The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-07-04
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WASHINGTON, d. G.

congress several months ago, this
would make total Of $12, 000, 000, 900
for aid to the democracies. Yet this
stupendous sum Is still considerably
short Of what was originally pro-
posed, also of what probably win be
ultimately required.
It's White House secret, but the
first lend-lease program submitted
added up to 5000, 900, 900. This
was slashed to 1000, 100000 by the
army and navy and then still further
cut to $1,000, 0O0, 1000 by the budget
bureau. The last figure was APP
proved by the President and sent
to congress.
One reason for the new appropri-
alton is that many of the original
price estimates have been found to
be far too low, particularly in the
case Of planes, ships and guns. Ris-
ing costs, due to changes in con-
struction, more expensive new mod
els, and increased production
charges, made it impossible to con-
tract for these items at the original
estimates; and more money is need
ed to fulfill the program.
Another reason for the 1end-lease
boost is heavy OUTLAWS for repairs
on battle-damaged British warships,
Of which a number are now In U. S.
yards. This type of aid is running
into big money.
Most important, however, is the
urgent need for expansion of the
whole aid-democracies program.
Britain, China and the other Axis
foes require increased assistance
to meet the greatly enlarged re-
sources Of the Nazis brought by
their conquest Of Europe.
Today they must stand off not only
the industrial power of Germany,
but also that of France, Belgium,
Holland, Rumania, Hungary, and
other Nazi victims. So if Britain is
to continue fighting she must secure
much more help from the United
States. Without such aid she win
quickly be overwhelmed.
Red Tape-itis.
While most of the $1,000, ZOO, 900
lend-lease money has been allocat-
ed, some $500, 000, 900 earmarked for
new ornaments plants is still lying
around idle. And close to $4,000,-
600, 900 of other defense appropria-
tions for new plants also is twid-
ding its thumbs while army supply.
brasshats and OPM chiefs, en-
meshed in coils of red tape, are
stalling around.
It takes from 8 to Is months to
erect these plants, so this delay in
getting construction started means
a serious crimp in the defense pro-
gram. ID
Chiefly to blame are army supply
brasshats, who are inadequate to
handle the colossal task thrust on
them, but SO jealous of their bureau
cratic powers that they won't let
anyone else tackle it. OPM heads
are champing at the precious time
being wasted, but lack authority to
override the army and haven't the.
gumption to raise row.
WILL DAVIS
The country doesn't like strikes
any more than it likes war, but the
war has brought out many men of
stature, and the strikes have brought
out William H. Davis, new chairman
of the National Defense Mediation
board.
Actually Davis is no ''war baby"
but a veteran who has been working
at labor mediation for many years.
Still it was settlement of the Allis-
Chalmers strike that first won him
national attention.
BY profession Davis is q patent
lawyer, with offices in New York
city. On the very next day after
the Allis-C Chalmers triumph, he ar-
peared before the u. s. Supreme
court, his hair no more unruly than
usual, to argue q patent case. He
makes his living from big-money'
firms, but he has a strong liberal
viewpoint toward labor.
When committee of congress
asked him what he thought of bill
to outlaw strikes, he said, when
you pass compulsory Legislation, you
make the working man a slave, and
there is no use producing defense
materials for nation of slaves"
There are a lot of odd pieces in
Davis life. He was born in Bangor,
Maine, schooled in Washington,
d. c., is a member of New York's
swanky Downtown Athletic club, a
labor sympathizer, founder of the
Grand Central Art galleries, father
in-law of Argentine diplomat Alonzo
Irigoyen. and careless with his
clothes.
One phrase-maker says Davis has
''the face of a kindly bulldog" An
other ''the face Of tired trombone
player" Not many faces would am
swer to that. Davis is easy to spot
in q crowd.
MERRY GO-ROUND
d Employees of the British Purchas-
ing mission, leaving the elevator at
their offices are confronted with this