The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-07-17


 lion who decided tine issue. Here is the untold iside story:
 Although adamantly opposed to Roosevelt-Hull neutrality views, Borah is not a filibusterer. Throughout his 32 years in the Senate he has never participated in filibuster, because he believes a minority does not have the right in a democracy to block ma jority action.
 The day before the committee meeting he called the leaders of the isolationist bloc to his office and told them he thought they should not pocket the neutrality bill in the committee. Borah took the position that the legislation was of vital importance to the nation, and that the public would resent having the matter settled in the secrecy of a committee room by small part of the Sen- ate's membership. He counseled allowing the issue to go before the entire Senate for full debate and @ vote.
 Several of the leaders were in- clined to agree with him, but no decision was reached at this meeting. This was in the morn- ing. In the afternoon. Borah re- newed his effort in personal talks with individual members of the group. TOO HOT FOR BORAH
 Orchards of the bloc became alarmed. After hasty consulta- ton, they decided that unless something was done quickly, Bor- ah would scuttle any hope they had of pigeon-holing the legisla- ton and thus saving themselves the strain and onus of filibuster.
 So Senator Bennett Clark, Mis- souri New Deal-hater, was picked to explain the situation to George and Gillette and ask their coop eration by removing any doubt of how they would vote. This, Clark argued, would stiffen the backs of the waverers. With Gill lette and George definitely in line, the anti-Administrationites would have 8 close but sure ma jority.
 The two purge-beaters prompt ly assured Clark they would vote with him, on one condition: that no hint leak to the White House. Clark gave his word and rushed back to his colleagues with the glad news.
 That finished Borah. The way erers shambIed back into line and he found himself stand ing alone. The spot was too hot for him. He, too, backed down. Had he stood pat and voted his private convictions, the victory would have gone the other way. NOTE-Although both hotly deny 1t, the Senate generally credits personal spleen against Roosevelt for the votes of George and Gill; lette.
 NUTTY STATEMENT
 Under Secretary of Treasury John w. Hanes was making a statement before a congressional committee when the official an- nouncement came from the White House of McNutt's appointment as Federal Security Administrator.
 The Washington iicws ticker in- terrupted itself in recording Hanes to send a flash on the McNutt appointment. Then 1t resumed with Hanes' remarks, dealing with the crafty old age crusader bonds. This is the way the news appeared:
 FLASH-McNutt appointed &c., curitles Administrator. 'If that's the best we can do," Hanes said, "we'Il have to take It." DOC TOWNSEND
 Inside fact is that Dr. Fran cis Townsend had to write that letter to Claude Pepper asking the Florida Senator not to offer the old-age pension plan during the Senate,s consideration of soc cial security amendments.
 The "oId Doc" didn't want to write 1t, but that was the only way he could induce Pepper to withhold the pension scheme. Pepper wasn't taking any chances with the crafty old age crusader. sought no responsibility for de- laying the bill.
 It was no secret to Senate Townsendltcs that the 'oid Doc had secretly conferred with Re- publican floor leaders who had