The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-10-10

the number of Republican doI- lar-a-year men" in the War Pro- duction Board.
 These fellows, by and large, were the backbone of the Re- publican opposition to you in 1882, 1886 and 194O, and they haven't changed their SpOtS," the President was told. "They devote more time to hating you and your economic principles than they devote to winning the war;"
 There may be something to what you say" replied the Presi- dent. But what can I do? We can't confine :ObS in the war agencies to Democrats"
 With 8 grin, the President add ed that he was reminded of Will liam Knudsen, when the latter was head of the old OPM.
 One day KnudSen submitted for White House approval list of 24 appointments to key jobs in the OPM. After brief investi- gation, the President learned to his astonishment that g of the A individuals on the list were Re- publicans.
 'Bil, there's one thing I don't understand about these names you've sent Over," Roosevelt told Knudsen few days later.
 "How does it happen that there's one Democrat among them? Is it possible his name could have been submitted through an error?"
 Knudsen blushed, promised to look into the matter. The next day the OPM oosS (now a lieu tenant general, charged with speeding up production in war plants) had lunch with the Presi- dent and reported that he had the answer to his question.
 "There was no mistake, MT. President" said Knudsen, with a mischievOuS twinkle. That fellow is a Democrat, all right. But we checked up on him and found him to eb Okay. He voted for WilIkie."
 NAVAL CONGRESSMAN
 Until the White House decreed that congressman could not serve in the Army or Navy, Repre- sentative Francis Walter, Demo- crat, of Pennsylvania was lieu tenant commander in naval action. He had served in naval aviation in War I, so immediately after Pearl Harbor he was placed in command of naval air base south of Norfolk, Va.
 There, one of his jobs was to develop new runways and improve the field. But, unable to get sufficient concrete, he wrote to the commanding admiral at Nor folk suggesting the use of black top for the runways. The run ways wkere needed in a hurry, because planes were necessary for patrolling the Atlantic Coast against submarines.
 However, the Norfouk comman- der referred the matter to the Bu- reau of Naval Aeronautics in Washington; the Bureau of Aero nautics referred the question to the Bureau of Yards and Docks; Tthe Bureau of Yards and Docks referred the proposal to the Bu- reau of Shore Establishments: Che Bureau of Shore Establishments sent the letter on to the coTn- mander of the 5th Naval District, who finally sent it back to "Lieut. Comdr. Walter for his approval"
 So, after weeks of delay. Walter went ahead and fixed up his air- plane runways with black top.
 Representative walter, now back in Congress, points out that one Of the chief reasons for naval delays and inefflclency is the necessity of reporting back to Washington. He has suggested to the Navy Department that ins divldual admirals in charge Of bases arc quite capable of make Ing such decisions, and should not heve to consult Washington on every move.
 wnF inslanee, Walter found thRl many naval gnnners sent