Detroit evening times., 1945-09-08
WESTBROOK
PEGLER
Fair
Enough

of that all-purpose thing called
democracy and the rights and
dignity of those who segregate
themselves into groups called
minorities for what there is in
it for them.
A woman with a Latin name.
apparently Italian, wrote
provocative letter to Senator
Theodore Gilmore Bilbo of Mis-
sissippi. In his reply. he ad-
dressed her as Dear Dago."
For this he has been de-
nounced publicly by William
O'Dwyer and Jonah Goldstein.
the Democratic and Republican
candidates, ectively. for
mayor, by Senator James Mead.
Democrat, and others.
The gist of these resounding
and pietistical rebukes TO Mr..
Bilbo, known as "the man.
Bilbo," is that this was an
insulting un-American form Of
address.
He was asked 10 apologize
but meanwhile, although his
state is Mississippi and he is
not in any way involved in the
New York mayoral campaign,
both principal candidates and
some secondary political mounte-
banks are using the incident for
the purpose of indicating their
own deep affection for the
Italian minority" vote which
all concerned. as usual, are try
ing Ia -segresate fEeaa the rest
OF the Americans in town.
NOW "dago" is not an INSULT
~ ing word. Websters New
international Dictionary says it
was derived from the Spanish.
Diego, A common proper name
and that ii indicates a person
Of Spanish for, by extension.
Portuguese or. now, most CON-
monty. Italian) descent.
Unquestionably Bilbo meant
TO be rude. Because OF his ig-
norance Of the true meaning OF
words he did not succeed. These
candidates and others achieved
success for him.
Senator Bilbo Is loose
jointed. deepSouth Democrat
who fights tomcat style and has
been elected lieutenant governor
Of his state once. governor twice
and senator twice for a total
OF "a years in high office.
He Is. by dignified standards,
vulgar politician, but he Is
highly superior 10 Fiorello II.
LaGuardia. the present mayor
OF New York, who also exploits
the feeling of those groups
called "minorities."
ENARLY in the New Deal, Bilbo
- was given job in one Of the
New Deal hideaways in Wash
ington as a deserving Democrat
10 whom the Roosevelt admin
istration owed place on the
pay roll and whom il wished TO
keep available for future dirty
work in its behalf.
In this job his duties were 10
clip articles out of newspapers.
lie frankly admitted that
such was the case and that he
was there because, between
terms in elective office, hsl
needed the salary OF $1,000 Al
year.
The New Deal wanted to keep
him of the neck OF Pat Harri-
son, also Of Mississippi. one Of
It's more respectable southern
senators.
There was some apprehension
that the man Bilbo might 70 TO
the voters OF Mississippi and,
with his known appeal, unseat
Mr.. Harrison.
Then there came a time when
~ appeared that Huey Long,
in adjacent Louisiana, might
move into Mississippi and the
party ran Mr.. Bilbo for the
Senate and elected him as a
Roosevelt New Dealer.
When he took his seat there
was a common understanding
that II ever Huey got really
fresh again, the administration
would sick Mr.. Bilbo on him
who would tear him apart be-
cause, although Huey fought
with no holds barred, so did
Bilbo.
1t was impossible 10 Insult
either man and the Roosevelt
administration was comforted
by the thought that the man
Bilbo would keep Huey in his
place.
IN MISSISSIPPI, Bilbo en-
4 ploys the same methods that
ODwyer, Goldstein, Mead and
the others have used against
him and others In New York.
He appeals to the old preju-
dices and bigotries Of his fol-
lowers Just as the demagogs OF
local New York politics de-
nounce as a Fascist or a Mari
any one who fights the criminal
excesses Of unions.
In reverse, he exploits the
same hatreds that New York.
politicians inflame at campaig,
time and for the same purpose,
to get elected.
The most persistent charge
against Bilbo is that he Is
poll-taxer. meaning a senator
from a poll-tax state.
Mississipi's poll-tax does not
affect a mans right 10 earn