The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-03-11

patches predicted a diplom
 Inside fact, however, is that the British had been notified in advance and were acquiscent. While they have not yet given 8 formal OK to American sovereign ty, American use of the islands is in line with the general plan of closer Anglo-American coopera- tion in the Pacific.
 The islands are important not only as stepping stones along the air route to Australia, but as junction where sky-lines of the future will turn off for Singapore, the giant British naval outpost in the Far East.
 NOTE-Significant of the im- portance of the Pacific Islands is the fact that the Navy began lay ing in extra supplies of fuel in Samoa several months ago. Also Dr. Ernest Gruening, Director of Insular Affairs of the Interior Department recently took a five months cruise among the islands. In Tender Hands
 At the Washington banquet of the Kansas society popular Sena- tor Arthur Capper regaled the crowd with a story about his op- eration.
 "Just before they put me under the ether" Capper related, the doctors went into Q huddle. They seemed to be very concerned about something and I got a bit un- easy. Finally, the surgeon who was to do the operating came over and said they were ready to start.
 T said I was all set, too, but before he began I wanted to re- mind him that there were only sixteen Republicans left in the Senate and that he should exer- else his greatest skill and care. Doctor, said, You know if anything should happen to me there is Democratic governor sitting in Topeka and that would mean a Democratic appointed"
 His reply to me was, Senator. have no fears, I fully understand your feelings in this matter. I come from long line of Repub- ieans myself"
 IVA Probe
 Although the odds favor g IVA probe, it is by no means cer- tainty.
 Actually there is lot more noise on Capitol Hill than real demand for an investigation. The hullabaloo is coming entirely from a small group of Administrations haters and IVA foes.
 Most of the rank and file in Congress are completely indif- ferent, while the President and the Democratic floor leaders are definitely Opp0sd to an investi- gation. All the upoar, they claim. is being pumped up by utility interests which have failed to stop the IVA in the courts and now are trying to cripple it with an investigation.
 This is Senator George Norris opinion also. He considers probe unnecessary, but offered his reso- lution for a Federal Trade Com mission airing because he figured the big power companies would get scared. And they were-until the Illuminating outbreaks from Chairman Arthur E. Morgan and the demand of his two colleagues that he resign revived the dying embers. Now there is a good chance that probe will be or dered.
 Reason for this is the intense feeling in inner Administration circles against Dr. Morgan.
 The New Dealers feel that an in vestigation may open the way to get rid of him. Roosevelt dis cussed this with floor leaders the other day, suggesting that formal charges be filed against Morgan in an custer proceeding.
 But he was strongly advised
 against this because it would
 look like an effort to squclch
 the dissenter. The leaders told
 the President that the best way
 to show up Morgan was to put
 him on an investigating griddIc.
 NOTE-The demand from his colleagues that he resign gave Morgan a dose of his own medi- cine. Two years ago he vigorously opposed the reappointment of Di- rector David Lilienthal threaten ing to'quit if Roosevelt renamed him.
 Slap Down
 Kentucky's anti-New Deal Rep- resentative Andy May isj probably the most unpopular committee chairman in congress, but under the rule of seniority he continues to head the Military Affairs Com- OFF THE RECORD