The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1939-09-19

The Athena protest, however,
has been delayed solely because
the Nazis disclaimed RESPONSE
bility. In contrast, the Imperial
German government OF l9l4-i8
never disclaimed responsibility for
submarine sinkings except In one
minor case.
Although the state Department
has no great regard for the ver-
acity OF the Nazi government,
Hull's legal experts are examining
carefully the affidavits OF the
Athena survivors. So far these
indicate clearly that the ship was
torpedoed by O submarine. How
ever, to make absolutely sure the
examination Is continuing.
There are four reasons why the
State Department regards the
Athena sinking as worse than the
Lusitania's:
/. The Athena carried no
contraband, while the Lusitania
did.
2. The Athena was departing
from Europe largely with Ameri-
cans trying TO escape the war
zone. There was no possible
chance that she could be en-
gagged In war activity.
3. The Lusitania was warned
In advance by Newspaper mo-
tees that she would be tor
pedoed. The Athena got no mo-
tice even from the submarine,
4. Germany had agreed IN an
official treaty with Britain only
four years ago TO restrict sub.
marine warfare. This was de-
liberately violated by sinking the
Athena.
All OF these points will be In
corporated In q vigorous protest
note 10 Germany,
OLD AGE PENSIONS
Periods when national atten-
ton Is focused upon war abroad
always offer the best opportunity
for scandal ut home. so II might
be we'll TO keep on eye on the
New Deal agency which hits the
poeketbook OF more than half the
nations population-the Social
Security Board.
Near scandal In that organlza.
tion lust unearthed by Paul Me-
Mutt, new boss Of the Federal
Security Administration, 10 that
between 5000, 900 and 100000
old age cards In the SsB's files
are not properly identified. In
other words, when II comes time
10 pay old age benefits next
January, many people who have
paid In their taxes may get no
pensions.
This not only has the makings
OF q national furore, but focuses
attention upon an extraordinary
situation inside the Security Beard
Ever since McNutt's appointment
as administrator OF social secur.
ity, public health. the bureau OF
education, the COG and NYA,
which make up the new Federal
Security agency, the Statuesque
ex-governor OF Indiana has been
the center Of acknowledgements
friction.
The Social Security executives
regarded him % o political inter.
Ioper and resented his appoint
ment. TO them the dynamic
McNutt, ambitious 10 make q
record ~ an outstanding execu-
tive. Ioomed % q large pain In
the neck. Now he II more than
that he 10 O menace.
For In addition 10 the discovery
OF favoritism and incompetence,
he has unearthed the "J0hn Doe"
cards referred 10 above.
REASON FOR JOHN DOES
McNutt has made On, iflyesti-
Cation OF those cards and found
that the inability 10 identify
them completely Ia duo IN large
part 10 the decentralization" OF
old-age records undertaken by the
Board some time ago.
Originally the Social Security
Board set Up centralized filing
system modelled after that OF the
Veterans Bureau and organized by
Henry p. eeidemafifl, Brookiflgs
institution accounting expert, as.
sisted by o staff Of experts.
But early In 1887, without q
word 20 eeidemann, who had
been promoted 10 Director Of the
OId.Age Benefits Bureau. Ssh
Chairman AItmeyer ordered him
10 decentraIixe his l0,0OO.000 old.
age pension records by duplicat'
lns them twelve times ana dis
tFibuting them 70 each Of the
twelve regional offices.