The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-11-29
Observations
Capital Madhouse
During Civil War
Period
BY HELEN EssARY

I gu WHO NoAhldlA AOudg dbpuL
washington the Madhouse'. read
this paragraph about Washington
during the Civil War from a book
OF the day:
The fields around Washington
resounded with the words Of CON-
mand, the tramp of men and fash
ed with wheeling arms. Long
trains OF covered wagons filled up
the open spaces in the suburbs.
Pennsylvania Ave. was red, white
ard blue with flags and thick with
dust from galloping chargers and
Commissariat carts. The shops
were flled with people, a large
number OF whom carried sword or
bayonet."
understand that many a sword
or bayonet is carried In the intrigu-
ing tongue and sly glance OF today's
capital. But as | told a young and
about-to- be-disillusioned newcomer,
Pay no attention TO the plotters,
and the rapier thrusts. II you are
10 survive in Washington, here's
sound advice: Stay as gullible as
you are. Don't let a scheme
ever change you"
NOW. ON THE SUBJECT OF
Vera Blooms book There's No
Place Like Washington" another
speculation Here's a sweepi%
success. Here's volume that will
outsell all other books about
Washington.
For not only is There's No
Place Like Washington readable
and entertaining, it gives a picture
of Washington as people like 10
think Washington is No hint here
Of ugly intriguing Washington. No
hint OF disappointments, Nor
snubbings. Nor cruelty.
But a washington that's forever
romantic and wise. Where every
night in the week you sit beside an
ambassador. A beautiful hand
kissing ambassador and eat eXquis-
ite 'ood and drink rare vintages
from priceless china and Crystal 10
the accompaniment of sparkling
wit and international love and af-
lection
Miss Bloom, who is the daughter
OF Representative Sol Bloom OF
New York, chairman of the Foreign
Relations Committee Of the House,
has turned out a truly readable
book
I read II through without stop
ping in one evening and wasn't
bored by a paragraph. And this,
from a reprobat-ish female who
tries 10 write about Washington
herself, is praise indeed.
ONE OF THE PROBLEMS Of
dealing with the postwar Ger
mans, Robert Murphy, civilian ad-
visor TO Gen. Dwight Eisenhower.
suggests, Is the danger of spread
ing Nazism in countries which
might use Nazi workers to help
build up the ravished countries.
1T might be possible, too. for
biz group ofsNazi workers to play
Russia, England and the United
States one against the other, with
very bad effects on international
harmony" says Murphy.
81 used 10 live across the street
from Hitler in Munich" said Muir
ply. 81 was consul there between
1921 and 1925. Hitler lived with
his friend, the American HAMS
taengl, and we often heard them at
the .ano and violin. Hitler play
ed the piano. He seemed an unim-
portant person then. Just small
town official. Yet many OF US con-
suls and vice oonsuls were aware
OF the growing strength of the
National Socialist party and said
so in our reports
Murphy has a home in Washing
ton where his wife aud three pref
~ daughters, all OF whom were
born in Germany, now live. AS
he talked OF his family once again
had the impression of a man whose
affections and loyalties are rooted
deep in straightforward American
ideals.
He spoke further Of Germany.
Calmly. Appraisingly. Convincing
~. He had lived there. Worked
there. He was honest. Intelligent.
II was obvious that he must have
learned much about the people with
whom We are going TO have to
deal.
came away from the interview
with Robert Murphy knowing that
I'd rather trust the Judgment OF
this American in regard TO the
Nazis than the judgment OF a
French refugee. No refugee, not
even PertinaX, whose personality
and talents ! admire greatly, has
the national objectivity TO be an i'm
partial adviser Of the United States
government in its postwar rela-
tions with Germany or any other
country. We've got 10 fnd answers
TO this perilous confusion in the
American brand OF thinking.