The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-01-18
Observations
Senate Might
Probe Alleged
Willkie Link
BY Helen Essary

Capital political observers see the
Senate move to investigate charges
OF an alleged tie-up between Wen.
dell Willkie and the White House
as the opening gun Of the 1874 pres
idential campaign.
II the Senate Privileges and Flee
lions Committee acts on resolu-
ton Of Senator William LANCER (RJ
OF North Dakota and investigates
charges contained In c. Nelson
Sparks book. "One Man Wendell!
Willk.e. " Harry Hopkins. key Roos.
eSelt adviser. will be put on the pc
litical spot for the first time.
Hopkins has appeared before con-
gresslonal committees on monetary
matters but Capitol Hill anti.New
Dealers have never been able to gel
him before them for official inter.
rogstion on his political activities.
II was Harry who engineered the
third termS drive and who is gen
orally credited with spark-plugging
for a fourth term +. D. r. candida
~
Now. on the basis OF a letter re.
printed in Sparks book-and which
Hopkins denies having written -
The anti-Hopkins forces think they
nave found a way 10 put the White
House 'trouble-shooter' under d..
-ect political examination. The let
.er predicts the COP nomination OF
Willkie in 1914 and as purportedly
written 10 DR.. Umphrey Lee. presi.
lent Of Southern Methodist Uniyer
;lty. adds. Il can promise you good
cooperation from that quarter II
you think ii would be helpful
Hopkins has called both the let
ers and rs Hopkins" signature
'forgeries" and has asked the f B.
10 investigate. Whatever the out.
;omc. politicos note that Republi-
:an leaders recently met TO select
Chicago as the "A convention site
and that when the Democratic
meeting is held on Jan. 90 the 1914
ampaign will be on.
And they point 10 the strategic
lining involved il the Senate com.
nittee authorizes a formal inquiry
nto the Sparks charges and sum
non as witnesses both Willkic and
hopkins.
II what the Connecticut Valley
obacco growers say Is true-l9f
viii see feR or OF the better grade"
.igars on the market. Reason, say
nc growers. Ia that the Commodity
1redi: Corporation won't allocate
hem $4,000 tons OF cottouseed oil
neal for fertilizer,
Choice grade tobacco leaves used
or cigar wrappers must have the
;ottonseed meal, according TO az
onomists. Industry men say that
3 per cent OF the nations cigar
production will be suspended. for
ack Of wrappers.
An increasing flood OF varshlps
nay be expected during 1914 in
PREPARATION for a death hunt against
be Imperial japanese Navy.
recent lUhlu5 Oh tue GeI udll
,attleship Scharnhorst off Norway
telped improve still further the
Allied fleet situation. Heavy Brit
sh and American fleet units have
,een tied down IN the North sea
rea for just such eyentualities.
Just bow far America and the
lilies have come in the past yea
the high seas Is indicated by the
act that the United States Pacific
leet alone nov is ready to cope
nth any force japan wishes TO send
gainst IT,
United States air power in the
'acific is emphasized. TOO. IN Secre-
airy Of the Navy KnoI's disclosure
hat the United States now has
lore than a. aircraft carriers and
hat during the past year at least
900 merchant ships were armed
18th submarine and anti-aircraft
uns.
Once Allied forces land on thu
ointment Of Europe and estab lish
firm beschhead. other British and
american Atlantic fleet units prob.
bly, will be released for service
gainst Japan. With the'addition OF
.alian and French warships, de-
elopments spell plenty Of head.
-