The Durant news. (Durant, Miss.) 1882-1985, 1942-01-15
THROUGH
n A z E L
< Y E S
.
BY
Hazel Brannon

IT seems fairly evident now to
most everyone in the country that
our war-effort has not been and IS
not satisfactory If we are to achieve
ultimate victory as we must.
1t also seems fairly evident that
the reason for that unsatisfactory
state is lack of clear-planning in
washington among government Of
ficials and those directing the war
effort. II seems to us that the great
est part of that responsibility falls
on Mr.. Roosevelt's shoulders due to
the fact that he has clearly objected
to delegating any Of his vast authori-
ty and responsibility to someone UNI
der him. The President himself
seems to have forgotten that this IL
deadly war in which we are engaged,
war that we can lose if we are not
very careful. He has seemed to be
perfectly willing to confine his APP
pointments to the inner New Deal
circle and to those Of that circle who
lean to the pink Social side.
With the appointment of Mr., Don
aid NJ. Nelson, as production and
procurement supreme authority, let
us hope that new day has dawned
in Washington. Let US hope that Mr..
Nelson will have a free hand to pick
men to work under him to discharge
the great responsibilities of procur-
ing and producing the vast ornaments
needed desperately now by this
country's armed forces, to say moth
ing of the needs of our allies.
Since Pearl Harbor our Congress
has foregone politics completely as
well as the public. The nation con-
gealed into unity when the Jap bombs
fell on Hawaii. Now it is time for
the President himself to forget party
and politics and New Deal and con-
csntrate entirely on getting the best
brains and best hands in this country
to plan and direct every phase Of the
war effort and every organization
connected with It.
If there isn't considerable improve.
ment soon in the administration of
our affairs at Washington the peo-
pie of the country are going to be-
come very greatly alarmed at the
outcome Of this war and with just
reason.
An army must have confidence in
its leaders to win q battle. This
counssy must have confidence in its
leaders in Washington II We are go-
ing to win the production battle that
is necessary before We can even
fight in the field.
900
1t should be obvious to Mrs. Roose-
welt and New York's Mayor La
Guardia that they are not wanted
in the civilian defense setup. Good
taste would have demanded that they
step down and hand the reins to
someone else when provision was
made for civilian defense to be plac-
ed under the war department.
But the Little Flower" refused
to relinquish his dual post as civilian
defense head and mayor of our lar
gest city. And Mrs. Roosevelt has
said nothing about stepping down.
Congressional authorities have
frequently talked lot about Mrs.
Roosevelt's activities without men
tioning ner name AS First Lady OF
the Land she is entitled to that cour-
tesy and respect.
On the other hand civilian defense
is an important part Of the war eff
fort and those persons in charge
should either carry out their jobs
successfully or be criticized severely
and replaced. Since Mrs. Roosevelt
is immune to criticism by virtue OF
her position we think it would be
wiser for everyone concerned II
she would graciously release herself
from the office.
Planning for civilian defense in
the large coast cities is wise and
necessary precaution. 1t should be
done thoroughly and efficiently.
--OOo--
Holmes county is extremely proud
Of its splendid response to the Am
erican Red Cross war relief drive.
Every single community in the coun-
ty, with the exception Of three, over
subscribed its quota. Returns from
those three communities are still in
complete. The county as a whole has
already given over its $4,000 quota
nearly four hundred dollars.
Holmes county is indeed one OF
the biggest and best counties in the
state of Mississippi and its people
always do their part and more in any
worthy cause.
900
The u. S. Senate passed bill
this week to restore the name OF the
late Col. William Billy Mitchell 70
the War department rolls with the
rank of Major General, rank that
he would have held if alive and &C
tive in service continuously from the
time his name was dropped.
Our readers will remember Col.
Mitchell as the man who had courage
enough 70 question and tangle with