The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-19

SlOl1d1 11lVcSG1SdG1O1IS.
 For they will show that the U. s. Army benefited through get ting later model planes, also that the U. s. Treasury received extra revenue.
 For instance, the British are paying the Curtiss aircraft conn., pany a total of $739,0O0 in order to make over its dies and switch production from the P40 to the P46 a much more modern type of pur- suit plane. Of this $739, ,O00, about $200,0O0 will go to pay for the switching of U. s. Army planes from the P40 to the P46.
 The U. S. Army was building the P40, then considered the latest and best type of pursuit plane. But after contracts for these had been signed with the Curtiss com pany, the P46 was developed, with a speed of nearly 400 miles an hour. It outdates the P40.
 The British came along about this time and wanted to buy the P46 and the War Department gave consent, provided that the British would pay for making new dies, to replace the P40's which the Army already had under contract with the Curtiss company.
 Thus the Army gets later and more up-to-date plane, instead of being saddled with the old P40's all at British expense.
 BRITISH APPEAL
 However, this was not worked out without some argument. At first Arthur Purvis, head of the British purchasing mission, object ed vigorously, even threatened to carry the matter to the White House. Assistant War Secretary Johnson, however, stood pat. So first Purvis appealed to Secretary Morgenthau, in charge of U. S.. Government sales to the Allies, and generally considered the Allies, best friend. Morgenthau, however, took the precaution of calling up Johnson.
 "How much do you figure it will cost the British and French to make over all these dies?" Morgenthau asked. He was re- ferring to changing the machin- cry in airplane factOreis other than Curtiss, namely Douglas, Martin, LOckheed, etc.
 "About $7,OOO, ,OOO," replied Col. Johnson.
 %. K.," replied the Secretary
 of the Treasury, "I'll back you up."
 So after talking with Morgen- thau, Purvis did not appeal to the White House.
 NOTHING DOING
 Vice President Jack Garner will have nothing to do with the man who assailed him as 8 "whiskey drinking, labor-baiting, evil old man."
 Recently a senator friendly to John l.. Lewis asked Garner If he would see the CIO chief. No req son was given for the request and Garner didn't inquire. He was merely told that Lewis would like to talk to him.
 'My door is always Open," Garner said. "If he wants to see me I won't stop him. But I can tell you frankly I have no desire to have any dealings with him."
 NOTE-Michigan Republicans are saying that during Lewis re- cent visit to the state he told party leaders he was prepared to support COP congressional candidates in return for pledges that they will Hay off" the National Labor Re- lations Board.
 STOCK EXCHANGE COUP
 It isn't being advertised, but the Wall Street old Guard has just written finish" to former SEC Chairman William Douglas clean up of the New York Stock Ex- change. The banker insiders are again in complete control of the 'big board.
 On April 5, The Washington Merry Go- Round revealed that the powerful banking elements. dislodged from their long-held key offices following the Richard Whitney scandal, were quietly set- ting the stage for 8 ''blitz" come- back.
 By adroit behind the-scenes, maneuvering over some eighteen months. they had slowly but stead- fly axed the reform officials in- stalled under Douglas blldgeon-