The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-20


 famous actor and eX-Wife
 Mrs. Atwill is promoting the ap- pointment of Henry Fountain Ashurst, defeated senator from Arizona, as judge on the Court of Claims. This is a popular cause, since Ashurst is one of the most popular men in the Senate; and Mrs. Atwill in turn is one of the most popular ladies in Wash ington.
 However, Mrs. Atwill is bucking the President of the United States, who appointed Warren Madden, former head of the Labor Rela- tionS Board, to the Court of Claims. When his name was sent to the Senate, the chivalrous Ashurst immediately asked that his colleagues confirm the ap- pointment. But Senator Vanden- berg of Michigan objected.
 A lot of Democrats disagree with Vandenberg most of the time but this time they silently ap- plauded. The other day. how ever, patient Senator Barkley, ad- ministration leader of the Senate, again asked approval of Madden's appointment, but again Vanden- berg objected. Barkley pleaded with him, but the senator from Michigan remained obdurate.
 Afterward, Barkley remarked to Mrs. Atwill: Listen, Mickey Mouse, I thought I saw two bright brown eyes up in the Senate gallery when Vandenberg objected, and I think I know who is opposing me in getting Madden confirmed"
 Senator Barkley was only half right. Mrs Atwi.l had been ex- tremely active against Madden. She even helped secure 86 Sen ate signatures for Ashurst's ap- pointment to the Count of Claims. But when he thanked Senator Vandenberg for his efforts, that very frank gentleman replied:
 My opposition is not entirely chivalry, Louise. I've got a big group of industrial leaders in Michigan who are batterly opposed to Madden's decisions on the Labor Board. The last thing they want is to see him on the Court of Claims"
 FARM TRENDS
 House committee Investigating farm nsigrancy, under the chair manship of California's kindly Rep. John Tolan, deserve lot more attention than they have received.
 Leading experts have disclosed some extremely significant facts concerning agricultural trends that are affecting the lives of millions and the future of the United States. Yet Tolan has had tougf. time keeping his commit tee going.
 Lack of public interest due to the European war has played into the hands of elements who op- pose doing anything drastic about the migrant problem among them tire California Chamber of Com merce and the Associated Farm CTS. These forces have persisently tried to block Tolan's inquiry by cutting off his funds.
 Professor Paul S. Taylor of the University of California told the committee of three significant trends:
 BIG BUSINESS FARMING
 l. Rapid enlargement of farms under a single operator. In a sur vey last summer in the Middle west he found one 9,000-acre grain and livestock farm in Ohio. At the same time, 25,000 tenant farmers weer unable to obtain farms.
 2. Spread of farm management services for absentee owners, such as business men. Already there are several professional societies of men in this field.
 3. Wholesale elimination of farm labor through mechanization, which is rapidly changing the traditional American concept of the family-sized corn belt farm.
 "Our ancestors of three gen.
 erations ago." Taylor warned,
 found the solution for their goal of independent working
 farmers, secure on the land, in
 the land reform clauses of the
 Homestead Act. Today the
 march of mechanizatiOn and
 other economic forces have pro- duced dependence and insecurity
 on the land for our generation.