The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-25

against Farm Security, Byrd was allowing wealthy personal friend to use government property free of charge.
 As chairman of the Senate Rules committee, Byrd in effect is cus- todian of the Senate Office Build ing. He assigns office space and runs the administrative affairs of the vast marble structure.
 In this capacity, Byrd has per- mitted a friend who Is not Q member of the Senate to occupy without cost Q spacious suite and to enjoy all the perquisites of a senator, including free tel- ephones, stationery, electricity, typewriters, furniture garage space, etc.
 This favored friend is ex-SeT1- ator John G. Townsend of Della ware like Byrd a wealthy fruit grower, and another loud economy advocate.
 Townsend was defeated for re- election in l940. But enjoying Byrdlike economy he has contin- ued to occupy Q large senatorial office since early le4i and to use 1t to transact political and other business as chairman of the Re- publican Campaign Committee.
 All this has not set well with several senators, particularly the two Delaware Democrats, Senators James H. Hughes and James M. Tunnel. Finally Tunnel went to Byrd and declared bluntly:
 "This man is not member of the Senate and he has no right to a free office for his private activities. He should be removed without delay"
 "But, Senator" protested Byrd, "I can't do that. You must uHl- derstand my position. MT. Town send is an old and very dear friend of mine."
 NOTE:-In cuffing Byrd on the Farm Security issue, the Senate also gave the boot to his close buddy, Senator Kenneth McKel- lar of Tennessee who, while one of the most active patronage grabbers in Congress, publicly is an economy thumper. Mcclellan was Byrd's righthand lieutenant in the FSA fight.
 LEWIS JOLT
 John L. Lewis may get Q sur- prise jolt at the United Mine Wofker Policy Committee meeting he called.
 Announced purpose of the pow. WOW is to consider miner vacation and pay problems, but the real reason is to provide Lewis with the trappings to vent his spleen on Phil Murray and the CIO. Lewis plans to oust Murray as United Miner vice president and withdraw the UNIV from the CIO.
 As the Policy Committee Is made up largely of hand-plcked Lewis henchmen, he Is virtually certain to have his way. But the fight may not be as One-sided as he expects.
 Murray forces have two brick. bats Up their sleeve that are sure to cause noisy explosions. One Is a demand that Lewis re- veal how many relatives he has on union payrolls and the total Lew is family "take" from this source According to a recent Washington Merry Go Round computation nine members of the Lewis clar draw more than $i00, GOO annually from union funds.
 The other bombsheEl is c de- mand for a complete report on tht operations of UNIV District 50 which Lewis has been using for or. gazining sorties into agriculture transportation, munitions and oth. CT key industries. It is charget that in New York, District 6t agents have been secretly playing ball with Christian Front ele' ments.
 Lewis has never disclosed an, information on the extent of hil nepctism and the activities of Dis trict 50, which he rules with ar iron fist through hie daughter