The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-05-15

in this direction "as soon as
that he had modified IS of
border.
ment OF the latter weapon since
1914 has forced a revolution in
offensive and defensive tactics.
R0ME-the news may become
stale overnight-may soon line
up with Berlin In the first few
hours after the new outbreak.
Mussolini informed his aides that
he would no longer restrain him.
self. despite protests from the
King and Pope. II Duce cannot
sit on the fence much longer.
for there may be no fence. II
Hitler wins without him. he will
pluck no plums for Italy. II the
allies can stop the enemy. dig in
and eventually drive him back.
they will not feel kindly toward
the worlds greatest bargain
hunter.
President Roosevelt's liberal
reforms threatened to disappear
through the windows Of congress
almost as soon as the bugles
sounded for the advance into
Holland and Belgium. 1t was a
graphic demonstration of the
dictatorship which must be i'm
posed even on the worlds Oldest
democracy If this new danger
should drag the United States
into the conflict.
The army recently asked con-
gress for s52s, 00o. 900 to pur-
chase supplies for a force which
"outblitzkrieg the blitzkrieg." as
Major General George v. Strong,
head of the war plans division.
declared before a congressional
committee. F.D.R., however had
not then given his approval to
this request. But on the very
day Hitler invaded Holland. a
war Department spokesman
again voiced an appeal for the
funds. Referring TO the need for
mobilizing industry. he said:
Gentlemen, our people must
face the fact that we are facing
war conditions. You can't get
an army and navy ready when
you are hampered with a wage
hours act. Our people can't get
ready with a 32-hour week and
tim-and-a-half for overtime.
They must realize that we will
have to work so hours a week.
We've got to cut out this fool
ish brain stuff now"
Ironically, the war came to
the capital only a few hours
after President Roosevelt had
discussed with politico-legisla-
tive advisers plans for spreading
the blessings of peace and pros
perity to millions of Americans.
He has ben holding numerous
private conferences with the
brain trusters" in an attempt
to frame 1910 planks for better
ment of domestic conditions.
The first contemplates an ex-
tension of the old-age pension
provisions so as to draft In mil
lions who do not now enjoy its
benefits. These include certain
types of agricultural and do
mestic workers, and various
groups whose vicissitudinous
methods of employment make 1t
difficult to bring them within
the system. It was originally
intended to apply the act to
them, but treasury experts
AhCu lhdl IL "Ouiu PtOfC
statistical impossibility. Mo-
body yet knows how they can
be catalogued and checked, but
the brain trusters" figured that
they could find a way.
The second and more practical
plan looked forward TO the
promise of q real low-cost hous-
ing program. Whereas units
now cost about $4,000 on an
average. which is too much for
the millions who most need
decent shelter, the proposed
program envisaged unit costs Of
$4,000 or less. Rents would run
from SIS TO $25 a month on the
basis of low interest rates and
tax relaxations by local COM
munities. But F. d. RS obses-
sion with events across the wa
ter makes il doubtful whether
these domestic welfare prob
lens will receive consideration
at the 1910 Democratic con-
vention.