The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1940-12-27
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'CROQUET CLIQUE AND
FRANCO LOAN

of how the career boys nearly put
over the 500, 200, 900 credit to Fas-
cist Spain indicates the strength of
'the croquet clique" inside the state
department. This is the group which
plays croquet almost every evening
with Corden Hull, and is equivalent
to the "Cliveden set" in England.
AS a matter of fact, it was part
of the old Cliveden clique-Lord
Halifax and Sir Samuel Hoare-who
started the idea of helping General
Franco. Sir Samuel Hoare is now
British ambassador to Spain, and it
was he who sold the idea to Ameri-
can Ambassador Weddell, long ia
nous for his ability to follow rather
than lead.
Lord Halifax and Hoare apparent
ly thought it would be smart poll
tics to get the United States to lend
q hundred million dollars to Spain,
in which case Britain might win a
few months of Spanish neutrality
and certainly could not lose-since
only American money would be in
vested.
So Ambassador Weddell had sew
later sold the idea to some of his
friends in the state department., no
tably Assistant Secretary Breckin-
ridge Long and James Dunn. Jim
my Dunn, adviser on political rela-
tons, today has become one of the
most important figures in the state
department. For he is Cordell Hull 8
chief croquet partner. In fact, it is
on Jimmy Dunn's lawn that many
Of the croquet matches take place.
So Jimmy Dunn sold the idea of
the Spanish credit to his croquet
partner, and for time it looked as
If Mr.. Hull would put it across. 1t
was at this point that Under Secre-
tary of State Sumner Welles stepped
into the picture. He communicated
direct to the President who at that
time was away on his Caribbean
cruise.
Roosevelt agreed with Welles that
to throw q hundred million dollars
into the lap of Fascist Spain would
be extremely unwise. However, a
compromise finally was worked out,
largely for the purpose of saving
Mr.. Hull's feelings, since he had
already gone rather far out on q
limb in favor Of the Spanish credits.
Therefore the Red Cross will send
. certain amount Of food and medi-
cal supplies to Spain. How much
this will be remains to be seen, but
the croquet clique will see that it
n enough TO keep Franco in power
despite the rising tide Of discomfort
among the Spanish people.
HIGHWAY HITCHES
One major item Of the new de-
tense budget to be submitted to con-
gress In January is a system of
super-highways linking key indus
trial centers. The plan calls for
the greatest road building program
In the history Of the country.
Elimination Of transportation bot
tenecks, such as prevailed during
the World war, is one goal; also
the problem Of conflicting state high
way laws which are a serious i'm
pediment to defense.
For instance, the war department
entered into a contract with a truck
line last summer to transport small
arms and ammunition from Chicago
to Sparta, Wis, where maneuvers
were being held. It was rush or
der, but was held up because the
trucks didn't conform to Wisconsin
limitations. In another case build
ing materials for an urgently need
ed powder plant in Indiana were de-
layed because Of highway statutes.
In an effort to unravel the maze
Of state traffic rules, the interde-
partmental committee on interstate
trade barriers has surveyed 301 stat
utes. Thirty-nine state legislatures
meet in January, and defense au-
thorities plan a vigorous drive to
persuade them to remove these de-
tense obstacles. The highway re-
port has already been sent to the
legislative heads of Kentucky, Lou.
isiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New
Jersey, New York, Rhode Island
South Carolina and Virginia.
Federal officials want the states
to solve the problem themselves, but
IL they don't, congressional action
will be sought under the constitu
tional prohibition against interstate
OUCH a move
doubtless will stir up the hot oppose
ton of railroads, who favor the ex
listing system as an aid in fighting
truck competition.
MAIL BAG
l.. K, st. LOuis-Senator Clark.
isolationist views are completely
consistent and sincere; doubtless 20
ing back to similar views held by
his father, the celebrated Chamr
Clark. Senator Clark always has
been an ardent opponent of war. He
had a distinguished record in the
last war.
J. H., Muncie, Ind.-Secretary o.
Labor Perkins is not foreign born;
she was born in Boston, Mass, Apri
10, 1882.
MERRY-GO-ROUND
In speaking Spanish, Henry Wal