The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-02-05

Palmer m I pulldlnS
in the reslden-
tlal section Of Uncle Sans seat Of
government, to thi- outlying burg,
for a look at some of its Revolu-
tionary war relics, which it's
pretty well supplied with, for it's
occupied its present site since clear
back into early colonial times.
It's a pretty place, when you get
to it, rather inconveniently, and
they liked its looks so much that,
returning to civilization, they told
me they'd decided TO have me buy
a cottage in its midst, and move
out there with en-, to live.
Inasmuch as my business calls
me daily into the District of Co
lumbia, this program implied that
was to become a commuter, a
role I always despised. Conse-
quently l promptly vetoed the
scheme. The answer I got was,
None O. your back talk. You bet
you're going to come"
Such being the case. ] had no
option but TO compromise by doing
so.
And now see what's happened.
Washington's so congested with
inhabitants that all those not en-
gagged in war work are threatened
with eviction from their metropoli-
tan domiciles.
Get Out.
Defense Housi. ? Co-ordinator
Charles +. Palmer originated the
idea and sprung Il initially upon
the representatives public build
ings and grounds committee. As
he expressed ii. plainly. Those un-
essential to prosecuting the war
should be asked to leave the Dis
trict Of Columbia lie employed
the term asked, but. IL they
don't leave when invited 10, the
notion to give EN- the boot with
no more ceremony. They'll be per-
mitted to come into town on bust
ness. but. if the plans adopted,
they'll have to so elsewhere at set
Of sun or Whereabouts
Tenants simply viii have their
leases terminated.
Balky home owners premises
will have 10 be conscripted under
the governments emergency pow
ers. It's an authority that exists,
though, as to whatever's necessary
TO Uncle Sans maximum effort TO
lick the foe
Some Of Washington's homes are
palaces. too, and owned by social
nabobs Of the first class.
Seemingly that won't help en- a
bit. Co-ordinator Planners re-
marks before the representatives
committee created tremendous
uproar among capital residents
and the next day President Roose-
welt, at a press conference, was
asked, What about it," by news
papermen, especially with a view to
Sixteenth streets and Massachu-
sets avenues "sassiety" moguls
who. though maybe unengaged in
war work, may also object 10 be-
ing chucked out Of house and home.
To this class, F. D. r. immedi-
ately referred. in replying to jour
nalistic auerists, as parasites"
1t didn't sound much as If they'd
be handled with kid gloves.
But observe nay fx-safely In
trenched in my Virginia shack. l
can't be chased out Of Washington,
for I'm not in it, for domestic pur-
poses. I try to claim credit for
my forethought, when became a
commuter, but my wife and daugh-
ter say they were the wlseacres;
not l.
More 10 Come
However, tell this yarn, not on
account Of my own experience, but
to broadcast an understanding OF
the precariousness Of existence in
or capital today.
When it comes to evacuatinS a
big citys whole normal population
70 make room for its wartime
emergency workers. II seems to me
that it's going some" to say the
least.
Another suggestions lurking in
the ofhng.
There are a number Of big de-
partment stores in the District, in
stalled in 10 and 12-story buildings
The notions to compact 'em
into couple or three Of these
edihces. with the government
requisitioning the others for emer-
gency utility.
Such is life in present-day
Washington, and It's getting more
so faster than it's possible to call
culste Nobody knows what the
population really is. A census
every "a hours would be required
TO keep track Of II.
It's curiosity, but not SO pleas
ant TO be mixed up in.
Gosh. I'm glad 1 live IN Alex