The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-02-24

This was that no member of the committee should make speeches while the committee is proceeding with its investigation.
 This decision, or course, was aimed directly at Martin Dies, himself, who made all sorts of speeches during the investigation last summer. Dies has agreed to the new silencer. However, some members of the committee have their fingers crossed as to whether he will really live up to it.
 RUBBER LOBBY
 It is significant that some of the youngsters who suddenly rose to fame during the early days of the New Deal are now back in Washington lobbying against the Administration which boosted them up the ladder. Latest of these is Blackwell Smith, of MIRA fame.
 At the age of 30. Blackwell Smith was general counsel of the NRA and was considered one of the brightest young men in Wash- ington. He was so good-or else so lucky-that eventually he was made member of the MIRA board and one of the rulers of the Blue Eagle.
 "Rlacky" was considered one of the boy wonders of the country. Now, however, Blackwell Smith has turned to lobbying, is the chief wire-puller for the rubber interests now being prosecuted for violation of the antitrust laws. Simultaneously they have been under scrutiny by the Mon- opoly Committee.
 Before either of these got under way, Smith came to Washington and invited Willis Ballinger, forth right economist of the Monopoly Investigating Committee. to lunch.
 "When your committee puts
 on its study of rubber" the young rubber lobbyist suggested. it would be good idea to have the representatives of the in- duStry come in advance and go over facts with you. Then we can suggest some os the ques- tions that you ought to ask during the hearings"
 Ballinger hit the ceiling at this, refused absolutely to give way. in advance. the ammunition which the Monopoly Committee was proposing to fire at the rub Der industry. Whereupon Black well Smith observed:
 "You might as we'll cooper ate. Because if you don't. we'll get some other member of the committee to ask your ques- tions."
 NOTE-Several members of the Monopoly Committee are irked with the Justice Department for beginning prosecution of the rub- Der tire companies just as public hearings by the committee were about to open. They point out that the rubber companies now can refuse to testify on the grounds that they may incrimin- ate themselves. And by postpon- ing its attack a few weeks, the Justice Department could have used all the material disclosed by the committee.
 UNDER THE DOME
 Relatives of an American of- ficial in Rome write home that there is considerable Italian re- sentiment against Mussolini and fear that he will plunge the coun- try into war. There have also been mutinies in the Italian army The letter came in the diplomatic pouch, therefore Was uncensored. Able Ed Foley, assistant general counsel of the treasury. is a good bet to succeed the late Herman Oliphant as general corn- sel Another man likely to step up to his boss shoes is Matt Maguire, fast-working assistant to Joe Keenan,, assistant to the at torney general. This is one of the key spots in the Justice De- partment.
 INNOCENCE ABROAD
 vivacious Senator Bob Reynolds of North Carolina cut quite a swath during his recent visit to Europe. and State Department of- ficials are still talking about his study of European conditions.
 Before he arrived in Budapest capital of Hungary. Senator Rey- holds wrote the American Lega- tion that he wanted a report on political conditions prepared for