Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-05-16
Bureaucrats
Try to Cover
Congressman
Dare 10 Challenge X
Cards for Patriots
BY GEO. RoTHwELL BROWN


WASHINGTON, May l5.-The
contention by Mr.. Leon Hender-
sons office Of price control that
senators and members Of the
House of Representatives are not
entitled 10 "X' ration cards,
giving them unlimited quantities
Of gasoline, is predicated upon
the amazing and impudent as
sumption by the vast Washing
ton bureaucracy that the duties
and responsibilities of members
OF the Congress are not essential
10 the war work.
Some few senators and repre-
SentativeS, with customary
tlmidity, have run 10 cover on
the issue thus raised Some
have refused "X' cards and some
have turned them back
Presumably these great states
men are afraid, in campaign
year, that their rigidly rcGi-
mented constituents. on meagr
allowances of gas, would resent
the fact that their senators and
representatives were not SUBJ
iected to the same doles. and
would take il out on thin at the
polls in November.
To this political fear some of
the more apprehensive senator's
and congressman would sacrifice
the greatness of the bodies in
which they serve.
IN RESPONSE to direct in
quiries, Mr.. Joel Dean, chief
of the OPA fuel rationing
branch. issued staten ent
pointing out that driving 10
work by a member Of Congress
did not constitute Official bust
ness.
For sheer bone-headed bu-
reaucratic ignorance and inso-
lenCe that statement would be
hard 10 beat. Imagine what it
implies
It implies that in the opinion
Of some little pip-squeak bureau
crat the stupendous preroga-
tive given TO Congress by the
Constitution, TO enact the laws
by which the government is con-
trolled and financed. does not
constitute anything Official"
So important does the Con-
'stltutiOn regard the work of A
congressman that il expressly
provides that he may not be in
terfered with in any manner, in
going 10 and returning from the
sessions Of the body 70 which he
belongs, except for treason. fell
ony and breach of the peace.
THE very existence Of the
L American Congress depends
upon the ability Of its members
10 attend its sessions AT all
times, and under all conditions,
without interference and with
out restriction.
An excellent argument could
he made for placing senators
and representatives No on the
list Of those entitled. AS long As
gasoline may be available. 10
as much AS in their judgment
may be required in going 10 and
returning from their homes TO
their place of work-the United
States Capitol.
II would be an excellent thing
il Congress in this case told the
Washington bureaucracy 10 60
down 10 the Lincoln Memorial
reflecting pool and Jump in.
Not all Of our senator's and
are highly in
telligent and some If them may
he deplorably lacking in moral
courage. But II cannot be denied
that all Of them are patriotic
and that If granted "X' ration
cards, similar 10 those given 10
doctors, nurses and others of
special class, they would not
waste precious gasoline brought
10 our Seahoard by the heroism
OF our dauntlcSS sailors. on iov
riding or any other unnecessary
form Of driving.
| THINK that Congress should
Il insist here and now that The
work of its members is official
business. and that the arrogant
bureaucracy, which tries 10 as
sert that II is not. has become
lust a little too inSufferable to
he endured much longer.
You can bet Nnur life that
these hureauCratS who swarm
like ants all over the Washing
ton scene viii not be deprived Of
gas. You don have 10 prove 10
them that they are pretty i'm
pOrtant fellows. They will read
ily admit u. They Will get all
the gasoline they want.
Congress should stand up for
vt~l,tr