The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1940-10-04
,Mdijddllata,
washington, d. @.
SECRET BRITISH WEAPON


plodes at desired level and re-
leases a new kind of gas. This gas
has, the same density as air and
does not dissipate.1 It holds together
and, constitutes sort of invisible
balloon. The gas is harmless--ex-
cept when it explodes, and then it
possesses tremendous, destructive
power. 81 ii 4 oil
Explosion is by ignition. An air.
plane engine roaring through one Of
these gas masses ignites it and
causes an explosion which tears the
plane to pieces. That is the way
the British are reported to be using
it.
NEW AID FOR BRITAIN
Another historic move to aid Great
Britain, almost as significant as the
destroyer-islands DEAL is now on
President Roosevelt's desk.
It is a plan to sell to the British
80 merchant vessels owned by the
United States government and now
tied up in the James river, Virginia.
The vessels, built during the
World war, are desperately needed
by Great Britain because Of her Sc
we're shipping losses in submarine
and aerial warfare.
In the once-scorned James river
fleet, controlled by the maritip1e
commission, are the only ready
made vessels in the world today
that can be purchased in quantity.
The fleet consists of 80 ships Of about
5000 to 10000 tons each. The en-
gines are in fair condition, having
been turned over periodically by
the navy. However, considerable
repairs will have to be made to other
parts of the ships by the British,
totaling $165, 1000 each.
The British plan to offer about $50
a ton for the vessels, which is con-
sidered high in view of the fact that
they will have to spend $165, 1000 or
about $40 per ton for repairs. The
total price paid to the United States
for the ships will be in the neighbor-
hood of $4,000, 900, while the total
British repair bill will be about
S., 00O, 900.
B FROM MISSOURI
One ! Of the greatest publicity
drives in u. S. political history is
about to be launched.
From thousands Of billboards,
posters, window signs, movie
screens, radios and sound trucks,
the voters of the country will be
bombarded with arguments, slogans
and oratory until November 5 as
to why Wendell Willkie should be
elected President of the United
States.
The campaign viii be under the
auspices of the Republican national
committee, but its real authors are
a group of live-wire st. Louis bust
ness men headed by busting Edgar
Queeny, president of the Monsanto
Chemical company, one Of the big
gest such firms in the country.
An original Willlie booster,
Queeny has been giving large part
of his time to the job Of electing
him. He lunches daily with score
of politically smart friends, and it
was at these informal powwows that
the nationwide publicity plan
evolved.
Originally Missouri was to stage
the show alone, but the national
committee was so impressed with
its possibilities that Queeny was
asked to apply it to the entire coun-
try. He responded with character
istic zip.
Through his influence, five leading
advertising firms went to work with
the agency that handles the Mon
santo account, the Gardner Adver-
Using company of st. Louis, and as
signed two representatives to each
state to explain the drive to local
C. O. p. chiefs.
+ One particular point to be ex-
planned was that the cost would be
too large for the national COM
mittee to bear under the Hatch act,
and that the state organizations
would have to carry the load. The
advertising contact men have re-
ported back that without exception
the state headquarters are willing
to raise and spend the necessary
funds.
MERRY -GO-ROUND
For admission to press confer
ence with Secretary of War Slim
son, newsmen must be equipped
with Identification cards, colored
bright red.
Colonel Ward Maris, able press re-
lations officer Of war department,
is literally behind the eight-ball.
Planted on his desk is q billiard
ball, marked with the figure eight.
Hefty Rep. Frank Fries Of Illinois,
one-time miner, is leading the battle
to save the federal mine inspection
bill from being shelved in the house
mines committee. Sponsored by
Sen. Matt Nicely of West Virginia
and Rep. Kent Keller Of Illinois. the