The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-02-03
Michigan in
Washington
BY ESTHER V. w. TUFTY

II Henry Wallace becomes Secrs'
tary OF Commerce after the RFC
divorce, this correspondent has
been told that Immediately a move
ment would be put underway 10
build up the department.
At present, the Commerce De-
partment isn't very important ex-
cept for RFC activities. The Blu
reau OF Foreign and Domestic Com
merce had its powers taken away
when the war entangled other de-
partments. II became so great an
independent agency was establish
ed.
Probably the first transfer would
be the Smaller War Plants Cor
poration. This was foreshadowed
in Wallace's own testimony before
the Senate Commerce COMMITTEES
when he spoke of his concecn and
plans for helping the small BUSH
ness man. The SWPC is half in
and half out OF the War 'Produo-
ton Board. The chairman, Maury
!, Maverick, is a great friend OF
Henry Wallace and would favor
such a switch especially II offered
the spot OF assistant secretary.
Then the Foreign Economic Adj
ministration is natural, since
FEA is an outgrowth OF the old
Bureau OF Economic Warfare head
ed by the former vice president
Many of the stan were "Wallace-
picked. X. Lew Crowley, the adj
ministrator, has so many othes
equally important posts that he
would not object even II the trans
fer involved his departure.
As the ward raws to a close, this
activities OF the OPA and WPR
will dwindle. Yet skeleton stsfs
will be kept on through reconver-
sion. These, too, might be added
TO the Department Of Commerce.
After We day. the Civil Aeronau.
tics Administration and the Civil
Aeronautics Board will become
more active. They are already in
the Department Of Commerce.
All of which has made Wallace
friends, who now admit that RFO
will be taken away via the George
bill, not too unhappy. Now they
worry about a vote on Wallacs
nreceeding the roll call on tho
George bill. They say they have
votes enough to confirm him, II tho
| RFC is made an Independent agen'
cy.
More and more the senior sena-
tor from Michigan, Arthur h. van
denberg. Is becoming the boss man
among the Republican senators.
When the new 18th Congress con-
yened H. could have had any JON
within the power OF the Republican
senators TO delegate. He chose
not TO upset the triumvirate OF
Observation-Disclosures which mas
functioned so well and guided the
Senate strategy since the death OF
Charles McNary OF oregon.
Vandenberg is chairman OF the
Republican conference. Tart Oh
ohio. OF the COP steering commit
tee. White, OF Maine, is floor min
oritv leader. This division pleases
everyone from the old Willkie pioo
to the white-haired isolationist
Hiram Johnson.
But the title worn by Vandenberg
doesn't reveal the admission OF MS
leadership. He is the voice IN
the Senate. And he's clever about
II. Never does he speak Tor the
party" but for himself alone. rms
has two results. One Is the inner
emit risk OF saying something SO
wrong he personally will pay .
price and this IL no time for nina
10 stub his toe with 1916 and his
reelection looming near. The other
is glory when he makes an action
now speech. Some say his speech
forced Chairman Connally' OF FOR
eign Relations Committee. TO MAKE
his council" proposal. One thing
AID follow. The President called
the bipartisan committee to the
white House to talk informally
and conhdentally about interna'
tional collaboration.
The other two OF the triumVir.
ate seem pale beside the mors
forceful Michigan man. BOD IsIl'
sometimes called the best states
man in the Senate, has way o.
IRRITATING less clever colleagues
He can't corral as many votes ~
ysndenberg. White from Maine u
a plugger and earnest chap wno
doesn't mind the exacting task o.
minority leader. which means ne
must be on the floor almost const,
antiy. He just isn't the leader
type. y.L,,r NJ
Behind all the poliey-making o,
vandenberg is one desire. tns'
the COP lose the isaltionist LABEL
preferably, before 1916 when ms
strength will be tested at the
polls.
The Army ouartermaster Corps