Evening Star Newspaper, January 29, 1942, Page 13

Benefit May Result From Odahu Smash Business’ Prestige Seen Enhanced In Capital By DAVID LAWRENCE. ‘There’s one positive good that may eome out of the Roberts report on thd Pearl Harbor disaster. It is a revival of respect here in Washing- ton for what may be termed the managerial function. For more than eight years an attitude of mind has prevailed in the Roosevelt & d m inistration which has re- garded business- men as merely selfish persons whose methods and practices ‘were all suspect because a small minority were accused of cutting! corners in the financial world. David Lawrence. THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1942. The Political Mill Strong Opposi ion Faces Reed Bill to Eliminate Overtime Pay of Workers Up to 48 Hours By GOULD LINCOLN. Shall the United States con- tinue on a 40-hour work week basis—under the terms of the Wages and Hours Act of 1939— during the war? This is the question raised by a bill intro- duced yesterday by Senator Reed of Kansas. He proposed that the work week established by the act shall be temporarily extended from 40 to 48 hours, and that overtime pay shall not begin until an employe shall have been at work for more than 48 hours in any one week. There is nothing in the law today which prevents a 48-hour work week. Indeed, employes may be worked for 56 hours a week. It is provided in the act, however, that for every hour over 40 in a week the employe shall receive overtime pay—time and a half pay—as provided in thou- sands of contracts now in exist- Because it was politically fash- | fonable to denounce businessmen. | many New Dealers have developed | & sort of contempt for business ad- | ministration as such. And yet the | Pear] Harbor fiasco could never have happened in the ordinary routine of a large business organization. n‘Z couldn’t have happened on the rail- roads which moved 600,000 troops recently in record time and it couldn't have happened in any large industrial enterprise where the ful- fillment of any vital order had been intrusted to any key executive or his subordinates. While there was an era in Ameri- ean life when success in business administration and efficiency was overemphasized, few will question today the fact that efficient organi- zation such as Germany has per- fected in wartime is absolutely in- dispensable to the successful opera- tion of a military service. The greatest surprise has, therefore, been expressed afmong business folks that either the Army or Navy could be 80 poorly equipped in its executive mechanism as to permit important orders to be issued without a check- up by anybody to determine whether such orders were fulfilled. Business Lessons Ignored. The New Deal administration has assiduously cultivated the idea that business methods are something to be treated with suspicion. To some extent every administration in ‘Washington has ignored the lessons of business discipline but that’s be- cause the political motive or the vanity motive interferes. Politics sometimes becomes so much in-| grained in a governmental system" that it overflows even into the serv- | ices and agencies of Government | which should be the last to suc- eumb to its wiles. ‘Thus Washington has heard com- ment from time to time that gen- erals or admirals who kow-tow to the political bigwigs of the present administration are given favored posts over and above the heads of those who deserve promotions on merit. Then there is the tenacity with which some men in the Army and Navy have insisted on performing executive functions in Washington | when they are not fitted for it at all. Some of them who may be ex- | cellent with troops in the field or | with men on shipboard have hud‘ little experience in actual manage- | ment of business. Yet they handle enormous war contracts and prop- erty. Civilians, on the other hand, if introduced into the Army and Navy and given commissions find a certain hostllity to them because they haven't won their right to a uniform through either West Point or Annapolis. Dollar-a-Year Men Denounced. To get trained executives and put them on a civilian basis is not al-| ways satisfactory either. The dol-| lar-a-year men for instance who| have volunteered have been de-| nounced as disloyal to the Govern- ment and loyal to their former em- ployers. While occasional instances of this kind may have occurred, the charge on the whole is baseless and unfair. Yet it is made by some members of Congress every now and | then and results in a disservice to the war effort because efficient men do not like to volunteer for war duty only to be abused by the politi- cians. It is a well-knowh fact that the tblest men in America are not in Waeshington helping to run the war | machine. The ablest men happen to be political opponents of the ad- ministration and for that reason the President would not have them in positions of importance in the Government. Mr. Roosevelt pre- fers men who for the most part are his political supporters or personal friends. The present cabinet has not been streamlined for war. No President in recent history has kept 80 many men over a period of eight years in his cabinet. Mr. Roosevelt rarely fires anybody and when there 1s no likelihood of dismissal the at- mosphere in any organization soon reeks of inefficiency and neglect of duty. (Reproduction Rights Reserved.) ence. The effect of the Reed bill would be to cut out overtime pay, until after 48 hours had been worked in a week. Senator Reed contends that the 40-hour work week base was written into the law in 1939 because jobs were scarce, in an effort to spread the work around, give more workers a chance for employment. Employers would put on more employes to get the same amount of work done with- out paying overtime wages. The situation has been changed vastly, in the opinion of the Kansas Sedator, since the na- tional defense and war programs have swung into action in a big way. Not only has the new program taken 5,000,000 workers off the unemployment rolls, as reported by Archibald MacLeish, head of the Office of Facts and Pigures, but another 5,000,000 will be needed in the next year, and probably 10,000,000 before the war ends. There will be no need to spread work; the prob- lem will be to find enough workers. Cites Small Employers. Senator Reed argues that it is unfair to compel the tens of thousands of small employers throughout the country to pay overtime wages for all hours that are worked in excess of 40 per week, under the existing circum- stances. In many cases, particu- larly in defense areas, he said, they already find it difficult to keep their operating costs down because of overtime payments after 40 hours. They are unable to find the people to do the work, and must, therefore, work em- ployes beyond the 40-hour period. Senator Reed’s proposal will meet stubborn resistance, how- ever. In fact, unless the ad- ministration should take an in- terest in it, the measure will have great difficulty even to win con- sideration at the hands of con- gressional committees, not to mention the Senate and House themselves. Senator Thomas of Utah, chairman of the Senate Committe¢e on Education and Labor, to which the bill has been referred, does not believe the measure either wise or just. Nor does Senator La Follette of Wis- consin, the ranking minority member of the Education and Labor Committee, This does not necessarily mean National Gimbel Award Goes to Farm Planner | By the Associated Press. PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 29.—The | Jones family of Shelton, Conn., re- ceived the third national Gimbel award—a check for $1,000—from Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt last night at & banquet attended by 1,000 na- tional and civic leaders. The Joneses—Philip Jones, s Farm Bureau director and agricul- tural planner for defense; his wife and their four children—were se- lected “as typical of countless fami- lies in these United States who are doing their magnificent bit in their daily living and in their communi- ties for freedom and defense.” The national award—given by Gimbel Bros.—has been presented FREE STORAGE— VIRGINIA ANTHRACITE— Peg, 9.25 Stove or Nut, 10,75 All our coal carried in free. Keep Warmer—Call Werner B. J. WERNER 1937 5th N.E. NORTH 8813 Easily Made! Highest Grade! "SALADA TEA-BAGS {In Packages of 100's,36's,18's and 9's that the bill will not have some support in both the Senate and House—but it does mean it will have strong opposition. What the exigencies of the war will bring remains to be seen. As viewed by Senator La Fol- lette, the Reed bill is really an attempt to reduce pay and to compel workers to labor for the same amount of money for 48 hours as they now receive for 40 hours’ work. In his opinion this would not only stir up great dis- sension in the ranks of labor, disturb thousands of contracts entered into between labor and management in good faith, but would also result in lowering morale at a time when every- thing possible should be done to maintain it at the highest point. With taxes mounting, the cost of living on the up and up, with millions of men being taken away from their families, this is no time to do anything to redude wages, he said. Cuts in the earning power of workers, he contended, would tend still further to lower the standard of living of the people. He denied the contention of Senator Reed that the Wages and Hours Act was written for the purpose of “spreading the work.” He said that it was written to obtain as fair a wage as possible for the millions who labored at small pay, and were worked for long hours in the sweatshops of the Nation. Senator Thomas pointed out that the measure would not af- fect so strongly the millions engaged in the big plants on war work—the steel mills, the ship- yards, the airplane factories. They are “organized,” capable of dealing collectively on the ques- tion of wages with their employ- ers. Those employes who would be affected seriously would be those engaged in small business, in plants which were not or- ganized. It was to protect sych employes that the measure was enacted in the first place, he said. U. §. Workers’ Case Cited. Other members of Congress, however, took the view that em- ployes should be willing, in the war emergency, to work for more than 40 hours & week without de- manding overtime pay up to 48 hours. It was pointed out that today, in Washington, employes of the Government are having their working hours extended to at least 44!3 hours, and some of them are working far more hours each week, without any overtime pay whatever. Orders to this ef- fect have gone out during the last week to thousands of the Government workers. If this is to prevail for Government work- ers, they said, why should it not prevafl for others, particularly those who are employed on Gov- ernment contracts. Furthermore, the 48-hour work week would, they said, have its effect in re- ducing the cost of the war pro- gram. now running into the scores of billions of dollars. Senators Thomas and La Fol- lette, on the other hand, contend that the greatest efficiency and most valuable work is obtained, not by working employes long hours, but by working them shorter hours with adequate pay. only twice in the past, to Amelia Earhart in 1932 as “the first lady of the air” and to Mrs. Roosevelt tln 1934 “for her work in rehabilita- on.” Blues, Khaki and est. 1882 D. J. Kaufman is exclusive Brown- ing-King agency in Washington; carrying a COMPLETE STOCK of READY-TO-WEAR Uniforms in ing Overcoats, Raincoats, Macki- naws, Blouses, Slacks, Caps, Sh(_:es, Star’s effort to give all sides 'HE opinions of the writers on this page are their own, not necessarily The Star’s. Such opinions are presented in The of questions of interest to its readers, although such opinions may be contradictory among themselves and directly opposed to The Star’s. By MAJ. GEORGE FIELDING ELIOT. ‘The general view expressed in my last article that the Far Eastern situation appeared on the whole to be somewhat brighter, has received stertling confir- mation as the news comes in % piecemeal of the battle of the Strait of Macas- sar. It is neces- sary to say that we do not know £ the whole story of the battle yet. It may have oth- er aspects. On the face of it, it has all the ap- pearance of 8&°Mal G. Fielding Eliet. heavy Japanese reverse, which seems to have been brought about by Japanese overconfidence and pfobably by thorough and well- planned tactical dispositions on the part of American and Dutch naval and air forces. Apparently, & very large Jape- nese convoy was moving south in the Strait of Macassar to execute trdop landings somewhere on the shore of that strait—perhaps at the city of Macassar itself, the princi- pal town of Celebes. This Japanese convoy and its escort appear to have been attacked by a series of well- co-ordinated blows delivered by Dutch planes and submarines and by American cruisers, destroyers and submarines, aided by United States Army bombers. The Japanese losses were very heavy. At least one battleship and one aircraft carrier are believed to have been sunk or serlously damaged, as well as five cruisers and four destroyers. Seventeen transports and supply ships have been sunk or put out of action, besides additional losses reported yesterday off Balik Papan. It should be pointed out that Jap- anese ships damaged in the Strait of Macassar are more than 2,000 miles from the nearest Japanese dockyard capable of making major repairs. ' High Troop Loss Indicated. Japanese losses of personnel, particularly troops, seem likely to be very high. The loss of the air- craft carrier probably deprived the Japanese ships of a good part of their fighter protection, as the suc- cesses of our bombers became more marked thereafter. On the whole, this seems to have been a well- thought action and a decided suc- cess for the United Nations. It is far too early to say that it marks a turning point to the war in the South Pacific, but it is certainly an indication that from now on, the Japanese will have to pay much more heavily for such success as they may achieve. It is & stern warning against the continuance of the reckless tactics, regardless of loss or risk, which they have pursued so far. Allied air and naval power is increasing in Australia and the Dutch islands, and will continue to increase, while it is hard-to see how the Japanese strength at the same rate. We should, of course, remember that the full tale of the battle of the Strait of Macassar is not yet told, and that it may turn out that there are serious Allied losses yet to be reported. The point is that the Japanese are losing ships and planes which they cannot replace at the same rate that we can, in the long run. Similar considerations apply to the situation in Malaya, where there are indications that can go on building up their fighting | Check on Jap Recklessness Strait of Macassar Battle Warns Foe They May Pay Heavily for Further Gains are becoming more careful as their losses mount, and as the difficulties of supply and reinforcement over lengthening lines of communication become more apparent. Neverthe- less, it seems likely that the Japa- nese will try to increase their pres- sure on the British lines above Sing- apore, spurred to fresh endeavor by the evidence they have gained in the Strait of Macassar that the period of their unquestioned air and naval dominance in the South- western Pacific may be drawing to N { § | close. May Change Either Way. ‘The situation in this whole ares is one in which, despite the atmos- phere of gloom which continues to pervade official dispatches, may take & sharp turn for the better within a comparatively short time. Or it may be made very much worse by the loss of Singapore. It should be noted that one dan- | gerous feature of this campaign is |the Japanese lodgement in New | Britain and the Solomon Islands. From bases in this area, Japanese submarines and aircraft can threaten American communications with Australia, and the sea route from the main Australian ports to Port Darwin, which passes through Torres Strait and is flanked by the new Japanese foothold in the Solomon Islands. Among the possibilities of the im- mediate future, therefore, must be reckoned an Allied attempt to drive the Japanese out of these positions. It is not yet certain whether the new German gains in Libya are a result of the weakening of the Brit- |ish forces in North Africs for the | benefit of the Far East. It would | be & curious repetition of history if the British, having twice conquered Cyrenaica, were twice to be com- pelled to abandon it because of the need of sending forces to another theater of operation. The very fact that Gen. Rommel has been able to resume the offensive indicates that he has received considerable reinforcements, and this initial fact may be due to a reduction of Brit- ish air and naval power in the Medi- terranean for the benefit of Singa- pore. It is, however, rather too early to assume that Rommel is able to retake even Bengasl, much less reconquer all of Cyrenaica. In the end, the whole British position in Egypt and the Middle East proba- bly will be more greatly benefited by 1|ctlan to make Singapore secure |and thus prevent a Japanese irrup- :tian into the Indian Ocean, than | it will by any amount of fighting in | the desert. (Copyright, 1942, New York Tribune, Ine) Negro Council Commends Missouri Governor The Washington Council of the National Negro Congress has for- warded a letter to Gov. Forrest of Missouri, commending him for his “prompt action in condemning the lynching of Cleo Wright on January 25 at Sikeston, Mo.” The action was taken following a meeting Mon of the Executive Committee of the Washington Council. A copy of the letter to the | Missouri Governor also was sent to President Roosevelt. “In view of your recent expres- sions regarding the necessity of eliminating all racial and other prejudices from our national life,” the letter said in part, “we are con- fident that you recognize the real danger to our national morale, and consequently to our national safety, which the lynching of Cleo Wright represents. We trust that you will do everything within the power of your office to prevent further aggra- vation of this danger which will result from failure to bring about prompt and full punishment of the lynchers.” This Changing World Arrival of U. S. Troops in Near East Bolsters State Department for Holding Turkey in Line By CONSTANTINE BROWN. Recent arrivals of American troops in the Near East have strengthened the hand of the. State Department in its diplo- matic dealings with Turkey. The activities of American dip- lomats in Europe are now re- stricted to four countries: Spain, Portugal, Vichy France and Tur- key. In Spain, American diplomats ean do little against the Ger- man divisions concentrated in the Pyrenees and the many Nazi agents who control Spain’s in- ternal political life. The Ameri- can Embassy is watching de- velopments in an effort to de- termine when the Germans will take over. The problem is somewhat dif- ferent 'in Portugal. Fundamen- tally the Portuguese government is sympathetic to the United Ne- tions, but officially it is neutral, and in effect it is strongly su- pervised by hundreds, if not thousands, of Nazi agents. Ber- lin has given the Lisbon govern- ment to understand that the slightest indication of willing- ness to eco-operate with Britain and the United States will bring a German expeditionary force to Portugal. ‘The Portuguese possess two groups of islands which are vital to this country, the Azores and Cape Verde Islands. These are not within easy reach of Axis tentacles, although the Italians are reported to have s ground personnel of about 150 men on the Isle of Sal of the Cape Verde group, where they have “com- mercial installations.” Wary of Coup. I1f Portugal were willing to place these islands at our dis- posal, their facilities would great- ly assist future operations by the United Nations against the Axis. Washington and London are reluctant to force the pace with & “coup.” The skill of our diplomats in Lisbon may be of some help, but their hand must be strengthened by & show of force—not neces- sarily on Portuguese territory, but in some other zone. Nazi and Japanese successes have not helped a bit, and the Russian victories are of no assistance in Portugal because in the eyes of the Portuguese they are “Com- munist” victories. Vichy is still different. The government of Unoccupied France is under heavy pressure from Berlin, in fact is a prisoner of the Nazis. The most optimistic military information is that next summer will certainly see the French in Europe at the side of the Axis. Some believe co-operation for a “comymon victory” may come even earlier. You may choose the assortment of fresh candies you enjoy most...and at ‘There is, however, a section of France which is far more im- portant to us strategically than continental France North Africa. While it is conceded in diplomatic circles that Marshal Petain could not successfully fight the Nazis if they insist that the French fleet co-operate with them in the Mediterranean, there 1s better than a 50-50 chance that the Germans could be prevented from taking over North Africa. Status Quo Satisfactory. We do not want North Africa right now for military operations and are quite satisfied to have the status quo preserved, but American officials are worried lest Nazi pressure induce the wavering French rulers to con- sent to the Germans using North Africa for their own purposes. Admiral Leahy, who has done remarkable diplomatic work since he went to France shortly after its fall, is marking time. He ad- vites Washington to keep its re- lations with France on an even keel and since Marshal Petain is so absorbed in the task of feed- ing his people, he advises that some “token” shipments of food and other necessities be sent to North Africa. ‘There is a bare chance that Algeria and Morocco might be maintained outside Nazi influ- ence if we show willingness to co-operate with Marshal Petain. Food alone, however, is not suf- cient; we must also convince the military in these two French ter- ritories that we pack a powerful punch and that if they indicate a disposition to oppose the Nazis they can count on some real help from us, not the driblets offered them in the past. Turks Stay on Fence. For the time being, and until the Axis shows its hand in the Near East and the Mediterranean ares, the situation in Turkey is satisfactory. The Turks are on the fence, playing an enigmatic game with diplomats of the Axis and the United Nations and striving desperately to strength- en their military forces. ‘The opinion of those who know Turkish diplomacy is that they will side with the strongest group of powers, that is to say, with the group which has immediate victories in the forthcoming Mediterranean campaign, Meanwhile, much spade work is being done by diplomats of the United Nations. Some American war material has reached An- kara already, and more has been promised them. The arrival of an American force, fully equipped and well trained, in the Near East has unquestionably raised our chances of getting the Turks on our side. | our history. Whites, includ- EQUIPMENT Insignia and all other necessary regulation equipment. Through our past military experience we are qualified to suggest and com- plete ALL your immediate uniform needs. TO PAY. ..and offer you 4 MONTHS Cor. Loxingted & Liberly Ave., Baltimere, Md. These delicious candies are ALWAYS FRESH! Every 48 hours, or even more often, fast trucks deliver these strictly fresh candies from the studio to your Fanny Farmer Shop. They’re made from fresh foods; fresh, rich cream, fresh creamery butter (in 1-1b. prints), fresh fruits, selected nut meats, very finest quality chocolate. They taste fresh, because they are fresh! Prices are mederate. Boxes are M s 11b,, 704; 2 Ibs., $1.20; 3 Ibs., $1.80; 4 Ibs., $2.40; S 1bs., $3.00. Don’t for- get the boys in Service! Fanny Jaime, THE FRESH CANDIES s 1008 F St. N.W. 1331 F St. NW.—Tel Natl 8263 3435 Connecticut Ave. N.W., Noar Ordway 5t 3014 14k St. NW. ¢ A-11 McLemore— Get Tough With Japs In U. S. Is His Plea By HENRY McLEMORE. LOS ANGELES.—Speaking strict- ly as an American, I think Ameri- cans are nuts. Twenty-four hours in Los Angeles have convinced * me of this. We are at war. . California is s * key State, not only because of its airplane in- dustry, but be- cause its shores offer a logicai invasion point. So what does the Government do about the tens of thou- Henry McLemors. sands of Japa- nese in California? Nothing. The only Japanese apprehended have been the ones the F. B. I. actu- ally had something on. The rest of them, 80 help me, are as free as birds. There isn't an airport in California that isn't flanked by Japanese farms. There is hardly an air fleld where the same situation doesn't exist. They run their stores. They clerk in stores. They clip lawns. They are here, there and everywhere. You walk up and down the streets |and you bump into Japanese in every block. They take the parking positions. They get ahead of you in the stamp line at the post office. They have their share of seats on the bus and streetcar lines, This doesn't make sense, for half & dozen reasons. How many Ameri- can workers do you suppose are free to roam and ramble in Tokio? Didn't the Japanese threaten to shoot on sight any white person who ventured out-of-doors in Manila? Why Be So Polite? S0, why are we so beautifully courteous? I know this is the melting pot of the world and all men are created équal and there must be no such thing as race or creed hatred, but do those things go when a country is fighting for its life? Not in my book. No country has ever won a war because of courtesy and I trust and pray we won't be the first one to lose one because of the lovely, gracious spirit. Everywhere that the Japanese have attacked to date, the Japaness population has risen to aid the ate tackers. Pearl Harbor, Manila. ‘What is there to make the Govern- ment believe that the same wouldn't be true in California? Does it feel that the lovely California climate has changed them and that the thousands of Japanese who live in the boundaries of this State are sil staunch and true Americans? I am for immediate removal of Kevery Japanese on the West Coast |to a point deep in the interior. I | don't mean a nice part of the in- | terior either. Herd 'em up, pack 'em | off and give 'em the inside room in the badlands. Let 'em be pinched, hurt, hungry and dead up against it. Hardship on Many Conceded. Sure, this would work an unjusti- fled hardship on 80 per cent or 90 per cent of the California Japanese. But, the remaining 10 or 20 per cent have it in their power to do dam- age—great damage to the American people. They are a serious menace and you can't tell me that an in- dividual's rights have any business being placed above a nation's safety. If meking one million innocent Japanese uncomfortable would pre- vent one scheming Japanese from costing the life of one American boy, then let the million innocent i [suffer. In an earlier column I protested 1| against American soldiers in Hono- lulu giving s military burial to s Japanese soldier. There were some readers who kicked me around in letters for such an attitude. There are sure to be some Americans who will howl and scream at the idea of | Inconveniencing America's Japanese | population in order to prevent sabo- tage and espionage. Critics Invited to Howl. Okay, let them howl. Let them bhow! timber-wolf type. Our Gov- ernment has told us we face war. All-out war. It has told us that we are up against the roughest days in It has demanded of us sacrifice and sweat and toil and all of the other of Mr. Churchill's graphic words. That's all right, we will answer. But let us have no patience with the enémy or with any one whose veins carry his blood. Let us in this desperate time put first things first. And, who is to say that to the men and women of this country there is anything that comes above America? Personally, I hate the Japanese. And that goes for all of them. Let’s quit worrying about hurting the enemy's feelings and start do- ing it. (Distributed by McNaught Byndicate. Inc.) Prince Georges Club - | Scene of Birthday Ball ‘With Representative and Mrs. Sasscer and Senator Radcliffe, State President’s Birthday Celebration chairman, heading the list of patrons and patronesses, the dia- mond jubilee ball will be held to- morrow night at the Prince Georges Golf and Country Club (formerly the Beaver Dam Country Club) under auspices of the Prince Georges County (Md.) Infantile Paralysis Committee. ‘The ball, arrangements for which are being made by a committee headed by Mrs. Betty Tayman of Cheverly, will be held from 10 until 2. Tickets may be had at the door. Officers of the Maryland State Guard in uniform, headed by Maj. Caesar L. Aijello, commanding the 9th Battalion, will serve as the Floor Committee. Former Mayor Fred W. Gast of