The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-02-05

ave reported to Washington.
Although an honest. con-
scleniious and excellent soldier.
General Marshall % completely
under the thumb - the com
naancsr-ln-chief in tho White
House. The same Ia true ~
Admiral Harold stark. chief ~
naval operations These men
cannot buck FDR without risk
inE caste and rank. for he holds
their carriers in the hollow %
his hand. According 10 ohserv-
ers much closer 20 the Euro
pean picture than General
Marshall. der fuehrer has about
half the number 81 fir.t-line
bombers and fighting planes
which the chief Of Stsff esti-
mated
The inside story IL that Cen
eral Marshall painted the black
est picture possible on orders
from the White House BY
oVerestimating Hitlers air
power. the game Was 10 fright
en- the congress into passing the
lesse-lend bill without delay.
L. 8. Chamber % Commerce
directors engaged in fierce
row at their recent Chicago
convention. before they gave q
half-hearted approval 10 the
lesse-lend bill The argument
almost split the chamber in
twain.
The division Was geographical
rather than philosophical.
Members from the midwest and
the mountain states protested
yehemently against any act or
policy which might involve the
L. $. in war. They favored aid
10 Britain. but they insisted
that II should stop short Of
war" Eastern manufacturers
demanded that the L. 6. cast
neutrality 10 the winds. and 20
the fun way for Great Britain.
Southern fire-eaters backed up
the northern men.
Powerful individual and in
dustrial groups blocked a vote
for or against the sdministra-
tons program. They don't like
England-they don't like Roose-
velt-but they figure that they
must 20 through the motions Of
being obedient American citi-
zens.
President Roosevelt has quietly
sent numerous investigation. 10
Britain to study the effects OF
large-scale bombing on cities
and towns and rural districts
FDR apparently takes seriously
the suggestion that the Nazis
may invade the L. s..
New York firemen went
abroad to learn how 10 put out
incendiary bombs, and they
have turned in a complete re-
port TO Mayor LaGuardia. which
he intends to forward 10 the
White House. Building experts
have been sent abroad 10 learn
all the tricks involved in maxi
ing AFRAID shelters. r. +.
Scattergood, an expert public
utility man from Los Angeles.
returned recently from England
and submitted to the White
House a complete report on how
Britain's utility system is stand
ing up under Nazi bombing.
According TO Scattergood. the
utilities' generating and trans
mission systems show remark
able resistance and recuper-
alive strength against Hitlers
bomb ers.
Although Mani invasion Of
the U. s. is pooh-poohed by the
White House, the general staff
and even senate pages. FDR Ia
taking no chances. That ex-
plains why so many generals,
admirals and scientists have
been transferred from Wash
ington to London.
Despite some hesitation, the
Roosevelt administration soon
will engage In economic war
fare against the dictator ma
tons" The various depart
ments involved state. treasury.
c m m cree and agriculture
have been warned by the White
House to prepare for an eco
nomical blitzkrieg'
II Is quite SHY, as the Tresi-
dent has pointed al secret White
House conferences 10 provide
military supplies 10 the social
ed democrscies Great Britain,
China and Greece. and at the
same time give economic aid
N their enemies. There IN no
use, FDR explained. in lending
500 600 600 10 China II at the
same time We wink st exports
destined for Japan or Russia,
and possibly ermany. So
Roosevelt now is working out a
program designed % withhold
supplies from the fotalItarian