The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-02-27

As a result, Roosevelt is in- clined to think that Gibson re- lief has been too long in opera tion.
 COLONEL CROP
 Not long aro Colonel Louey Howe, offer on the military staff of the governor of Ken lucky, wrote to Governor Laffoon suggesting that he increase his already multitudinous staff by one man. Louey wanted Am bassador Bill Bullitt, now in Moscow, to be colonel.
 Governor Laffoon, chivalrous gentleman, replied that he would be pleased to welcome Ambassa- dor Bullitt into the ranks of Kentucky colonels, and in pass ing noted that he had received a letter from Mrs Sam Conner, democratic national committee woman from Kentucky, asking that George Prescott Marshall, a Washington laundryman" also be put on his staff.
 Governor Laffoon registered some surprise at this, but indi- cated that no request from a beautiful lady could be denied, especially one 50 beautiful as Mrs Conner.
 COSTLY CANDOR g
 The president has the incau- tious candor of Joe Byrns, his house floor leader, to thank for having the bonus issue 50 abruptly tossed into his lap.
 The bonus was certain to have come up-but not at this time. Too many congressman face desperate reelection contests, are too urgently in need of the veteran vote to let administra- tion leaders completely quash the issue.
 A fight was expected. But the secret strategy was to keep the bonus lid clampcd down until toward the close of the session. Then, with all important legisla- tiOn out of the way, the admins tratiOn would be in a strong position. particularly in the sen. ate. to beat the veterans.
 This would have spared Roosevelt veto, which now ap- pears unavoidable.
 PLANS BLASTED
 Byrns' unguarded frankness last week blasted this plan. There was little news and news papermen sought out the gaunt Tennesscan in hope of an in- Y. spiration. Their good friend Joe did not fail them.
 For several months a petition calling for bonus vote had been gathering dust on the speakers desk. 145 signatures were necessary under the rules to make 1t operative. So one of the newspapermen casually asked Byrns regarding it.
 "There are only 113 names on It," replied Joe.
 "If enough names are Obtain- ed, do you think the house would pass bonus bill this ses- sion?" --
 'Unquestionably," said Byrns.
 That was enough for the re- porters. Next morning front page stories proclaimed that house leaders were certain a bonus bill could be passed this session. By noon next day the number of petition signatures had jumped to 127: the following night the required 145 had been enscribed.
 The president will now have to wicld the big stick.
 MAIL BAG
 r. F. l.. Portland, Me.-Sena- tor Frederick Hale is not the author of the navy building leg islation now under consideration in congress. These are adminis- tration measures. Hale, as re- publican chairman of the senate naval affairs committee, tried to put through such a program, but lacked, ,the skill and influence to do so. l.. ID. Madison, Wis. Attorney for the power inter- ests in the New River case was Newton D. Baker, secretary of war in the Wilson cabinet, and once great liberal. Baker. incl of the act which as water power attorney he tried to prove unconstitutional. P. ID. New York city - Senator Elmer Thomas, one-time congressional spokesman for the committee for the Nation, has parted company with 1t on the central bank bill which the committee is sponsor ing in congress. Thomas says the measure is device of the bank CTS to "get back into control" The bill would strip the federal reserve of practically all power and place 1t in the hands of federal monetary, authority ap- pointed by the president. K. V. Manhattan, Kans.- The gross farm income in 1883, ac- cording to the bureau of agricul- ture economics, was $6,094,000,- 900, an increase of $1,240.OO0,- 000 Cver 1882. Tn addition to these sums the farmers will receive approximately $2S9,000,00O from the AAA in the form of rental and benefit payments. In 1929 the gross agricultural income was. $11,918, 900. .000.
 (COuvright. 1884. by United