The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-20


Panama made 1t quite clear that
transfer of the ships was likely
to get her snarled up with Ger
many, and that her neutrality
status must be similar to that OF
the United States.
If the United States could not
risk sending these vessels into the
war zone, Panama said that she
did not want to do so. This
clinched the argument within the
administration.
The other unrevealed incident
was the fact that Cordell Hull,
who later fought the transfer,
actually had OK'd 1t, and IN writ
ing. His letter Is still in the
hands of the Maritime Commits
sion.
What happened was that Ad-
mlral Land, chairman Of the COM
mission, telephoned the secretary
of state at 4:30 on the afternoon
before the commission put out its
own favorable statement. Hull
read his letter over the telephone
and later mailed 1t. Having re-
ceived this state department OK,
the Maritime Commission pro-
ceeded to approve the transfer
However, II turned out later
that Mr.. Hull had not thoroughly
understood the proposal, or else 1t
was not carefully explained to him,
Some Of Hull's assistants go so far
as to say that the Maritime Com
mission was deliberately deceptive.
At any rate, Mr.. Hull changed
his mind.
Perhaps II was the emphatic po-
sition taken by Panama which
helped to change 1t.
SENATORIAL COURTESY
Pronounced a new child prodigy
violinist by musical critics Of the
Capital, Betty Jane Atkinson Of
Pittsburgh played before several
private audiences In Washington
recently. Among these were the
leaders Of the National Symphony
and Mrs. Eleanor Patterson pub
Usher OF The Times Herald.
Mrs. Patterson also arranged
for the 16-year-old violinist TO
play two numbers at a prominent
Washington restaurant where she
was entertaining a distinguished
gathering. Most Of these dining
In the restaurant were enraptured,
But from one table came loud and
raucous conversation.
Chief conversationalist was Sen
ator Tom Connally OF Texas. For
him, apparently. the neutrality de-
bate still continued. Other guests
listening to the violinist glanced
pointedly In his direction. but the
senator talked on.
Finally, Mrs. Patterson went
to the senator's table and whis-
pered: please, Senator. There
IL TO be just this last number,
She Is very young. Would you
mind. 2"
But the senator did mind.
Waving one arm, he acclaimed:
"What does this mean? Inter-
fering with my dinner! Pro-
prietor! Proprietor! Show this
lady outfit she Is lady"
HAM" FISH
Disclosure that Representative
Hamilton Fish was employing a
professional money-raising con-
Germ ON a Is per cent commission
basis. to solicit funds for his ma
tiOnal Committee to Keep Amer
lea Out Of Foreign Wars" has
proved embarrassing to Hams
presidential yearnings.
The hefty New Yorker was all
set to launch himself into the
1910 COP sweepstakes by using
the committee as his publicity foil.
But instead of hurrahs, he is get
ting brickbats. In addition he
might even face a congressional
Investigation.
Representative Clifton A. Wood
rum, powerful Virginia Democrat,
Is making secret probe of F'ish's
operations for the purpose of
opening up on him when Congress
reconvenes In January. The two
men had a hot set-to over Fish's
committee at the recent special
session, and the money-raising
disclosure was just the ammuni-
ton Woodrum needed for his
shotgun.
LITTLE BUSINESS MEN
Legislative plans for the jan
uary session Of Congress still are
nebulous. but at least one proposal
Is definitely slated for considera-
tion-government loans to little
business men.
Reason Is that little business