The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1943-04-01
Observations
Wheeler, Rankin
Leading Fight on
Wartime Measure

SENATOR Burton X. Wheeler
Of Montana and Rep. John II. Ran
kin OF Mississippi, in their Zee
spective congressional chambers.
have been leading the legislative
fight TO prevent creation OF wha
they consider altogether too much
OF an executive absoluteism To- the
United states, as mattef-(so It's
represented OF wartime necessity.
Senator Wheeler has described
the proposed regulations as the
most dangerous piece ~ lawmak-
ing ever presented in American
history" Rep. Rankin says they
aim at the creation OF Yankee
"Gestapo.'
Although he doubtless was the
recipient OF numerous suggestions
from other administration poten-
tates. perhaps from as high up as
the White House tenant. Attorney
General Francis Biddle Is reCog-
uized as having drafted the pro-
gram under discussion. Its ad-
verse critics. seeking 10 stigma
tie it as unpleasantly possible,
refer to Director ]. Edgar Hoover
OF the Justice Departments Bur
eau OF Investigation as the plan 5
prospective "Himmler'
Sabotage is strictly prohibited,
OF course; but so is the acquisition
OF information that might conceIN-
ably be utilized for purposes Of
sabotage. In other words. il \
plots sabotage, and il 3 so much
as suspects that A is doing So B
becomes a participant in the stroc-
ity unles he serves immediate mo-
tice upon the FBI.
Then let the FBl do its own
probing.
Senator. Wheelers. Rep. Ram
kin. and their sympa thizers' theo-
~ is, though. that such a system
will make us a nation OF intolera-
bic shoppers.
They range all the way from
$4,000 fine or 10 years in prison
up 10 death before a firing squad.
on a galloWs or the electric chair,
or in a lethaI chamber under
stand thst-the eiIPEit- can choose
by which method he is due to be
extinguised.
Opponents Of the pending meas
tne do not so much object to the
proportions OF the various inflic-
tins.
They are prepared to believe
that death is preferable 10 the or
binary individual to the fine 1t is
proposed 10 soak him with. Ten
thousaud dollars? Phooey! A fat
chance the government has got 10
collect that from the average clll-
zen,
The criticism ia that the accused
individual gets no trial before an
impartial court, but IL due 10 he
Gests po-ed. And the worst OF It is.
II is feared. is that the system IS
not purely temporary.
Prophets like Senator Wheeler
and Rep. Rankin forecast that 1t
will last on into indefinite futur-
fly. 1t has happened before, they
assert. why not again?
Incidentally, according to both
the senator, the representative ana
their supporters, an American free
press is attacked.
u was not so in the last war.
An attempt was made TO influence
IL, but there was not any pressure.
There lie some this time. In that in
stance the papers were TOLD
things. In this instance they are
at least advised what 10 SAY.
With congenital drys agitating
for a restoration OF prohibition.
there approaches the anniversary
OF 80 per cent beers legalization,
on April :, 1888.
That event did not mean that alb
solute prohibition was ended. That
had TO wait until the constitution
al amendment was rescinded. How
ever. it signified definition -
TO what's an intoxicant
1t seems now that 81 per cent
is not intoxicating.
That degree Is served at our
Army canteens.- boys say II
Ia good stuff
As previously remarked, Army
posts serve suds up to 30 per
cent, which is not violent, accord
ing TO expert alcoholic cslcula.
tons It is bad habit. though,
prohibitionists allege.
Army authorities disagree with
them. Their reasoning is that the
lads. cut off from a reasonable
amount OF socability. tend 10 bum
ound and absorb a higher de
gree OF intoXlcants. Commercial
beer runs up 10 higher percent
ages or a trifle above that.
Furthermore, It is pointed out
that an Army canteeD's surround
inEs are far better than those a