The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-12-21
Observations
japanese Turn
EN- phasis Toward
Air Bases
BY Helen sssry


Some Navy officials in Washing
ton are expecting intensitication OF
Japan's submarine MI pa n
against Allied merchant shipping in
the Pacific resulting from the cur
rent offensive which deprived the
Nips OF valuable air bases on the
west flank OF the shipping routes.
Hitherto. the Japs relied on planes
from the Solomons and Gilberts 10
threaten American shipping and to
force vessels to take a wide. time
consuming detour on the route 70
the Southwest Pacific. 81
Best bet is that the Jap. having
lost his air bases in the Solomons
and Gilberts, will resort to other
tactics.
Early in the war. the Jap used
his submarine fleet-except in a
few isolated cases-in conjunction
with his surface forces against Am
erican warships. These tactics
proved costly to Americans early in
the war, both in the Solomons and
elsewhere.
Prediction: Japan may attempt
sub attacks against Allied merchant
shipping. but most Navy men feel
the enemy high command has wait
ed too long. II such a method is
used, II probably will do little
harm to Allied shipping-which now
is well protected in conveys.
A presidential veto looms for the
Senate railway wage resolution
when 1t finally reaches Roosevelts
desk.
The measure. which by now is
certain to have been approved by
the upper chamber, declares valid
a stright eight-cents.an-hour pay
hike for 100, 900 incorporating train
men.
Both management and labor Drag
inally agreed 10 the increase. but
Economic StabiliEer Fred Ninson
twice rejected the arrangement on
the grounds that it would menace
the .'hold the line against initiation
order OF the Chief Executive.
Informed Capitol Hill sources,
basing their belief on radio ad'
dress by War Mobilizer Byrnes. pre-
dict that Roosevelt is nearly certain
10 veto the measure. Byrnes de-
scribed the rail workers as holding
a political pistol at the head o.
Congress"
Whether the Senate and House
have sufficient votes TO override a
veto remains problematicsl.
GOPoliticos are watching with
keen interest the selection OF Rep
Charles A. Halleck OF Indiana as
chairman OF the National Repuo-
licsn congressional campaign COM
mittee succeeding Rep, J. William
Otter of Pennsylvania, killed In an
airplane. crash.
There is much behind the move
and IL has many implications.
Halleck attained national promi-
nence In 1910 when he nominated
Wendell Willkie, another Hoosier,
for President. To Hslleck's speech
was attributed much OF the success
of the "Willkie Blitz." Halleck. how
ever has now cooled on Willkie-
which Is important in pivotal In
diana and dangerous to Willkie.
Halleck is assured OF seat in
the House as long as he wants 1t.
observers agree, and as congress
sional campaign leader he will be
in line for majority leadership IL
the Republicans capture the lower
branch in 1874.
The National Planning Associa
ton takes credit for the fact that
Bernard VI. Baruch is in charge OF
drafting the broad blueprint for
postwar conversion. Insiders say
that NPA quietly recommended del
eKation OF the assignment to Bar
UGH TO President Roosevelt weeks
ago.
NPA also would more or less by.
pass WIPE on the postwar job. Its
program includes creation OF Ma
tional Reconversion commission
and appointment Of national re-
conversion administrator
Good chance for another round
OF alphabetical federal units,
Although the Administration has
told farmers they will get plenty
OF farm machinery to do the job in
1e44-the fact Is that there is some
doubt about it now.
Huge orders for landing barges
from the military have put a crimp
in steel allotments for farm ma.
chipery. It's the old case OF the
military needs coming first-vith
the farmers in close, but too far,
second.
Already hard-pressed for machin-
cry. farmers may have to stretch
out their old equipment another
year.