Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1940-04-25

be made available during the 1910
campaign. 1t is doubtful if Congress
will accede to the time limit pro-
posed by the President. We have not
forgotten how he permitted the WPA
rolls in Kentucky to be padded with
a hundred thousand workers in the
1898 campaign. These workers were
laid off day or two after election
and just as winter was setting in.
The same thing happened in Penn
Sylvania and number of other states.
WPA is the Presidents political
strong right arm, and am not far
off when l say that it has been used
as a political lever almost as much
as it has for relief in number of
states. The central administrative
section has been wasteful in the ex-
IRENE. For instance, they spent in
one year 331 thousand dollars for the
making of films showing the work of
that organization. None of this money
went for relief or was paid to relief
workers. 1t went to high priced ex-
ecutives, and for per diem employees
WIN WClC Pdlo 1lOill bSC W tWCLty
five dollars per day, plus expenses
for substance and travel This film
service was headed by director who
received salary of $4,000. He was
assisted by a production consultant
and a technical consultant, each of
whom were paid $4,000 year.
AS a matter of fact the money
spent on the film service might just
as well have been poured into rat
hole. In showing bad housing con-
ditions one film contained a scene
of an individual getting his food out
of a garbage can, which would in
dictate that the more abundant life
we have been hearing so much about
the past seven years has not yet
materialized
wish someone would tell me how
the spending of such large sum of
money on such useless project can
relieve the distress of those in need?
have repeatedly stated in these let
tiers that had the huge sums appro-
priated by Congress for relief been
wisely spent there would have been
enough to have provided for all in
need. We do not hear much about
the manner in which relief money is
being spent but we do hear con-
slant clamor for yet greater appro-
priations. To say the least, it is dis
couraging.
F. d. r. Tells Japan.
Washington was rather disturbed
last week at the emphatic warning
given by Roosevelt and Hull to Japan
and the rest of the world to keep
hands off the Dutch East Indies. At
his press conference Mr.. Roosevelt
told the gathered reporters that he
agreed fully with Secretary Hul's ex-
pressed hope that status quo will be
maintained in that part of the world
We have a considerable stake in
that area. 1t is there we get our
rubber and tin, also certain spices.
Then, too, the Dutch possessions are
fairly adjacent to the Philippine Is
lands. Were Japan to take possession
of the Dutch East Indies she would
completely encircle the Philippines,
which might result in their absorption
when they become independent in
1916.
Want Dominion Status.
The Filipinos evidently do not rel
iSh the idea of being turned out to
shift for themselves. For 40 years
our little brown brothers, for whom
we have done so much, took great
delight in picturing Uncle Sam as
monster of oppression and not once
did they overlook an opportunity to
beat their breasts and exclaim with
Patrick Henry "Give us liberty or
give us DEATH" Now that they will
shortly be turned loose they are not
so sure that they won't draw both out
of the grab bag, as they will lose
their preferred status in our market
and also the protection of the Amer
lean army and navy. Already the
Filipinos are putting out feelers over
the possibility of securing an ar
rangement that will give them domin-
ion status. That, of course, would
permit them to "eat their cake and
also have it." Congress will never
consent to such an arrangement I'M
less the political developments in the
Far East were to take a turn that
would make retention of the Islands
absolutely necessary for our national
security.
Minnesota HOnOred.
The Republican National commit
tee paid fine compliment to the
state of Minnesota and her young
governor when they voted to make
Mr.. Stassen temporary chairman of
the national convention, in which
capacity he will deliver the keynote
address. For nearly year his was
the name most frequently mentioned
in connection with that responsible
role The people of Minnesota, re-
CARELESS of political affiliation, will
approve of Mr. Stassen's selection and
take satisfaction in the honor that
has come to our great state. That
Governor Stassen will acquit him.
self with credit goes without saying.
House Calls Halt.