The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1942-12-17
Gianis OF The Air 70
Meet in Africa
May Determine What
VIII Happen in I943
More Sideliehts on
COP Conference
Lame Duck Amendment
Still Lame
By RAY TUCKER

portance the bloody battle over
Britain.
AS that struggle saved the
Allies thin line until the United
States entered the conflict, so the
pending joust may determine
whether the United Nations or
the axis powers will enjoy supe-
riority during the admittedly
critical year of 1913. Il may give
some inkling Of the prospective
length Of the war.
Even though IL necessitated
withdrawal of their most power
full luftwaffe units from the Rus
sian front, the Reich has thrown
all her aerial might into the
Tunisian and Mediterranean af-
fair. with apologies to the
Japs," as Maj. Gen. II. II. Arnold
puts it, we shall meet in these
Nazi filters the finest the foe can
offer. For the first time our
brand new pursuits tLightnings,
Thunderbolts and Mustangs) will
encounter the latest Focke-Wulf
and Messerschmitt models. The
masters will come face to face at
last.
Both the Nips and Germans
have deliberately refrained from
tackling these modern pursuits
and our Flying Fortresses in close
combat. Now it is believed they
have perfected a technique for
offsetting the durability and fir
ing power of these types. In
other words, this is the cham
pionship bout with no punches
barred and money on the line.
For a while our side may suffer
reverses. The enemy has the ad-
vantage Of a short supply line,
whereas we must ship or pilot our
craft more than 5000 miles. But
we are rushing tremendous ar
madas, materiel and men into the
area, and leaders here and abroad
are not particularly concerned
about the long-range result.
Election of Harrison E. Spang-
Ter as Republican national chair
man was a victory for the smart
faction which saw no sense in a
family row about a comparatively
unimportant issue. Despite the
triumphant chortles from the
Willkieites, the outcome did not
enhance the Hoosier's prestige
with party bosses.
The inside story is that former
leader Joseph w. Martin had sug-
gested the Iowan as his successor
even before he left the capital for
the st. Louis conference. Here
are the simple facts of the cur
rent situation that faces the
minority:
Prospects in 1914 look so bright
that the managers did not want
quarrel regarding isolationism
or internationalism. Nor did they
desire an aggressive, controversial
figure for the next two years, as
Werner Schroeder of Illinois
might have been. The COP
chooses to drift with the tide
until national and foreign events
clarity the partisan scene. There
is time enough TO make vital de-
eisions on policies and personal
tiles.
Mr.. Spangler is an old-time
solon from way back. He will
not make enemies by sensational
statements or actions. Some read
into his selection a trend toward
INSTRUMENTATION. But the truth
is that he supported Teddy Roose-
Welt in 1912 and belongs to the
rather progressive Iowa school.
Proof that his choice was not a
Willkie accomplishment is that
Senator Taft, a Bricker hacker
and pre-Pearl Harbor nom
interventionist, rounded up many
Of the votes which put over the
man from the tall corn country.
Question Of the effectiveness
Of the lame duck" amendment in
accomplishing its purpose has
been raised IN committee discus
sion Of the several bills which the
administration wishes passed be-
fore the next congress comes to
Washington. Republicans, as well
as farm and labor opponents Of
the proposals, have advanced the
theory that no measure Of i'm
portance should be enacted in the
dying days Of this session.
The constitutional change was
designed 10 prevent members re-
rudiated at the polls in Noyem-
Der from sitting until December
Of next year. II was supposed to
give fresh men whose ideas con-
form to shifting public sentiment
a chance TO vote that transfer
nation in thought But the re-
suits on last election day. when
the COP almost captured control
Of the lower chamber, show that
the Norris revision does not oper-
ate in full. For al least two
months. lawmakers who were
smacked down by the citizenry
can make major decisions and
several vital principles are in
volved in White House sugges-
lions now before Capitol Hill.