The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-07-09
WASHINGTON SOCIAL WAR


 In addition to hot weather, wal debates and national defense Washington now has something else to worry about, Q social squabble over Aid to Britain vs. Aid to American Draftees.
 The first engagement; in this nomentous struggle took place in the lobby of Washington's fashion able Mayflower hotel.
 Mrs. Walter Tuckerman, with all the junction of 8 dowager, was dispensing stamps to buy British ambulances, while Mrs. H. Charles Spruks, wife of the Ceremonial Oficer of the State Department, was offering buttons for the United Service Organizations.
 The trouble was when Mrs. Spruks left her booth for Q visit to USO headquarters. Return ing, she found that Mrs. Tucker man, with British colorS flying, had taken her place, and the USO booth had been reiegated to g more obscure position.
 Promptly Mrs. SpruIks ap- pealed to the management. With Yankee fire in her eye, she de- manded, "T want to be put back where I was, in tne center of the lobby"
 But my hands are tied" said the manager, Mrs. Tuckerman is prominent socially, and she brings us a great deal of business.
 "It's not a question of business" shot back Mrs. Spruks. "It's a question of whether the Ameri- can soldier boys have as much right to be represented here as the British. Besides, the Bri- tish promised they would hold off until our campaign was over On July IT,"
 The manager wrung his handles, said he would do what he could. Meantime, Mayor LaGuardia in- nocently stepped into the hornets nest and was asked co settle the argument. But he hastily side- stepped with, "Oh, it's all in the game"
 In the end Mrs. Tuckerman re- treated.
 LABOR SCOUTS
 A new figure on the defense horizon is giving the U. s. Em- ployment plenty of headaches. He is the labor scout.
 Certain large defense contrac- tors, desperate for skilled work CTS, have taken a cue from base ball magnates and are enticing men away from other plants. At least two West Coast aircraft plants have full-tirme personnel representatives" in the East lur- ing skilled craftsmen with tempt ing offers of higher wages, more overtime pay and other induce ments. Some companies even offer to pay the transportation of workers who sign up.
 This raiding is causing serious complications. The chief suf- ferers are small factories and ma chine shops, many of which have frantically complained to the gov- ernment that they will have to close down unless the raids are stopped.
 So far the Employment Ser- vice has taken no direct action. But it has privately warned some of the big offenders that unless they cease their scouting, the matter will be placed be- fore the OPM for disciplinary action.
 NOTE - A recent report to the OPM from public employ ment offices puts the skilled la Dor shortage in a startling light. Tn April and May. 1914. fifteen times as many requests for die- designers were received as were registered. The ratio of demand to supply in other crafts was: tool designers, 10 to 1; ghipyard loftsmcn, 36 to 1; boat builders, 90 to i: aircraft woodworkers, 4O to 1: tinplate workers, 70 to 1; aircraft aasemblers, 50 to |: and toolmakers, a to 1.
 TOWNSEND VICTORY
 Congressional Townsendites are c0ngratulatlng themselyes on putt ting over a fast one in getting a special seven-Inan bsnaie ccEn- Inittce to invesllgate the opera. ton Of the Social Security Act.
 Senator Sheridan DoWney og california. chairman Of tho coIn~ ssaifkmm tsmm himmnv ftaesNaa ael essf,4S8