Montana labor news., 1945-02-22
ON THE CONFIRMATION OF
AUBREY WILLIAMS
AS NEA ADMINISTRATOR

AS NEA ADMINISTRATOR
As this is written the battle in the Unit
ed State Senate over confirmation Of the
Presidents appointment Of Aubrey vii
liams to be the next administrator Of the
Rural Electrificati0n Administration is at
it's height For the moment the conflict
well nigh equals the struggle over
whether Hon. Henry Wallace shall be
confirmed as Secretary Of Commerce.
Leaders of the opposition to both APP
pointments advance two main arguments:
that they are communistic or outright
communists; that they are not qualified
for the positions. The method of proof,
and the general character Of their attacks,
however, raise questions Just what is
communism? just what viewpoint in the
management of the public business, and
just what kind of experience must a man
have had to qualify him as a trusted pub
lie servant?
AS to Henry Wallace, over roo business
men, mainly of the middle or small bust
ness and manufacturing classes, do not
agree that Wallace is a communist or dan
gerous Red They hold that he is in fact
champion of the American system Of free
competitive enterprise now endangered
by mOnop0lies and cartels, national and
international. Hence, under the leader
ship of Manufacturer James ii. McGill of
Valparaiso, Indiana they have organized
the National Businessmen's Committee
for Wallace " opened up headquarters at
the Carlton hotel in the nation s capital,
and are going to bat for former Vice Pres
ident Wallace They even have two or
three admittedly big business tycoons in
the group, and it may become permanent
to exercise its influence i'm behalf Of genu-
inc free enterprise.
So there you are, and who and what is
a communist?
AS to Aubrey Williams and the debate
about him, the same puzzle is presented
He is and he is not, say distinguished SEN
atOrs, congressman, editors, educators,
Army men, and who not, all Of whom we
must assume have read the Ninth Com
mandment, and are candid gentlemen who
would not wilfully mislead the Congress
or the people. Senators Bushfield, Repub-
lican Of South Dakota, and McKellar,
Democrat of Tennessee, have headed the
opposition to Williams in the Senate agri-
cultural committee now holding hearings
on confirmation.
The officers and members of the Popu-
lar Government league, and their friends
are very much interested in this appoint
ment. We have charged that Secretary
Wickard, in friendly cooperation with
the National Rural Electric Cooperative
Association, a voluntary organization OF
the REA co-operatives, has made politi-
cal football-of this agency, with resultant
maladministration and violations OF the
Norris-Rayburn act under which REA
operates We have declared for a restora-
tion of. REA's independence from Agri-
culture. We oppose it's being placed UNI
der any other department.
Mr.. Williams was queried on these very
germane points by friendly senator's, and
his answers may be quickly summarized
thus:
l. That he did not seek the appointment That he
would accept it only on The condition and with the
full concurrence Of all concerned that he be admins
traitor in fact and in control Of both personnel ana
policies.
NOTE It will be recalled that the Senate inyestgat-
ng committee found that former Administration Harry
sattery mot administrator in fact since seeIe-
tary Wickard had in various deprived him OF MS
prerogatves fixed by law.
O. That he would carry out to the best of his ability
the letter and spirit Of the Norris AcJ Which
he had studied carefully and would take solemn oalh
to observe those provisions Of the Act which pohlplVs
REA from engaging in partisan politics or be influenced
by politics in It's admin raton He went SO far as 70
express the hope members Of Congress would help
him in observing those directiyes if he should be con-
frmed.
g. That he would not permit outside organizations
or special interests of any kind TO influence his man
agement in violation Of the law or the best interests Oh
the agency and the co-operatiyes
d. on the question OF Independence he stated that
under the circumstances, he was naturally prevented
from expressing opinion; that was up to the Presl-