The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-12-15

Washington, Dec 15.-For the MIRA, December 31 is more than just the last day of the year.
 On that day the automobile code expires. Other codes have passed through their trial period, been renewed without attracting special attention. But the auto- mobile code is different. For two reasons:
 First, Henry Ford's refusal
 to sign the code;
 Second, Inclusion of the bit-
 terly contested merit" clause
 in the labor sections.
 Fords attitude is of secondary importance in the question of a renewal of the code on a per- manent basis. In some MIRA circles the conviction is held that before the year runs out, develop ments between the government and the rebellious automobile manufacturer will be of such a sensational nature as to make the issue of whether he signs or doesn't sign of little Importance. MERIT" CLAUSE
 ' The merit clause is the key. to the renewal crisis. The pro- vision was written into the code by General Johnson over the vehement protest of labor. He later frankly admitted he had erred, explained that he had been duty bound to grant the concession to the employers be- cause of a personal promise. President Roosevelt, while ap- proving the temporary code, publicly announced no others wuold be allowed such wording, a ruling Johnson has rigidly en- forced.
 The auto men want the clause continued in the permanent code. Labor is insisting it be strick- en out, that the industry be put on the same basis as all others. MIRA officials intimate that peaceful solution of the cOntrO- versy lies with Alfred F. Sloan, Jr, head of General Motors, and Walter ChrysIer, president of the company bearing his name.
 If these two leadersr agree to the elimination clause Johnson is convinced theh others will fol- low.
 The windup of the senate banl Investigating committees long and sensational probe of the Chase National bank was a love feast. President Winthrop w. Aldrich cast aside his naughty reserve, went around saying goodbye and exchanging cordial handclasps with everybody.
 Other officials of the bank did likeswise. Shepherd Morgan, who as vice president in charge of Cuban loans, had spent many unhappy hours in the witness chair, was particularly enthu- siastic. He rushed up to Max Lowenthal, brilliant economist, author of the widely read, "The Inventor Pays, now special fi- nancial adviser to the committee, and said:
 ''1t was nice to have met you. Goodbye,'
 ''Oh, you may be back" re- piled LOwenthal quietly.
 The banker blinked, looked
 startled, hurried away.
 WHEN WASHINGTON WAS WET
 Historians have been busy dig ging up some of the drinking lore of the good old days when Washington was very wet. Here are some of the things they have uncovered:
 President John Tyler always invited White House visitors even total strangers-to take something" So also did Presi- dent Van Buren, although he was more formal One of the famous taverns of the early days was the old Union in George town, frequented by Washington ton Irving, Robert Fulton and Francis Scott Key General Henry Harrison ran for presi- dent in 1S40 on "hard cider campaign" and cider barrels were the chief feature of the inaugu- ral parade which followed his victory The first saloon in Washington-John Sutor's Tav- ern-is only a few blocks from the home of Dr James M. Doran, for years czar of the government dry forces Francis Scott Key is understood to have been