince Aare of Denmark, nrofes- way departments, social security siunal soldier, branches, etc.). member of the Still a third political issue was the French foreign legion for 18 years. proposal, sponsored by Sen. Charles died at 52 in Morocco. W. Tobey (Rep.. N. H.) to strike Premier Refik Sardam of Turkev inquiries about personal income tried to spike rumors of impending from 1940 census questions. A senate war with Russia. Said he: "Turk subcommittee was rtDorted votin relations are normal and 3 to 2 in favor of the Tob?y proposal. good." As once-obedie- nt Probable aims- - (11 fn clip the attor- - Via-chesl- NAMES... reac- cept him. of his -- GOV. LONG ney general's extraordinary powers, because an will be the next attorney general; (2) to oust the interim secretary of state and get the post fur Long. To a man, the legislature ignored his calL Illinois Last fall the U. S. swooped down on William R. Skidmore, Chicago junk dealer and reputed "front" for a gambling syndicate. Indicted fur failure to pay 9210,000 in income taxes between 1933 and 1937, Billy Skidmore was asked to pay 822,386 in principal, interest and penalties. Adamant, the U. S. next indicted Billy's attorney, William Goldstein, for perjury. Still adamant, the U. S. slapped Billy a third time: He was indicted again, this time for tax shortages covering 1938. j By WILLIAM BRCCKART Service, National Press Bldg., Washington, D. C. WNU WASHINGTON. Behind the thick veil of official secrecy, a thoroughly active group Of individuals is developing a broad plan of public own ership. It Is using the established machinery of government and it is mixing into national politics to an daffodils and LILACS, daisies, foursome of charm- ing motifs for pillow slips in smartly simple embroidery. Scalloped or crochet edges, or a wide colored border will effectively set they did succeed In getting the gravy of trustee fees for men of their own choosing Thorp, Driscoll and Pollak. Dr. Thorp's beliefs were so contrary to sound views that only a few yeara ago the senate refused to confirm his nomination as assistant secretary of commerce. Mr. Driscoll's affiliations In Pennsylvania show how he hss been linked consistently with nearly amazing extent that bad every wild-eye- d proposal We, here In Washington, have New Deal He was ownership. heard recurring and increasing ru licked for to congress a mors of late that a new public own- term or two ago and became a lame ership drive was contemplated by duck appointee to the Pennsylvania the extreme radicals nesting in the commission by the then Governor New Deal henhouse. It was a situ George H. Earle. So. while it is ation, however, where few details accepted that the gravy is impowere obtainable. The leaders were rtant It was much more important making use of the veil of official that the trustees should think right secrecy that always is available for according to radical lights. use by those supposed to be servants of the public. Suddenly, however. Third Term for President the magnitude of the movement became discernible. Its scope Js Wag in Political Strategy Such is the picture of how the astounding. It strikes me that it is a situation that contains elements of public ownership crowd operates. greater danger than did the in- That picture fails, however, to disfamous plan to pack the Supreme close what Is going on beneath the court of the United States. surface. Here la that story: The strategy to be used, politicalExposure of the group's Intense enort came largely throueh shield ly, contemplates that support of the ity of some of its members. Proof payrollers, who seek to nominate ox the underlying motives came in President Roosevelt for a third the form of a sudden and slimy at term, shall be had for the public tack on John W. Hanes, former ownership theories In return for support of the third term program. A good political horsetrade. It is good because the public ownership segment figures that an apparent national political party endorsement will be available, or folks will be induced to believe there is such an endorsement My information is that the public ownership crowd is counting on a repetition of condi tions In 1932, when. It will be recalled, Mr. Roosevelt's political wings covered 57 varieties of political thought and theory. Important members of the Wash ington etoud that heads ira the nub ile ownership group are placed in nearly every department of the government Thev are in kev noai- tions. Whether they are influenc ing national policies is a question I cannot answer, but I can tar thev are in a position to use such in fluence very effectively. A decision here and a inline there could be nf vast help to such a program without were being any visible connections. Then, as to rumors, again. We JOHN W. HANES hear a great deal of gossip about undersecretary of the treasury. some members of the Sunreme Mr. Hanes was slated to become court serving as advisers to less ex trustee of the gigantic, but bank- perienced agitators in the executive rupt octopus, the Associated Gas and branch of the government I repeat Electric company. Mr. Hanes has that I do not know whether these not been named as trustee, although stories are true. There have been his official record has not a blemish many signs indicating that frequent on it so far as has been found. In conferences take place, and no one stead, Dr. Willard Thorp, economic denies that close ties of friendshin adviser to Secretary Hopkins, of the exist between several of newer Su department of commerce; Denis J. preme court Justices and their pro teges In Washineton'a downtown Driscoll, chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utilities commission; section. The rumors, therefore, are and Walter H. Pollak, New York very disturbing to those of us with the old fashioned Idea that the Sulawyer, were named. preme court should be an aeenev Billion-Doll- ar Utility Property to serve the people in a Judicial Warn to Be 'Proving Ground9 capacity and that its members should confine their activities to that The public ownership group want field. ed to swing the trusteeship for this billion-dolla- r utility Into the hands Public Ownership Adoocatet of the Securities and Exchange comAre on Government Payroll mission, as might be done under The general situation becomes all the SEC law. They proposed to use this great property, so badly the more threatening, in my opin mussed up, as proving ground for ion, when it is known that there their public ownership ideals. It have been numerous advocates of wholesale government management was contemplated that the Associated properties eventually would be of private industry oneratina on the welded into TV A, and a great government payroll. Some of them system under government have taken the position that the way ownership would have become a to obtain government ownershin of private Industry is to get industry fact so far into debt that the federal To accomplish this program, howwould have to assume government was to of it ever, dispose necessary Mr. Hanes. who favors private own- control. That is to say. only the ership in Industry and who wants federal government would have suf to see America retain its fun- ficient credit and borrowing power damental traditions. In due course, to pay oil the debt As I said earlier, many details of we were treated to publication of the views of Senator Norris of Ne- the snakelike operations of this braska, who was the father of TV A. gang remain in deepest secrecy. I doubt very much that the aged Some facts have leaked out howNebraskan knew that he was being ever, that cause shivers to run up used In the fashion that was the and down my spine. case. But the scheme worked and The thing that none of us here the Norris criticism that Mr. Hanes know about definitely, is whether had been a stock broker smeared Mr. Roosevelt has been persuaded the former treasury official who to adopt the program. Some of my had done more to prevent New Deal informants assure me that it does financial mistakes than most of the not matter whether Mr. Roosevelt others. even knows about the plan, because The attack on Mr. Hanes, how its tentacles extend like those of a ever, failed to get the trusteeship Jellyfish into many hidden places. into the hands of the Securities and In other words, a few of the cocky Exchange commission. The schem- leaders believe the movement has ers failed to cover up their tracks. grown so large that it is beyond the But while they failed on one track. President's control. I recall that in 1934, the public ownership group was determined to take over the nation's railroads. Public Ownership? They had a bill drawn by which A group of government officials the rail lines would be bought for in Washington are strong advo$13,400,000,000. that being .the cates of an extensive plan of pubamount of the outstanding bonds of lic ownership, according to Wilthe companies. liam Bruckart And he believes At that time, there was talk also that these officials are using the of nationalizing the coal mines and cloak of government secrecy to the oil wells. But Mr. Roosevelt put formulate their plans. The plans his foot down on the idea. He did have only recently come to light yield numerous concessions In the because of attempts to smear direction of cutting deeper gashes John W. Hanes, former underinto private management but secretary of treasury. stayed away from the fata step. north-and-sou- th Smart Designs for Your Pillow Slips off your embroidery; and if you wish you may use these motifs for matching sheet ends by extending them. 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