The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-08-14
Observations
Election Vies With
Reconversion For
Interest
BY Helen Essary

BY Helen Essary
Faced with the realistic posi-
bility OF a German collapse, Con-
gress is now racing against time
for the enactment OF reconversion
legislation While speed is the
keynote on Capitol Hill TO conform
with the swiftly moving military
situation. congressman are also
intent on getting some legislation
on the books so they can get back
home to continue their reelection
campaigns.
SO look for Congress 10 get a
reconversion program started and
then fill in the gaps later. This
preliminary program will probably
include three pending bills calling
for unemployment compensation,
a postwar rehabilitation office
perhaps within the Office OF War
Northumberland surplus property
disposal.
Some old fashioned. mince-no-
words orstory is expected to flow
in the Senate one of these days
with Senator Josiah w. Bailey Cd.
OF North Carolina as the center Of
attraction.
In the closing days before Con-
gress recessed last June, Senator
Joseph F. Guffey (D). of Pennsyl-
vania accused southern Democrats
OF an "unholy alliance" with Re
publicans in seeking 10 defeat ad-
ministration measures. He singled
out Bailey during his particularly
vitriolic attack.
Senator Harry F. Byrd (D) OF
Virginia, who had tangled before
with Guffey, vigorously defended
Bailey. who was not present, and
described the Pennsylvania as
possessing the political hide OF a
rhinoceros." He said that when
Bailey returned he would hang
that hide upon the wall OF the SEN
ate" and promised that 1t would be
"a rare exhibition"
Senate habitues, who know
Bailey's oratorical skill, are now
waiting for the pay-off.
II passed almost unnoticed in
the reams OF war and political
news, but an OPA announcement
on the price Of rubber heels reveal
ed for the first time that mtnutac-
turers are now producing a much
better product. Since Pearl Har-
Dor, heel manufacturers could use
only reclaimed rubber. and thus
the wearing ability deteriorated
rapidly.
Last fall. they were permitted
TO use up to Is per cent OF syn
thetic rubber, but now with the
synthetic supply In good shape,
they are allowed an unlimited
quantity. All this is OF great i'm
portance TO the public because
more and more rubber heel and
composition soles are being worn
due to the severe leather shortage.
The Army, which has been much
maligned In the war production
picture, wants II known that 1t
neither favors tremendous reserves
at the expense Of civilian produc-
ton nor q tight inventory figured
down TO the last cartridge.
Lieut.. Gen. Brehon B. Somervell,
tall, dynamic chief OF the Army
Service Forces, says the truth is
somewhere between these two
points OF view. AS the nations
leading buyer, he points out that
the Army is making purchases for
two wars-one in Europe, the other
In the Pacific.
When Germany is defeated, there
will be an inevitable drop OF so
per cent in war requirements. But
much OF the materiel needed in
Europe can be transferred to the
Pacific. II proper safeguards are
provided to ease the shock of re-
conversion, the nations economy
should come through relatively I'm.
harmed.
Representative Garfield (R) OF
New Jersey, who recently returned
from a treighter trip to England.
discovered he just didn't have
what II takes TO be the most pop
ular man in the British empire"
When he landed at Bristol, the
first question he was asked was,
do you have any American silk
stockings" No, he hadn't. He
later found that HIS popularity
could have been greatly enhanced
II he had brought a crate OF eggs
or a box OF oranges.
He did, however, achieve a de-
gree OF popularity A woman mem.
Der OF Parliament. Mrs. Paul
Wright, the former Eleanor Rath-
bone, took a fancy 10 his V.letter-
ed necktie.
Il gave 1t to her." he said, but
now she wants another one like
st."