The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-03-20
Michigan in
Washington
Esther Var Waroner ruftr

Esther Van Wagner Tufty
Michigan Republican congress-
men don't get together socially
very much. OF course. three OF
them. William Blackney, OF Flint,
Fred Bradley. OF Rogers City, ana
Bartel Jonkman, OF Grand Rapids.
see each other every Wednesday
night at the rs club. That's the
club that was organized TO cels-
brate the return OF the Republi-
cans, which began with the 10Th
congress In 1888. Earl C. Niche
ner OF Adrian, frequently Joins
them because he was elected an
honorary member (the only one).
He couldn't be a member because
he came 10 Congress long before
the 18th Congress. In fact. he
served his first term in the seth
Congress in 1928. This week the
group heard Eddie" Rickonbacker
speak but the speakers are not al
ways such strong partlsans, and
they have heard such men as Gem
eral George Marshall and British
Commander stephen Hall, A mem, /,
Der OF Parliament.
The only other similar club was
organized AZ the beginning OF this
18th Congress. Again 10 celebrate
an influx OF Republicans. so many
that the Democrats now hold but
a thin majority In the House.
John h. Bennett OF Ontonagon. 10
the only Michigan member. Their
speakers seem 10 be presidential
in character and included wen-
dell Wiilkie. Governor stassen, ana
former presidential candidate All
Landon.
The 10 Michigan Republicans In
the House and the 2 Republican
senator's regret they seldom see
each other off the floor But they
are busy men, and it's yet to be
demonstrated whether the new
once.a.month dinner meeting with
out speaker or chalrman) will
really become a habit The orig
inal meeting was held in February
but the March meeting was called
off because only 6 OF the Il could
come on the agreed regular meet
Ing date OF the first Monday Of
each month.
Although Michigan Republicans
don't got together socially as much
as they should or would like to,
they don't need to in order TO vote
In unison II the vote on the com.
promise soldiers vote issue Is q
fair example. As II probably 10
since tho Democratic vote was not
along party lines.
happened to talk with Earl 9.
Mlchener right after tho 273.i1i
roll call vote in the House.
lie recognized that like all high.
ly controversial legislation tia only
possible TO get compromise
through Congress. SO It's certain
that the members voted for some
thing they didn't completely desire.
But IL was the best they could
get 10 insure tho soldier a vote.
The realistic Kitchener does not
expect a heavy vote from the
men overseas. It's Just too diff
cult under war conditions no mat
ter what legislation blueprinted
the method Besides, returning
soldiers say the men overseas
aren't worrying about election
they have other worries on their
fighting job. Only the political
minded soldier Ia apt 10 20 10 the
bother OF fulfilling the -too.many-
regulations necessary TO his exer-
clsing his right 10 vote. But he
can vote II he so desires. and he
is in some spot where the mail is
regular.
Anyway, that controversy is
over (unless the President vetoes
the bilD and few OF equal politi.
cal-importance loom ahead for the
near future. or course. there Is
the extension OF lendlease, but
that will be extended with only
few antl-British remarks from the
few irreconcilables. And the heated !.
subsidy question will be reheated
again IN the new OPA debate, but
OPA will be continued no matter
what new restrictions are added.
It's my guess (although my good
friend Congressman Jesse p. VOL
colt, who leads the anti.subsidy
fight, would not agree that the Re-
publlcans will not put a subsidy
rider to the bill.) After all, twice
they have demonstrated the extent
OF their strength on the subsidy
questlon.....it's strong but not
strong enough TO override the Pres.
idents certain veto.
Meanwhile. the members OF Con.
gress will probably get an Easter
vacation beginning on or about, I,
March ~. Not an adjournment =
but one OF those three day recess
es that repeats itself every three
days with gentlemen's agreement q
among the party floor leaders that
no business OF Importance shall.
no introduced