The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1943-01-04
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BY Lame Duck Law
Another Move in Africa
Checker Game
Federal Communications
Control Nearer
Senator Arthur Clspper
Let's Himself In
BY RAY TUCKER


Josiah W. Bailey, recently gave
the President a helpful lesson in
basic law. Oddly enough. the man
who explained fundamental legis-
lation to the Chief Executive was
the editor of a religious maya
zine before he arrived on Capitol
Hill.
The president is trying to place
loyal but defeated officeholders
in juicy federal jobs. Ex-Repre-
sentative Tom Eliot Of Harvard
fame will be sent to London to
explain our unlisted war aims to
Prime Minister Churchill and to
the British people. War dancer
and shouter Josh Lee Of Okla
homa. who was licked in the last
balloting, was made one Of the
Civil Aeronautics board. II was
then that Josiah sounded his
trumpet. He warned Mr.. Roose-
welt that the constitution forbids
the appointment Of a member Of
congress to any agency which
was created during his term. So
the Prohibitionist boy from Okla
homa must wait until the expira-
ton of his service before he can
collect his ten thousand dollars a
year.
Another manned politico who
may get Washington plum, pos
sibly as a postwar planner, is
Senator George w. Norris, who
authored the bill to eliminate
solons repudiated by voters. For
him to accept any assignment
would be an ironic commentary
on the philosophy behind his re-
form. So ne probably won't take
any handout.
The selection of General Emile
Bethouart as head Of the French
mission of supplies shows how
realistic and opportunistic a poll
cy the United States is pursuing
toward Vichy and its satellite
units. Don't be astonished if the
old Marshal himself comes over
to our side one of these days.
General Bethuart, a hero Of
two wars, was seized by the
American forces when they de-
scended on North Africa. As a
Petain supporter, he was about
TO be interned, presumably as an
enemy. He convinced our people
that he had been only a Hitler
hostage, as was the late Admiral
Jean Francois Darlan, and that
he had always yearned for a
United Nations victory. His
haison officer, Guilliaume Georg-
es-Picot, was close TO French
Ambassador CASTOR Henri-Haye
until the envoy was confined in
Hershey. Pennsylvania. So we
have decided to welcome him as
a loyal associate.
We mean TO utilize these men
as we did Darlan. His assassina-
ton created many new problems
but it also solved some major
troubles. His demise has DEM
onstrated, as Secretary Hull has
all our promises and commit
ments in the Dark Continent
have a military rather than a
political background.
Federal control, deletion and
censorship Of telephones. tele-
grams and mail lie just around
the New Year corner. As this
column has frequently forecast,
lines of communication have be-
come so cramped that Uncle Sam
must intervene. In fact, he has
already.
Senator Arthur Capper, who
fsncies himself a ladies' man des-
pite his four score years. recently
met a lovely damsel at a holiday
party. The ever-obliging Kansas
farmer and publisher went 10
town-or almost.
Listen" he said. fAnd this In
an old line.) You come up and
] will get you q special card for
the senatorial gallery. Will
take you for a ride on the sub
way which shuttles between the
legislative halls and our office
building"
The girl, having a sense Of
humor, agreed 10 accept all these
statesmanlike favors. What the
Kansan hasn't found out Is that
his new friend is the daughter
Of Senate Majority Leader Bark
ley and the wife Of Douglas A.
Macarthur, the nephew Of the
hero Of Bataan, Australia, New
Guinea and shore stations.
She probably knows Capitol
Hill-her father has been a mem
Der Of the House ana upper
chamber for years-better than
Cspper does.
Democratic key men have
grsciously unbent and given the
enlarged Republican representa-
ton greater power on one con-
gressional committee.
Speaker Sam Rayburn has
granted the Martinites ten IN
stead Of nine men and reduced
his own complement TO five in
stead Of SIX. But the group hap
pens 10 be the District OF Co
lumbia committee. a rather IN
important body which serves as
a board Of sub-sldermen for tina