The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-23

Va oC4o AOWA tlAC lAAAO DAAdU O.
The boys just don't know what
to make Of 1t. They expected econ
omy demands from Congress, but
for Roosevelt to WELD the axe has
cat them to the quick.
And they know he isn't kidding
because of what be already has
done to WPA. He has quietly Or
dered Its new appropriation slashed
to Sl,00O,0 ,0OO--a cut of $500, 000.-
600 under the current budget. II
anywhere near this percentage Of
economizing Is imposed on other
major appropriations, then the
budget he will submit to Congress
in January will amaze this critics.
1t also will be irr line with the
advice given him by the Democra-
tic congressional leaders.
They have urged him to cut
everything but national defense
sharply. If Congress wants 70
boost his figures, that will be Its
responsibility. But the Admins
tration, they insist, should be on
record for balanced budget In
order to meet Republican CAM
paign attacks.
Judging from the cries Of an
guish among his New Deal inti-
mates, the President is definitely
acting on this counsel.
SUPREME COURT BATTLE
There was a touch Of the old
Supreme Court fight In what
Roosevelt said about the late JUS
tice Butler, but you had TO hear
the words read aloud to get 1t.
Newsmen at Steve Early's press
conference asked II the President
had any comment to make on
the death of the Supreme Court
Justice. Early had anticipated
that, and was ready with state
ment from the President.
He read 1t aloud In a quiet voice,
but when re came to The line
about Buffers philosopsy, there
was an unmistakable emphasis
laid upon one word, which load
1t with meaning.
his complete frank
ness" Early read, "in the ex-
preston of his philosophy 49,.
command my respect" Early
emphasized the word chs, an
emphasis which Aryas doubtless
not his own but The Presidents.
II left no doubt that the Presi-
dents respect applied only to
Buffers frankness, not to But
ler's philosophy.
AMERICAN HORSE SENSE
Here are two worthwhile quotes
by two worthwhile Americans:
Norman Davis, ex-envoy for
disarmament and now head OF
the Red Gross: "Waging peace Is
much more difficult than waging
war;"
Lloyd Stark, governor of Mis-
sour: I'VE need our opponents to
keep us at our best. In the two
party system lies our best guar
antec that this shall never be a
totalitarlan state"
INLAND WATERWAYS
The custer of Major General T.
@. Ashburn as head OF the IN
land waterways Corporation was
no sudden CONFUSION. 1t was
the climax of a long behind-the-
scenes row between the retired
army officer and Commerce De-
Y1artf,1ant offioialC
First blow in the feud was
struck by Ashburn, who hotly re-
scented having his agency put UNI
der the Department In last sum-
mer's government reorganization.
He had been his own boss for years
and didn't like being subordinated
At the first meeting of his board
after the transfer, Ashbilrn took
the offensive by reading legal
brief challenging the legality OF
the shift. To Assistant Commerce
Secretary j. Monroe johnson, two
listed South Carolinian who was
getting his first closeup of the
Inland Waterways Corporation,
this seemed a deliberate affornt
and he told Ashburn so In so many
words.
Thereafter. Johnson lost no time
in digging into the affairs Of the
corporation and quickly uncov-
cred three interesting items: ~
that in addition to his $4,000 a
year salary. Ashburn was getting
5000 for personal expenses; ~
he had a government yacht that
cost $4,000 a year to operate: tS)
that IWC barge and river hands
were up In arms over low pay and
poor food.
On orders of Secretary HOPKINS,