Ottawa County news. (Port Clinton, Ohio) 1931-1956, 1952-06-20
;A[SAMlS
REPORT
FROM WASHINGTON

The President has, as he did in
1916, vetoed bill which would
return to the States ownership OF
the off-shore and tidelandS. The
Supreme Court has held that the
Federal Government has para
mount rights to these lands and
the oil contained hereunder. This
bill would turn over to the States
valuable oil and mineral resour-
ces which many people feel be-
long to all the people of the coun-
try. l voted against the bill when
it came before the House. / intend
to vote to uphold the veto when
it comes before the House on a
motion to override. l believe these
oil rich lands are national re-
source which should not be cedetl
by the Congress. The profit from
them should be used for the bene-
fit of all the people and not just
those of few States. All the
people defend these shores; all the
people should benefit from their
value A bill was introduced to
give the States 371a percent of
the lease revenues. The remain
der would 60 to the Federal Trea-
sury and be used to aid our edu-
cational systems throughout the
nation. I believe this is the bill
that should become law. 1t would
benefit all people, especially our
children.
Prisoners of War
Two months ago the Congress
passed a bill, which the President
signed. 1t calls for World War II
prisoners of War to be paid the
amount of $1.50 day for each
day they were held prisoner. This
is provided by the Geneva Con-
vention. This is to be paid by the
War Claims Commission, which
holds more than enough money to
make these payments from the as
sets of our former enemies. The
Commission has announced that
it expects to pay veterans who
were prisoners of war about Au-
gust /.
Great Lakes Flood Damage
The Army Engineers have an
nounced that high water on the
Great Lakes has caused over SOL
million dollars damage during the
year ending May 1. Lake Michigan
suffered the most, with a loss of
over $50 million. Lake Erie was
second, having damage estimated
at nearly $12 million. Most of
the damage has been suffered by
private property owners. There
was one good piece of news. The
Engineers said they expect to
make a full report to Congress
with recommendations in time for
the Congress to act this session
toward remedial measures. The
only permanent solution is regu-
lation of the water level at the
outlet of the various Lakes. l am
for that kind of regulation.
Court Of Justice
The existence of international
law is being recognized more wide
ly this year. During the first five
years of the International Court
of Justices history, the Court was
only called upon to make five de-
cisions. But this year the free ma
tions have equaled that number
already and there are at least six
other international disputes that
may be filed soon. The most ce-
lebrated case is that of the Anglo
Iranian Oil Company VS. Iran.
Such increased use of the World
Court shows again that free ma
tions are basically law-abiding
and willing to have their differ
ences settled by law rather than
war. If we can increase respect
for international law and use of
the International Court, we will
have gone a long way toward a
world of law and order and peace.
Real Estate Credit
When the Federal Reserve Board
recently announced the end of Re-
gulation w on installment buying,
the demand grew for a relaxation
of Regulation x, which covers
down-payments on homes. The Fe-
deral Reserve Board advises that
they expect to announce next week
some relaxation of Regulation x
controls. Mr.. Foley, Chairman of
tthe Housing and Home Finance
Administration, has stated that
consideration was being given to
reducing the down payments on
homes over $4,000. l have recon-
mended that similar reduction be
made on homes below that price
bracket. This suggestion should be
followed. The lower-priced hous-
ing is needed and more in short