The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-12-31

&Pp1y1kAk JkIS III dASS W SCUCk
That was the primary aim. But
also playing q big part in the
maneuver was the idea that the
$7,O0O, OOO, 900 Of foreign money
invested In the q. s. Is q serious
threat to the nations neutrality,
In the event Of q European con-
flagration.
In view Of the present powder
keg state Of affairs in Spain and
the Far East, the President and
his advisers consider It far-sight-
ed policy to take every precau-
tionary measure to avoid y. 8.
ENHANCEMENT should an explosion
occur.
Foreign Capital Endangered
The first thing the European
powers would do when war broke
out would cd to sequester the
funds and stocks Of their ma
tionals invested In Wall Street.
This capital would be used to buy
war goods and essential raw ma
terials, thus circumventing the
johnson Act banning loans to
deft defaulters.
Seven billion dollars Is q great
deal Of money. II 1t were thrown
into American industry, 1t would
create q tremendous boom which
would be next to impossible to
control once 1t got started.
Business men, farmers, labor
would strenuous1y resist efforts
70 curb this war trade and its
lush profits. The combatants,
shrewdly playing ON these
economic forces, would offer
moro tempting orders I'm ex-
port trade.
This Is the vicious circle that
helped embroil the U. 8. in the
World war. A fundamental prin-
ciple Of the Presidents foreign
policy is to prevent O repetition
Of the tragedy.
The foreign gold sterilization"
was a step toward that end.
Solid Wood
Veteran members Of the Capitol
police force are chuckling over a
hazing they gave q guillible re-
cruit.
Fresh from the hinterland and
wearing a new uniform with a
bright badge, the rookie was TAX
ing his job Of protecting the
Capitol building very seriously. He
was especially concerned over
the erection Of the elaborate in
auguration grandstand in front
Of the building.
He was watching trucks unload
great piles Of lumber one morn
ing when an older member Of the
force approached him.
"Have you measured this
lumber yet, buddy?"
Measured IL? No. Am
supposed to measure ~"
"You better not let the lieu.
tenant know you haven't meas
ured all these piles Of lumber"
The rookie scurried off, found O
ruler, and went to work meas
uring, counting, and figuring up
the board feet Of pile after pile.
He worked at 1t all day.
At the end Of his shift, $3.50 p.
m, he brought in a report and
handed 1t to the lieutenant.
"That was quite q job, sir" he
said, land I'm glad it's over.
The next load doesn't come TIL
4 0clock-the next mans
turn"
Pira
A friend once asked the Presi-
dent II he knew the designations
Of all the alphabetical combina-
lions in the New Deal. "For ex-
ample, what does PIRA stand for?
You created 1t, but I'll bet you
don't know what It u.s."
The President had the answer.
PIRA, though obscure and UNI
known to the general public, hap
pens to be one Of his pets. He not
only created 1t by an executive
order, he also personally named
the five members on the PIRA
board.
PIRA IL the Prison Industries
Reorganization Administration.
Ono Of the few inexpensive
agencies Of the New Deal, II is
doing one Of the best Jobs.
Its function Is to advise states
ON request-on the problem Of
setting UP industries In prisons,
and marketing their products
without raising the cry Of sweat
shop competition" from private
industry an dlabor.
Hard Boiled
Most jealous member Of the
PIRA board Is its lantern jawed
chairman, Louis N. Robinson, who
Jumps around the country study
ing prison made soap in Ohio, or
prison-made forests in Wisconsin.
A veteran penologist, Robinson
has found most states with idle
prison populations on their hands
eager for expert advise In coping
with this complex social and
economic problem.
Although he plans to consolidate
and eliminate a number Of New
Deal agencies, the President will
not only seek q continuance Of
PIRA, but Is considering asking
congress to give 1t q permanent
status.
Boy Orator
Many good folk in Oklahoma
are awaiting the fifth Of Janu-