Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-02-04
Navy Clears
Sea Route
To Australia
Raid on Japanese Islands
Not Commando Stuff
BY PAUL MALLON

M zen. 4.-Iho
W navy raid on the Marshall
and Gilbert Islands was an cf-
fort 10 cut a clear seaway for
us through 10 the Dutch East
Indies and Australia, in my
opinion
II does not represent the open
ing Salvo of a drive 10 rotake
the stepping stones we have lost
or TO fight our way back across
the central Pacific.
If we were ready for that, we
would have captured the islands
or have tried 10 recapturc Wake
or Guam.
THE Japanese have an inside
Il track 10 the central Pacific
area, well protected by the Vol
cano and Marianne Islands run
ming Straight. south from Toxic
10 Guam. We VIII have 10 wait
10 crack that.
But they were sitting right
across our transport route with
large forces of scouting planes
and bombcrS in the Marshall and
Gilbert bases. tTheir air forces
must have been large, because
we lost II planes in the attack
Those bases had 10 be broken
up to assure safety for our ships
moving into the southern Pacific.
Thus, it seems to me. the UNI
explained raid was neither
foray likc the commands raids
on Norway. nor necessarily the
opening of a broad attack.
MR.. NELSON is getting ready
A'l for some head-rolling.
This sharp new arrangement
for keeping daily track of prog
ross on 300 main war items was
a preparation for II.
All who do not produce must
90. and this new daily Checkup
will show who is not producing
although this conclusion was not
mentioned in the official an
nouncementS.
Nelson is now to receive from
Stacy May. head of his progress
reporting division. report each
- hours on all tagging of pro-
ducton behind the schedules
fixed.
If tank. gun or plane produc-
ton. for instance. falls off for a
day. Nelson will know it next
day.
Ii the defect is in tanks. Mel
son will request for a breakdown
on tank production, showing
whether tranSmiSSiOnS. armor.
bearings or what is holding up
the parade
Within half an hour after re-
ceiving the deficiency reports
Nelson expects to have his fin
ger on the trouble.
His notion seems TO be that
excuses have held up production
more than anything else. and he
believes this checkup is excuse
proof.
He will soon be able TO fix
responsibility on the individual
or individuals at fault either IN
his WPB, the army or in IN
duStry.
WHEN the Senate agriculture
w committee barred the door
and went TO work on Agrlcul-
turc Secretary WiCkard, II now
develops. the members gave him
the toughest maulinG that
cabinet officer has received IN
many a year
One senator threatened HIM
with impeachment.
The farm bloc is still angry
Though comparatively quiet at
having been outwittcd IN inc
last analysis Of the price bill by
Nh. Henderson tbacked by Mr..
ROOSEVELT.
They now feel stronger
against their friend Wlckard
than against their antagonist,
henderson.
If the government surplus
selling program is so conducted
as 10 hold farm prices around
100 per cent of parity you may
see some new legislation tackled
on as a rider TO one of these APP
preparations bills (deSigncd TO
keep the government from sell
ing).
billions of dollars for war
- are flying through Con-
grcSS like feathers from bill
lion pillows.
The Senate spent less than
two hours on the $26, 900 200, 600
naval appropriations bill.
Not much more time was de-
voted 10 debating the ST. 5OO.-
100000 army bill. Together
they amount almost TO the size
of the federal debt when II wor-
Rcd many people year or two
back
The committees ask the adj
mlralS and GENERALS only
whether the budget bureau has
approved the outlay and then
shoot II through.
CatcgorIcS arc Jumped TO dis
guiSc specific purposes, so there
is nothing 10 debate.
DlPLEY won't believe this one
IL Tho nickel contains more
silver than tho dollar