The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-08-05


the local news published herein. Al
rights OF republication OF special
dispatches herein are also reserved
MEMBER MICHIGAN
LEAGUE or HOME DAILIES
National Advertising Representative
Scheerer and co.
AIS Lexington Ave, New York
80 L. Wacker Drive, Chicago
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST >, 1912
- WE NEED ANOTHER BUREAU
In the same sentence in which
We express the belief that We have
too many bureaus in Washington
We want TO 90 on record today with
the suggestion that We need still
another. We need bureau OF COM
mon decency and consideration, a
bureau or a department or a some
thing with brains and common sense
in it TO follow through on the good
neishbor policy that President
Roosevelt advocates.
What We mean may be illustrat-
ed by the story OF a little Mexican
worker who came to the United
States TO buy few spare parts for
his electrical factory in Mexico City
and finally left Washington bewil-
dered and in tears over the com
plexities OF Americas war effort.
II epitomiIes the difficulties
which many small American manu-
fa gfpo in
efforts 10 keep going midst the
turmoil Of a great democracy at
war. and 1t reflects our indiffeI-
ence.
Jesus Alvarez was true believer
In the good neighbor policy. He
read in his Mexican papers that
Uncle Sam was no longer the Col.
ossus OF the North but friend
OF the people OF Latin America,
especially those in Mexico
When Jesus Alvarez took unto
himself shy young Mexican bride
a few weeks ago. his father made
him a partner in the little family
firm. the Material Electrico Co. The
future looked bright indeed for
Jesus. except that rhe firm vas
short o. spare parts and faced ruin
unless they we're obtained Written
order 10 American firms brought
the answer that no delivery prom
ises could be made.
So Jesus Alvarez decided his
honeymoon would be a trip 10 the
United States. where he could show
his bride the great neighboring
country that was so friendly TO
Mexico. and at the same time pur-
chase the spare parts on which their
future depended
With 81 900 OF borrowed money
for the purchase Of the necessary
equipment. Jesus came 10 the Unit
ed States. He bought the spare
parts from a firm in the East and
shipped them himself 10 Mexico.
The shipment was stopped at Lar
edo. Texas, where Jesus was told
II could not cross the border with
out an export license.
An export license was something
Of which Jesus had never heard, but
he asked where he could get II. He
was informed he must apply 10 the
Board OF Economic Warfare IL
Washington. Jesus spoke practically
no English. but nevertheless he
took the train 10 Washington and
went 10 the BEW.
He spent nearly a week trying
10 find somebody who could listen
TO his story. Finally. he was told 70
fill out an application. The applica-
tion was sent to the WPB A week
later Jesus was told the war in
formation section OF WPB had never
heard OF his firm in Mexico City.
and therefore no export license
could be granted
BY this time Jesus was desper-
ate The goods for which he had
paid his borrowed $1,000 we're still
at Laredo. The storage charges
were getting almost as high as the
cost OF them. Jesus had TO do some
thing. Like so many others. in
Washington Jesus decided to see
someone with influence. The one
man with influence OF whom he had
heard was President Roosevelt.
Surely the President, Who had said
so many nice things about Mexico
and the people Of Latin America.
would help him. He headed for the
White House. with his bride by his
side. The police would not even let
him on the White House side OF the
street.
He finally turned up at the Next
can embassy in tears and somewhat
doubtful about the American good
neighbor policy. Don Justo Sierra.
second secretary OF the embassy.
explained the intricacies OF getting
spare parts in America these days
and sent him hack to Mexico City
with a promise the embassy would
try to do something for him
With his goods still running up
expense at Laredo. and his applica-
ton somewhere in the WPB mill.
our little Mexican friend finds war
industry an expensive undertaking
and the good neighbor spirit in
tangible and difficult TO under.
stand.
-f O.