The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1940-07-18

The months of June and July will
stand out as presidential nomination
periods. Congress took a recess for
the Republican convention at Phila-
delphia and has recessed again for the
Democratic convention at Chicago.
WENDELL WILLKIE is conceded by
every one to be an outstanding op-
ponent of the Democratic nominee at
Chicago. Like Mr.. Roosevelt, WiIlkie
has a great sense of humor. I at
tended the get-together at one of the
hotels here last week when Mr. Willkie
was the guest of honor. There were no
speeches, but various groups demanded
talk, with the slogan, I'VE want
W1ilkie!" Mr.. Willkie finally arose and
said there would be no speeches, but
the hand-clapping and the yells from
the audience very clearly indicated that
he had not packed the banquet hall;
and then good humor spread all over
his face.
As this letter is written, I do not
know what the Democratic convention
at Chicago will do, but everybody says
the nominee will be President Roose-
welt. One thing is certain and that is
that Willkie has as much glamor and
as much appeal as any other man in
public life, and I do not except the
President in this classification. Both
Mr. Willkie and Mr. Roosevelt have a
great many characteristics which make
them strong and forceful characters;
and if Mr.. Roosevelt is nominated, he
will meet foeman worthy of his steel.
So will any other nominee.
1t is my hope that I may get back to
the district, but while Congress is in
session I have stayed on the Job and
have been kept busy with various de-
partmental matters. For example,
taking typical day, was requested to
cable the American Consul in London
in reference to refugee children whose
relatives wanted to bring them to the
United States
was requested by telegram to con-
suit the Work Projects Administration
authorities in reference to a proposal
to transfer one county in the Eighth
District to another congressional dis
trict.
The State Department regulations
requiring Canadians to have Canadian
passports and American visaS have in
creased the work of my Office A great
many difficulties have presented them
selves to me, and have contacted the
Ct1ta Dny,o r+,,oo,,r JoiIv- ~ ~, oFro-+ -
have these passport regulations modi-
fed. For example, there is a sense
of humor in noting that a couple of
Canadian girls who were married to
American citizens at International Falls
went across the bridge on July first to
see Mother" When they started back
for International Falls, they were held
up because they had no Canadian pass
ports
Many inquiries come regarding the
National Defense Program. People have
factories or buildings which they want
to turn over to the Government, for
compensation, but up-to-date the Gov
eminent is not purchasing buildings
and is not building plants for the
manufacture Of national defense equip
ment. When any such materials are
needed, the various departments pro-
cure the same by advertising for bids
In the meantime, the Administration
leaders mark time. Last week the
President asked for additional appro-
priations totaling five billion dollars for
national defense. This will occupy the
attention of Congress for some time.
Last week the House voted decisive
~ against eliminating the Mundt
to the Stream Pollution
Bill. The Mundt Amendment provides
that there shall be no new pollution of
naVigable streams and is a great i'm
orovement on the original bill.
The Hatch Act has also been amended
and the House Of Representatives con-
iidered that measure last week.
In the Senate the Walter-Logan Bill
and many other measures which have
passed the House are still pending. It |
seems to me that these various legis-
ative proposals, together with the vari-
JUS world war problems, require that
Congress stay In session during this |
grave national emergency.
Public Works Administratio /
vas one Of the most efficient agencies
# the Federal Government. During
939 and 1910 We have advocated that
egislation be passed to extend the
? w. A. beyond July /. 1910, when it
'ficially passed out Of existence. For
easons unexplained, the Administra-
ion did not wish to continue P. W. A.
nd unless the party leaders are going
o take action, this viii become one
# the forgotten agencies During its
Existence, the p W. A rendered a lead
ng part in the fight against unem-