The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-09-22
But-,.v,
BOake Carter
Washington Rumors
Public Servants
Woes Of Democracy


War Woodring swapping his
post for that of Paul (Toast
Me First, Boys) McNutt as Gov
ernor of the Philippines.
Harry Woodring doesn't want
the job of Governor Of the Phil
ippines. On the contrary, he is
far too much wrapped up in con-
tinuing his job of revamping
and undermining the United
States Army.
So far, the present Secretary
of War has done one Of the
soundest jobs of building up the
United States Army Air Corps
ever accomplished by any Secre-
tary since the World War. More
over, quietly, without fanfare or
trumpetS, he has weeded cut q
fat pile of old inhibitions within
the Army and through tactful,
friendly but firm diplomacy
succeeded in eliminating many
of the Notwithstanding cliques
within the Army.
Woodring has no illusions
about the Far East. He believes
that it is worse than useless to
attempt to go to war in defense
of commercial possessions in
China, and that to attempt to
defend the Philippines would be
national madness.
60 MANY military men arise
~ every so often to announce
"Our national defense is made
quate. We must have more men
and equipment" But seldom, If
ever, does any one of them stop
long enough to explain what he
means by national defense"
They never explain what they
would defend.
Would they defend" private
commercial investments Of bank
ers and industrial powers in
China? Would they defend"
Manila, 1000 miles away, for.
the sugar interests? Or would
they defend the borders of the
United States, its homes, fam
lilies and people therein, by max.
ing the spearhead of our first
line of defense the Hawaiian
Islands?
# we are to defend" the
Orient, then it is not national
defense these men talk about,
but pure and unadulterated
offense.
Harry Woodring believes in
sound national defense and
works to build an army to fit
that belief.
The trouble Woodring is up
against is that he's honest,
earnest, sincere, wealthy enough
not to be a political back
scratcher, and, therefore, the
political sharpshooters are try.
ing to pick him off.
THERE'S another man in Gov.
L eminent service in the same
position-Joe Kennedy, boss Of
the Maritime Commission. Hon.
est, earnest, sincere, wealthy
enough to light his smokes all
day with dollar bills and not
give it another thought, he is
out to do one job only-make
Americas merchant marine re.
spectacle again in the eyes Of
the world; make it an attractive
investment, provide decent ships
and make it safe for United
States citizens.
Department Of Commerce
"agents" honeycomb the pile Of
deadwood remains Of the odorif'
erous Shipping Board which was
dumped on the Maritime Com
mission. Every move is re.
ported back to the bureaucratic
snipers who seethe with jealousy
at the position of power and au.
thority given to the new Mari.
time Commission.
One cunning "frame-up," built
on the inexperience Of an indis.
Greet commissioner, has already
been scotched. Two more
"frame-ups," calculated for ex-
plosion at the right psyche.
logical time so as to undermine
public confidence in Kennedy
and his commission, are being
prepared
All because a hard.hitting,
sincere, honest American citi.