The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-10

alarmed over the fact that All over the country, farmers are using more electricity for their electric breeders, pumps, milkers, feed grinders, and so on. They can't get human la bor but they can hire an electric chore boy. Result is a sharp in- crease ill consumption of rural electricity, likewise an increase in the revenues of REA cooperatives. Therefore, REA is salting away cash at a great rate. The various cooperatives have invested $5000,- 900 in war bonds, $6,00O,000 in lo- cal bank investments, and are $15,- 100000 ahead ill repaymentS to REA. (They have repaid $61 ,000,- 900 in principal and interest, whereas only 46,000,000 has fallen due.)
 Reason this worries Washing ton and REA headquarters in St. Louis is that the seeming profits may encourage State tax author ities to add new tax burdens to REA cOOperatives. Instead, Federal officials feel this money should be saved as a postwar cushion of credit.
 After the war, kilowatt con- sumption will fall off, and rev. enues will decline. At the same time, expenses will shoot up be- cause of construction and main- HHtI1i hnnvH nff during wartime. Meanwhile, an agency once criticized as prob- ably insolvent is rolling in wealth. WHITE HOUSE AIDES
 White House aide Jonathan Daniels took a lot of ribbing from friends because of his refusal to answer questions at g. Senate hearing regarding the alleged at- tempt to oust Harry Slattery, Rural Identification Administra- tor.
 "I guess those newspaper stories about your scrap with Senator Cotton Ed" Smith was the most publicity you ever got in your life, Jonathan" commented Eugene Casey. exc cutive assistant to the President.
 "Shucks. you're just jealous, Gene, because you never get on page one yourself" replied the impish Daniels.
 "Oh, I don't know, may make the front pages some day." said Casey, "but if I do, JOna- vU,OVNfk hn hnnnNNcn N Ennt my mouth shut"
 STIMSON'S VOTE ERROR
 Congressional foes of the poll tax are furious about a recent War Department release entitled Voting Instructions Issued to Sol- dierS of Eleven States" The re- lease reads in part:
 "If soldier is in doubt as to whether he is qualified to vote under the laws of his State, he should inquire immediately by letter of the Secretary of State of the State of his voting hesi- dence as to whether 1t is neces- sary to register, pay taxes, or meet other requirements"
 The error in this order escaped many who read it. But it did not escape hard hitting COP Repre- sentative George Bender of Ohio, leader of anti-poll tax forces ill the House. Bender sent a hot note to Colonel Robert Cutler in Secre- tary Stimson's office, reading: "ThiS release appears conn plctely to ignore the existence of Public Law 712, enacted in 1942, which relieves members of the armed forces of the necessity of registering and paying a poll tax in order to vote for Federal of fices.
 T shall appreciate your in- forming me why this infOrma- tiOn was not supplied the mem bers of the Army. It seems to me very important that mem- bers of the armed forces be fully informed of their voting rights"
 Congressman Bender is looking forward with interest to the reply. FARM GASOLINE CUT
 Farmers may hay Q little trou-