The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-05-15
Straight From
Washington
BY STEPHEN M. YOUNG
Congressman at Large, Ohio

Washington.-The axis powers of
Germany, Italy and Japan appear on
paper formidable group but this re-
solves it to just one country. Italy
has already proved greater burden
to the Germans than anticipated.
Mussolini has given Hitler all aid
short Of war. Italy has been a real
milestone around the neck of Ger
many from the first day Mussolini
stuck his dagger into his neighbor's
back The Italian Army which
crossed the Franco-Italian border suf-
fered defeat. This never received
much publicity because the French
thought it wise not to offend the ally
of her conquerors. Germany, of course,
had no interest in letting the world
know the weakness of her ally.
Japs
Our expert naval, officials hold the
japanese air forcet.x6 contempt and
our navy in tonnage, fire-power, per-
sonnel and morale is far superior. In
fact, a few American bombers over
Japan could cause the greatest mass
slaughter in history. The Japs know
this. They don't want war with
Uncle Sam.
Employment Agency
Democratic Congressman complain
that their constituents consider them
glorified employment agencies. A Con-
gressman recently received this col
lect telegram from a constituent
married yesterday and must have
work. You are my Congressman sc
get busy and get me a job and wire
me Immediately" The Congressman
peeved telegraphed back also collect
"My advice is for your wife to apply
for divorce immediately"
Defense Taxes
Folks realize that this nation
faces grave situation and that if we
can keep out of war and keep the wal
away from the Western Hemisphere
it will be worth the cost. The Ways
and Means Committee of the House
of Representative is hard at work
on tax legislation. All tax proposals
must originate in the House of Repre-
sentatives whose Members are closest
to the people. Chairman Doughton, IT
an honest fair-dealing and simple mar
whose father fought for the South in
the Civil War is opposed to a sales
tax. He says, "a sales tax places the
burden of Government on those least
able to bear it. 1t taxes for food
clothing and shelter. He is against
soaking the rich. He said recently
"There must be some big taxpayers
left to get revenue from when all this
is over. Income taxes are the only
taxes which take into consideration
the taxpayers ability to pay
Selective Service
Selective service is being poorly
administered in some sections For
example, a local draft board placed
a thirty-six year old business man in
Class One, Notwithstanding that he
makes a substantial contribution each
year to maintain his mother. This
applicant asked for deferment The
chairman Of his local board called him
a draft dodger and assured him he
would do all he could to give the ap-
plicant ''the works" This is exactly
what he did. The young man was
called in, examined, and selected. He
closed his office, being compelled, of
course, to discharge his employees. He
sold his office equipment and his
automobile, and in addition borrowed
money on his insurance, turning over
to his mother the money he received
Having sacrificed his movable goods
he bade his mother and friends bood-
bye and reported to the army induction
center, according to his instructions.
Shortly afterward he was examined
again by army doctors and upon this
examination found physically Wsound
for military purposes, and sent home.
Considerable economic loss resulted
from the arbitrary and nonsensical be
havior of his district draft board of
ficials. Congress should certainly
f1,n