The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-07-16


the arrival of the electioneering
season.
This was clearly demonstrated
in the senate in the recent vote
confirming Thomas F. Meaney as
a federal district judge of New
Jersey. MIR. Meaney had been
nominated by President Roosevelt
clearly because the President
wanted the election backing OF
boss Frank Hague, powerful New
Jersey political machine leader,
who wanted Meaney appointed:
In a three-hour speech IN the
senate, Senator Norris said: Ihls
is no local matter; this Is a ma
tional issue. Confirmation OF this
nominee of the notorious Hague
machine will be received with
shame and condemnation by the
liberty-loving people OF this ma
ton" Those favoring this nomlna-
ton were challenged to give their
reasons, but except for a few
remarks by Senator McCarran OF
Nevada, they remained silent
Senator Smathers of New jersey
chief supporter of the candidate
said that he would not make a
two-hour speech he had prepared
in order to save time and permit
the senate to vote. When the vote
was taken, only one Republican
voted for Meaney and only one
Democrat voted against him. The
nomination was therefore con-
firmed by vote of 80 to ~. .
An equally pointed example OF
politics first" was displayed IN
the house of representatives when
its members agreed to lop OFT
more than half Of the approprla-
ton requested for the Office OF
Price Administration. Leon Hen
derson, head of the OPA, had
estimated that he would neeo
S161, 100000 to carry on the WORK
of his office during the next year,
but after only cursory analysis
of his needs the house voted to
cut his appropriation to S7o,oOO'-
900.
It was evident that this cut was
made. not as a means of reducing
government costs, but to PUNISH
Mr., Henderson for his unwilling
ness to play politics.
Mr.. Henderson now employs 81
576 people in Washington, in the
field and on rationing boards and
estimates that to do his job ade-
uuatelv he will need to employ
$4,000 people during the coming
wear, But Mr.. Henderson, in hano.
ing out these jobs, is accused OF
the unpardonable practice of pick
ing people according to their a.
bility instead of their party al
filiations. The politically minded
house members can't see permit
ting such potentially juicy vote
getting organization to be kept out
of politics.
Mr. Henderson said that the
drastically reduced appropriation
would necessitate his cutting MS
present staff and that unless ao-
5;+;ona1 staff is available there
will be after Reorganization ana
anarchy in the distribution OF
scarce commodities as supplies
run out"
81 am convinced that I failed,
he said, Sin presenting the ouo-
get to the appropriations commit
tee, to bring home to the members
a full realization of the enormous
administrative job embodied IN
rationing scarce goods to l3o,oOO'-
coo people, in fixing rents for w.
100000 people, and holding down
the cost of living by price ceilings
affecting 100000 business enter
prlSeS.
But Mr.. Henderson, and prac-
tically everyone else in Washing
ton. realizes that the funds were
cut off, not because house mem
bers though they weren't needed
but because Mr.. Henderson hasn't
been "playing ball" with the poll
ticians.
Realizing the eye-on-the-elec-
tion attitude of both houses OF
congress, and knowing that con-
gressmen think taxes hurt votes,
Secretary of Treasury Morgen-
thau recently released a clear
presentation of the state of the ma
tion,s finances and pleaded for
higher taxation during the COM
ing year.
He said the expenses of the gov
eminent in the fiscal year which
ended June 80 had been $32,397,-
100000, about 80 per cent of
which was for war activities. Net
revenue receipts during the year
were $12,799,OOO,O00, leaving a
deficit for the year of $685.
600, 900.