The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-06-24
Observations
LaGuardia Regards
Probe as Likely to
do Him Good
ey Charfes p. stewart

MAYOR FIORELLO X. LA
GUARDIA Of New York won his
national reputation for originality
as a congressman in Washington.
in his own little Manhattan repre-
senatorial district he doubtless al
ready had established himself be-
fore his baillwick sent him to the
oountry's capital. otherwise his ur-
ban neighbors probably wouldn't
have picked him for his legislative
seat under the dome alongside the
Potomac. 1t was as one Of the whole
country's lawmakers, though that
he registered on a sufficiently out
standing scale to land him in the
Chief Executives office in Uncle
Sans continental metropolis.
The fact Is that Capitol Hill re-
CARDS him as rather more ITS pro-
duct than Gothams.
Well, Fiorello is assessed by
WashinEtonian statesmen as a pref.
" advanced political liberal, or
maybe as an unqualified radical.
Conservatives have viewed him
askauce consequently. But I've ner'
er heard one of them imply that
he wasn't absolutely on the level.
As one editorial commentator has
expressed IL. hes been as honest
as it's POSSIBLE for a politician
10 be-
Yet. he hasn't been celebrated
for good temper.
When he has been criticized he
has "sasSed back energetically.
Thus, when Manhattan's city
council voted an Investigation OF
his municipal administration, Con-
Eress' reaction was that his COM
ment would be something super
scorching.
To the amazing contrary. his i'm
mediate verdict was that the coun-
Gil was entirely within its rights"
let II investigate. His only qualifi-
cation was that its quiz shouldn't be
made ridiculOusly eXpensiye-but
he didn't put any lid on it.
Now. II New York City hasn't had
q lot OF grating administrative sub
divisions, It's news to the rest OF
the United States
It's a fair conclusion that Fiorello
has been kept guessing on them.
The truth is that the Little Flow
e." is under attack, not from honest
folk. but from crooks. who object
10 his Interference with their graft
ing.
Indeed. I've heard critics main
tain that he has hampered war
work by being too honest That is,
he is suspected Of having caused
delay and trouble by imposing de-
lay and moralities in cities that do
not altogether indorse them.
And the other municipalities may
fall within the same classification,
but New York naturally is a con-
Bpicuous ones.
Advertise it." is Fiorellos motto.
His program is to make 1t con-
spicuous everywhere. New York is
where to make it noticeable from
everywhere likewise.
A kind Of general mayoralty is
his scheme.
II won't work in little burgs, but
Fiorello's is TO concentrate on it
He is national mayor"
His plan is TO get little groups
together. The little groups do not
altogether like being merged. SO
they are investigating" him.
Let them investigate" answers
Fiorello.
His case Is an outstanding exam.
pie.
He isn't afraid Of being quizzed.
He ditto's other local administra'
tions.
A lot Of little municipal branches
may be crooked "Okay,' says the
Little Flower" but it's imma-
terial in general. In detail, let them
be MISUNDERSTANDING mine.
I'm not scared personally
The thing has strung along for
years back. You can't correct 1t In a
decade Of time.
II anybody thinks that this is 60
ing to be respectable in wartime
short-order, morally speaking, he is
an optlmlst.
But Fiorello is willing 10 be in
Vestigated. He is willing 70 have
his Administrator investigated, any
way.
II won't be federal investigation
but it will amount to the same
thing.
II won't fall far short OF an in.
qulry, II the New York mayors
slate is clean. to qualify him Tor
the presidency some time later. He