The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-06-28
Michigan in
Washington

Soldiers stationed in Michigan
can soon enjoy the new recreational
area in Detroit, recently authorized
by the War Department.
Specific details are scarce since
even the site has not been selected
by the Sixth Corps commander, Ma
jor General Charles H. Bonestell.
now in Chicago-but speed is de-
manded.
The underlying idea OF setting up
500-man unit camps will please the
soldier with a weekend pass in his
hand and no place to go. From Fri
day noon to Sunday evening he can
have a real break from the routine
OF military training. 1t means, for
example, that a Fort Custer man
can "see Detroit" at very little cost.
Probably, it is said here, it will
be a tent city modelled on the Wash
ington recreational set-up, where
the main attraction is sightseeing
in the city itself. The soldier can
choose the kind Of big city attrac-
| ton he likes-from seeing the
Tigers play baseball to attending
summer concert. His free lodging.
companionship. and inexpensive
food rations are assured.
The program is badly named, be-
cause "recreational" would seem to
indicate an athletic or sports pro-
gram. Actually such facilities are so
excellent at most camps that the
recreational area program is largely
one to provide good times" or at
least a break in routine. In the
southern areas, where the recrea-
tional programs were started first,
| fishing and swimming are offered.
In the areas surrounding big cities,
the emphasis will be put on making
it possible for the soldiers, within
250-mile radius, to see the bright
lights on their week end away from
camp. The soldier. in transit from
one camp to another, will also be
welcomed.
To the Detroit recreational area,
the men will come largely from
Fort Custer and Selfridge Field,
with few from the smaller Fort
Brady and Fort Wayne.
The camp will be built by the
CCC through cooperation OF the
National Park Service.
To Senator Prentiss M. Brown,
the greatest United States Sena-
tor OF our time" was Senator Pat
Harrison. OF Mississippi, who died
on Sunday.
Brown knew him well-not only
as a member OF the Finance Com
mittee OF which Harrison was chair
man, but as friend. The liking was
mutual and everyone on the COM
mittee knew the junior senator from
Michigan was frequently in his con-
fidence.
Some OF this is revealed In
Browns statement that Harrison
placed responsibilities on me that
were opportunities, but he made me
feel was helping him when really
be was helping me-"
And the Republican senior sena-
tor from Michigan, Arthur II. Van
denberg. a member of the same
Finance Committee, also makes a
strong tribute.
Senator Harrison rendered a
spectacular service because he in
sisted upon the American taxpayer
getting a square deal. He will be
missed at this time when the great.
est OF tax bills approaches our COM
mittee," said Vandenberg.
1t seems indecent to speculate on
Harrison's successor to the chair
manship OF that powerful Finance
Committee in the Senate.
Senator George, OF Georgia. Is the
next in line but he has just been
elevated to the craftsmanship C;
Foreign Relations Committee
(There Is some cloakroom talk that
he may give this up and return to
Finance)
The next man Is Senator Walsh,
of Massachusetts,, but he is chair
man OF the major Naval Affairs
Committee. That brings II down to
the colorful Tom Connally OF Texas.
(Not too we'll liked by the Repub-
lican members because he Is a de-
mon on the floor and too many have
been the victims OF his rapier
repartee)
To complicate things all the more,
the quick-witted Texan would also
be. in line for craftsmanship OF the
Foreign Relations Committee II
George decides to return TO Finance
Committee. (Senator Wagner, OF
New York. Is really the second. but
he Is head Of Banking and Currency
and not well.)