The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-08-14

man of the New York State Rac- ing Commission, and Thomas R. Underwood, editor of the Lexing- ton, Ky, Leader in the heart of the bluegrass racing region, told the Senate Finance Committee they did not oppose taxes on rac- ing, but that this was a state matter. Federal racing taxes, they said, invoked the law of dimln- ishing returns '. In the middle of these hectic war days the President took 8 minute off to send letter of appreciation to an old frienud who had established generous scholarships for students at North Carolina college. .. WOMEN INFLUENCING
 HISTORY
 All through history, from Helen of Troy to the Duchess of Wind sor, women have influenced the tides Of fate. And if it had not been for a woman in the life of Gen. Douglas MacArthur he prob ably would not have been in a position to perform his heroic de- fense of the Philippines and com- mand Australia today.
 Just after the last war, the belle of Washington society was vivaciOus Louise Brooks, step daughter of the millionaire Ed ward T. Stotesbury, partner of
 ID MorUon Chn xuas &hA toast of Washington. General Pershing, just returned from France, was one of her most de- voted attendants. Admiral Beatty, hero of the battel of Jut- land, was another.
 Once, after a dinner at Mrs. Marshall Fields, both Pershing and Beatty escorted Louise to her car, nearly had an altercation over who was to take her home.
 But Gen. MacArthur, then superintendent of West Point, stepped in and married the lady. Shortly thereafter, Gen. Persh- ing, not at all happy over Mac Arthur's victory, transferred him to the Philippines.
 MacArthur and his wife were stationed in the Philippines for several years. And although the marriage later ended in divorce, 1t was MacArthur's tour of duty in Manila which acquainted him with Filipino leaders and later brought about his return as field marshal of the Philippine army.
 If Pershing or Lord Beatty had married the lady, history might have been different. BRITAIN'S FUTURE
 A U. s. official, back from Lon- don, tells of standing in line for breakfast at the Hotel Waldorf. Just ahead of him he heard an English lady say:
 "After this war is over, we'll have to fight war of independ- ence to save ourselves from be- coming the fOrty-ninth state of the United States"
 This semi-good-natured, semiA grousing attitude, according to Americans returned from London, is rather typical of the apprehen- sion which exists as to what will happeen to Britain after the war.
 There is no hostility in this, but a realistic awareness that the war is strengthening United States ties and weakening Bri- tish ties, with Australia, Can. ada and Africa.
 For example. the British 0ast an anxious glance at the ferrying command across Africa. Here U. s. Army planes, delivering war material to the Middle East, are bringing Britain's African empire close to Miami. It will be only natural to preserve and further strengthen these ties after the war is over.
 Tine same thing is happening between the United States and Australia. AuStralia's destiny is being decided not by Britains but by Americans and Australians under the command of an Ameri- can general, Douglas MacArthur. And the supplies required for Australia are being sent from the