The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-04-12

ing unemployment benefits
The latest figures available, for
late February, showed 1903. 954
unemployed and receiving bene-
fits from Social Security.
This figure is about double what
it was last November, when an
average of 56,345 were unemployed.
But on the other hand, the Feb
ruary figure of 103,954 Is about
one-half what the figure was at
the same time last year. In
February, 1913, 208,644 were re-
ceiving unemployment compensa-
ton.
While only 100000 men mem-
ployed Is low, nevertheless adj
vocates of a national service act
feel that this is one illustration Of
the need of drafting labor. Furth-
ermore, the figure Of 100000 I'M
employed actually represents more
unemployed than appears on the
surface. Each State requires an
initial waiting period OF one to
two weeks before unemployment
benefits can start, and one week
of waiting for 100000 men repre-
sents four million man-hours lost.
Biggest question raised by
these unemployment figures
Is why, when industry and the
Government both are crying for
men, the figure should be ris-
ing as against last November.
Only explanation offered by the
Social Security Board is cut
backs, In other words, certain
war plants are closing because
Of Over-productiOn Of tanks,
trucks, gunpOwder. And it
takes time for workers to shift
from one job to another.
ENEMY ALIEN
Paul Scheffer, controversial edi-
tor of the Berliner Tageblatt, long
out ON parole in the United
States. recently has been locked
up by the Justice Department.
Pressure to release him Is being
brought inside the Government,
and a hearing will take place
soon.
Scheffer, an enemy, alien, was
interned with other Germans at
the start Of the war, then was
released under parole to a vice
president Of the Chase National
Bank, which later was indicted
on the charge Of permitting its
funds to be used for trading
with the enemy.
Scheffer had been a newspaper
man in the United States for
many years and, under the Wei
mar Republic, had the reputa-
ton Of being a leading liberal
journalist. However, Ambassador
William E. Dodd was suspicious of
him and, in later years. Scheffer
had the reputation of playing the
NaZi game.
Upon being interned when the
United States entered the war,
Scheffer asked that he be allowed
to remain in the United States.
This request was granted and he
was released on parole. Later,
considerable commotion was
aroused when he wrote an ar
ticle for the New York Times
magazine section under the name
Conrad Long.
Since then, there have been de-
mandS that he be re-internel.
Why the Justice Department sud-
denly locked him up again is not
known and officials declined any
comment.
tanner MAVERICK
A few years ago, no one would
have dreamed that Congressman
Maury Maverick. as rambunctious
as the Texas steer named after
his fighting Texas family. would
ever get the support Of conserva-
tive Republicans. While In Con-
greSs. pugnacious, blunt-spoken
Maverick authored the Presidents
Supreme Court bill. championed
all New Deal legislation, stepped
on peoples toes, never cared how
he made enemies.
But, appearing before a Sem
ate committee the other day,
Maverick had both Democratic
and Republican conservatives
100 per cent for him. He was
proposing an amendment where
by small businessmen holding