, 1935-03-25
WASHINGTON
By q Dunno

face of Germany's announced in
tention to rearm is that Uncle Sam
is doing the same thing. As are al
other nations.
Economic necessity Is the answer
Herr Hitler B finding 1t easier and
safer to put his unemployed in the
Army than on relief. To n lesser
degree the same Is true in the
United States.
Official facts and figures on file
in Washington back UP this picture
despite all the diplomatic phrases
emanating from the White House
and the State Department.
strength-The two ends OF Penn
sylvania Avenue are not playing
very harmonious tune on the sub
jet OF war and preparation for war.
Up in the senate the Nyo NUM-
tons committee has brought out al
plan that would make war 50 un-
profitable there should be no in
centive to even think about doing
battle.
Down at the White House and
the state department. officials duti-
fully 60 through their PAGES talking
about inspiring q feeling Of good
neighborlineSS by the precept and
example.
But also at both ends Of the
broad street connecting the two
bl ancheS of our government money
Is being appropriated and money Is
being. spent TO give the United
States a potential military and
naval strength second 70 none.
Training-Within three years the
navy will have rs new fighting
ships afloat. The pending approp1-
alton bill would increase enlisted
personnel from Q 5000 to $500.
Also within three years the army
hopes to have 2,320 fighting planes
in commission as against the pres
ent 400. The pending appropria-
ton bill would increase enlisted
personnel from $4,000 70 l65 200.
AS a non-military gesture the
CCC will be increased from $4,000
TO 10000 by summertime. The boys
in the forest army do not drill but
they get vitality important physical
training and discipline under the
direction OF army officers. They
learn how 10 live together in large
numbers under all conditions, which
Is the vital point Of military train
ing.
Control-Our government is not
Immediately concerned that Ger
many has taken advantage OF world
wide economic paralysis 10 whittle
another big chunk off the Yer
sailleS treaty.
Officials privately point out that
although Hitler's ultimate objec-
tive may be war his immediate aim
is TO get haraSsed population on a
subsistence basis that will keep
civil war from breaking. Patriotism
and army pay are safer than desti-
tuition and dole for the German
dictator.
If American relief rolls continue
TO grow there r those In impor-
tant official positions who believe
We may have to solve the problem
In similar though modified form
Routine - Relief Administrator
Harry Hopkins row with Governor
Martin Davey Of Ohio may not do
the Democratic party any ultimate
good but Hopkins Is certain or
whole-nearted support from PreSi-
dent Roosevelt.
Some quarters ~ saying Mr..
Roosevelt should not have injected
himself personally into the scrap
over administration of Ohio relief
but those closest TO this end know
FDR was shown a lot OF confidential
reports before he urged his aide on
Ia an open letter.
Hopkins has taken over state adj
ministration in varying degrees In
the past in Oklahoma, North Da-
kota, Kentucky and Georgia with
out calling the White House an
Those who now him best say ne
intended 70 pursue the same tactics
in Ohio.
Sayed-What set off the fuse was
Governor Davey's letter asking Hop
kinS 70 assume the burden in which
Davev said. Since / have become
Governor I have found that ad-
ministration OF relief is more OF al
political liability than q political
asset"
Before this letter arrived FERA
had been making an undercover
Investigation OF relief administra-
ton in the Buckeye State. Had
Davey not written the liabiity-asset
letter Hopkins would have moved
in more quietly.
Postponement OF the White House
CORRESPONDENCE Association dinner
here last Saturday night saved
Davey one possible embarrassment
He was TO have been a head-taole
guest. as was Hopkins. Perhaps the
Governor could have brought his
criminal libel warrant along and
served 1t In person.
MiIking-A well worked-out plan
for another broad inquirr into
banking practices-this time at
fectinr the railroads--has been
given impetus before the senate
Interstate Commerce committee by
the same group that was behind the
Investigation which resulted IN
passage Of the Securities Exchange
regulation bill.
A resolution TO stick q finger into
railroad financing was slipped In
but committee members blocked IL
until facts might be presented TO
justify. -
Substantiating evidence that