The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-06-01
Michigan in
Washington
Esther Van Wagner Tufty

In Governor harry helly Ileel-
ing stop-over in Washington on
his way to the Governors Confer
ence in Hershey, Pa, he rejoiced
that he packed three days of con-
ferences into % hours"
His major objective was 10 con-
fer with Michigan delegation on
the State plan for soldiers voting
in the hopes OF reaching a full un.
Outstanding and agreement, which
he felt he did. The plan would
extend from As TO 20 days time
for the ballots roundtrip from
printer TO serviceman to ballot-box.
But of more importance TO many
a returning veteran were his con-
ferences with Army officials to
procure the million dollar hospital
facilities at Sault Ste. Marie, no
longer needed by the Army units
which formerly guarded the locks.
AS federal disqualification is al
ready strained TO care for dis
charged soldiers. the states have
been asked to help out on a per
diem basis. That made the pro-
posal more feasible to acquire the
Sault Ste. Marie property, ready
for auction as surplus war mater
ial.
Roughly, the plan is to transfer
certain mental cases from crowded
down-state hospitals to Sault Ste.
Marie. using the medical staff OF
nearby Newberry Hospital, thought
to be adequate since little constant
medical attention is required. The
state proposes to rent the hospital.
which is classified as temporary
by the War Department, at $4,000
the first year and $500 each of
the next four years with an option
70 buy any time during the five
year period at $4,000, with rentals
applied toward the purchase price.
The state will invest 100000 in
refurnishing the hospital.
None OF this would have been
possible without the 6O-day re-.
straining order granted by the
Army at the request OF Congress.
man Fred Bradley. who was reluc.
tant that the very disable set.up
In his district be sold at wartime
sacrifice prices, when the state
might make valuable use OF a 400
bed hospital.
A circle has been put around the
Date OF June Is on the calendar
oy Congressman William Blackney
OF Flint. That's to remind him of
commencement day at the East
Lansing High School, where he is
scheduled to give the address of
the day.
The Congressman only wishes
he could put a circle around an.
other date with the same amount |
OF certainty OF tulfillment...the |
homecoming day for his son. VIII.
liam, Jr., who for 90 months has
been with the Army in the South
Pacific.
WINE there will not be enough
war prisoners to rescue the expect.
60 bumper crop OF cherries and
later other fruit, the prospects are
al least bright that a goodly mum.
Der can be allocated In the Trav.
erse City area for the first crisis |
early In July. Through the pleas |
OF local growers, Gamers. and Con.
gresham Engel, the War Man.
power Commission has recognized
the need for earlier assignment TO
the first Of the summer fruit har-
vests. Some 1000 are needed but
only a fraction can be hoped for
from this source.
This will be the first time that
German prisoners have been used
in Michigan, although Japanese
American laborers helped bring in
the grape crop in the southern part
Of the state last year.
As Is customary. the War De-
partment will provide adequate
housing and protection for the
OF the prisoner crew.
Among those who have confer
red with Albert Engel. the Cherry
land Congressman are Frank Ger
Der. OF Fremont and Chester Ray
Of Muskegon and Don Morgan of
Traverse City.
Meanwhile, other groups have
been in Washington seeking a solu-
ton for the overall Michigan labor
shortage. Mr.. Charles Figy. State
Commissioner Of Agriculture, head
ed a recent delegation investigat-
ing the possibilities Of prisoner
labor.