The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-06-20

the fertilization of Alaska.
 Gov. Gruening contended that the Japs were sure to bomb AL aska, probably would attempt 8 landing, and that Alaska was woe- fully undefended.
 Finally, Gov. GruenlTg went to see the President himself. The President synpathized heartily, but finally replied by asking this question:: +
 "H0w many planes do yhu think we have defending the city of New York?
 Then he went on to say that he had called in the Army a few days before to answer that ques- tion, and was surprised at the figure. The President also went on to explain that 1t was abSo- lutely essential for us to send planes to war fronts where they could be used immediately-Where the fighting was actually taking place. If they went to Alaska or New York, he pointed out, they might sit there for months do- ing nothing, while the battles were being lost on the Russian front.
 Therefore, the limited number of planes had to be distributed to areas where the need was urgent.
 This was the position also talk en by Gen Marshall, Admiral King and other war chiefs, and ex- plains why the Japanese had such an easy time getting foot hold on the extreme end of the Aleutian Islands.
 Since this White House conver- Sation last winter, U. s. air strength has been enormously in- creased. Present disposition of forces is a military secret. The Aleutian Island bases remain au- important in staging air raids on Japan and that is why the Japs were anxious to seize them.
 NOTE = The American public is completely sympathetic with the necessity of spreading our de- lenses thin, but not SO sympathe- tic with the official minimizing of the Aleutian Island attack. At first this attack was deneid-- though we had a radio station on Attu which must have reported or at least gone silent after the at- tack. Then 1t was announced that no important Jap ships were in the Aleutians. Following which 1t was revealed that we had hit or sunk eight ships-so there must have been quite a few there after all.
 EUCHRING FRANK MURPHY
 Looks as if some of Justice Frank Murphy's friends" were trying to eucher him off the Su- preme Court.
 After he became a lieutenant colonel in the army, Attorney General Riddle telephoned Chief Justice Stone and told him that under a Justice Department rul- ing, no one could take two oaths of office-as a justice of the Su- preme Court and as 8 lieutenant colonel in the Army.
 Riddle said the matter was ex- amined carefully when U. s. Judge Charles E. Clark of the 2nd Cir court of Appeals wanted to do some additional work for the gov- ,, ernment, and 1t was vetoed by the Justice Department.
 Those around the Supreme Court are mystified by Biddle's
 call, but some interpret it is the unseen hand of Justice Fe- lix Frankfurter, 8 friend of
 Bidle's who would like to see another Court vacancy, especially
 at the expense of Murphy.
 NOTE = Meanwhile Justice Murphy has received almost uni versal acclaim for preparing him. self for eventualities in the army JESSE JONES' HOME TOWN
 When the U. s. was planning to import Chilean nitrate some time ago, Stanley T. Crossland ol Jesse Jones REC discussed asplar for insuring the nitrate with Stew. art Hopps, well known New Xorl insurance man.
 He said the nitrate from Chilt would be ynloaded at Houston Texas (Jesse Jones home town