The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-08-28
Observations
Cemeteries May
be Vital Issue
in New Bases

The rows OF white crosses IN
American military cemeteries scat
tered throughout the Pacific may
prove important factors in any fu-
ture argument over disposition OF
vital island bases.
Military and naval leaders con-
slider II is unlikely that the United
States will abandon any island
which cost America hundreds, and
in some cases. thousands OF lives.
From a purely military stand
point, the islands taken since
America launched her counter-or-
fensive, which crushed Japan. were
chosen carefully by the high com.
mand and leaders in the feld. and
each was vital link In the march
10 victory.
Undoubtedly there will be argu-
ments in Congress against reten.
ton OF many OF the bases because
OF their upkeep cost, but few poll
ticians will have nerve 10 advocate
adjustment of an American shrine.
Military leaders insist America
must retain control, II only to pre-
vent some other power form using
the various bases for q possible
war in the future.
Thus America paid with the lives
OF young men for such bases as
Tarawa, Eniwetok, Saipan. Peleliu,
Okinawa, Ie Shima, Two Jima and
others. Who can say now that any
one OF them was not vital TO vic
tory?
PRESIDENT TRUMAN is anx-
ious to have Congress pass pending
unemployment compensation as
soon as possible. In fact, pending
bills are behind schedule because
victory caught Congress on vaca'
ton, and already tens OF thousands
OF workers are seeking new Jobs.
Pending bills would pay workers
unemployment compensation rang
ing up TO a maximum OF SIS per
week for rs weeks. Organized la
Dor Is opposed 10 bills ready for
consideration. One major COM
plant is that the question OF eligi-
bility is left up to the states.
BOTH THE ARMY AND NAVY
are taking extraordinary precau-
tons to keep veterans from being
rolled" when they leave separa-
ton centers with their uniform
pockets stuffed with back salary
and mastering out pay.
In an effort TO discourage pam
handlers and petty racketeers ana
chiselers who might be waiting
around separation centers. the War
and Navy departments have arrans-
ed to give n minimum Of cash 70
discharged veterans.
The remainder Of the money due
any single person Is given in the
form OF one or more checks. En-
listed men also are urged TO mail
the checks or money orders home
before they leave the eenters.
THRER is GOING TO BE a I'd
hot battle in Congress over income
and other taxes, but II appears GER
tain that the average American will
have less to pay the government
within the next few months, per-
haps after January /.
Secretary Vinson has HIS tar plan
ready, but from all indications It
will deal mostly with levies on bust
ness. On the other hand, there IL
growing sentiment in Congress TO
reduce individual income taxes.
Predictions are that the s5 per
cent excess profits tax will 20. For
individuals the proposal that seems
TO have most support Is removal
OF the three per cent normal tax
on incomes.
YOU CAN EXPECT further re-
shutting of the Surplus Property
disposal set-up in the near future.
Present heads Of the organization
plan TO take over physical disposi-
ton OF surplus property instead OF
merely acting as a policy-making or
ganization.
Purpose behind such a move
would be to establish responsibility
with one organization.
A tough battle Is expected IN
Congress over disposal OF some
items especially airplanes and mo
tors. Some industrialists argue
that II the government dumps
mountains OF equipment on the
market it will disrupt normal pro-
duction and increase unemploy-