Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-05-08
British Food
Situation
Gets Worse
Nozis Better but England
Is Far From Down
BY PAUL MALL0N

" government may not be
shaking up the people with the
facts of war, but il has shaken
up few people in off-the-record
conferences. Trade paper edi-
tors emerged from a recent
meeting with Agriculture Secre-
tary Wickard biting their finger
nails.
Consumption of food in Brit
ain is reported among our agri-
culturists as 30 to 50 per cent
below the normal years of
l934-36.
Food reserves in the be-
ieagurcd island are said to he
enough for only a few weeks.
Britain would starVe in "A few
months, these officials say. if
her line of supplies from the
Americas were cut.
Yet this privately circulated
information has failed to inspire
any general, dire doubts as 10
Britain's ability 10 live. Other
officials, some even in the agri-
culture department, point out
that most of the expectations
are not necessarily dire.
The line to the Americas is
not likely to be cut. Britain
needs only few weeks reserve
as long as she can count on con-
tinued imports. The 80 to so
per cent underconsumption may
be attributed at least partially
TO rationing.
No one will deny. however,
that Brltain'S food situation is
worse than last year. worse
than 19l4-1S, and Germany's
better.
THIS administration never in
4 terfereS in state primaries,
AS the President says, and the
Hatch law is supposed to limit
government employees indulging
in politics. but
Two high ranking officials.
Assistant Agriculture Secretary
Grover Hill, and Assistant In
terror Secretary Alvin Writ,
have gone TO Texas, apparently
on leaves OF absence, but for the
real purpose of aiding Lyndon
Johnson's campaign for the
Senate.
=. Active back-stage here in be-
half of the 32-year-old New Deal
candidate is Thomas Corcoran.
now private nest-egger and
I former White House ghost. Mr..
Corcoran's main worry. accord
ing to Texas politicos, is money
for the cause of aiding the New
Deal by defending johnson.
Embarrassing pres sure is
likely to be put upon certain
high Texas officials in the adj
ministration TO join suit before
the primary date. June 2S.
Some aStute Texas political
observers calculate johnson to-
day seems likely to run fourth
if Governor O'Danicl. the favor
lite, gets in the race as expected.
Sly administration activity has
been spurred further by reports
that Congressman Dies is get
ting good crowds, and Attorney
General Manns campaign is
coming ahead fast.
EXECUTIVE House hearings
~ on the war department APP
preparation bill has caused some
congressman to doubt whether
their benevolence towards the
draftees is doing either the army
or the drafteeS the intended
good.
The new boys, limited to one
years service. must spend con-
siderable time taking medical
shots, toughening up, possibly
experiencing measles, etc. and
so will be unable TO reach any
degree of proficiency in mechan-
ized units.
The army apparently does not
want draftees in the air corps
for the same reason of lack of
time. The law also restricts
draftee service to the Western
Hemisphere and consequently
they cannot be used for perma-
nent services phases of army
work.
As result they only get gen.
eral training, primarily in the
infantry. and will be suited only
for the toughest Job of handling
the rifles and bayonets if war
breaks out, and their benevolent
law IS repealed.
Distributed by King Features synd, In,
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