The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-10-09

tect the fam1ly-SlZed farm, isn't quite
working out that way. Wilson recon-
mends limitation of AAA payments to
| family-sized units; progressively de-
creasing allotment payments for each
successive quarter of land, and a grad
uated land tax.
United States Navy Regarded
Superior to Jap Navy
| Although Japan, following the prac-
tice of other totalitarian countries, has
refused to disclose figures as to war
ship construction for several years,
navy men in Washington are reported
to have informed the administration
that there is no question as to the
superiority of the American navy
should it ever come to grip with the
Japs. This is especially true, they say,
If the American fleet can operate from
base such as Singapore.
Use of the British Singapore base,
in the event of a conflict in the Pa
cific, is not something of recent con-
sideration. Significance is now at
tached to a goodwill visit to the
base by few American cruisers few
years ago. 1t is said that an "under-
standing" has existed for several years
that Uncle Sam can use this base at
any time it becomes necessary.
The battleship ratio of the two fleets
is thought to be Is OF 8, but this is
not at all certain. Navy intelligence
people some time ago brought reports
that the Japs have launched from two
TO four 42,0O0-ton battleships the past
wear. The largest American ships
completed are of $4,000 tons although
some larger ones are in process OF
construction.
However, if the Japs have launched
these large ships, as allegedly report
ed IL is by no means certain that they
are already in line for action, since it
takes about a year to fully equip a
hull after it has left the quay.
United States naval gunnery, navy
men insist, is second to none, not even
the British, generally regarded as tops.
Japanese naval gunnery is thought to
be inferior W Tie Oci hilh, "hiSh hAD
proven itself in battle to be far in
ferior to the British.
1t is interesting to reflect that per-
haps nine-tenths of the steel that goes
into a Japanese battleship comes from
the United States; that the oil to fuel
these ships was supplied by this coun-
cry, and that the shells the Japs will
hurl at Uncle Sans boys in the event |
of a clash also were largely manufac-
tured from materials purchased in the |
United States. 1t may have been good |
business for the American business
men. but bad business from the point
of view of Uncle Sans tars. The Japs |
could truthfully put an inscription on |
these shells reading: 1--WE are return |
ing this stuff to you with our COM
pliments."
There is a story going the rounds |
in military circles here of the explana-
ton given by German general staff |
officer of the reason why the contem-
plated nazi invasion of Britain did not
ON schedule. 1.-THE general |
staff" he said, drew up 35 different
plans for getting in, but not single |
plan for getting out" Military men
say that there is more truth than fic-
ton to that assertion.
Calculations Went Wrong
Whatever the outcome of the war in
Europe, it certainly is not going ac-
cording to calculations made after the
downfall of France. A few months ago
German commercial representatives In
South America were taking orders for
delivery of goods to begin between
Sept Is and Oct. 1. American business
houses were worried since the Ger
mans were extending long credits
which the American firms were not
able to meet. Orders were taken, but
delivery of goods is still a long way
off Many of the orders are now being
and American firms are
starting to fill them. Evidently Hitler
s discovering the truth of the adage
hat there's many slip between the
up and the lip.
Current Capital Chatter ,
The boys who few months ago
weren't giving the British a China
mans chance to survive are not lay
ng any odds against them today. =. !.
You can't appease the Wall Street
rowd any more than you can appease
he dictators. The more you give them :
he more they want. They want moth !,
ng less than the presidency of the
United States now. Says Willkie
Well-wisher," 81 hope that Wendell :,
cts a job after Nov 5, so that he
ont have to start from the bottom of
ne ladder all over again." Senator y
ridges, New Hampshire republican, ;,
denies that the power trust y
ad a hand in Mr.. WILKES nomina- -
on. Certainly the Morgan-L Lamont !
eople did = and the Morgan-Lamont y
eople aren't exactly orphans on Wall '
treet :. Decision of the department
!, justice to go ahead with it's anti b;
ust action against % oil companies IT.
rs had a wholesome effect on many Dl
no were beginning to fear that gov &C
nment appeasement of business in III
o interest of national defense was su
ling too far. The excess profits I'll
K bill passed by congress is a tax as
--- Sc