The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-11-05
FLIGHT
Facts Behind The
News Facts
Bio Shots" Make Elmer
Davis Very Tired
Moreanihsu-Byrnes
Rift Revealed
Adolf and Benifo
Not Speakine7
By RAY TUCKER

WESTINGHOUSE Francisco
Chronicle Editor Paul c. Smith
quit his navy lieutenant COM
mander post to become a buck
private in the U. S. Marines be-
cause he was fed up with army
navy censorship and concealment
of vital news. As a good soldier,
Mr.. Smith may not be In a po-
sition TO admit this story openly,
but here are the facts behind the
facts:
The lieutenant commander bat
tied daily with Secretary Knox
and Admiral Ernest J. King, who
is the closest-mouthed person in
Washington, for full and swift
revelation of the truth about
naval losses. He did not get to
first base. We still do not know
what happened at Pearl Harbor.
in the Java Sea, at Midway or
off the Solomons. In disgust at
this Withholding of information,
Smith switched from the navy to
Elmer Davis office OF war infor-
nation.
Elmer has been Paurs kind Of
man. He has exasperated the
White House, navy. war and state
departments with his demands for
the lowdown on operations. Few
weeks ago he was on the verge
of walking out because he was
being suppressed by the big
shots" But after consulting
writer friends Mr.. Davis decided
to play along for a while and re-
sign, if he must, over an issue
which would shake the nation.
Paul, frank newspaperman,
could not wait for a similar eli
max, so he is now undergoing
Commando training at Paris
island.
It's an abominable pun, but
Washington insiders suggest that
Henry L. Morgenthau, jr., dashed
off to England for no reason ex-
cept he was "Byrnesed up by
the appointment of the former
supreme court justice as economic
stabilizer. The secretary ran
away from a knockdown fight
with the man who is, at least
temporarily. his boss.
In one of his first statements
as car, Mr.. Byrnes made clear
that taxes as well as prices and
wages came within his jurisdic-
ton. His amazing remark escaped
general notice though spread on
the record of several congressional
committees. but it did not pass
the Morgenthau muster. Although
mainly an administration spokes-
man and propaganda, the treas
ury's chief takes himself and his
finances quite seriously. And he
did not like the idea of Mr..
Byrnes barging into his field.
There are unsubstantated but
seemingly correct rumors that
Henry carried his complaint
against Jimmie to the White
House. The president, who does
not like divisions in his official
family, is supposed to have sug-
! gested that the other squire Of
Hyde Park cool off by taking
trim to London. When he comes
back, Mr.. Byrnes viii be sitting
firmly in the economic drivers
seat.
Relations between Berlin and
Rome are near the breaking
point, according TO confidential
reports reaching our military and
diplomatic experts here. The Hit
, ler-Mussolini alliance has been
strained for at least year. but
the latest clash has brought them
. to the spot where they are not
on speaking terms.
Der Fuehrer recently asked Be-
nito to care for approximately
500, 900 Germans who had been
|, blitzed out of their homes by
| British and American planes. This
request is the first admission by
the Reich that it Is suffering
: severely from Allied air raids.
| With his own land punished by
E strafing and his people impover-
| ished by Berlin's demands, II
, Duce refused to comply with the
: Germans latest ultimatum. That
!. is the reason for Herr Himmler's
) recent visit to the Tiber city. He
I laid down the law-again-to the
5 prishoner in the Quirinal, or wher-
: ever Benito sleeps these nights.
Walter FAIR, the British news
. paperman whose credentials were
withdrawn by the army and navy
for an alleged fake" story on
the shipment OF the first batch of
|, American soldiers to Australia,
. viii soon be reinstated.
Ambassador Halifax came 10
his rescue with a moving letter
on the freedom Of the press. But
. Walter was restored to good grace
|. because the censor at Honolulu.
! not he. slipped in permitting his
: dispatch 10 be forwarded 70 Len
don and thence to daihes in the
United States.