The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-01-15
Observations
Tarawa Cost Not
Too High Assert
Fighting Men
(ey Helen Esssry)

Islands believe firmly that the Unit
ed States did not pay too high
price in casualties for the capture
OF Tarawa. Even laymen would IN
derstand the heavy cost. they insist
if they could have seen the de-
lenses the Japs had installed -espe-
cialIy on the main island OF Beuu.
Some Navy and Marine officers
also feel that Il stories about the
fighting there stressed the hiSn
American casualtles-more than
] 900 killed-without pointing out
strongly enough that the entire
enemy force of 5000 men was wiped
out Betio was garrisoned by 1000
Jap marines. who are trained eSpe-
cially for island warfare. Yet
American Marines wiped out all re-
sistance IN about three days.
Some quarters insist that the nm
al casually count will be somewhat
lower than first thoueht due 10
later check.ups on wounded and
missing who were picked up by
Naval craft. American casualties
would have been much heavier eN-
cept for the fact that Army and
Navy airmen swept japanese
planes from the skies while United
States warships protected trans
ports from possible attack by sur
face vessels.
MOST OBSERVERS credit Lieut.
Gen. Brehon h. Somervell with a
neat squeeze play" during the rail
strike crisis. Someryell, command
ing general OF the Army Service
Forces. was handed the job OF run
ming the railroads when the govern
ment seized them Dec. p.
When the three last-ditch hold
out operating unions talked with
the general IS hours before the
strike deadline, they undoubtedly
agreed that they would not strike
against the government.
However, they wanted to retain
the threat OF strike as a bargain
ing point TO get wage adjustment
and proposed TO withhold formal
announcement that the strike was
settled until the last possible mo-
ment. Someryell and Secretary OF
War Henry L. Stimson took the
wind out OF their sails by publicly
proclaiming their intention OF drop
ping the strike.
liberalization eight hours until
the strike order formally was re-
scinded by the unions In kilograms
TO field oflices-the three union
chiefs labored in vain for a wage
settlement. The general wouldn't
talk wages. President Roosevelt
had a cold. War Mobilization d.
rector James Byrnes. whom the IN
ions do not like, was eyasive.
The government was adamant.
II would not discuss wages until
the strike threat was buried and
the union chieftains were up against
a stone wall. T heir knucles were
being raped for holding out so
long and finally they were forced
to give in.
THE NATIONS BADLY DIS
TRIBUTED SUPPLY OF livestock
feed will be in better and more
normal supply in all parts Of the
country in about six months. The
War Food Administration is work
ing out a long-range program 10
iron the kinks out of the vital feed
situation which has helped cause
butter and milk shortages for sew.
eral months. One Of the principal
levers WA will use is expected
10 be prompt action against hoard
ing OF feed ingredients by mixers.
Although this and other measures
will relieve the pressure on milk
production somewhat, it will not
correct the situation entirely. Farm
ers also are finding il increasingly
difficult to obtain experienced dairy
labor.
POLITICOS AND PERHAPS
THE NATION generally have taken
II for granted that President Roose-
welt is very much in the picture
for a fourth term nomination, but
apparently it is not so widely I'M
derstood that vice President Henry
A. Wallace is very much in the pic
ture for second place on the Demo
cratic ticket.
Intimates OF the vice president
say he would like 70 20 along with
President Roosevelt should he stand
for another four years on Pennsyl-
yania Avenue. Wallace is consid-
cred one OF the best links the ad-
ministration has with the more eX-
IRENE wing OF the New Dealers.
Wallace has been touring the
country delivering speeches that
political observers stamp as def
nitely indicating that he does not