Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-06-23
Capital Feels
u. S. in War
Right Now
Little Doubt Navy Spots
Subs for British
BY HUGH s. JOHNSON


in this war right now.
To an experienced eye there
can be small doubt, after read
ing innocent but censored letters
from young naval officers, that
we already have sunk Nazi sub
marines.
A submerged sub isn't so hot
with the radio.
A depth bomb leaves no trace.
If this is an incorrect conjec-
ture-and it can be no more
than conjecture-there is little
doubt that our navy spots"
German subs and guides British
ships 10 them.
Ii seems TO be quite generally
believed that the seizure of
great passenger liners and re-
cent shifts of the navy from the
Pacific mot through the Panama
Canal, but around Cape Horn
are preparatory 10 an attack on
Dakar in West Africa, or other
key Atlantic positions.
What's the difference between
that and outright war? There
is difference. You can't escape
1t in Washington. Everybody is
on an about basis except
G.. II. Q.-and that is a hell of
a note.
THE bureaucratic offices all
Il close on civil service hours.
This administration is very
tough with industry but not at
all tough with tabor. The name
of Miss or Hit-or-Miss +. Per-
kins and new Associate Justice
Robert Jackson are words with
which 10 conjure.
There is no doubt AT all that
the name Harry Hopkins is
more potent 10 shuddeE cabinet
spinal columns than the word
RaSputin ever was in the last
years of the cZarist government
in Russia.
6ur general staff of tf1r army
and the general board Of the
navy have at least one eye on
the political scene when both
eyes are obviously so necessary
TO the main purpose--which is
war.
This column and this writer
have consistently taken the posi-
ton that our militant engage
ment is unwise and unnecessary.
II now believes that This is water
over the dam. Wisely or un-
wisely. we are in IT. The job
now is TO finish il TO fight, win
tand above alb to survive the
war.
WE CANT do that with half
w way measures. The war
department staff is loaded with
dead wood.
Perhaps the best man that
ever recently came 10 govern
ment is the assistant secretary
of war, Robert Patterson -
young, experienced. trained in
iudgment-he could deliver If
we took the binders and check
reinS out of his equipment and
rid him OF the burden of stuffed
shirt genera s and interior
White House JahiZsaFian pohti-
cos
Finally, this column is calling
John l.. Lewis friend and. as
l believe, patriot. This writer has
no doubt Of his good intent. But
il is high time for him 10 speak
and act.
After rowing around at least
half OF this broad country and
coming back TO Washington TO
check on fairly reliable sources
Of information in It's capital, /
have no doubt whatever that
Johns Go is being used and
manipulated TO obstruct national
defenSe-not in the interest eof
labor but in carefully con-
structed plot TO impair the in
tereSt of all Americans.
That simply cannot be toll
Grated.
If EVER a duty rested on the
Il shoulders of any men TO re-
pudiate and rebuke any such
abuse of their high purpose II
lies upon those Of two Of my
best friends-Phil Murray and
John Lewis
The situation in the Dow
Chemical dispute is the most
serious in the country because OF
our great need for metallic mag
nesium and the acute danger OF
sabotage that will be unfairly
laid at the door Of the Go.
/ am aware of the duty of a
columnist TO comment obiec-
lively rather than to eXhort or
preach. but, in view Of past
experience and, as fondly be-
lieve. some service 10 organ
lied labor other than that of a
cold observer OF the passing
scene. ! feel a duty and some
degree of right in making this
appeal.
Like it or not, we are in the
war.
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