Evening star., 1937-04-16

Is an essential ingredient in steel manu-
lacture. American scrap. it is claimed
may be fired back at our own forces
IN some future war" hint that exports
are going chiefly into foreign armament
production. A special committee repre-
sentlng the National Munitions Control
Board has undertaken a survey to de-
termlne whether shipments of scrap to
Europe and Asia may cause a serious
shortage in the supply for domestic use
~
There are now members of Congress
who foresee at least certain international
unpleasantness, If not complications
should the placing of the Thomas JET
1erson Memorial at the Tidal Basin re-
suit In obliterating the cherry trees
presented to the United States by japan.
The annual blossoms have become 50
recognized symbol of good will between
Nippon and ourselves that some Repre-
sentatives and Senators fear their
deliberate destruction might be looked
upon IN TOXIC as an unfriendly act
That seems a somewhat far-fetched
thought, but Secretary Hull and the
State Department might consider it at
least diplomatic gesture to say to the
Woodmen of Congress: Spare those
trees! Touch not single blossom!"
y X X
Indications multiply that President
Roosevelt's desire to slash Federal ex-
penditure is headed for loud and
resolute opposition on Capitol Hill. Men,
bers Of Congress, because of backbone
pressure, are hostile, for one thing. to
the idea of saving $5O,OOO,oOO on the
G. G. c. There's also strong demand for
immediate enactment of the Wagner
low-cost housing bill, comprehending a
$1,000 O0O0 loan measure and q $5O,-
100000 annual subsidy plan over the next
four years. Relief cuts are unpopular
Finally, there is the project fathered
by Senator Pat Harrison to grant $780,
100000 in annual subsidies to the States
for public education. Congress is fond OF
doing lip service to the ideal of
balanced budget. But when specific oxen
are to be gored, enthusiasm for economy
wanes. The idea of new taxes with
which to finance bright congressional
ideas is equally disliked. 1t is into
a traditional atmosphere OF this sort
that F. D. RS new drive to pare Govern
ment expenses is already running.
X X X Il
In the town of Long, Randolph County,
w. Va, there has just passed away
man named Ira Shockey, who is said
to have been the oldest postmaster In
the United States, both in age (95)
and in point of service He took great
pride in his more than go years OF asso-
citation with the postal service. A Union
Army veteran and stanch Republican,
three Democratic Presidents in success
sion let Mr.. Shockey hold onto his job,
which he probably received in the first
instance either from President Grant or
President Hayes. In private life the
veteran postmaster was beekeeper and
one Of the largest producers of honey
In West Virginia. Earlier in life he
was famed as trapper and hunter.
4
Life insurance is contributing its
quota of evidence that Old Man Depres-
sion is down and out. New underwriting
in March was 10 per cent above the
total for the same 1886 month, while
the amount for the first quarter of
1897 tops the corresponding period
year ago by 8.8 per cent. The figures
come from 10 companies which carry
80 per cent Of all life insurance now
outstanding. Altogether. they wrote