The midland journal., 1946-10-04
ON FIRMER FOUNDATIONS
BY j. Il. Jones


United States Department of Com
merce was organized in 1903 to fos-
ter, promote and develop the foreign
and domestic commerce, mining, and
fishing industries of TIE United
States. Because of the wonderful sue
cess achieved by Herbert Hoover in
building up the Department the
American people promoted him to
the Presidency. In later years, Jesse
II. Jones matched the Hoover record
by his masterful administration of
the Commerce Department between
1910 and 1945, when he was replac-
ed by Henry Wallace. President
Roosevelt openly confessed that Wal
lace was picked because he had taken
the political stump after he had been
scratched for the Vice-Presidency by
Roosevelt, and then had helped to re-
elect Mr.. Roosevelt, and along with
him Harry Truman as Vice-Presi-
dent.
Wallace was the first Secretary of
Agriculture under the New Deal, and
without going into particulars, the
general opinion was that he was a
very mediocre Cabinet official
Wallace is out as Secretary of
Commerce, and it does not seem dis
respectful to say that is lucky break
for the American people. His official
record was not good; and as politi-
cal leader he is no good.
Now comes news of tke appoint
ment of W. Averill Hartman as Sec
retary of Commerce. That gentleman
began edging in on political and Gov
ernment Administration affairs doz-
en- years ago. He was special repre-
sentative of the President to Great
Britain in 1941.
Hartman came home from Russia,
when he was United State Ambassa- =
dor and he was welcomed by the en-
tire newspaper profession of the Ma
tional Capital. He was guest speaker
at National Press Club luncheon
given in his honor. Hartman gave an
intimate account of his experiences
in Russia and spoke of his friendly
relations with the Russian govern
ment Evidently Stain and his crew
placed full confidence in the Ameri-
can Ambassador, and did not conceal
tkeir policies-if they had any
from the American Ambassador Har-
riman's record as our Ambassador to
London is also praised by the Wash
ignton newsmen. So far as the public
is concerned he is Tops. Now he goes
into the Cabinet as Secretary of Com
merce.
He won his decorations as first
class business man prior to the time
he was drafted into public life. He
certainly will meet all the require
ments as Secretary of Commerce and
as sound political advisor in the
Presidents Cabinet. He is the right
man in the right place.
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undermining Congress
Just before Congress adjourned it
agreed upon so-called Legislative
Reorganization Act, that consolidated
lot of Committees, provided for in
creasing the number of Legislative
assistants, and boosts in pay for
Senators and Representatives. AT the
same time Congress made soft prom
ises of lowering the ceilings on ap-
propriations, decreasing taxes and
reducing the National debt. The long
recess before Congress meets again
will give the public a chance to for
get these Congressional promises.
When the time comes to tune up
again you'll find Congress fiddling
the same old tunes. Nothing will be
done about Bilbo and other freak po-
litical characters from the South or
any otker part of TIE country.
An independent top source of poll
tical information ventures the opin-
ion that the Democrats will lose con-
troll of the House of Representatives
in the coming election. 1t also ex-
presses the belief that the Democrats
will keep control in the Senate.
The Farm Is A Factory
Many years ago the electrical cor
porations rushed into the business of