The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-02-11

Capital May be
Moved Westward
For Safety
BY Charles p. Stewart

VI oulClN
BY Charles p. Stewart
Moving the capital OF the United
States from its present site to a
farther inland city seems like a
near-impossibihty. Nevertheless
il is being urged quite numerously
aud in tones OF obvious sincerity,
Representative Francis Case even
has made speech on the subject
in Congress, pointing TO the Blac
Hills as an IDEAL area for the
seat OF Uncle Sans government.
Hailing from South Dakota, as he
does. the legislators choice Of geo
graphy is understandable Other
lawmakers doubtless would prefer
a selection in some OF their own
various doOryards, but Repre-
sentative case beat them into. the
Congressional Record with his
recommendation.
Reasons given for the proposed
change vary all the way from the
decidedly frivolous to the pretty
well considered.
Among the latter is the verdict
OF experts that Washington is
very vulnerable TO a devastating
air raid So IS New York, TO DO
sure, but there are commercial
reasons why Manhattan could net
possibly pull Up stakes and go
elsewhere, no matter what its
danger Washington could not 40
II. at least theoretically.
Civilian Defense of the District
OF Columbia has been discussed
eXhaustiyely. The attack surely
will come" predicts Col Harold
Evans Hartney, a No. World
War aviation ace. warning the
United States Chamber OF Com
MERGE what he foresees, as ahead
OF US. Beating the Germans won't
prevent il, the colonel assured his
hearers. ContrariwiSe. his fore.
cast was that 1t simply will be
fastened, as the Nazis grow des-
perate.
As practical proposition il g
emphasized that Washington. geo.
graphically, is an exceedingly in
convenient center OF government.
II was picked when We were a
small group OF eastern states and
the site was central at that time.
Now II is close TO the outer edge
and unhandy 10 get into or out OF.
don't know that Deadwood would
be an Improvement on it. but Chi
csgo. for example, might be.
Then, there is the awful Wash.
ington jam to be reckoned with at
junctures like the present. Mt
much OF the jam would be relieved
by transfer, say, to Deadwood,
but Chicago might have more elias
ticity. 1t has unoccupied prairies
TO fall back on. That burg is fair
ly well equipped to accommodate
big gatherings, though capitaliza-
ton would strain il, undoubtedly.
| have mentioned trivalities as
entering into the equation.
Critics speak OF Washington as
having the most fiendish climate
in North America.
They do not eXaggerate.
Like many localities that aren't
afflicted, like the polar re-
sions, with very low thermome.
trical ratings, their discomfort is
terrible.
Folk, including congressman.
who are marooned here, suffer ter
ribly.
Transportation is tied up. Mail
deliveries have to be suspended.
Sessions OF Congress have to BE
postponed. 1t actually interferes
with government. One of these
District OF Columbia sleetstorms
is a curiosity.
The last one tied up business
for week and folk went hungry.
Rationing had something TO do
with it, but so did the weather.
But suppose We do want TO
move!
Murder!
Look at the plant we are asked
to move out of,
Our White House, Our Capitol,
All our departmental buildings.
Our Pentagon!-the biggest office
building in the world.
Yeah" reply the pessimists.
but suppose they are blasted on
the earth by Axis bombs! What
good will they be them"
That is why they want them
moved inland.
How far inland is Questionable.
Anyway, it will be farther than
Washington.
1t will be mussy as 10 New
York; it will be strategic as 10
Washington.
1t will be nicer il Washington,
as the capital. is not here.
Well, it isn't likely to happen.
Still, strategists say it CAN.
Deadwood is rather remote.
Chicago might put in quite a for
midable bid, with q view 10 the
fnfVrn IT, l..