The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-03-22
BY WILLIS THORNTON

BY WILLIS THORNTON
 NEA Service Staff Correspondent
 Knoxville, Tenn, March 22-Col. Andrew Todd was a perfect jackass.
 Colonel Todd is dead now, mourn ed alike by Senator Bridges, the IVA, and J. B. Waters of Sevier- vile, who owned the famous animal when he died.
 You will hear more about Colonel Todd as the IVA investigation gets under way, for Senator Bridges claims he is a sort of symbol of IVA waste and extravaganza" Colonel Todd cost the IVA $4500, according to Senator Bridges. IVA says he cost $290. This discrepancy is one of the things the investigators will want to find out about. This is how Colonel Todd became posthumouSly a national figure. Back in 1884, the IVA branch oper- ating the town of Norris was deep in dairy and farming project which was to evolve means of self support and lf-maintenance for greenbelt towns like Norris. In the course of this dairy and farming development it was decided to buy | jackass.
 Needed Perfect Animal
 There was some thought, also of improving breeding stock, so per feet jackass" was sought. According to Senator Bridges, IVA field men then secured the bluegrass regions of Kentucky, Missouri and Tennes- see. hunting the perfect jackass, and piling up travelling expenses of $2080. Then they found him, and paid $2500 for him.
 IVA says all they did was to go to R. c. Shell of Murphreesboro, Tenn, almost next door, and pay $290 for his iron-gray colt, Colonel Todd
 Roughly year later it was de- cided to sell Colonel Todd. Senator Bridges says he was sold for $500, "a net loss to IVA of $4280." J. B. Waters, who bought Andrew, says he paid $350, including a saddle and blanket. IVA officials confirm this, asserting they made profit on An- drew of $60.
 In Spring, a Young etc.
 Game the spring." Bridges told the Senate. Romance blossomed on the broad meadows of the Tennessee Valley. But TWAS $45OO jackass just was not interested, and would not perform his normal functions. So they decided to sell him."
 Waters, who should know, says this is base islander on Colonel Todd. Why, there's 20 colts of his running around in Sevier County right now" says Waters. But he took pneumonia fever a year ago, and in spite of all the veterinary could do, he died. And I had one offer to sell him for $500, tool"
 Will Watch Auction
 So that is the story of the late Col. Andrew Todd, which the inves- tigators will no doubt elaborate.
 They will also no doubt be inter- ested in Rhoda, Bell, Pet, Patsy, Polly, and David, IVA mules now being sold as the dairy farm at Nor ris is offered at auction for live stock farming; or in the price brought by Roseboy's Sultan, Ob- servers Ninette, Warden Jolly Ruby, Sweet Buttercup Beauty and Ral- eigh Venus Noble Queen, the blood ed Jerseys now going under the hammer as the Norris experiment in dairying is jettisoned
 Some of these cattle cost up to $500, and will scarcely bring at auc- tion more than maximum of $260, perhaps averaging lower.
 Experiment in Housing
 The whole town of Norris un- doubtedly will come under scrutiny. Four miles from Norris Dam, it is a lovely community of simple white houses set among the trees. It was begun in 1883 as an experiment in housing for dam workers at a time when less was known about hous- ing than is known now.
 James Bradner, the very practical engineer who built the "freeway" or controlled road between Knoxville and Norris Dam, is now in charge. He admits quite freely that Norris has failed to provide housing for lowest-paid workers. The town, now 100 per cent occupied and rent paying, at rates ranging from $14 to $65 month, is occupied by 1000 families, two thirds of whom are IVA employees, including directors Lilienthal and A. E. Morgan. The rest are largely other government employees, foresters and the like, but their average income is $2400 year.
 Can't Pay Fixed Charges
 Rents were recently upped 25 per cent, and Bradner says the towns income will be $20,000 above oper- ating expenses this fiscal year, which does not, however, take care of fixed charges. Clear income of $l,000 was derived from renting ca