Kankakee Valley Post, Volume 16, Number 22, DeMotte, Jasper County, 12 April 1946 — The Washington MERRY-GO-ROUND [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The Washington MERRY-GO-ROUND

by DREW PEARSON

WAR NOT EXPECTED , WASHINGTON. That the Tru man cabinet Is not looking for war In the near future, despite warlike talk, was Indicated at a secret session of the senate military affairs committee recently. When Secretary of State Byrnes and Secretary of War Patterson testified In favor of an extension of the selective service act. the figures they presented on planned streugth of the army and navy were exactly the same as those presented early in January. In other words, they proposed an army of barely over a million men by July of 1947 The senators had expected that because of the complicated international situation a larger army would be asked for, but the war and state departments made no such request. When one senator asked how it happened that there was no "emergency" planning. Secretary Byrnes refused to answer. He passed the question to Secretary Patterson, who also did not reply. • • • WALLACE SPEECH CENSORED. It wasn't supposed to be known outside the cabinet, but Henry Wallace's speech at the Jackson Day dinner was censored by President Truman himself. Wallace had one line In his speech which he thought would answer Republican critics. It read: "Abraham Lincoln was not a member of our party. But he was certainly a fellow traveler.” Truman thought such a reference to the martyred Lincoln might be misunderstood and cut it out Wallace was glad to concur. • • • MEN'S SUITS It still looks like a long wait before veterans can get the clothing they need. The office of war mobilisation and reconversion will soon bring out a report on men’s clothing showing a need for 40 million suits this year but production plans for only about 28 million. The report will also show that first quarter production has been only about 8 million, and officials of the civilian production administration are worried sick that even the goal of 28 million suits for 1948 will not be met. There Is no sign yet that the Increase In prices granted this month by OPA will mean more men's suits. There are Indications, however, that large stocks of snits are being held off the market In the hope that price control will not be extended beyond June. • • •

JOHN L. LEWIS For years John L. Lewis has been one of labor’s top negotiators. Usually he has his facts cold. Recently, however, while arguing safety precautions with Harry Moses, an important Pittsburgh mine operator, he said: “Why, Harry, your father la a good Illustration of why we need these aafeguards. Everybody knows him as a veteran coal man, and we’ve all seen him limping around for 50 years because of a mine accident. So how can you sit there and deny us the safeguards to prevent the same aort of thing from happening to other miners?” ”John,” replied Moses, *T don’t know where yon got your information abont my father—but It wasn’t so good. I’ll tell you how he hurt his leg. It wasn’t In a coal mine. It was playing baseball. He broke his leg sliding Into second.” NOTE Bureau of mine officials heartily endorse Lewis’ demands for better safety precautions In the mines. * * * DIPLOMATIC VICTORY During the heyday of the Roosevelt administration. Vice Pres. Jack Garner gave a dinner for the late Will Rogers at which the cowboy humorist, commenting on a forthcoming- international conference, said: "This country has won every war but lost every conference.” Recently, however, one International conference closed at Savannah, Ga., at which the United Statei won every single round. It was the first world monetary conference, and the man responsible for the American victory was hard-hitting Fred Vinson, secretary of the treasury. His chief battle was over the location of the international bank and the stabilization fund to be established under the Bretton Woods plan. The British wanted the bank and fund located in New York, but Secretary Vinson wanted them in Wash lngton. When the vote was taken, there was only one vote against Washington Lord Keynes’ vote. * * * CHAFF Two movie companies are bidding for "Saints and Strangers," the new best seller written by George Willlson. . . . Former Democratic Sen. Clarence Dill of Washington Is being urged for one of the vacant assistant secretaryships of the interior department . . . Jim Landis may be headed for a new lmpor tant administration job soon. . . . New Mexico’s Gov. Jack Dempsey decided after two talks with Pres id»nt Truman thst he would not op pose Sen. Dennis Chavez, N. M. . ..