The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-12-21

loo Much ldeslisn
Dulis Strategy
Appessemeni Sometimes
Brings Results
Plan for More Mining
Hours Hits Snse
FLYERS Seem 10 Know
Where They Hit
BY RAY TUCKER

WASHINGTON - Starry-eyed
idealists inside and outside the
government are hampe-ing stra-
tegie diplomatic and military
coups by their criticism of our
policy toward Admiral Jean Fran
co.'s Darlan and similar leaders in
other countries. notably the Bal
ksns. They don't seem to sense
that a nation at war cannot choose
its friends by the color of their
ties or by their political philos-
ophies
Before and since Pearl Harbor
we eourted dictatorial and Fascist
minded groups and we shall do so
again. We kept on the best Of
terms with several South Amer
ican "tyrants"-Batista of Cuba,
for instance-and ii is fortunate
that we did. We sought to pre-
vent a clash with Japan by con-
tact with anti-military Industrial
lists and these early pourparlers
may yet bear good fruit.
We have "appeased" Franco in
an effort to prevent Spain from
lining up actively with the axis
so far successfully. In the
Balkans we have given our bless
ing to reactionary elements re-
CARELESS of Moscow's irritation.
In the First World War our allies
England, France, Italy-were
not true democracies," as their
representatives revealed at Ver-
sailles. But, Cordell Hull's spokes-
men point out, IL we refuse REIN
forcements because our asso-
ciates do not measure up to the
Administrators reform stand
ards, the struggle might well be
lost and there would be no uni
verse to make over in accordance
with the hearts desire of the
New Dealers.
Bureaucratic recalcitrancy
threatens the success OF Presi-
dent Roosevelt's move for a six
day week in the soft coal indus
try in an attempt to avert a COM
mercial fuel shortage. Here IL
the inside story Of current nego-
tiations:
The United Mine Workers now
have a contract with the opera
tors for a five-day week of IS
hours at dollar an hour. Their
representatives consented to re-
wise the agreement but insisted
on time and a half for the sixth
day. United States Steel and a
few other large corporations ac-
cepted immediately. Many less
prosperous firms said they could
not comply and survive. So they
asked Harold L. Ickes to use his
influence to secure a higher cell
ing on their selling rates. The
margin would have enabled them
to operate at a profit under
UNIV terms.
Although he granted a similar
demand to oil carriers, the cab
met member refused the request
Of the mining group and negotia-
tons broke down. Eventual solu-
ton of the problem will probably
be a compromise giving owners
and laborers more money and
raising prices to consumers. But
the delay-and prospective btu
minous scarcities-could have
been avoided if Mr.. Ickes and the
Administrators pets-the unions
had not been SO stiff-necked.
The Democratic national COM
search for a new chair
man depicts the committee plight
more wildly than any other re-
cent happening. Nobody wants
the post at time when ii APP
pears as if the outfit were going
into a tailspin.
Postmaster General Frank Wal
tiers has been mentioned for the
place but he is not interested.
one of the most able
and likable figures in Washing
ton, he does not enjoy the hurly-
burly. the tedious organizational
details and the day by day grind
OF practical partisanship.
Another prospect. Leo T. Crow
ley. also dislikes that kind Of
work. Manhattan Lawyer Oscar
r. Ewing has been discussed. but
II Is not believed that's a Wall
Street figure would fill the bill
Assistant Secretary Of the Inte-
nor Oscar L. Chapman Of Dem
yer is willing. but he Is compar-
atively young for the job. In
short, there isn't anyone who
possesses James A. Farley's sbil-
ity and stature. And now Is the
time a man with such qualities
IS needed.
Crack American bonbers back
after heroic feats in the Solomons
were recently subjected TO intense
off-the-reeord cross-examinstion
regarding the accuracy Of their
reports on the damage caused In
their raids. The youngsters-
only one was over 3O-convinced
listeners that their margin Of
error was negligible.
With the exception Of the pilot.
every member Of the crew makes