Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-03-06
Runyon Tips
MncheII Off
On Congress
Disregard lis Squawks.
Rival Writer Told y

Rival Writer Told u.
BY DAMON RUNYON '
WE SEE where our volatile
pal. Walter Winchell. has
gone busting off TO Washington
TO request assignment TO active
duty in the navy because some
congressman let out a squawk
that he either be so assigned or
dlsenrolled.
As this is little matter with
which some of our readers may
not be familiar, we will explain
mat the celebrated columnist, a
navy veteran of the last World
war and a member of the naval
reserve since 1894. requested
and was granted what they call
volunteer active duty" without
pay last December and was
given the rank of lieutenant
commander.
He has devoted himself heart
and soul TO raising money for
the navy relief fund, which Is
accounted by the navy itself an
extremely important movement.
lie was directly responsible for
raising a large sum through a
prize night and has been laboring
Stoutly IN the interests Of a huge
show that will be put on at
Madison Square Garden on
March 10 for the Navy Relief.
HE HAS continued his famous
II column right along and also
his weekly broadcasts. the for.
mer work being quite within
navy regulations and the latter
deemed of tremendous value by
the navy because Winchell gen.
orally manages TO work in a
little propaga ID a for the
AnchorS-Aweigh lads and is
credited with greatly stimulat.
ing eniStmentS. incidentally. 4
he has donated part of his radio
stipend 10 the relief cause.
Now then, as you perhaps well
know. w in h Q ! ! has always
spoken his mind about all public
figures. including congressman.
with special reference 10 the
latter, and some of his comments
must have worked in under the
hides of our statesmen already
tcndCriZed by the barbS of public
opinion on the pensions.
Recently some Of them began
taking picks on him about his
navy status, eliminating in the
demand mentioned.
In view. Of the obvious animus
behind the demand. most persons
m WInChcll'S position would have
paid no attention 20 II and gone
on about the work that is so
generally applauded by The pub
lie and the bonefclarieS.
But Walter is an imprisoned
fellow about all things and he
felt that his patriotism and brav-
CRY had been impugned, which
of course Is arrant nonsense in
view Of his record. So off he goes
observation-disclosures 10 Washington
10 bare his bosom. so 10 speak.
for his country
WELL we do not know lust
w exactly what Walter con-
SidcrS active duty but if he is
thinking in terms of service
aboard ship Of the line IN the
battle, area. We fear that al his
age and with his lack Of prac-
tlcal schooling IN that depart.
mcnt, he would only be in the
way.
The navy docs not want infu-
fighting strength and in the
meantime tho navy relief fund
would be- suffering from tho loss
Of one Of It's greatest assets.
The sacrifice OF WinChells life
might satisfy his pride and
crafty some Of his enemies. but
! il would scarcely make up for
the gap il would leave in his
present field OF patriotic en-.
deavor.
The navy does not want inf1u-
ential mIddlc-aged gentlemen az
! It's battle stations. but il does
want them behind the lines,
especially those who, like VIM
chell, arc willing 10 work night
and day in practical effort for
the navy.
1 Nd If II secs fit IN reward
Il those persons with uniforms
aHd titles Wr think II * small
enough conversation for their
laborS. And If they take con-
>plouou> pride ia their reward.
they are entitled 10 IT,
This is inst another of those
instances Of StIaining ~ trifles
that has won for some congress-
men The rld.ruio Of their fellow
citizens
If WnchcIl could he Of real
. service ON war vessel that is
where ho should be- and that is
/ whore the critical congressman
should be, too, under similar
conditions.
But since his service is more
valuable IN the field in which
he is engaged that is where
Winchell should remain and the
navy should request the con-