.1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD--HOUSE 2353 By Mr. SUMNERS of Texas: pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Tex- foreign governments. Today I am com­ H. R. 4348. A bill to amend the act ap­ arkana, Tex.: · pelled to focus attention on further evi­ proved August 18, 1942, entitled "An act to dence of a planned conspiracy to prevent facilitate the disposition of prizes. captured Our Father who art in heaven, we by the United States during the present war, thank Thee for all Thy blessings, among public discussion of a matter that in­ and for other purposes"; to the Committee which are liberty and representative gov­ volves our national honor. on the Judiciary. ernment, which up to this good day Thou The early or "bulldog" edition of the H. R. 4349. A bill to exempt certain otllcers hast maintained for us. Washington Post, that "independent" and employees of the N~tional War Labor We recommend to Thy throne of newspaper which carries the flag of the )3oard fron1 certain provisions of the Criminal Federal Communications Commission­ Code; to the Committee on the Judiciary. grace all who have contributed to our . By Mr. SCANLON: history, and at· this time we are espe­ today carried a factual story on the H. R. 4350. A bill to permit the naturaliza­ cially mindful of our valiant and heroic Palestine situation 'by Mr. Drew Pearson tion of foreign seamen who serve on Amer­ dead in this great world conflict, wher­ which was withdrawn from all subse­ ican-owned vessels for a period of at least 3 ever their graves may be. Comfort their quent editions, but which I am inserting years while the United States is at war; to loved ones with the solace of that full in the Appendix for your information. I the Committee on Immigration and Naturali­ would like to emphasize that I am· by no · zation. knowledge that their sacrifice will not be vain as long as freedom obtains. means vouching for Mr. Pearson's ac­ By Mr. LANE: . I H. R. 4351. A bill to provide retirement We ask Thee to bless the counsels of curacy and call attention to his column benefits for certain emergency otllcers of this great body and may their conclu­ only to show tliat here is another in­ World War No. 1; to the Committee on Mili­ sions assist to hasten the day of a just stance that there. is a determined attempt tary Affairs. and victorious peace. right here in Washington to silence· dis­ By Mr. COFFEE: Through Jesus Christ our Lord. cussion on the Palestine resolutions. H. J. Res. 247. Joint resolution on interna­ Amen. Each such attempt can be traced to the tional economic collaboration; to the Com­ New Deal administration. mittee on Foreign Affairs. The Journal of the proceedings of yes­ . Strangely, the same edition of the Post . . By Mr. COOLEY: terday was read and approved. H. J. Res. 248. Joint resolution relating to gives considerable prominence to an the marketing of Burley and fiue-cured to­ MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE Associated Press dispatch · from Cairo bacco under the AgricUltural Adjustment Act A message from the Senate, by Mr. voicing the protests of seven Arabic­ of 1938, as amended; to the Committee on speaking nations to our resolutions, but _Agriculture. Shaner, one of its clerks, announced that the Senate had passed without amend­ fails to carry a· line on protests made ment a concurrent resolution of the z:ight on the :f1,oor of the House yesterday PETITIONS, ~TC. House of the following title: against the policy of appeasement we are Under clause 1 of rule XXII, petitions H. Con. Res. 70. Concurrent resolution au­ a.dopting to quiet noisy, but ineffectual and papers were laid on the Clerk's desk thorizing the printing of additional copies Arabs. The House protests were carried and referred as follows: · of Public Law No. 235, current session, en­ in the New York Times, the New York 5200. By Mr. COCHRAN: Petition (sub­ titled "Revenue Act of 1943." Herald Tribune, ~nd most other news­ mitted by Fred Joseph, of the United Auto­ The messag·e also announced that the papers which ~re not making too literal mobile Workers of St. Louis) of 43 men in Senate agrees to the amendments of tbe use of the words "freedom of the press" the armed forces giving their personal views House to a bill and a joint resolution of to suppress discussion of matters of on. the right of the servicemen to vote; to g·enuine public inte:r:est. . the Committee on .. Election of .President, the Senate of the following titles:- _Vice President, and Representatives in Con- s. 1146. -An act to amend section 31 of the There is one more ·point I would like gress. . Securitie,.s Exchange Act of 1934; and to make: Gen. Jan · Christiaan Smuts, 5201. By Mr. ARNOLD: Petition to handle S. J. Res. 78. Joint resolution ·to provide whom we all know to be a realist, is with the proper authorities for investigation cash awards to personnel of the Maritime quoted as favoring the Palestine resolu­ at once of river carriers, with the view of put­ Commission and the War Shipping Adminis­ tions. General Smuts has first-hand ting this industry under proper management tration for useful suggestions to improve ad­ and to use this transportation system to its ministration. of their activities. knowledge of the situation in Palestine fullest extent to aid in. the prosecution of the and is not inclined, as our leaders ap­ 'war effort; that Schedules be maintained so The message also announced that the pear to be,. to appease the Arab minority the shipl'er will ship; that solicitors be put Senate agrees to the report of the com­ which threatens violence. back in the field to acquaint the public with mittee of conference on the disagreeing I want to again emphasize that I do the fact that there is such an industry and a votes of the two Houses on the amend­ saving in freight rates, and they in the future not vouch for the accuracy of Mr. Pear­ ments of the Senate to the bill (S. 872) son's statements, nor am I interested in / can again Q.epend on this transportation in­ entitled "An act to authorize the Presi­ dustry; to ·the Committee on Rivers and any differences of opinion which may Harbors. · dent to appoint Frank T. Hines a briga­ exist between Mr. Pearson and his pub­ 5202. By Mr. ROLPH: Petition of the San dier general in the Army of the United lisher, or between his publisher and the Francisco Chapter of Hadassah, urging the States." majority of Jews in the United States. abrogation of the Chamberlain White Paper; EXTENSION OF REMARKS to the Committee on Foreign A1firs. I do think it is important, in determin­ ,5203. By Mr. L~NE: Resolution adopted at Mr. REED of New York. Mr. Speaker, ing the reason for the' withdrawal of the the Balfour Day meeting, New York, Novem­ I ask unanimous consent to extend my Pearson column, to remember that the ber 1, 1943, and ·approved at the meeting remarks in the Appendix of the RECORD Post has not concerned itself previously February 1, 1944, of the Lynn Hebrew School and include an article by John O'Donnell with Mr. Pearson's attacks upon indi­ Association, Lynn, Mass., urging that appro­ in this morning's Washington Times- viduals or policies. I am not now seek­ priat e action be taken to open the gates of Palestine to Jewish immigration and to Herald. , ing to give wider circulation to Mr. Pear­ establish a homeland there for the Jewish The SPEAKER. Without objection, it son's column, _b_ut I am citing it, along race; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. is so ordered. · with the fact of its withdrawal, to· show 5204. By Mr. SCffiFFLER: Petition 'or the l'bere was no objection. further evidence of the planned con­ representatives of the churches of Grafton, PALESTINE RESOLUTIONS spiracy within the administration and W. Va., urging the passage of House bill 2082; among administration supporters -to pre­ to the Committee on the- Judiciary. Mr. COMPTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to proceed for 1 vent the Members of the House and Sen­ minute. ate from knowing or discussing the facts The SPEAKER. Is there objection? surrounding the mysterious decision to There was no objection. kill the Palestine resolutions. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Mr. COMPTON. Mr. Speaker, yester­ The question we must decide is broader than that involved in the rights of the WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1944 day I called -attention to the fact that the Members of the House were to be denied Jews in Palestine; it is a question of The House met at 12 o'clock noon. an opportunity for open discussion on whether or not this Congress is to con­ Prayer was offered by Chaplain Wil­ ·Palestine resolutions because this admin­ tinue to submit to dictation f~om outside Ham F. O'Brien, United States Army, istration has bowed to protests from sources. 2354 - CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE MARCH 8 · Here is Mr. Pearson's column for what Furt};lermore, the JewJsh Refugee Com­ We would not only run the·risk of cre­ it is wcrth: mittee, of which Hull is·chairman, has-recom­ ating friction with the British Empire I?ended tha~. be. ca~se of difficult transporta­ Patrick J. Hurley's long seance with the tion Jews in EUrope be sent"t6 Mediterranean but we would also run the risk, as I said, President on the problems of the Near East areas rather than across the Atlantic. of stirring up trouble between her and is continuing to have repercussions in the . All this has aroused a strong feeling in the Arabs that might spread to the en­ War Department and on Capitol Hill. Espe­ Congress that the original Woodrow Wilson­ tire Moslem world, including the whole of cially, it has thrown a monkey wrench into Arthur Balfour declaration favoring Palestine India. In addition to that, we might be­ Senator TAFr's and Senator WAGNER'S resolu­ as a national home for. the Jews must be kept tion in favor of lifting restrictions on Jewish come involved in the controversy now alive at least to the point of leaving Palestine raging in Palestine between the Com­ migration to Palestine and creating a com­ open to Jewish immigration, despite the cur­ monwealth of Palestine. rent British declaration to the contrary. munist Jews and the anti-Communist Major General Hurley, who has had con­ . . Jews. ferences with Arab ruler ibn-Saud regarding . The SPEAKER. The time of the gen­ ·A leading news correspondent in the Saudi Arabia's vast oil reserves, reported to tleman from Connecticut has expired. Middle ~ast wid on Marcl:t 6- the President that the Arabs would revolt if Mr. RANKIN. Mr. Speaker, a parlia­ further Jewish migration into Palestine were rt is reliably reported that these two Jew­ mentary inquiry. ish groups have already had several clashes permitted. Arab-Jewish riot5, he indicated, The SPEAKER. The gentleman will would cause trouble for British troops, and that some property be~o!lgi:ng to con­ state it. servative individuals and societies has been · The President suggested that the former destroyed. · Secretary of War report on this situation to Mr. RANKIN. Did the gentleman from the present Secretary of War, Henry L. Connecticut [Mr. CoMPTON] receive per­ - This agitation should stop now, before Stimson. . mission of the House to insert Drew somebody explodes a powder keg that Hurley did. Apparently there was a Pearson's attack on the administration ~ight prove disastrous to the Allied cause prompt. meet_ipg of minds between the two in the RECORD? Secretaries of War. Stimson already had in this· war, and, as I said, might en­ The SPEAKER. They are put in every danger the lives of millions of our own sent a letter to Senator ToM Co'NNALLY, chair­ day by somebody. ' man of the Senate Foreign Relations Com- men. . mittee, regarding Jewish migration anc'!., after Mr. RANKIN. I understand, but it is Mr. COMPTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask' Hurley's call, he sent Chief of Staff Marshall done by unanimous consent, and I think unanimous consent to include a part of himself to testify secretly before CoNNALLY'S the unanimous consent ought to be had an article by Drew Pearson· appearing in committee. first. today's Washington Post. . General Marshall was most emph~tiQ in As far as I am concerned, I am not opposing the Taft-Wagner resolution. He willing for Drew Pearson or anybody else The SPEAKER. Is there objection to contended that its passage . would be a to . fill this CONGRESSIONAL RECORD with the request of the gen£leman from Con­ 'calamity, basing this opinion' on the reaction attacks on this· Government, or which necticut? r:)f the Arabs and the possibility that British wave the red flag in the face of the Brit­ · Mr. RANKIN .. Mr. Speaker, I ask that troops would· have to be used to quell them, ish ·Empire, our great ally in this war, _he 'Yithhold i_t f.or the time being. I want : However, the net result.of the Hur}ey-Mar­ to see it before it goes in the R:tcORD. shall-Stimson maneuvers will probably be to over the Jewish question in Palestine. kill the. resolution regardh:ig Palestf~J.e. Sen­ That is a question for the British ·Em EXTENSION OF REMARKS pire · and is none of our business; We ·ator TAFT is t:eported. to ,be som.ewhat irked, Mi. CAPOZZOLI. ' Mr. Speaker, on be­ because he took great pains to ascertain in would resent' it if the British should un­ advance that the resolution would meet no dertake to tell us what to do in Puerto half. of ~Y colleague the gentleman from administration objection. Rico or Alaska. · New York [Mr. KLEIN], I ask unanimous · Before it. was introduced, TAF';l' sent a letter Mr. CELLER. · Mr. Speaker, a point of .consent that he may extend his remarks to Secretary Hull asking h.is views . . Since the order. Is the gentleman objecting or is and include a speech ·which he delivered 'secretary of Statf.l has be.en appointed by on Sund. ay~the United Jewish Appeal at F. D. R. as chairman of a special com,mittee to he making a speech? War. · · help get Jewish refugees out of Axis countries, · The SPEAKER.· The gentleman from TAFT felt that Hull was the appropriate per­ Mississippi has reserved the right to ob­ The SPEAKER. . Is there objection? son to ask. However, he _got no response. ject. The gentleman will proceed. There was no objection. . Meanwhile ·R !l-bbi Abba ·Hillel Silver, of Mr. RANKIN: . I have no- objection to (By. unanimous ·consent, Mr. BROOKS Cleveland, callec:J.. onrHull and asked fo.r his the •gentlem.'an. from Connecticut· [Mr. wa~ , g-r~nted permission to revise and ~iews. Hull read, tpe . propos~d. resol\ltiO~ CoMPTON] making his owrr ·speech, but I extend his own remarks.) · · · · witl:;l.. pain.stak_ing care, then cagily replied: . Mr. LUDLOW·. Mr.. Speaker, I ~sk •·r cannot tell you tliat I favor it, because ·the ·have listened to these attacks on Cordell State : Department can take no. positjon in Htlll, our great Secretary of State, and I unaJ1,i~ou~ ~nsent that. in the remarks .these matters::. . . have listened to· these attacks on the which· I shall -make today in Committee . So finally,. Senator TAFT asked his bro.ther Bfitish Empire concerning this'Palestine ~f the Whole on the first deficiency ap­ .Charles, who. works in' the State Depar-tment, question.' In· my opinion·, these crit­ propriation · bill, I may include' certain to ascertain Hull's views. Charlie Taft took icisms are doing mGre harm than good. letters and extracts. the matter up in a State Department meet­ The SPEAKER. · Is there objection? !ng and got word that the Department had We are at war and Great Britain is no objection . t.o the resolution, whereupon our ally. Her soldiers and ours are fight­ There was. no objection. Senator TAFr went, ahead. ing side by side in the most desperate GOVERNOR DEWEY'S FOUR POINTS ; But, subs~quently, Assistant Secretary of struggle of all time, and I am not willing War McCloy let .the cat out 9f the bag to to have Drew Pearson, or anybody else, Mr. QELLER. Mr. Speaker,· I ask Rabbi Silver that the War Department was get their material placed in the CoN­ unanimous consent to address the House supposed to .carry the balr for the State De­ for 1 minute and to revise and extend .GRE&SIONAL RECORD, WaVing a red flag ~n partment, because Hull did not want to take the face· of the British Empire, waving a my remarks. . a public stand against the resolution. The SPEAKER. Is thei·e objection? All of which has made everybody mad. red flag in the face. of . 400,000,000 Mos~ While Jewish leaders are by no means unani­ lems, Arabs, if·you please, who are now There was no objeetion. · · mous regarding Palestine,· th.ey are · unan­ friendly toward America aiid the British Mr. CELLER. Mr. Speaker, Tom imous in not liking Government runarounds. Empire. I submit that carrying on such Dewey has again spoken from Olympus. -And the current State Department run­ anti-~ritish propaganda in that way is He now offers a four-point plan for a around has got under the skin of both Jew­ ·dangerous to·the Allied cause and there­ fake soldiers'· vote. He raises a dust ish and congressional leaders. storm, further to confuse and confound. In Congress there 'is ·a . strong fee.liilg tha~ fore dangerous to the welfare of this insomuch as the bars against Jewish refugees country. It is likely· to endanger the lives He implies that a decent Federal ballot have been let down in this and many other of millions of our young men who are plan, might mean that tne" soldiers wiil countries, homeless Jews should not be now fighting to save this country. vote for Roosevelt, their Commander in barred from their original . home, especially Gen·. George C. Marshall, our Chief of Chief. That, of course, is sacrilege. in view of the money they have poured into Staff, has objected to the passage of this Dewey. has been described as the it for irrigation. and reclamation .projects. cautious young ·man on the flying trapeze. :r'hese projects probably have m.a~e it possible resolution, and warned that it would dis­ for Palestine to supnort around 4,000,000 peo­ turb our relations with the entire Arab I think -he is ·now more . than slightly ple, yet·there-are·only-60,000 Jews in Palestine -world to the extent that prosecution of dizzy from pe~petual motiQn . .. With one today~ · the wa1• might ~e seriously hampered. hand_ he thrusts ·aside tl:ie crown and

,..._~. 1944 · CONGRESSIONAL R·ECORD-HOUSE 2355 with the other writes his ·acceptance body and get by with it. It will be a . THE MOCK-ING BIRD MADE THE OFFICIAL speech. good thing if we get that into the minds STATE BIRD OF MISSISSIPPI His four points: · o! Repub!i~an politicians and all people Mr. RANKIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask Point 1. The soldier vote shall be an who are on our side. No synthetic New unanimous consent to address the House obstacle race. Deal carried in the policies of Wendell for 1 minute, to revise and extend my . Point 2. A vote for Roosevelt means a Willkie will ever get by this coming elec­ own remarks, ·and to include therein an court martial. tion. So while the New Deal is on the address I made in 1924. Point 3. Only the States have rights, way out-I am glad you gentlemen on - The SPEAKER. Without objection, it not soldiers. the majority side of the aisle agree with is so ordered. Point 4. Dewey shall be the "pin up" .me, as you indicate by your applause, al­ There was no objection. candidate. though that cannot appear in the [Mr. RANKIN addressed the House. ELECTION TRENDS RECORD-I am glad you are going to join His remarks appear in the Appendix.] with us and elect a real Republican this Mr. ~ALLECK. Mr. Speaker, I ask PUBLIC WORKS ON RIVERS AND HARBORS unanimous consent to address the House time; one who believes in our country, for 1 minute. in our Constitution, in our ability to take Mr. DIES, from the Committee on · The SPEAKER. Without objection, it care of ourselves. We will not be de­ Rules, submitted the following report on is so ordered. ceived a.gain by Wendell Willkie, so come the bill my own remarks in the Appendix tion of this resolution it·shall be in order to struck at the New Deal and its sponsors of the RECORD and include therein an in these special elections again and move that the House resolve itself into the article by David Lawrence. Committee cif the Whole House on the state again, whenever and wherever they have The SPEAKER. Without objection, it of the Union for the consideration of the bill had the opportunity. is so ordere'd. (H. ' R. 3961) authorizing the construction, , In the 10 special elections held since · There was no objection. repair, and preservation of certain public the general elections in 1942; Republican · Mr. EDWIN ARTHUR HALL. Mr. wdi'ks on river·s and harbor-s, and for other candidates have won all but 2, and purposes. That after general debate, which Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to shall be confined to the· bill and· shall con­ failed to carry by. only a scant margin extend my own remarks in the RECORD 1 of these, a Tammany district in New t~nue not ~o e~ceed 3 hours, to be equally di­ and include therein a recent radio ad­ Vlded and controlled by th.e chairman and the York City; which had been overwhelm­ dress: ranking minority member of the Committee ingly Democratic for nearly a quarter of The SPEAKER. Without objection, it on Rivers and Harbors, the bill shall be read a century. is so ordered. · for amendment undei the 5-minute rule. At . The issue, the same everywhere, was · There was.no objection. the cop.clusion of the readi g of the bill for never more clearly drawn than in the Mr. WILLEY. Mr. Speaker,· I ask amendment_the Committee shall rise· and re­ election . in ·the First ·Colorado District port the same ba:ck to the House with such unanimous consent to extend my own amendments as shall have been adopted and yesterday. Personalities were not in­ remarks in the RECORD and include the previous question shall be considered as volved. The Republican candidate and therein a short resolution. ordered on the· bill artd amendments thereto }?.is supporters from first to last stressed The SPEAKER. Without objection, it to final passage · Without ·intervening mption but one thing-that the issue was con­ is so ordered. except one motion to recommit. stitutional government versus bureau­ There was no objection. FIRST DEFICIENCY APPROPRIATION cratic dictatorship. They called on the - ' BILL-1944 . voters to express by their ballots their INTERTRAIN TELEPHONES disapprova-l of government by directive Mr. McLEAN. Mr. Speaker, ·I ask Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Speak~ . and dectree. The voters responded by unanimous cons.en t to address the House er, I mpve that the House resolve itself electing Dean M. Gillespie, the Repub­ for 1 minute. _ into the Committee of the Whole House Ucan candidate, by a decisive majority; . The SPEAKER. · Without objection, it on the state of the· Union for the consid­ ip a district that had been strongly and is so ordered. eration of the -bill mate basis,. is-caustn·g an .out-of-pocket ing authority ·to enter trito .con.tracts for , Mr . .LEWIS .. :Mr. Chairman; .wilL the exp·ense to the.Departm·ent.approximat-: · repair ·facilities in the amount of $130,· gentlerp.an yi~ld? . : , ( ing $3.0,000,000 . . - . - - .. -. 000,000 is reduced to $120,000,000. This , _Mr. CANNON of- Missouri.- I yield to . Figures, were not available to the com~ contract authorization is dependent upon -· ' -·- · ~ the gentlem~n from Ohio . . - · . mittee as· to the augmented revenues that the enactment of enabling·legtslation for · Mr. LEWIS. ,May I inquire i_f i.t is con~ will result from the inauguration of the .its· .effectiveness.· Such - legislation ;has ternplated· that then~ will J:>e new · hO~?Pi- · increased· postal rates . . Department offi..; passed the Senate in S. 1668 and· this bill tals for t~e ,Veterans' Administration? , cials advised that substantial increased passed : the House · yesterday without ; Mr. C~NON of ~~ss~:mrj. T:qis p-ro-: postal rates generally -have an adverse -ailJ,endment. yision _is for -the enlargement of a num- 'effect . upon the volume of business and · Necessity · for additional repair facili~ ber ot .present hospit~J~. a · li~t of whicb no estimate figures are·. ready. ·at 'this ties ·· is occasioned .by the ship.:.construc~ the gentleman will · finq i~ ~he ~ reP.ort-. 'time. -. · ' · " · 'tion programs and by increased marine P: ~dditio~, th_ere will be_ two n~w h~s-:- : Budget estimates· for deficiency.. pur­ ·activities in the Pacific. These facilities Pita!~ ;: one m·New Yor~; and: one In . Wis~ poses for the Nav.y Department, with the ·are chiefly for the west coast of conti­ C9!J.SI.n! . As ; tl:t~ P~eQ . ~u.Gr~a,s~s. J~rth~r 'exception of small amounts for the pay~ 'nental U~ited S_tates. Tpe N~vy . D~part-: hospital~ Will be p_rovided. In this. ~I_ll ·ment -of Claims for damages, contem:.. ·ment has undertaken, by agreement of ~e prov-Ide ~ e-xpa~siOl1 · ef -present ·facili- plated no ·additional new appropriations. ~other agencies, the-responsibility of pro.:. tieS as outlmed -m ~he r~port, · other fa- .The request co'risidered by ttie comiriit­ viding· ship-repair facilities for its own cilities- to be ere9ted ~n - the -future. - · tee totaled $289,259,0'00 to'be. fransferred ·vessels-·and ·those of the Army arid the . The- amount .. recq~mend~el : for ~ deft-:' froi:n ·the' appropriation ''.'Ordriam:e· and War-Shipp'ing.Administration. This cen~ ciencies in the· Post Office Department ' ordnance stores"· to 13 other ·naval a,p:. tralization·of respoJ;lstbility pe_rmits max- is- $17-1,895,680;~ a ·decrease ,in t~e - Budge~ proprhi.tions': These ' sums inv'olve . de- i 'imum use- of .all facilities and eliminates 1;· -, estimates of $25_1,180: App~oximately . 60 , ficiencies . mainly in· em-rent -funds .for . .competitive action and loss of time and - _per~e~t Of the deficie~CY· lS 9-Ue to .the maintenance and operation , of naval ' money. The program is .geared to. the .add1-t10nal . c_ompen_s_~t~on and overtime . training .stations and naval shore estab-:- 1 ~ship-_production rate for the future and

:laws .for wh~ch pr_ov~siOn was not made lishments. ·and additional incidental ex.:. 1 'is designed to have· repair facilities ready .in the origi:r;tal 1944 - appropria~ions and penses arising from increased naval per- · to meet the volume of ships which will be ·30 . percent 1s. on accoun-t -o.f · mcrease~ ' ·sonhel'over and above the numbers con- 1 :operating as · o'f January 1, 1945. The :volume of. the mail including. the free 'templated by 'the original1944-approprf- · program is devoted chiefly to provision carriage ·of mail,.for -men of .the armed . ·ations: · for dryaocks and ··supporting facilities,· .forces. · · · . . . · The committee has effected reductions · submarine overhaul facilities; aaditional . . The Sl!m Of $104,432,682 ?f ·the -$171,.. in the amounts to be· transferred· total­ :development of the pnited States nav~l _895,680 IS due to tJ:Ie reqmremell;t~ for ·ing $26,945,000, making a total transfer ' ·drydocks at Hunter:;;· Point and Terminal payments _of overtime a.nd ad~Itlonal of funds of $262,314,000 in lieu of the · Island, Calif., the replacement of mobile _compensa:t~o:q to postal ?ersonnel under $289 ,259,000· requested. The. principal i floating repair units by equivalent shore _the proviSIOns of P1,1bhc Laws 25 • 4~· decreases have been effected · in the 205, and 509. The total cost to the Post . . .facilities, and additional repair facilities Office Department under these laws for a.mounts fo.r ma-mtenance of na~al sta- for continental amphibious craft. The the fiscal year · 1944 ·is $140,870;692 o! ,tions under the Bu~eau of S~pplles a~d . $130,000,000 contemplated $77,000,000 for which existing appropriations ·will per- . .Accounts and mamtenance . of public ·these new facilities, $53,000,000 on ac· mit the absorption of $36,438;010, result- works under the Bureau of Yards and count of excess of cost of previously au· ing in deficiency needs of $104·,432,682. - ~.O?~S. The far-flung .ra?ge. of these ac:­ thorized docks and to furnish · support- The remainder of the amount carried by ·tivities and the .speculative ch~racter. of ing facilities for such docks to the extent the bill, $67,714,178, is occasioned by the .the fut~re re~mremeJ:?.~ combmed With funds for such facilities have been di· ·increased v-olum& of postal-business·over -the-lag m. gettm.g experienced data upon ·verted . to providing .more .urgently. re- and above .that contemplated, wh~n the which to gage accurately for the re­ quired repair facility projects, and $26,- origirial 1944 appropriations were pro- mainder of the year make these estimates 000,000 as a reserve for contingencies. 2358 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE MARCH 8 This latter amount represented a 20- sents the United States in enemy terri­ additional' research. There are only two percent leeway in the entire authoriza­ -tory. And lastly we have provided $1,- items that are going to 'result in-consid­ tion and from this the committee has 000,000 under a treaty obligation, which erable controversy on the fioor. The first deducted $10,000,000 leaving the reserve is matched by Canada in like amount, to one that will be reached will be the-com­ amount at $16,000,000. · take care of an unusual situation with munity facilities fund. There, an appro-· The application of $39,436,884.93 for respect to the salmon run on the Fraser priation Qf $127,500,000 is recommended. the restoration of the capital of the Com1.o River. Due to obstructions in the river, • There is no question we need to spend modity Credit Corporation was denied. the salmon cannot get up the river from some money for this purpose. There is As you are aware, under the statute the the ocean to the spawning grounds. As no question but what in some places, in Secretary of the Treasury is required to a result, the sockeye salmon, one of the poorer territories, there is a requirement make an appraisal upon the 31st day of most important of the salmon species, upon us to help with school facilities. On March each year. If he finds the capital has been tremendously depleted and is the other hand, I think it is being very of the Corporation, which is $100,000,000, in danger of extinction. We are col­ largely overdone. It has been almost im· has been impaired, he is required to re­ laborating with Canada-Canada pro­ possible to get any definite, positive, af­ store it, and Congress is authorized to viding- a million dollars to match our firmative statement out of the people who appropriate the money to restore it to million dollars-for the removal of these run this set-up as to what they propose $100,000,000. If he finds the assets ex­ obstructions and thereby restore the to do with their money and what they ceed the capital stock of $100,000,000, he salmon industry on the Fraser River have done with their money. Frankly, is required to cover the excess over and system. the figures came at such a time that I above $100,000,000 into the Treasury. Mr. KERR. Mr. Chairman, will the have been unable to go into ~he details of In the six appraisals since 1938, he has gentleman yield? them enough so that I can analyze them found in four instances a deterioration Mr. CANNON of Missouri. I yield to here at this time. for the benefit of the of the capital stock, and in two instances the gentleman from South Carolina. Committee. I hope to be able to do so an excess of capital stock. In the four · Mr. KERR. What percentage of this tomorrow when the item is reached for instances Congress has provided money amount carried in the bill is due to stat­ amendment. to restore the entire capital stock. In utory increase of salaries of Government In the meantime I shall only call at­ this case the committee decided against employees? tention to one or two larger things that it, due to the fact that apparently it is Mr. CANNON of Missouri. About one­ make it out. There is an item of $3,000,- not necessary. half of the niw appropriations carried in 000-plus, for instance, for the construc­ The CHAmMAN. The gentleman has the bill. tion of a water-works system· in San· consumed 20 minutes. Mr. Chairman, I now yield to the gen­ Juan, P. R., ·when the island itself Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Chair­ tleman from New York [Mr. TABER]. has an excess tax revenue at the present man, I shall take 10 additional minutes. Mr. TABER. Mr. Chairman, I yield time of $65,000,000. Why we should do In four instances the amount of the as­ myself 20 minutes. The total amount just that sort of thing is a little difticult sets and liabilities was so low that resto­ that is carried in this bill, in a direct ini­ for the ordinary fellow to understand. ration of the capital stock was necessary. tial appropriation out of the Treasury Then there are a lot of other· items For example, in 1938 the impairment of funds, is $500,000,000. The exact amount with reference to recreation centers the capital stock was approximately 100 is $500,103,748.38. In addition to that which they are building for troops on a percent. We restored it that year with amount there is made available through more or less permanent basis at very an appropriation of $94,000,000 out of reappropriation, as appears on page 28 of large expense, when it would seem as if the hundred million dollars, due to the the report, $120,000,000 of contract au­ they could get along with much less fact that the total assets and .liabilities thorizations, and approximately $262,- money, al&o further due to the fact that aggregated only $300,000,000·. In this in­ 000,000 of reappropriations for the Navy, we have so much of that sort of thing stance the amount of depreciation on the so that there really is made available by this bill, which could not have been that is being done already by the Army 31st day of March 1943 was a little over and the U. S. 0. and by various local or­ $39,000,000, but the assets and liabilities · expended otherwise, $382,000,000 in ad­ ganizations all through the country. I were in excess of two and a half billion dition to the $500,000,000, making a total shall have a pretty well analyzed set-up dollars. In addition to that the corpo­ of .$882,000,000 that is made available, on that when we get to the item tomor­ ration is authorized by statute to is­ that would not otherwise be, or that could row. not otherwise be expended. sue its notes up to the amount of $3,000,- With reference to the housing matter I 000,000, the principal and interest of I am not going to cover the items that have been rather fully covered by the can give you a little bit better analysis. which are guaranteed by the Govern­ We did not get a very satisfactory state­ ment. So it was thought the Corporation chairman of the committee, because there is no sense in my taking up the time ment out of them, but I can say to you was provided with sufficient funds for the that out of a thousand projects that they time being and that additional capital of the Committee in going over those things. have built, on upwards of 200 they have stock at this time was not indicated. no report on occupancy. On 231 out of · We provided the full amount asked for Of the items for the Navy $120,000,000 w.as made available in contract authori­ that 1,000, in addition to the 200 that I grants to States for old-age as·sistance-­ have referred to, there is less than a 50- the allotment to the States to take care zations which will have to be appropri­ ated later for facilities like fioating dry­ percent occupancy. In the places that of old-age .pensions. A very agreeable they propose to build additional housing, feature appeared, in that there has been docks and temporary factories and all a decline in the number of those· receiv­ that sort of thing to be put up in the I have here a schedule of the number of ing old-age allowances. The total num­ southwest Pacific very largely. The occupancies and the nuinber of dwelling ber in the United States has declined in other items for the Navy, totaling $262,- units insofar as I have been able to get the last year but, on the other hand, 000,000, are mostly items that relate to them. I believe that for your informa­ there has been. an increase in the per routine operations like the big itePl of tion I should read it. This does not in­ capita requirements. Due to the cost of "Maintenance, Bureau of Supplies and clude every item where they propose to living, which is a result of the war, the Accounts," $158,000,000. That means the build additional housing; or where they per capita per month has increased from upkeep of their facilities and the upkeep propose to build housing, and undoubt­ an average of $23.29 for fiscal 1943 to an of their supplies. · edly they, perhaps, might have a legiti­ average of $25.68 for 1944. Then there is the item of $38,000,000 mate excuse for building ·a small quan­ Under the State Department there is for "Maintenance, Bureau of Yards and tity of housing in some places, but not provision for three items. One is an ap­ Docks." That means the maintenance very much. . propriation of $450,000 for the reorgan­ of their buildings. Then there is the Indian Head, Md.: They propose a ization, which has already been worked Marine Corps item of general expenses, large number of additional houses. out. Then we allowed $1,000,000 for $51,000,000. The other items are com­ T,here are presently 240 constructed in emergencies, a large part of which goes paratively small, including $6,250,000 for one project and 165 occupied. In an­ to the Swiss Government, which repre- miscellaneous expenses and $600,000 for other project there are 535 constructed, 1944 CONGRESSIONAL .RECORD-HOUSE 2359 and 311 occupied. ~ Newport News, satisfactory that it was easy to look at Mr. TABER. Mr. Chairman, I yield Va., there are several projects. The the tables which they furnished us and myself 10 additional minutes. first one is known as Ann Wyeth Hall, answer the question. So that the That is perfectly clear. with 368 units, 48 of which are occupied. whole thing is more or less a pig-in-a­ Mr. RABAUT. Will the gentleman At Fort Eustis, 75 units, no report. An­ poke. You just do not know where you yield further? other project at Fort Eustis, 438 units, no are going. You do not know how much Mr. TABER. I yield. report. it ought to cost. You do not know what Mr. RABAUT. The gentleman should In Portsmouth, Va., what they call the kind of a job they have done except in restudy the record, because the record is William Crawford project, 400 units, 323 those particular instances . that you are different from what he has explained to occupied. able to put your finger on. the House. Mr. JUDD. Mr. Chairman, will the Mr. SMITH of Ohio. In other words, Mr. TABER. Perhaps the gentleman gentleman yield? the gentleman means to say that the does not realize that I have taken these Mr. TABER. I yield. bureau that is now· responsible for this tables that were furnished to the com­ Mr. JUDD. Are we to understand that housing has the whole thing in a mess? mittee, which are not in the record, and those units are completed with the facil­ Mr. TABER. That would be a rather I have gone over them carefully with the ities, water and light and so forth, so mild characterization. idea of finding out what is in them and that they could be occupied? Mr. RABAUT. Will the gentleman finding out just what kind of a story Mr. Mr. TABER. Well, all I have to go by yielq? Blandford did tell us, and· the result of are their own tab1es which they pre­ Mr. TABER. I yield. that-story is not good. sented indicating that they were all com­ Mr. RABAUT. The gentleman is Mr. WIGGLESWORTH. Mr. Chair· pleted, that the number of units was somewhat of an authority evidently. man, will the gentleman yield? completed, and I assume from what they What percentage of houses are usually Mr. TABER. I yield. told us that they were all ready for oc- rented in the Nation? What would the Mr. WIGGLESWORTH. I have a let­ cupancy. . gentleman say would be the percentage ter, dated March 2, 1944, from · the Mr. BLANn. Mr. Chairman, will the of rental and what would be the per­ Massachusetts Federation of Taxpayers' · gentleman yield? centage ordinarily of vacancies? Association, and,· among other things, Mr. TABER. I yield. Mr. TABER. It depends on the type they say: . of property. Mr. BLAND. In the case of the proj­ Our federation contends that these tem­ ect known as Ann Wyeth Hall, at New­ Mr. RABAUT. Well, take family units. porary demountable projects were not needed. port News, I happen to know something That is in this category. The best evidence of this lies in the fact about that: It is very probably due to Mr. TABER. I would say where there that they are two-thirds empty in our State, the fact that they needed additional res­ 'was a lot of pressure for residences, and and .this situation is typical of region 1 tem­ taurants and things of that kind around those are the places that this organiza­ porary housing. The reason .for this prob­ there. The place was. located and the tion is supposed to cater to, there should ably lies in the fact that the newly pros­ buildings are constructed, but I. think be, from my knowledge of these units perous defense workers, for whom they were presumably constructed, refused to live in that the other facilities are needed in or­ that are available under private man­ them. · der to have them occupied. agement, an average occupancy of about Mr. TABER. They did not give us any S8 percent. Mr. RABAUT. What State is that? reason for the absence of occupancy. I Mr. RABAUT. Ninety-elght percent? Mr. WIGGLESWORTH: That is Mas­ h·ave only listed those places where they Mr. TABER. Yes; where the pressure sachusetts, and it refers also to region 1. requested additional -funds to build addi­ exlsts. Mr. RABAUT. Were there any activi­ tional residence units. Mr. ·RABAUT. You could not put it ties in Massachusetts in the war effort Mr. SMITH of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, much higher? that have been curtailed since these have will the gentleman yield. · Mr. TABER. No; not in cases where been built? Mr. TABER. I yield. , there is pressure for property. Under Mr. WIGGLESWORTH. The charge Mr. SMITH of Ohio. Does the gentle­ · normal circumstances you could not ex­ in the letter is-- man refer to the old U.S. H. A. projects? cept such occupancy. Mr. RABAUT. Does the gentleman · Mr. TABER. No. I am only referring Mr. RABAUT. What would it nor­ know the answer to that question? I to what was supposed to be under Mr. mally be? do not care about the letter. - Blandford, war construction and other Mr. TABER. Under normal circum­ Mr. WIGGLESWORTH. I will fur­ construction that was merged under Mr. stances, apartments of that type would nish the gentleman with detailed infor­ Blandford afterwards. I could take the run between 90 and 95 percent, except mation later. tables that they have furnished me arid · in communities where there was an over­ Mr. RABAUT. But if there is some I could give you the source of the funds built situation, or in times of depression. curtailment in the activities of the Fed·-­ under which all of these projects were Mr. RABAUT. Well, the situation, ac­ eral Government in ·regard to the war constructed. That would not appear in cording to Mr. Blandford, is that they effort, there might be some vacancies, the hearings because those things were were 92 percent occupied. and justifiably so. not available in time to put into the hear­ Mr. TABER. That may be so. Mr. WIGGLESWORTH. I do not be-· ings, and the committ~e regarded them Mr. RABAUT. The gentleman's fig­ lieve there has been any curtailment as too bulky. I have those tables here ures are away out of line. which compares with the general picture however, and I will make them available Mr. TABER. That may be so, but I painted in this letter. · to anyone who wishes to look at them. doubt it because of the facts I have given Mr. RABAUT. In the general picture Mr. SMITH of Ohio. Do I understand you. there have been such curtailments. that some of the $800,000,000 appropri­ Mr. RABA UT. Are you questioning Mr. WIGGLESWORTH. That is the ated for U. S. H. A. in this reorganiza­ his word? He made this statement be­ gentleman's opinion. tion that has taken place are being used­ fore the ·committee and it is a part of Mr. RABAUT. No. It is the fact. for the construction of houses other than the record. Mr. TABER. So that we may not be those originally provided for under U. S. Mr. TABER. I am only giving you the confused at all by general statements, H. A.? . facts. perhaps we should be a little more spe­ Mr. TABER. I would not say that. Mr. RABAUT. I am giving you the cific on some things, ai,ld should refer, Mr. SMITH of Ohio. The reason I facts. insofar as we may, to the projects in am asking that question is because I Mr. TABER. Two hundred and Massachusetts that are referred to in am having difficulty in getting some of thirty-one projects out of 1,000 show these memoranda. these questions answered. less than 50-percent occupancy. That In the Devonctest project, 300 units, Mr. TABER. · I am not surprised at means there cannot be anything like 92 264 were occupied. that, because we were able to get very percent occupancy of the whole. Another one in the same set-up, 195 little information, and the information The CHAmMAN. ·The time of the units, no report. we did get was not so definite and so gentleman from New York has expired. Mr. RABAUT. What does that mean?

,, 2360 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE MARCH 8 Mr. TABER. I do not know whether first was correct: They build them wher­ case he is trying tQ- establish. There is that is a kind of a cover-up or whether ever they can worm in. -no question but what there has been a they have not paid enough attention to Mr. RABAUT. Mr. Chairman, will the terrific waste and poor judgment. It the management of this thing as to have gentleman yield? has been a ter-rible calamity for this any idea of what the situation is. We Mr. TABER. I yield. country, but let me call the gentbman's have to take one conclusion or the other. Mr. RABAUT. The gentleman knows attention to this: Down in my section in We cannot take both. they are built after consultation with the one location 1,250 houses were built. Mr. RABAUT. Well, we cannot take Army, the Navy-- Now they are moving away 950. I live on the cover-up conclusion just because the Mr. TABER. Maybe they are, but I the Ohio River. They are moving them gentleman makes a statement about doubt it. on barges down the river. They load covering up. Mr. RABAUT. And the Manpower these houses, bathroom and all, on barges Mr. TABER. If you were running a Commission. and take them somewhere down river. I business-! know something about the Mr. TABER. I doubt that. do net know where they are going with gentleman from Michigan. Mr. RABAUT. The gentleman can them but they are sent down river. I I know that he has had large experi­ doubt all he wants, but those are the have made some investigation and I find ence in the real-estate business. I know facts. . that the best service we can render is to that if the gentleman from Michigan had Mr. TABER. I know that in some see to it that these houses are not per­ charge of this, there would not be over places they do not do that. mitted to fall in the hands of sharks who 200 out of a thousand "no-report" proj­ Mr. RABAUT. Where are some of the are going to buy them for little or noth­ ects in here. He would know just what places they have not done it? ing, reestablish them somewhere else, the status of every one of them was. I Mr. TABER. Up in my own territory. and· make a lot of money out of them. I know enough about the gentleman from Mr. RABAUT. Where? understand on pretty good authority, Michigan to know that. Mr. TABER. Geneva, N.Y. probably not as good as the gentleman Mr. RABAUT. I thank the gentleman Mr. RABAUT. Name a specific place. from New York has, that there is an for the compliment but-- Mr. TABER. Geneva, N. Y. There agency now looking out for this very Mr. TABER. And I know that he they built 250 units, completed December thing. It is financed abundantly and it believes these Government bureaucrats 1, and only 1 occupied. I had an ap­ expects to recover a large part of its should do just what he would do if he praisal made of that project by a compe­ finance money by reason of its ability to were running the business. tent person and he reported that they get into the New Deal somewhere and buy Mr. RABAUT. I do not want to get would not be occupied because they w·ere all these properties at a great sacrifice. o:fi the subject and get onto the bureau­ not the type of construction that would Mr. TABER. That is one of the prob­ crats; I want to stay with the subject of let people live with any reasonable com­ lems that must be taken up as we get these houses. I think in "fairness to the fort in that territory, and that they along. These temporary housing set-ups, report that the gentleman has there would not in his opinion be occupied, that of course, are not going to yield great that if he wants to mention some houses there was at the present time an agita­ salvage. that are not reported about, there must tion going on for the purpose of bring­ The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman be some reason for the absence of the ing in a bunch of Italian war prisoners to locate in this project. from New York has consumed 30 min­ report. Maybe the houses are not fin­ utes. . ished. No one knows. That does not Mr. LUDLOW. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield? Mr. TABER. Mr. Chairman, I yield justify the statement. myself 10 additional minutes. Mr. TABER. This column giving the Mr. -TABER. Yes. Now the gentle­ man knows something about the way Mr. MAY. Mr. Chairman, will the number completed for occupancy-! do they are operated. Right in his own ter­ gentleman yield? not know whether it is correct or not, ritory they built a great big project that Mr. TABER. I yield. but I have to assume that it is correct, has gone "fiooey ." I wonder if the gen­ Mr.· MAY. The gentleman from New and when they say they have no report tleman would not tell us about it. Many York knows, of course, that the House on the occupancy I have to believe it, be­ of them went "flooey ." Over a thousand Committee on Military Affairs has been cause I have no way except in one or two were involved there. conducting an investigation by a resolu· instances of which I . have personal Mr. LUDLOW. If the gentleman will tion of this House into the national war knowledge of checking up on it. give me an opportunity I will be glad to. e:fiort, in the course of which as an inci­ Mr. RABAUT. As of what date? In Kingsbury, Ind., was the most out­ dental thing we have studied the qu~s­ Mr. TABER. I do not know. It says standing instance of nonoccupancy. tion of manpower and housing facilities. here as of December 31, 1943. It was The houses were built there on order of We found one instance over in Ravenna, brought up to the committee 2 or 3 days the Army Ordnance Bureau. The Na­ Ohio, where one of the ordnance plants after we closed the hearings. tional Housing Authority merely con­ started, where 2,400 houses were built Mr. LUDLOW. Mr. Chairman, will the structed the houses on order. The fault and never used. Kingsbury, Ind., was gentleman yield? of nonoccupancy certainly does not rest another place where there was a vast Mr. TABER. I yield. with the National Housing Authority. housing plant and practically none o! Mr. LUDLOW. The ·gentleman, I Mr. TABER. The people would not them. used. think, will agree that it is not necessarily live in them after they were built, would We are advised by the War Depart­ an impeachment of the efficiency of the they? Is not that the truth? I think the ment that they have suspended different National Housing Authority that some of gentleman must know that. these houses are not occupied, because projects throughout the country, par­ Mr. LUDLOW. The reason why ticularly c.rdnance plants. Undoubtedly the National Housing Authority merely was-- builds these houses on order. It is not the job of the Congress hereafter will be Mr. TABER. Because they were not of to prevent these things from being not responsible for the nonoccupancy. suitable construction. - Mr. TABER; It builds them on order? only a loss, as they are, but from being Mr. LUDLOW. The reason was that used Mr. LUDLOW. Yes. they shut the plant down. You cannot for purposes they ought not to be Mr. TABER. Oh, no; they build them blame the National Housing Authority used for. One of the ways to do that­ wherever they think they can worm in. for that. I think the gentleman ought and I do not want .to be understood as· Mr. LUDLOW. They build them after to be fair about this. being critical of the g.reat Committee on consulting the agencies of the Govern­ Mr. TABER. That may be so, but I Appropriations of the House-is to with­ ment, the Navy Department, the War De­ have heard other stories about that par­ draw or control these revolving funds. partment, or whatever agency is going to ticular set-up. I have been hammering away for several need these houses. Mr. JENKINS and Mr. MAY rose. years trying to get the Appropriations Mr. TABER. How does the gentleman Mr. TABER. I will yield to the gen­ Committee to adopt some method of call­ know that? tleman froni Ohio first and then to the ing these revolving funds back into the Mr. LUDLOW. I know it to be true. gentleman from Kentucky. · Treasury or stopping their use. Tre­ Mr. TABER. I have had a little ex­ Mr. JENKINS. I think the gentleman mendous-funds are loose and being sp2nt perience. I would say that what I said has made a mighty good showing on the by these agencies of the Government 1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 2361 without the Congress knowing anything legislation which authorized them to Mr. STEVENSON. In connection with about what they are spent for. I should borrow money. They were authorized the thousands of houses in these housing like to inquire of the gentleman if his by one particular provision to sell bonds projects that are unoccupied, has the committee has taken any steps along and buy a power company, but they do gentleman any figu.re as to the millions that line; if so they have discovered not borrow money, so far as I know, un­ of dollars that :lre represented in the one of the corporations that are doing der the law, and if they are doing so they cost of construction of these unoccupied business for the Government with un­ are doing just what I am objecting to. houses? limited ·funds and nobody knows what Mr. TABER. They do have authority Mr. TABER. I have not had time they are doing with them. I hate to to borrow a certain amount of money. I enough to go over these tables so that mention it but there is one-and every­ cannot give the exact amount at the mo­ I could prepare that sort of estimate. body knows my position on it, I do not ment. It might be fifty, it might be one I do not know as I would undertake to suppose it would be any slander for me hundred, it might be one hundred and prepare it for tomorrow because it in­ to say it again-! am against the Ten­ fifty million dollars. Frankly, I do not volves going over a considerable number nessee Valley Authority. They have think they should have that power. of figures and I would not want to make $15,000,000, or it may be $75,000,000, There is that picture. a statement that was not up to the mark. I do not know. The gentleman knows I will.refer now to these housing proj­ The CHAIRMAN. The time of the more about it than· I. They are rolling ects. I made a comment about a few gentleman has expired. it over and using it·as they please. What of them. There is one in Niagara Falls . Mr. RABAUT. Mr. Chaitman, I yield is the committee doing about it? · which has very slight occupancy, as I 25 minutes to the distinguished gentle- · Mr. TABER.· It is exceedingly diffi­ remember it only about 20 percent out of man from Indiana [Mr. LUDLOW]. cult to find out about those things. The a 1,200-house construction, and that is Mr. LUDLOW. Mr. Chairman, child other side of the picture is that the Ap­ · right up there in the airplane factory delinquency has reached a peak never propriations Committee has not the where the Curtiss-Wright, the Belair, before realized nor dreamed of in this · jurisdiction to wind up these corpora­ and all those other big fighting-plane country. It ·has rea,ched the all-time · tions. We can reappropriate funds that plants are located. Then there are other high. In its early stages the rapid growth 'are already appropriated and freeze on­ units like the one near Rome, where of child delinquency created amazement to them that way but where a corpora­ they have 400 houses, with only 123 oc­ and now it has become frightening. It . tion like the T. V. A. derives its funds cupied. They have one up at Messina has grown to be such a menace and such very largely out of income from opera­ with about 200 and no occupancy. I a threat to the American Nation that J. · tion and the sale of assets of different presume the reason at Messina is that Edgar Hoover, head of the Federal Bu­ types we have no jurisdiction to freeze they have a permanent family set-up reau of Investigation and America's lead- ­ onto those funds. there, 300 with 262 occupied. ing crime expert, has seen fit to give' a · I would say that that is a job for In connection with the rest of those large share of his time in recent months the appropriate legislative committees. units in New York State they do not give to finding ways and means of stamping Likewise, with reference to the R. F. C., the occupancy results. It is all "No re­ out the evil which is threatening to un­ which has a tremendous borrowing ca­ port,'; with the exception of one at Sid­ dermine the purity and strength of our pacity and over which the Appropria­ ney where they claim it is 95 percent social structure at its juvenile source. tions Committee has no control except occupied. You can go all over the coun­ It is not difficult to account for a great the direct salaries of the direct· em­ try and you will get practically the same deal of the increase of juvenile crime. ployees of that agency, it would be up to result. There are a very large number of The employment of fathers and mothers the Banking and Currency Committee. construction projects without the type of in military services and defense plants Mr. MAY. Perhaps the gentleman is occupancy that there should be. Today has robbed the homes of the land of pa­ right in connection with authorizations there are still approximately $125,000,000 rental guides and mentors, leaving the for appropriations, but I still maintain of unexpended funds that represent proj­ children "on the loose." Without fathers ­ that the Appropriations Committee, ects mostly under construction. There and mothers to guide them children have when it comes to any particular Govern­ is, as I understand it, approximately been left to the merciless fate of follow­ ment agency, such as the R. F. C., for $16,000,000 that have not been obligated ing their own devices and impulses.· instance, where it makes appropriations or allocated. It may be a little more They are permitted to grow up "like for that agency and it is not using the than that, it may be a little less than Topsy" and to sow all of the wild oats money, the committee has the power to that; I do not suppose they can tell us their inclinations lead them to sow. The take that money back and put it into just exactly. result is an epidemic of juvenile misde­ the Treasury, then exercise its judgment The CHAIRMAN. The time of the meanors and sex irregularities without as to whether it will reappropriate or gentleman has expired. a parallel. One does not have to be · not. · Mr. TABER. Mr. Chairman, I yield pragmatic or puritanical to realize that Mr. TABER. That is true, but the myself 2 additional minutes. this is a lethal tendency which should not only authority we have with reference to Mr. Chairman, there are certain things be allowed to go on in any community R. F. C. is to appropriate out of their that really need some attention and I one day longer than is necessary to cor­ funds for the current operating salaries. will refer to one of them that I do think rect it. We have no authority as to the money is in need of some temporary house con­ The appropriation for community fa­ that they get and that they are per­ struction. I refer to Solomons Island, cilities carried in this bill is an effective mitted to lend as a result of their bor­ down here in Maryland, where they have means of combating the juvenile delin­ rowings, either direct from the Treasury a naval station that is out by itself and quency evil. Let us take a look at the or otherwise. That same thing applies has not anything near it. I think they figures contained on page 687 of the to the T. V. A. insofar as their borrow­ do need a little low-cost temporary con­ hearings. Up to January 31, 1944, the ing capacity is concerned, and insofar as struction down there. President had approved 4,722 community their revenues are concerned. I do They have plenty of money for all facilities projects. Of those approved think that this whole governmental pic­ those things that they ought to do and 634 were child· care projects, 1,650 were ture should be broken down so that we they should not have any more money school projects, and 815 were recreation will not have the Commodity Credit Cor­ for the projects that they have asked projects. In other words, 3,099 of the poration with a borrowing capacity of for than is already provided. In my approved projects, or well up to three­ $3,000,000,000, the R. F. C. with a borrow­ opinion, we should strike that item out fourths of the total, are projects that ing capacity of perhaps $15,000,000,000, of the bill. I am not going to take any have an important relation to the spir­ and the T. V. A. with a borrowing ca­ more time, but wher~ the items are itual, physical, moral, and educational pacity of whatever it is. I think it is reached I hope to be able then to have · welfare of the children and their up­ $100,000,000. It may be more or it may the opportunity of presenting them to bringing along right lines. Not only be less. the Committee. is the moral development of children Mr. MAY. I happened to have had Mr. STEVENSON. Will the gentleman being neglected as a result of conditions something to do with the original T.V. A. yield? growing out of war but in many cases the Act and all of the amendments thereto. Mr. TABER. I yield to the gentleman lives of little children are being jeopard­ I do not know of any authority in that from Wisconsin. ized by lack of proper care. Instances 2362 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE MARCH 8 have been cited where tiny children have On the point of the ability of the com­ services, leaving the children "on the loose." been locked in trailers or tied to bed posts munities to pay for these projects illum­ I anticipate that an effort will be made to while their mothers were working in de­ inating testimony is found on page 709 strike out or drastically reduce the appro­ priation: to the Federal works Agency to con­ fense plants. Under the Federal works of the hearings, from which I quote, as tinue these facilities. · projects nursery care would be provided follows: It is needless for me to say that I value for these neglected little ones. Mr. LUDLow. In your opinion, General your opinion very highly, and if it is pos­ Two programs for the direct benefit Fleming, do the local communities, speaking sible for you to reply on Monday or Tuesday of the children of America are· operated by and large, do their whole part in provid­ I will be grateful. under this community facilities appro­ ing these facilities? With every good wish, I remain, priation. One is a nursery-center pro­ General FLEMING. The act says that we can Very sincerely yours, gram for the children from 2 to 5 and go in where the communities are unable or LoUIS LUDLOW. the other is a school-age program for are unwilling to meet the need. We find in almost all cases they are unable, not that FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, children from 6 to 15. On February 9, they are unwilling. I think in very few in­ Washington, D. C., March 7, 1944. 1944, the last date 'for which figures are stances we have found unwillingness on the Hon. LOUIS LUDLOW, available, thera were in operation under part of the communities. House of Representatives, this program 1,431 nursery-school units, Mr. LUDLOW. You try to check very care­ Washington, D. C. with an enrollment of 37,439 children, fully the financial abllity of the community MY DEAR CONGRESSMAN: I WiSh to acknowl­ and 812 centers for school-age children, to provide them? edge your communication of March 4, 1944, with an enrollment of 28,333. This General FLEMING. Oh, yes; we do. wherein you request information regarding 2,243 Mr. LUDLOW. And the willingness of the the extent and causes of juvenile delin­ makes a total of centers, with an community to provide them? quency. 6fi, 772. If enrollment of this appropria­ General FLEMING. Yes, sir. The present upsurge of lawlessness on the tion is not allowed, these child-care units part of our young people I consider _to be w111 have to be abandoned, and that, in All of us are voting without hesitation one of our great domestic problems. The my judgment, would be a national ca­ and without stint the billions to win the figures clearly point to a tremendous rise in lamity. It would be tantamount to war so as to make civilization safe and the number of youthful offenders. Last year abandoning our children who so much secure in the ages to come. While we are 22.9 percent of all persons arrested were un­ need our protection and care. doing that I think it is altogether right der voting age. The striking factor in the and proper that we should vote a few increase of arrests is emphasized by the fact Of the 4,722 projects approved by the that today our armed forces have taken mil­ President, 542 are medical projects, 82 millions to cure instead of to kill. We lions of men and placed them under military are venereal-control projects, 347 are for are the guardians of posterity and we discipline, which certainly should reflect a. water systems, 350 are for sewer systems, have a responsibility to see that the chil­ considerable downward trend in the ninnber and 150 are for fire and police protec­ dren of America do not suffer spiritual of crimes committed; however, this has not tion, from Which it will be seen how blight and decadence as a result of con­ been the case. On. the contrary, arrests of . closely the program is tied in with the ditions which it is within our power to males 17 years of age increased 27.7 percent health and well-being of the communi­ remedy. in 1943 over 1942. More males 18 years of ag.e We will be very derelict in duty if in were arrested than in any other age group. ties served. The increase in the arrests of females under The appropriation of $127,500,000 car­ the face of mounting juvenile crime voting age is even more marked. In 1943, ried in this bill for community facilities which already has passed all known arrests of girls under 21 increased 130.4 per­ is not as much, in my opinion, as might bounds we destroy the child-care. proj­ cent over the calendar year 1941. The year wisely and judiciously be spent in pro­ ects of the community-facilities program 1941 was selected for purposes of comparison viding the facilities on which the welfare by withdrawing the means necessary to since it was the last pre-war year. In 1943 of the Nation so much depends, but it will enable them to carry them on. We could the arrests of females under 211ncreased 47.9 do no greater disservice to our children, percent over 1942, while arrests for offenses cover existing commitments and will pro­ against common decency in 1943 increased Vide $18,194,000 of new money to meet who will be our leaders of tomorrow and 56.9 percent in the number of girls arrested contingencies that will arise. The who need to be strong and reliant to cope over the preceding year. The arrests of girls Budget estimate was t150,000,000, and with the momentous problems of pos­ under 21 for crimes against property, such as we had definite assurance that if we terity. robbery, burglary, theft, and similar offenses, granted that amount it would close the I have just received a letter from Mr. increased 30.1 percent, while arrests of males books and the agency would not return -J , Edgar Hoover which · is startling in under 18 years of age increased 39.8 percent· for more money. I voted in committee its revelations as to the extent of juvenile for rape; 39 percent for robbery; 27.7 percent for burglary; and 28.4 percent for auto theft, for the appropriation of the full Budget crime. His letter, in which he deals gen­ as compared with 1942. estimate, which would consume the bal- erally with the problem of child delin­ The annu~l Uniform Crime Reports Bulle­ . ance of the authorization of $500,000,060. quency, shows how serious the crime tin, which has just been issued, sets forth No one wants to see appropriations cut wave is among the children of America more detailed figures on pages 87, 89, and 91. more than I do, but I do not want to cut and how important it is that all proper I am enclosing a copy of this publication for them at the expense of our children. means shall be taken to restrain it and your perusal. It has been said that there is no prec­ stamp it out. I do not see how anyone It has been my experience, based upon the · investigative reports submitted in thousands edent for the Federal Government reach­ after reading Mr. Hoover's letter could of cases by special agents, that the one great ing into communities and providing fa­ fail to support with every ounce of his factor contributing to delinquency is a gen­ cilities which the communities them­ sympathy and resoluticn the community­ eral let-down in pa:rental supervision and selves might be expected to provide. My facilities program dealing with child guidance. Now, more than ever before, I am answer to that is that neither is there care. convinced that the home is directly respon.si­ any precedent for total war. The fac­ I submit for consideration of the House ble for the increase in the number of delin­ tors which make it necessary that these and for publication in the RECORD my quents. This, ·of course, is accentuated by facilities be provided do not,grow out of his wartime conditions; families are separated letter to Mr. Hoover and reply: and homes aJ,"e broken as a result of fathers peace; they grow out . of war and may MARCH 4, 1944. and older brothers entering the service or properly be charged_to the Nation's war Hon. J. EDGAR HooVER, mothers working in defense industries. In bill. Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, many instances both parents work on swing I repeat that the community facilities Department of Justice, shifts which take them away from the chil­ which are provided for in this bill and Washington, D. C. dren during the very hours of the day when which are charged against this appro­ DEAR Ma. HoovER: I will be most apprecia­ parental guidance is most needed. Then, too, priation are over and above the peace­ tive if you will send me information about the general spirit of wartime abandon and the extent and caus.es of juvenile delin­ the "last fling" philosophy has led many time requirements of the various com­ quency. I know this is a subject to which young people from a. virtuous way of life munities that are affected and are made you have given much attention. I would into one of degradation. In m any cases. the necessary on account of the war. That. like especially to have this information :(or manpower shortage and diversion of funds is what makes them a Federal problem reference when the appropriation for com­ has led to a decrease in recreational facilit ies and a Federal responsibility instead of a munity facilities comes up in the House next so necessary in order that young people may Wednesday. A large part of these' facllities spend their leisure time amidst wholesome, local problem and a local responsibility, are for child care and I think are highly im­ If constructive influences. it were not for the war this estimate portant as long· as fathers and mothers are · Another factor that cannot be overlooked would not be before us. to be taken into mllitary or essential civilian is the fact.that law.. enforcing .agencies today ,,

1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 2363 are unable to give the protective services it were not handled in this way, and with War." "Dr. Win the War" has urged that which they gave in previous years. The oftlcer all its irregularity, I still favor doing politics be forgotten and-that we get on on the beat, as a tremendous influence for something, and I believe this would ac­ good, has been superseded by the radio patrol with winning the war. We are all" agreed, car, or often his place has not been filled at complish practical benefit. I do not I believe, that the first objective of all pa­ all. Law enforcement has been confronted think we should sit idle while our chil­ triotic Americans, the uppermost, con­ with a tremendous increase in responsibility dren sink to degradation and death. stant, driving objective, is to win the and in many communities there has been an Mr. SMITH of Ohio. Of course, I agree war. But I believe, and I think a great actual decrease in the number of police offi­ that the conditions described ought to be majority of the American people, includ­ cers available. Likewise, trained and experi­ improved, but the Federal Government ing most of the members of our armed. enced law-enforcement personnel have gone has, particularly in the last few years, forces, agree that there is one serious into the armed services and, in many in­ stances, into industry where remuneration interfered more and more in matters of hindrance to getting on with the war, far exceeds that which law-enforcement this sort, and yet it seems to me that united for victory. That hindrance agencies ar-e able to offer. there is no evidence to indicate that this should have been eliminated years ago. The whole broad matter of crime preven­ has accomplished any enduring good. It could have been corrected and should tion is not beyond the realm of solution if Mr. LUDLOW. I think child delin­ · have been corrected a good many years community resources can be marshaled and quency is on the increase because of ago by the same people who are now so if the trained personnel are available to sup­ abnormal conditions due to the war and busy getting on with the war that they plement the home and the school in provid­ ing the facilities and advantages which are the separation of families ·and taking have apparently had insufficient time to so necessary. away of parental care from these chil­ remember it. I trust the foregoing is the information you dren. That "is why it is on th.e increase. The present ·administration has grave­ desire. It is easily explainable, I think, from that ly failed the American people and the With expressions of my highest esteem and standpoint. American fighting men, failed miserably best regards, Mr. SMITH of Ohio. The point I want in a sacred duty, though the need has Sincerely yours, to make is that it is one thing to see the been great, by not providing an adequate J. EDGAR HOOVER. need for removing social evils but it is labor-relations policy in this time of These are the facts about juvenile de­ quite another to supply the proper cure. peril. · linquency from a man who knqws. They I am always deathly afraid of political Let me say, first of all, that I .am not are amazing. With a juvenile crime remedies being used as a cure. Histor­ taking sides for or against anyone, labor, wave sweeping the country and lapping ically they have not worked out in the capital, or Government. we are not every community this is no time to let way they were intended. primarily concerned, for the· purposes of down the bars. We can, and in my opin- . Mr. LUDLOW. The gentleman from this discussion, with the right or wrong ion we should, help to combat this great Ohio for whom I have the highest esteem ·of the justice of the demands or the evil by suppm~ting the community-facili- would like to see these services performed a:wards in these disputes, but only wish ties program in this bill. · · by locai agencies-and it really is a local to show the pitiful inadequacy of our Mr. SMITH of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, responsibility-but when that is .abso­ present Government in dealing with the will the gentleman yield? lutely impossible, and the local agencies most serious problem of our Nation. We Mr. LUDLOW. Yes; I yield to my dis- are utterly unable to meet their responsi­ wish to show that it is the bureaucratic tinguished friend from-Ohio. . bility to the children, then lam sure the muddling, unending quarreling among Mr. SMITH of Ohio. Of course, we all gentleman from Ohio feels as I do, that themselves by a variety of quasi govern­ recognize the existence of the desiderata, ·. still something must be done to curb this mental agencies, that is in large measure which the gentleman. has pointed out and evil. I sincerely feel that way about it responsible for the tragic labor strikes which he says Mr. Hoover has poirited myself. and stoppages we have had. We wish to out, but does the gentleman feel that Mr. SMITH of Ohio. I am not so sure show that it is largely a lack of a firm, the Congress of the United States or Mr .. ·about that. I know that Federal agencies clear-qut policy and means of carrying Hoover has the solution? . ·will go into a iocality and will solicit peo­ out such a policy that has been responsi­ · Mr. LUDLOW. I think it perhaps is ple there to adopt this program. In ble for these strikes and stoppages of lamentably true that he ·does not have many.instances local communities would work. We wish also to show, for the sake the complete solution, but 'he ·is making not have availed themselves- of these of this Nation in a grave bout, that they ·efforts in the right direction. He is a services if they had not been solicited can and should be eliminated if the ad­ grand official, and he has the complete to do so, and where ! 'think they would ministration has the courage to face the .!!". confidence of the country. ·have been just as well off without them. issue intelligently and firmly. · Mr. SMITH of Ohio. What does .Mr. Mr. LUDLOW. I cannot agree with the Let us take as specific examples two of Hoover recommend? gentleman that the community would get the major labor disputes of. the .last sev­ Mr. LUDLOW. I have not any detailed .along just as well, because I think the eral months and attempt to trace plan or· specifications from Mr. Hoover, whole social fabric and the whole social through the jungle of muddled moves but he has given great consideration to system has been disrupted by the war and countermoves which prevented the subject, and he is tremendously and and if we can ·we must adopt some agency agreement and solution. Let us try to serjously concerned about the matter. that will restore normal conditions. find in that jumble of conflicting rulings Mr. SMITH of Ohio. We are all sym­ Mr. BLAND. Mr. Chairman, will the and orders either responsibility or policy. pathetic with his· position so far as need gentleman yield? Let us take for our examples the two most may be concerned. Mr. LUDLOW. I yield. highly publicized disputes .of recent · Mr. LUDLOW. · My argument is -in · Mr. BLAND. As on~ . who comes from months-the dispute between the rail­ -favor of the child-care provisions in this a highly congested area, due to war ac­ road brotherhoods, the carriers, and the bill as a small step toward a solution of tivities, I heartily endorse· the speech of Government; and the dispute between the problem. I feel that the gentleman the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Lun­ the United Mine Workers, the operators, from Ohio must agree with us in that. LowJ, and I wish to say that I think it and the Government. Mr. SMITH of Ohio. From a histori­ is absolutely necessary that we should The railroad brotherhoods, operating cal standpoint, is there anything to indf- provide these faeilities to take care of . and nonoperating;~ through their regular , ·. cate that interference by. . the . Federal . these children, if they are going to be­ long-established machinery under the Government.with problems of tllis kind, come good citizens in the fuutre. . · .Railway Labor. Act,-first began action fo.r . .. . which involve primarily local communi­ Mr. LUDLOW. I thank the gentleman a raise in pay in September of 1942, a ties and the States, has ever done even for his contribution. year and a half ago. Through their es­ the least bit to improve the morals of the The CHAIRMAN. The time of the tablished machinery, an emergency people? gentleman has expired. board, a decision was submitted to the Mr. LUDLOW. I think that I am just Mr. . TABER. Mr. Chairman, I yield President for the nonoperating brother­ as strong for State rights as the gentle­ such time as he may desire to the gentle­ hoods on May 24, 1943, awarding them 8 man fr.om Ohio. I do not believe, how­ man from-Minnesota [Mr. MAAS]. . cents more an hour. On the last day be- ever, that those facilities would ever be Mr.- MAAS. · Mr. Chairman; we have . fore a-n agreement embodying tliat awar-d created or ever become operative on this heard a good deal of talk from certain would have gone automatically into ef­ great problem of child delinquency, if quarters recently about "Dr. Win the· fect the Office of Economic Stabilization 2364 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE MARCH 8 .._; " ·... ruled that the increase was inflationary stoppages must threaten the production striking, almost 2,000 men were out. On and therefore could not be allowed un~ and supply of weapons with which they June 15 the negotiations collapsed once der the so-called Little .Steel formula . . daily risk their lives for their country? more, and by June 19, 58,000 miners were With this agreement thus defeated, Now, let us take up the coal dispute of out. On June 20 theW. L. B. talks col­ the President himself stepped in and Jast yeal,'. I am sorry if you find diffi­ lapsed, and on June 21 the 530,000 miners with the brotherhoods worked out an culty in following all the developments. again were not at work. agreement for a sliding scale increase of _ I have simplified them as much as pos­ The following day the miners agreed 7 to ~ lO cents an hour. Once ·again the sible. · But it is impossible to be entirely on a truce to October 31, providing the· Office of Economic Stabilization ruled ciear about the maze of moves in and out Government kept control of the mines. that the raise was inflationary. of the bureaus,. the negotiation rooms, And, 1 day later, the President, dem­ Shortly after that the emergency board and the White House. If confusion onstrating again his acute sense of po­ studying the case of the operating broth­ still exists, it is .no fault of your under· litical timing, in a clever political move, erhoods handed down a decision offering- standing. designed to show he had a firm, strong 4 cents an hour as the maximum due It is more than a year since John L. hand ill: labor disputes: said that he in· under Little Steel, which the brother­ Lewis, speaking for the United Mine tended to ask Congress to raise the non· hoods refused. William Leiserson·, Workers, about 530,000 strong, made a combatant draft age to 65, to prevent Chairman of the Railway Labor Board, demand for a $2 a day raise. .He made future strikes by inducting the strikers. was asked to appoint a new emergency that demand on February 10, 1943. The Whatever became of that program? board, but refused to on the grounds that . employers rejected it on February 11, the Nothing-to my knowledge. he had no such authority. So the Presi:. . one speedy development in the whole The same day that the President made dent finally appointed another board to dispute. Then the merry-go-round be· that threat Secretary Ickes gave Amer­ take up the negotiatioris. The offer of gan; considerably more erratic in its ic~ the sober news that 20,000,000 tons that· board of 4 to 10 cents on a slidin_g gyrations than the measured circle of a of coal had been lost to the Nation since scale was refused by the brotherhoods real merry-go-round, but in the end not May 1. · on the grounds that it would upset their seeming to get any further. - On June 24 came more sober news. establisned wage sca1es, and was, in net Here are .some of the things which F'orty percent of the Appalachian miners effect, but a few million dollars less in­ happened in the crazy-quilt battle which were still on strike, and the United tlatidnary than their original award of · our national ad..ministration must recog· States Steel Co. announced the dosing of a straight 8 cents across the board. nize as a result of its labor policy. On 10 blast furnaces the following day, due So far, .the · brotherhoods had dealt· March 20, 1943, the United Mine Workers .to a· shortage of coal. with the carriers, three emergency agreed to postpone a strike a month be­ ' I cannot give you all the details, it boards, the Rallw~y Labor Board, the Of:­ yond the expiration of contracts, until would take almost as long as it did to fice. of Economic StabilizatiO!l, and the April 30, and make any settlement retro­ try to solve the dispute itself, but on . ~esident himSelf. Lost without hope in active, because negotiations thus far had June 27, steel company omcials an­ this, bureaucratic jungle for more than a been unsuccessful. It took 9 days and nounced that the curtailment of produc­ year, the brotherhoods voted for a strike, the intervention of the President merely tion had so far cost 24,000 tons of steel which, if it were carried through, would to get agreement on that. Despite the tp a · nation acutely requiring war nave paralyzed the whole industry and intervention of the President's personal weapons. the Nation itself. The President, fear­ representative, Dr. John R. Steelman, By July 6, all mines were in production, ful of a general strike, threw in yet an­ the negotiations broke down agai~ •. and but men were still on strike. On the other agency of the Government, and on on April 22 the weak hand of the Secre­ ninth the President, in another carefully December 27 ordered Secretary of the tary of Labor made its one and only ap­ designed move to absolve himself and Interior Ickes to seize the roads, and the pearance in the whole drawn-out dis· the nameless men around him from all Army to run them. pute. Oii April 22 Madam Perkins cer­ blame, said he could not force Lewis to Then, under Government control, tified the dispute to the National War sign a contract approved by the War negotiations were resumed and com­ Labor Board and retired for the dura­ Labor Board...--that he could seize a mine, pleted. The operating brotherhoods, tion of the argument. he said, but not a labor union. A tardy, who were supposedly due 4 cents under By April 28 the National War Labor pitiful excuse. on the part of the Execu­ the Little Steel formula, were awarded Board gave up,. too, and referred the dis­ tive of a strong nation fighting total war. 9 cents an hour,-5 of which was supposed pute to the President. By this time, more But by July 15, 98 percent of the min­ to be in lieu of overtime and away-from­ than 67,000 miners were on strike, and ers were back at work, and July 21, Lewis home pay. The nonoperating brother­ they rejected the President's ultimatum signed a contract with the Illinois op­ hoods, who were reputedly due nothing to be at work by 10 a. m. on May 1. By erators calling for retroactive portal-to­ under the Little Steel formula, received May 1 most of the total of 530,000 were portal pay and a raise of about $4.50 for from 9 to 11 cents an hour increase. Al­ out, and at the President's direction Sec­ a 5-day workwe.ek. · though 8 cents had been ruled inflation­ retary Ickes seized the mines for the first On August 20, Ickes gave back :five ary previously, the Office of Economic time. A day later Ickes and Lewis agreed mines. Stabilization blandly approved, although on a 2-week truce. A day after· that . On August 23, Ickes gave back 53 on the lOth of November previously, the Lewis, speaking for the United Mine ·chairman of the National. War Labor Workers, reaffirmed the $2-a-day de­ .mines. Board, again another agency, had pro­ mand. . On August 25, the War Labor Board claimed that the Little Steel formula This time negotiations failed because ­ rejected the Illinois agreement on the would be steadfastly observed. the United Mine Workers refused to deal ground that the $1.25 daily portal-to­ The raise, which was originally with the War Labor Board. On May 18 portal portion of the pay increase was a awarded and then refused because it was they broke down again because Ickes said hidden inflationary wage increase. inflationary, was finally awarded with in­ he had 1;10 power to deal with Lewis and By September 24, 369 mines had been creases, and it was ruled not to be infla­ that any contract must have W. L. B. given back by Ickes. tionary. Can you :find ·policy or respon­ sanction. On May 25 they broke down On September 23 the United Mine sibility in that? In the. meantime, dur­ again because theW. L. ·B. refused a $2- Workers and the Illinois operators sub­ ing the long period of uncertainty and . a-day raise. On May 31 the negotiations mitted a new contract to the War Labor delay, a general railroad strike was between the miners and the operators Board calling for a total increase on a threatened, furnishing excellent feed for broke down once more: And on June l, 5-day week of about $2 a day. . the propaganda mills of the Axis, and 530,000 miners were out, once more re­ By. October 12 Ickes had given back keeping the long-suffering people of · fusing to work without a contract. all the mines and men were . striking America in indecision and confusion as Again the President conferred, and again again in accordance with the terms of to where to place the responsibility. the miners went back under a 2-week the truce in protest to the vacating of Can there b~ any question but that truce. · , Government authority. such occurrences constitute a serious June 8 the negotiations collapsed On October 26 the War Labor Board depressant upon the morale of our fight­ again. On June 11, because Ickes at­ cut the illinois wage agreement 37 Y2 ing men, who cannot justly see why work tempted to :fine the-miners $5 apiece for cents a day. 1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 2365, On October 28 the War Labor Board are aware, a current attempt on the part against class. Jiad reached .an all-time countered the $2 a day demanded by of the President to deftly drag. an elo­ · high. A conservative legislature, aroused the anthracite miners with 32 cents, quent herring across the trail and to by this lawlessness . and violence, was which they said was proper under the snift the responsibility for this limping, ready to wipe out many of-the recognized Little Steel formula.· crippled, crabwise approach to America's rights · of organized labor completely. · On October 29 the President promised No. 1 problem onto the long suffering The radical wing of labor leadership. decisive action if the 90,000 -miners by shoulders of Congress.· ·The ·President wanted no controls. In between was the then ori strike were not back in the mines would · like to square himself as Presi­ sound middle . ground, which Harold by the 1st of November. dent with the men in arms. who have Stassen 'Pursued, with remarkable insight · On the 1st of November 530,000 miners . given him such unflinching and-coura­ and unswerving. patience, perseve.rance; refused to work without a contract. geous support as their Commander . in and the Governor worked-untiringly, with · Once more Ickes had all the mines. Chief, by pointing an accusing Executive legislative leaders, to compromise the This time Ickes suddenly had the au­ finger ·at Congress as the unpatriotic conflicting views and to bring about en­ thority after all to sign a contract. with duty shirker. He would be blameless. actment of a fair and workable ,labor the miners, and by November 3 they were - That is why, in his ·well-timed Execu­ . peace law. back at work on the basis of a contract tive message at the beginning. of this . The law itself; as·it was finally written; giving them a raise of about $1.50 .per third calendar year · of war, he asked marked· a new step forward in labor rela--­ day. . · . . Congress for a·national-service act, which tions in America. It provided cpmpJete , And on November 10 ·came the sur­ he has·since made no effor-t to pass. In and adequate machinery for the. peaceful prising ·announcement through Chair~ .. fact, to' make sure that the pegple would settl.ement. ·. of labor dispute-s without man William H. Davis that the War. be adequately. confused about the sub.; denying the basic rights of either capital Labor Board would support the Little sequent activities of Congress, he tied or labor.· . Steel formula steadfastly. Nevertheless,. · the national· ser-vice act to four. other · · The underlying principle of the Min~ they approved on· November · 20 the new controversial measures on the .passage of hesota Labor·Relations Act is negotiation contract with a cut·of only 30¥2 cents a which, he said, the national. service act pefore the sttike ·occurs: Jt ,·provides Week. The price ·. of ·. coal -had. to be should ~ also depend .for passage. that the employer.· must give ·10 days' l'aised. And · on December · 1-7 ·Lewis , Now; when· the American people, in­ notice before he can .loch out; that the signed a contract-with two-thirds of-the cluding-espe·cially the American .fighting union.give 10 days' notice before·-It may industry calling for · $40 in retroactive men, rise up against him i:a .their. -right­ strike. Negotiation . takes place ·irr .the travel time .which had once been ruled eous wrath, he 'will bend a"direct·. accus­ quiet atmosphere ,of" the labor concilia­ inflationary,- and other terms approxi..: ing finger to the Halls of Congress and tor's, ·office while no wages, . profits,' or mating the 1:!-gi:eement ·with Ick~s. . say,.. with his usual matchless eloquence, production are. lost. If no 1:!-greement is : On January 11, as though the con..: "I tried, but those fellows over ·there reached, the strike or lock-out may ·then fusion was not already great enough; would not pass a national service act." . be . exercised, · unless the subject of the Secretary Ickes announced that-the year. This stor-y of unsurpassed inadequacy dispute is deemed -to be . in the pub ~ ic 1943 was the highest- year in the history is -not-advanced for --partisan reasons. I int.erest, in. which case the Governor may of coal production, and that he had giv-en do it in the interest of .focusing · atten- r invoke another 30-day. waiting· period back 465 mines to their owners. · tion on America's No. 1 domestic war­ 'while a comm.ission of thr~e. appointed · Since that time, the coal-mines se~ to time ptoblem, and in ordei to . propose a by the Gove;t'nor; attempts once again to have le~t tpe news pages. I do ·not know method and a man to-solve it, I bring settle the dispute. . where Ickes put the mines. The last I ou President into the discussion to fix . ·Additions hav.e been made to -:the law heard the- operators- had the ·465 back, the full .responsibility upon· his adminis­ since then; ·one·, a union. democracy .act, and that the three-thousand-odd others -tration, as· it belongs, and to charge hini 1 insuring the rights of democratic .pro­ \vere still operating by long-distance tel­ with the. somber · responsibility of solv­ cedure. within uniol'ls to the . rank and :ephone' from the Interior Building. If ing ·it as his public ·trust. · I suggest to file members, including an ·annmitfinan- ' that is the case; it means that this expen­ him a proved, practical, solution. .cial statement. ·Another .prohibits -the sive dispute which began more . tha~ a . In the state of Minnesota, at one time, secondary boycott-. . ' ·year ago and concerns as vital an indus.:.. there was-an extremely had labor:. man­ ~ Harold · E. Stassen; while Governor, try as any still remains unsettled. . , agement-Government situation. It sur.;. appointed three labor cohciliators to ad­ · The United ·Mine Workers -and the ·passed, in its· bitterness, the intensity , .ministeF ·the law . . They were Lloyd J. 'carriers dealt with ·each either, the Pres­ of the current .situation in the Nation. , Haney, president of the St. Paul, Typo.:. 'ident's personal representati-ve, -the De:­ Violent -strikes and riots were the accept~ graphical Union; Alfred P. Blair, member 'partment-of Labor, the War Labor Board, I ·ed: methods of bargaining. : Lapor or.- • ·o{ and business agent for the brewery ' 'the President; the Secretary of ·the· In- I ganizing was synonymous with force. , ·workers of Duluth; and James L>Kelley, ·. terior, the Office of Economic·St.abiliza- r Businessmen, like ..the Arab,.were folding i .first vice pr-esident of ~ the Internattional tion; and·I don't know what ·others; · .up their battered tents and silently steal .. 1 .Brotherhood of Firemen and -Oilers. - - . If you can find, .in. that welter of-con- ' jng away from the State to more peace- . , The law has been tremendously ,suc- \, ·fusion, the earmarks of: anything 'Yhich I ·ful realms; cessful. During the first 2 years ·of its 'could rightfully be called a labor policy, ' - Disorder and ill feeling -mounted. dur- i . operation strikes were cut by two-thirds your imagination is better than mine. I ·ing the thirties.- Some of you may r:e­ . over ·-the· previous 2-year average and ·You cannot find the poin'ts of disagree- · member the bloody milk strikes of 1~30, man-:days lost by more than 80 percent, ·ment, you cannot-fix responsibility, you '31, and ''32. In a truckers' strike in while the· national strike total was in­ 'cannot place blame or commendation, .Minneapolis in 1934, two citizen deputies · .creasing. ·you cannot even fully understand the is- were killed in a riot. . A couple _of _r~.ont11s During the first 4 years and 2 months , sues at stake. · You cannot· ten which later, 2. picketers were . killed and 50 . of its administration a total of 2,492 out 'bureau· or agency was supposed to act, :wounded when police fired into a crowd . of 2,612 disputes were settled peaceably. as the chase went from :one office ·to an- of picketers. Howard Guilford, editor These threatened strikes involved almost .other, nor who had the authority to act. of a Mfnneapolis weekly which had criticized the State administration and · 200;000 workers. Sometimes, apparently, a bureau has Today, with 1% .percent of the Na­ authority-sometimes i~ does not. · Some­ "the labor racketee'i:·s, was assassinated. times a raise is inflationary-later the ·In 1935 the police and the pickets fought tion's .wage ·earners, Minnesota has less · same raise to the same group under a :again, this time killing 2 and wounding. than one-half-of 1 percent of the Nation's different name or secured through dif­ 30 more. Another editor, Walter Liggett, ' strikes, or less than a third of the ferent agency is not inflationary. Is it was assassinated. national average. any wonder that Americans at home and In 1937 a mob invaded the halls of the While the Nation in 1942, according abroad are confused and angry, even if ·capitol itself and took overnight posses­ to theN. W. L. B., had to suffer through they do not know at whom? . sion of the legislative chambers. 1,363 str1kes in war industries, which I have gone into something of the his­ This was the situation when Harold E. . cost the Nation's war plants more than tory of these two disputes for a very Stassen began his first term as Governor 2,000,000 man-days, there was not a sin­ good reason., There is, as most observers in January of ·1939. Feeling of class . gle stoppage of any consequence in any 2366 CONGRESSIONAL· RECORD-HOUSE MARCH 8 Minnesota war plant due to labor diffi­ means. It will provide orderly means for latter has bungled while the former delivered culties. In fact, since Pearl Harbor to enforcement and appeal through the the goods. date there has been no stoppage of any established courts of the Nation. He , has clearly demonstrated by his consequence in any of Minnesota's many_ That is the plan. record in Minnesota that Government war plants due to labor troubles. And The President, secondly, if he sincerely can bring labor and capital together, in­ in the vital iron mines of Minnesota's desires to end labor strikes, disputes, and stead of constantly emphasizing their high range, producing about 70 percent stoppages, will appoint . to a position differehces. of all the iron ore for our mighty Amer-­ which I shall call director of labor rela­ The Republican Party can shorten the ican war machine, there has not been a tions some man who has proven his abil­ war by nominating and electing a Presi­ single moment lost due to labor difficul­ ity to deal fearlessly, fairly, and impar.:. dent who has proven he can realistically ties since war began. Last year, while tially with labor and management. meet these problems and, with the co­ the Nation once more had to patiently Such a man must have the confidence operation of the Congress, work out solu­ bear a total of 3,750 strikes that cost our of labor as well as of industry. This tions. Harold Stassen is such a man. war effort more than 13,000,000 man­ man should have full authority and full Mr. TABER. Mr. Chairman, I yield days, Minnesota had 10 strikes, accord­ responsibility for the settlement of labor 15 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois ing to the best estimate now available. disputes. [Mr. MASON]. It seems that the lesson is plain. What I can assure you that if Harold Stassen we need to put an end to the ineffective­ is elected President that he will follow WHY WE SHOULD CHANGE HORSES NOW ness of the administration's so-called such a course. Mr. MASON. · Mr: Chairman, this is labor policy is a plan, .and a man. Stassen, as Governor, won the mutual the third of a series of speeches I have That there 1s a plan available has been respect and confidence of both labor and prepared and presented to the House in demonstrated in Minnesota. It seems capital. which the fallacies and mistakes of the strange that the President, in his many He has clearly demonstrated on a New Deal administration have been requests to the Nation and to the Con­ State-wide scale in a State with many pointed out. The first, given on May 13, gress for unity, has never thought of pre­ large, wide, and variegated ind:ustries, 1943, was entitled "The Womb-to-Tomb senting to Congress a plan for getting from mining to flour milling, automobile Security Illusion." In that speech I an­ unity of Government, labor, and capital. assembly to corn canning, that he has alyzed the report of the National Re­ If the President is sincere in his desire the ability and respect to solve the prob­ sources Planning Board and pointed out to prevent strikes and achieve unity, he lem of labor relations. the decided socialistic trend of the New will recognize what must be done and His record as Governor proves that he Deal. That speech was carefully docu­ act immediately. The situation has understands sound governmental admin­ mented to show the socialistic philosophy already furnished enough grist for the istration, the delegation of authority, the of the leading New Dealers. I concluded mills of Axis propaganda; it has already fixing of responsibility to make a pro­ it by saying that in view of the socialistic sufficiently impeded the war effort; it has gram of labor relations work. He has philosophy contained in the Delano re­ already stirred enough justifiable resent­ proven his ability to work harmoniously port and the socialistic philosophy that ment among the fighting men, the re­ with a legislature, and that is a crying permeates the New Deal as shown by the sponsible elements of labor, the rank and need right now. statements of its leaders, the main issue file of patriotic Americans, the Congress. Stassen believes in the future of Amer­ in the 1944 campaign should be, "Get rid In fact, in a statement attribu~d to ican labor. He said, in a speech to the of the crackpots, Communists, and Com­ General Marshall and never repudiated, American Federation of Labor conven­ munist sympathizers in Government it was s.aid that the threatened railroad tion in 1941: service, and defeat at the polls all elected and steel strikes delayed victory 6 months My personal family circle has within it officials responsible for their appoint­ and might cost the Nation hun.dreds of brothers holding A. F. of L. cards. My omcial ment." thousands of lives. family circle has within it, in important ad­ On September 30, 1943, I gave in the I call upon the President to present ministrative positions, many members of the House the second speech of the series. to the Congress and to the people a A. F. of L. I believe fundamentally 1n the That speech was entitled "The State of sound, over-all plan for settling labor union organization of workmen. the Nation From a Congressional View­ disputes patterned after the Miunesota And again, in an article for the Sat­ point." In that speech I reviewed the labor peace law, and clearly defining the urday Evening Post, he said: · last decade which I designated as the authority and responsibility. Such a Strong labor organizations are here to stay ."rubber stamp" era, listed the chief ac­ plan should recognize the rights of both and it is a good thing they are • • • complishments of the new Congress labor and capital, but it will also define (Government) should seek to improve their elected in 1942, and called attention to their responsibilities. It will place the functions in the broadest social sense, and the two ·schools of thought existing today final responsibility for the settlement of it should act firmly but justly to curb any in Washington concerning the post-'war all labor disputes in the hands of one abuses. • • • Stoppages of work shoUld future. I concluded my second speech single, definite agency, so that the re­ occur only through the free ballot of the by saying, "We need men, not mice, in sponsibility may be fixed and the pres­ members. Jurisdictional strikes should not Congress." · -sure of public opinion directed at the be permitteq. The omcers of unions should be elected at reasonable inteT­ Today I offer the third and final speech proper point to arrive at settlements in vals by the free ballot of the members. De­ of the series. I have chosen as a title labor disputes. It will provide for a wait­ cisions on dues, on initiation fees, and spe­ "Why We Should Change Horses Now." ing period for all disputes, a strike vote, cial assessments likewise ought to require Mr. Chairman, in 1932, in the midst of . and a written notice of intent to strike, the free ballot of the members. Members world chaos and threatened world bank­ a certain period before a strike takes are entitled to receive, at least once a year, ruptcy, Mr. Roosevelt came forth as a place. It will further provide for a fur­ financial statements showing the major oper­ ations of their union. candidate for the Presidency. He spoke ther waiting period to be invoked by the with what sounded like high courage, Executive if the threatened strike is in He believes in the future of American great conviction, and unbounded opti­ an industry found to be in the national capital. He has said: mism. He said: public interest. This period is needed in The New Deal climate, in its antagonism to order to give time to arrive at the facts Let us have the courage to stop borrowing the American productive system, cannot be to meet continuing deficits. and let the American people know what repealed toon soon. • • • It is an in­ are the issues and what is at stake. Then structive contrast to read the record of Amer­ Again he said: public opinion can exert its tremendous ican industry and labor • • • in the If the Nation is living within its income, force. Such a program will cease to production of the materials of war, and com­ its credit is good. If, in some crises, it lives emphasize the differences between labor pare it with the record of the Government beyond its income for a year or two, it can and capital, between labor and govern­ in such matters as rationing, manpower, usually borrow temporarily at reasonable ment, between capital and government, · price control, ~nd food distribution. Any rates. But if, like a spendthrift, it throws doubt as to the basic soundness of our free­ discretion to the winds, and is willing to make and will lay emphasis on the common production system and any lurking belief no sacrifice at all in spending; if it extends interests of labor, government, and capi­ that the Government, 1f it took over, might its taxing to the limit of the people's power to tal, and the united national interest of make a better job of it,' shoUld be, once and pay and continues to pile up deficits, then it winning this war by the fastest possible for all, dispelled by the way in which the is .on the road to bankruptcy. 1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 2367 Those were sound words, courageous others, this bureaucracy sought to en- These efforts by Mr. Roosevelt and his words, convincing words. President 'trench itself as it became swollen and "palace guard" to discredit the Congress Roosevelt was elected the first time upon arrogant with power. Finally, as the as an institution and, in that way, ~o the basis of those statements. A bewil­ years went on, and the President lost his weaken and finally to destroy the remain­ dered Nation turned to him as the apos­ chance to pack the Supreme Court by ing checks and balances provided by the tle of hope, of courage, of sanity. But law, but gained the same power by mu­ Constitution over the acts of the execu­ alas! Shortly after he)took office, Lord tations of time and human frailties, the tive department, reached a new high, or Keynes, financial adviser to the British bureaucrats believed the time had come a new low, as one might choose to put it, Government, persuaded President Roose­ to do a job of thoroughly discrediting in a series of insulting messages recent­ velt to discard the economy program he the legislative branch of the Government ly sent by the Chief Executive to the Con­ initiated when he tt>ok office for a "spend in the minds of the people. gress. In his message concerning the de­ and spend, tax and tax, elect and elect" To the end of thus discrediting the liberations of the Senate and the House program. From then on we have been people's special instrument of control on the soldiers' ballot, Mr. Roosevelt did sinking deeper and deeper into debt, un­ over their Government, the propaganda. the unprecedented and unethical thing til today national bankruptcy seems to campaign carried on by this group as­ in attempting to interfere directly in the be just around the corner. sumed the most extensive and vicious deliberations of the Congress on pending It is the sad record of this Nation that proportions of any attack ever made legislation. He branded the measure since 1934 under Mr. Roosevelt's admin­ against the legislative branch. Mem­ passed by the Congress as a fraud on . istration the national debt has risen bers of Congress who had the courage to both the soldiers and the American peo­ every year; ·the Budget has gotten fur­ stand for the right, and to battle for the ple. In that statement he directly at­ ther out of balance every year--before preservation of our American constitu­ tacked the integrity of every Member of we went into the war as well as since­ tional form of government, and our free- the Congress as well as the integrity of and Mr. Roosevelt and his economic . enterprise system of economy, were the legislative branch of the Government magicians and crystal gazers finally, as a openly threatened with political assassi­ as a whole. measure of self -excuse--and a poor self­ nation and with the smearing of their He repeated these insults in an even excuse it is--invented the plea that debt· personal characters. . more aggravated form in · his message was meaningless because "we ·owe it to During this period the administra­ vetoing the tax bill. Not satisfied with ourselves." I say to you that we owe it tion's political ·W. P. A. and kindred or­ 'vetoing the revenue measure, which he to ourselves not to be ~fooled again into ganizations were set up and used for the had a technical right to do, although he any gamble, led by a group seeking to bold, plain, and insolent purposes of violated another precedent to do it, Mr. ·. dominate world-power politics, by re­ political prostitution. A Senate investi­ Roosevelt ignored the advice of his own peating the delusions, the economic ab­ gating committee found that under the Senate leader by indulging in not one surdities, and the international nonsense directorship of Harry Hopkins, the man­ but several gratuitous jibes and insults which followed the First World ~ar. ager in chief of that stenchful Demo­ at the Congress. So brazen, so insolent, Today we are hearing the same fal­ cratic Convention in Chicago that nomi­ so uncalled for were these insults that lacies which Garet Garrett so ably ana­ nated Mr. Roosevelt for ~.l. third term, they caused even Mr. ·Roosevelt's faith­ lyzed and exposed in his book A Bubble Government relief under w. P.-A. had ful flag-bearer to revolt, and, in protest that Broke the World, published in 1932," been distorted into the most powerful against this action by the Chief Execu­ resurrected as a new economic discovery political instrument of partisan advan­ tive, to resign his leadership in the Sen­ in order to lure us irito undertaking to tage ever devised in the United States of ate. He was immediately and unani­ underwrite once more the living levels, America. In Kentucky, Indiana, and mously reelected to majority leadership the wage levels, the educational systems, other States, this Senate committee in that body in an action which showed the governmental policies, and, in fact, found that intimidation, bribery, and that party lines had been eradicated by the governmental plans of all the other wanton violation of the Corrupt Practices this Executive assault on the legislative nations of the world. Act not only were countenanced by Harry branch of the Government. Indeed, one · There are 2,000,000,000 people in the Hopkins as the Director of W. P. A., but distinguished Senator summed up the world. More than half of them fall were encouraged by him. When the Chief Executive's unparalleled and in­ within the category of the ill-fed, ·the stench became so offensive to the Nation excusable attitude by saying that he was ill-clad, the ill-housed. In spite of the that even the New Deal managers, ac­ running on a fourth-term anti-Congress billions of dollars that were spent by the customed to rottenness as they were, platform. New Deal administration upon its polit­ dared not try to continue it longer, This historic and tragic episode, while ical W. P. A., unemployment persisted Harry Hopkins was promoted to the Cab­ we are engaged in the most desperate and the public debt rose to an all-time inet by the way of the secretaryship of war in the history of this Nation, and in high even before we entered the war. Commerce in order to get him out of the the history of the world, was the cul­ That debt Js still going up, and if we line of fire. He finally had to be with­ mination of a long campaign of vilifica­ permit the proponents of U. N. R. R. A.­ drawn from that position under the plea· tion of the legislative branch indulged in a proposed world-wide W. P. A.--to' have of illness, and was boosted to a super­ by the President, by his spokesmen, and their way, our present astronomical debt Cabinet job ladling out lend-lease bil­ by New Deal columnists, all with the ap­ will continue to rise faster and go higher lions which must be provided by the proval of the Chief Executive. than even the incomprehensible figures overburdened taxpayers of the United Mr. Chairman, had it not been for the which now describe that debt. It is per­ States of America. advent of the war the New Deal admin­ tinent at this point to remind ourselves Meanwhile, these efforts to discredit istration would have been exposed by that while the debt may be owed by the the Congress as the people's ~nstrument now· as having failed to solve a single do­ Government within the Nation, the of control over their Government had so mestic problem, as having failed to keep goods and services which comprise that aroused the people that in 1938 they a single major political promise, and as debt will be flowing . out to other coun­ elected 6 additional Republican Senators, having permitted, if not aided and abet­ tries and we will be depleting our natural and 80 additional Republican Members ted, Communist leaders to infiltrate into resources, exporting our energy and every department of Government, Com­ our labor, never to get them back again. of the House. Realizing the utter dan­ Mr. Chairman, I want·to call attention ger to which our American constitutional munists whose sole purpose is to over­ at this point to the fact that during the system had been exposed, and frightened throw our free enterprise system and New Deal "rubber stamp" era there grew by the heavy infiltration into the Gov­ change our form of government, by per­ up in Washington an arrogant, insolent, ernment bureaus of Communists whose suasion, if possible; by cunning and sub- · wasteful, and cunning · bureaucracy, purposes were to overthrow our American terfuge, if possible; by revolution and which began with clever design to extend system of government, the American riot, if necessary. If anybody believes its tentacles into every State and county people again in 1942 increased the Re­ for a moment that patriotism has re­ in the Union. Headed by Felix Frank­ publican contingent in the Senate by 9 placed treachery in the hearts and minds furter, Tommy Corcoran, Ben Cohen, more, and the contingent in the House by of these Communists during the past 2 Leon Henderson, Jerome Frank, Mor­ 44--and the "rubber stamp" era or the years, that individual is grievously mis­ decai Ezekiel, Judge Rosenman, and "regimented thirties," ended. taken. Communists were picketing the 2368 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-. HOUSE MARCH 8 White House and Communists were sab­ rations before he became President, his took those measures. He threw those otaging our production of planes and cynical breaking of all those declara­ veterans out of the hospitals. The vet­ other machines and materiel of defense tions, and his more cynical discarding erans were told that they were not en­ up "to the very hour Adolf Hitler turned of all the profound truths which he pre­ titled to any more consideration than any on his partner Joe Stalin and set the viously had uttered is to show that his other citizens, and that "your service Germans at the throats of the Russians. administration never meant to do any­ should be your badge of honor." There can be no question in the mind of thing more than to give lip service to Who was the Senate leader for this any clear-thinking person that if Joe these profound convictions and tradi­ Presidential legislation to deprive these Stalin made peace with Germany tomor­ tions of the American people; and that, injured veterans of hospitalization back row these same American Communists, behind the scenes, a swollen, powerful, in those days? It was Senator Jimmy as slimy and as treacherous as ·ever, insolent, arrogant, cunning bureaucr~cy Byrnes, of South Cart>lina, who is now would immediately resume sabotaging left no move unmade and no stone un- · the President's super-over-all-war ad­ our production of war machines and ma­ turned to violate every precept Mr. ministrator. It was these gentlemen who teriel, would foment strikes and walk­ Roosevelt had laid down in his first can­ picked out the veterans who had fought outs, and,. if they dared, would again didacy for the Presidency. The Good for their country and who had bled for picket the White House against Amer­ Book says: "By their fruits ye shall know their country to bear the brunt of that ica's further participation in the war. them." Today we are looking at the economy promise while political hench­ Now, these are all facts, as I have good fruits of the New Deal administration. men such as Rex Tugwell, Harry Hop­ reason to know. They are facts sustained We have heard much lately from those kins, Tommy Corcoran, and Ben Cohen, completely and absolutely by the latest prominent in the administration of what came·in to draw fat salaries and to hand expressions of Earl Browder, the convict, they allege is complacency on the part out multiplied millions. who was pardoned for his crimes by the of the people. My own opinion is that a Now, if you wish to argue that the President as a _political sop to Commu­ great part of this so-called complacency ·President may h~ve changed his mind nists "in the interest of national unity." is hesitancy and bewilderment on the toward the veterans in these past ·10 Mr. Chairman, when Mr. Roosevelt was part of the people because of evasive and years, I answer that by quotin·g the words a candidate for the Presidency the first misleading statements by officials high of a wise man, "We can judge a man's time he made declarations which were in in the Government; because of broken character not by his promises for the accord with the very essence of the Con­ promises cynically violated over the past future, but by his performances in the stitution and the finest traditions of our 10 years; because of a veritable mael­ past." American political, economic, and social strom of contradictions, cross purposes, The record of the procedure in both way of life. He said in a radio address overlapping functions, jealousies, inter­ Houses of the Congress will disclose that . on March 2, 1930: departmental and interbureau feuds, it was the Congress in every case who In the matter of a great number of • • • conflicting orders and policies, the injec­ defended the rights, th~ hospitalization, vital problems of government, such as the tion of partisan politics into the war · the rehabilitation, the vocational train­ conduct of public utilities, of banks, of in­ operations, and, finally, the utter failure ing, and the pensions for the veterans, surance, of business, of agriculture, of edu­ of Mr. Roosevelt to remedy these condi­ even going so far as to override the cation, of social welfare, and of a dozen other tions altbough they have been called to important features • • • Washington Presidential veto on several occasions in must not be encouraged to interfere. · his attention time and again, over and order to do so. over again, by many different, responsi­ It is, of course, grotesque, and incredi­ Again, in an address before the con­ ble persons. bly insolent, for any individual, the Chie_f ference of Governors at New London, Mr. Chairman, let us now look into Executive or anybody else, to try to assert Conn., on July 16, 1929, Mr. Roosevelt, another phase of Mr. Roosevelt's past that he is going to provide the returning then Governor of New York, declared: performances and compare them with soldiers and sailors with mustering-out But there is a tendency, and to my mind his present promises. They hav~ to do pay, hospitalization, rehabilitation, voca­ a dangerous tendency, on the part of our Na­ with our armed forces and the admin­ tional training, or any other benefits. tional Government to encroach, on one ex­ istration's attitude toward veterans. I.n It will be the American people, a grate­ cuse or another, more and more upon State a broadcast which· was conveyed by supremacy. The elastic theory of interstate ful American people, acting through their commerce, for instance, has been stretched short wave to all the United States troops Congress, who will provide these benefits almost to the breaking point to cover certain everywhere in the world, Mr. Roosevelt for the returning soldiers and sailors, regulatory po;vers desired by Washington. promised all sorts of glowing things to and who will pay the bills. the veterans when they return from the Mr. Chairman, we are going to hear Again, in his radio address of March 2, war this time. Muster-out pay, pen­ much as the campaign of 1944 comes on 1930, Mr. Roosevelt declared: sions, hospitalization for the disabled, about it not being wise to trade horses in It was clear to the framers of our Consti­ rehabilitation, and so on. the middle of the stream or to change tution that the greatest possible liberty of In the light of these glowing promises self-government must be given to each State, commanders in the middle of the war. and that any national administration at­ made to the veterans by short wave, it Now, what are the facts? The facts are tempting to make all laws for the whole Na­ is well to look back to the time when Mr. these. Any President is, by virtue of his tion • • • would inevitably result at Roosevelt came into office on a platform office, Commander in Chief of the armed some future time in a dissolution of the guaranteeing that he would reduce the forces. His function and duty under the Union itself. • • • Now, to bring about . cost of government 25 percent. In those · Constitution as Commander in Chief is government by oligarchy masquerading as early days the veterans of the First simply to approve the plans and the democracy, it is fundamentally essential that World War and of the Spanish-American practically all authority and control be cen­ strategy devised for the defense of the tralized in our National Government. The War became the victims of Mr. Roose­ Nation and tlre prosecution of war by the individual sovereignty • • • must first velt's vitriolic tongue and pen. As a part professional soldiers and sailors of the be destroyed. • • • We are safe from of his economy program he proposed to armed forces. These trained planners the danger of any such departure from the close veterans' hospitals by the score, and strategists are educated at great ex­ principles on which this country was founded · and to throw thousands upon thousands _pense to the taxpayers at West Point and just so Icing as the individual home rule of of disabled veterans into the streets, as Annapolis. They are throughout their the States is scrupulously preserved and well as to prevent pensions for veterans. entire military careers constantly study­ fought for whenever it seems to be in danger. Previously, upon his election, he had of­ ing strategy, ·planning how to meet as­ Those were strong words, brave words, fered Senator Bronson Cutting, of New sault from any quarter of the globe, and timely words from the lips of Candidate Mexico, a place in his Cabinet, which their plans have to carry on year after Roosevelt. Need I tell you, however, Senator Cutting declined. The President year regardless of any political changes, that from the first day of its advent up later broke both his personal and politi­ regardless of any shifting of occupants to the beginning of the present World cal friendship with Senator Cutting be­ in the White House, regardless of any War the New Deal administration has cause the latter stood on the floor with political considerations. Unless· he were repeatedly violated every one of these other Senators and pleaded with Presi­ a trained general or a. trained admiral, declarations. dent Roosevelt not· to take the harsh the Chief Executive, acting as Com­ Mr. Chairman, the purpose of this re­ _measures he contemplated against the mander in Chief of the armed forces, view of Mr. Roosevelt's profound decla- veterans. The President went ahead and would render his Nation a great disserv- 1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 2369 ice, and probably would involve his coun­ America can help the rest of the world erans of the present war are mustered try in disaster after disaster if he at­ regain sanity, peace, progress, and pros­ out of the various branches of the serv­ tempted to override or overrule the plans perity. The New Deal bubble has burst. ice this responsibility is going to grow. and strategies devised by these trained The horse that has kept us in the middle Just what is being done about it? defenders in the Army and the Navy, the of the stream for nearly 12 years; that We have provided for separation pay, marines, and the Air Force. has carried us farther and farther down­ or mustering-out pay, for our returning It is, therefore, absurd for anybody to stream toward bankruptcy, regimenta­ soldiers and sailors, but this is only the argue that we cannot change Command­ tion, and despair; that ha$ willfully cre­ first step in a program designed to re­ ers in Chief in the middle of a war. If ated one national emergency after an­ absorb them as rapidly as possible into Mr. Roosevelt, or any other man, were other, is not the horse that we want to civilian life. The comparatively small so indispeQsable as President and Com­ ride any longer. We have lost confidence sum of money they will receive is not mander in Chief that disaster and defeat in its. ability to carry us safely across the going to last long under present circum­ would overtake this Nation if he were stream. Twelve years is a long, long stances. Something more than just defeated, the American people could con­ time to be kept in the middle of .the money is needed. sider themselves in a desperately dan­ stream, riding the same horse. If we When Congress passed the Selective gerous situation. The fact of the matter ever expect to get across to terra firma, Service Act it wrote into the law a pro­ is that if Mr. Roosevelt ceased to func­ we had better change horses now, before vision that permits honorably dis­ tion tomor-row the plans for the war it is too late. charged servicemen to return to jobs would go right on; the strategists would Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Chairman, will held prior to induction. Congress has continue to function; the soldiers and the gentleman yield for a question? provided generous benefits for the de­ sailors and the women as well would con­ Mr. MASON. I yield. pendents of service personnel who die in tinue under the same guidance to battle Mr. CRAWFORD. I was very much defense of their country and it has insti­ on the fighting lines, ' while the home interested in one observation the gen­ tuted programs for the rehabilitation forces would continue under the same tleman made which had to do with the and vocational training of injured vet­ guidance in field, in shipyard, in mill and expression we often hear "We owe it to erans. Still that is not enough. · factory to produce the machines and ourselves," referring to the national Proper reintegration into civilian life materiel of war. The claim that it would debt. I do not believe in that philosophy, cannot be accomplished with simply ·a be dangerous for America to change that we need not be concerned about the physical examination, a mustering-out Commanders in Chief in the middle of debt just because we owe it to ourselves. pay check and a ticket home. The fact the war is just as empty, is just as plainly I think that is just as dangerous as most that a man's pre-war job is still waiting partisan political tommyrot as it is to any other kind of debt. Last evening for him is not the answer either. Spe­ claim that" any one man out of 132,000,000 Chester Bowles, the Administrator of cialized training in any one of the nu­ people is so indispensable in the chair of the Office of Price Administration, deliv­ merous branches of the service may have the Chief Executive that the Nation ered an address in which he laid down in fitted him for a far better paying job or a would falter in its course and fail as a general that since the inception of 0. P. more responsible position than he held democracy if he were displaced by a vote A. and the price-control program there when he was inducted. of the people or if he were removed by has been saved to the American people How then, is the individual going to be an inscrutable providence. on the goods they have purchased as properly classified when he is ready to The American people have made it individuals $22,000,000,000, and that return to civilian life and who is going to plain that they want their Congress to be there has been saved on the goods pur­ classify him? When the Selective Serv­ an independent instrument of the chased by the Government, which would ice System sent its questionnaire to all people's will in government. They have interest the citizens as taxpayers gen­ registrants in the United· States it ob­ also demonstrated that they do not want erally, according to Mr. Bowles, $69,- tained a wealth of information regarding one-man government. They have dem­ 000 ,000,000. the special talents and qualifications of onstrated they do not intend to surrender Mr. MASON. I recall those statistical every male citizen between the ages of 18 the control of their affairs permanently mirages. and 65. This was of inestimable value in to a political bureaucracy. They have Mr. CRAWFORD. Or a total of $89,- assisting to place each person in his demonstrated that they mean to main­ 000,000,000, which is roughly about $675 proper niche in our vast military organi­ tain and to perpetuate our American free per capita on the basis of a 135,000,000 zation. constitutional governmental, .economic, population. He also portrayed the pic­ Would it not be a good idea to use this and social system. ture as this saving having cost the tax­ same method of determining the indi­ The American people do not believe, .Payer only $1.14 per capita per annum. vidual's specialized training when he re­ and they will not be convinced, that they Those are pretty nigh returns-$3.42 as turns to civilian employment? Why not have lost either the right or the capacity against $675. If it makes no difference use the questionnaire in reverse, plus for self-government. They do not be- about the debt simply because we owe it carefully planned interviews and counsel . lieve, and they will not be convinced, that to ourselves, what difference does it make before the veteran is discharged? We their sons and daughters, their brothers whether we save $89,000,000,000 or $69,- do not want to put a man back on the and sisters should fight and die on the 000,000,000 or what not? If owing a debt job in a service station if he is an ac­ battle lines for freedom and American­ to yourself is all right why boast about complished radio technician. Nor do we ism while at home men lusting for world saving money for taxpayers? want to help him return to his old posi­ power defeat the very objectives for Mr. MASON., My answer to that, of tion as an elevator operator when he has which our armed forces are offering course, is that on the one hand one of developed into a first-class aviation ma­ themselves upon the altar of their the New Deal spokesmen comes out and chinist. country. says it makes no difference because we What particular agency of the Govern­ We have gone a long way in 10 years owe the debt to ourselves, but on the ment is going to be able to best judge toward dictatorship and away from de­ other hand another New Dealer comes the veteran's ability when he is ready to mocracy in America. The American out and says: "We have saved you $89,- be discharged? The United States Em­ people have seen the danger signs. They 000,000,000 through a statistical mirage." ployment Service? The War Manpower have turned back. Their faces are set The CHAIRMAN. The time of the Commission? The Selective Service Sys­ in the direction of free government, free gentleman from Illinois has expired. tem? Of course not. The only branch of enterprise, and free society for the future Mr. TABER. Mr. Chairman, I yield the Government that will be properly in America; and Heaven help the man , such time as he may desire to the gen­ qualified to classify the individual's pro­ or the men who incur their righteous tleman from California [Mr. ANDERSON]. ficiency is the division of the armed forces wrath by trying to change our American Mr. ANDERSON of California. Mr. in which he has served. system into some imitation of a foreign Chairman, this country is faced with a Fortunately, this problem has not been dictatorship, either communistic or tremendous new responsibility-that of entirely overlooked, but it needs to be fascistic. providing suitable jobs in private indus­ expanded and perfected. I have here a It is obvious to all of us that only a try for its discharged service men and brief summary of the excellent work free, sound, solvent United States of women. As increasing numbers of vet- being done along these lines by the Army -'

2370 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE MAROH 8

Air Forces redistribution centers, from served in the armed forces and who terprise is the least a gr~teful country which I would like to quote: understand the problems of the man can do. Working in close cooperation with the who has become accustomed· to military . Mr. LUDLOW. Mr. Chairman, I yield above program are the Army Air Forces re­ life. 20 minutes to the gentleman from Texas distribution centers, with headquarters at · Forms or questionnaires, similar to [Mr. PATMAN], Atlantic City, N. J. They are now estab­ those now used by procurement officers, ANSWERING THE GENTLEMAN . FRO~ ILLINOIS lished in three strategic areas in the con­ could be properly set up and employed tinental United States. The purpose of these Mr. PATMAN. Mr. Chairman, the centers is to examine, reevaluate, -and re-· by a forms and procedure department. These forms would, when filled out, con­ gentleman from Illinois made a very in­ assign petsonnel returned frpm overseas. teresting political argument. I shall not The redistribution work is directed by the tain a complete outline of past experi­ Office of the Assistant Chief of Air Staff, ence, including the service record, as attempt to answer everything he said but Personnel. well as trades learned while in the serv­ I should like to discuss a few points he Vocational guidance-personnel officers ice, in order- to ascertain the physical, brought to your attention. One of the work with wounded men in the convalesc~nt mental, and general adaptability of the last statements he made was to the effect centers who are to be reassigned in the serv­ that somebody in the Government ice or -discharged to civllian life because of applicant for jobs listed with the United · States Employment Service or other seemed to think it made no difference physical disabilities. The soldler is given how much our national debt was, that personal counsel and aided in finding the employment agencies. type of work for which he is best suited in The above-outlined plan would be of we owed it to ourselves. I do not know the light of his desires, training, and dis- inestimable value to industry as a whole. of any person in the Government who ,. abmty. It would furnish properly qualified, will.; holds to that theory or philosophy. If Under the direction of vacational-guidance ing, and efficient personnel and would the gentleman can give me a direct quo­ counselors a broad program of integrational tation from a person in a responsible vocational training is carried on in the- con­ eliminate the necessity for extensive personnel departments. · position in which that was said I shall valescent centers to enable the wounded to be glad indeed to yield to him. start on their vocational retraining even Second .. The procedure. while they are patients in the hospital. This Each branch of the service could ap­ Mr. MASON. That was a direct. quote program is coordinated with and records point a qualified personnel man, of the from the President himself in one of his made available to the Veterans' Administra­ proper rank, in each service-command messages to the Nation. tion, War Manpower Commission, Reemploy­ area, to instruct and direct present en­ Mr. PATMAN. If the gentleman is ment Division of the .Selective Service, and mistaken all the way through his speech the United States Employment Service. ' listment and procurement officers in the The purpose of the Army bir Forces pro­ interviewing and classifying of service­ as much as he _is mistaken about that, gram in convalescent and redistribution cen­ men about to be discharged. I doubt that we can give a great deal of ters is to return all possible Air Forces per­ Contacts could be made with indus­ thought and consideration to what he sonnel to a proper duty assignment; but if try-defense plants, petroleum, trans­ has said. this is impossible or impracticable for med­ portation, and so forth-to determine I · was here when the President deliv­ ical -reasons, to aid the discharged soldier ered a speech in which it was mentioned , in establishing himself in a self-supporting, what kind of jobs are available, what self-respecting place in civilian life. type of men are wanted, and so forth. that the burden of our debt does not fall It should also be emphasized that indus­ so heavily upon us when we owe the debt The above summary, of course, refers try can benefit by cooperating to the to ourselves. That was a comparison, principally to the work that is being fullest degree. I' presume, with times heretofore when we ·done in connection with those who are Comprehensive publicity should ac­ were borrowing money and paying a high ·physically disabled. The time is not far company any such program so that the · rate of interest to foreign governments ·distant, we hope, when the same thing general public will become acquainted or foreign people. There is quite a dif­ will have to be done for men who are with what is being done now for medi­ ference between what the President of physically sound. With eleven or twelve cally discharged servicemen and what the United· States said and what the million men in the service this presents is planned for the future when general - gentleman from Illinois has construed a real challenge to the Army and Navy, demobilization gets under way. his language to mean. I will ask the gen­ to the Government, and to private indus­ Third. The results. tleman to get that speech and put it in try. The results are ob-vious. There will . the RECORD in connection with his re­ Let us take a look at what one private be a material increase in morale. Men -marks. He will see he is obviously mis­ industrial organization is doing in this who are already in the service will know taken in his interpretation. regard. Not long ago I had the pleasure that they will not be.forgotten after the Mr. TA~ER. Mr. Chairman, will the of discussing with a representative of war is won. Those who are now enlisting gentlem!ln yield? the Douglas Aircraft Corporation the will be comforted by the fact that every Mr. PATMAN. I yield to the gentle­ very excellent system of employee possible effort will be made to place them man from New York. placement that this huge company, has properly when they return. Also, indus­ Mr. TABER. Would the gentleman . worked out. The Douglas Corporation try is provided with correctly classified tell us when we borrowed any money has devised a plan for interviewing, from foreign countries? - classifying, and placing discharged serv­ personnel now and after the war is over. icemen which might well serve as a It seems to me that a plan such as the Mr. PATMAN. Yes; I suspect I could model not only to other industrial or-· one I have outlined, or one of a similar find that information. I think it is a type, should be placed in operation at an matter of general knowledge that back in ganizations but to the various branches early date. H. R. 4057 provides for estab­ of the armed services as well. the early days of our country we bor­ lishing a veterans' employment service rowed·money from abroad but not in re­ The young man to whom I talked, Mr. under the direction of the Administrator Clare. Harp, of the employee-placement cent years. division of the Douglas Aircraft Corpo­ of Veterans' Affairs. Working in close Mr. TABER. I hope the gentleman will cooperation · with the proposed military put that in the RECORD. ration, has helped to evolve a plan that personnel service bureau the veterans' is working, and working well. He pro­ employment service can render valuable NO RESPONSmLE GOVERNMENT .REPRESENTATIVE poses that the various units of the Army HAS SAID IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE HOW LARGE assistance to discharged men and women . OUR NATIONAL DEBT BECOMES and Navy adopt a syste:rp. which is out­ in placing them properly in civilian life. lined somewhat as follows: Mr. Chairman, I have talked to a great Mr. PATMAN. I think that is a little MILITARY PERSONNEL SERVICE BUREAU many of the men and some of the women bit foreign,and wholly unrelated to what First. The purpose: To act as a mili­ who are serving in various branches of I am talking about or what the §entle­ tary job-procurement bureau for serv­ our armed forces about their desires and man from Dlinois was talking about icemen, prior to their discharge-medi­ plans for the future, when peace comes. either, but I insist that the gentleman has cally or otherwise-now and in the post­ AlmQst without exceptjon they express not construed the statement of the Pres­ war period, thus assisting the men in · themselves as being primarily interested ident of the United States correctly. service to find the right niche in civilian in a job in private industry and the se­ There is no person in a responsible posi­ life. curity that goes with such a job.- To tion in our Government who has said This could be brought about through • assist them in finding their proper posi­ that it makes no difference how large our interviews and counsel by men who have tion in our vast system of industrial en- debt 'becomes. 1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 2371 I challenge any person who makes that with the people back home who do not remission bill which created the first statement to prove it here on the :floor of have all the facts. I think we should be crop of war millionaires in America dur­ the House. It has not been made to my very careful about that and especially in ing World War No. 2. It gave back to knowledge and I have been here a long view of the fact that we were· warned by people-some of them war profiteers­ time. · Hitler himself, old Adolf Schickl­ $7,500,000,000. NO DICTATORSHIP gruber himself in person, wh~n he wrote FIRST AND SECOND CROP OF WAR MILLIONAIRES IN I know there are a lot of people who his book, Mein Kampf. He told the WORLD WAR NO. 2 seem to be greatly afraid that we are people of Germany that he was going to Imagine the discouragement of a Chief going to have a dictatorship in this coun­ be helped in all these countries he ex­ Executive who is trying to liquidate the try. The gentleman from Illinois im­ pected to wage war against, especially debt in a reasonable time asking for plied that we were just on the verge of the democracies; that the people in the $16,000,000,0ll0 and getting a tax-remis­ bankruptcy or dictatorship. Fortunately democratic countries would get to hating sion bill of $7,500,000,000. Congress we have a good Constitution. Under one another, they would get to fighting went in the· opposite direction and cre­ that Constitution next January 3 at noon one another, they would divide up into ated the first crop of war millionaires if there has not been an election this year all kinds of factions, cliques, and clans in this war. Then, on top of that, when and 435 Members of the House elected to and would become so selfish and greedy he asked for more money this last year :fill these seats, next January 3 at noon with one another that he would get sub­ and we passed another bill, instead of it there will be no House of Representa­ stantial aid and assistance from that being for $10,500,000,000 that the Treas­ tives. If there is no House of Represent­ source which would be of great help to ury asked for, it was supposed to be atives, no revenue bills can originate, be­ him. I think there is a lot being done $2,500,000,000, but after you take the cause under the Constitution revenue today here on the :floor of the House every day and in the newspapers of the "deducts" out of it you had less than bills must originate in the House. There $850,000,000 left. If you will examine could be no appropriations of money, ·country to corroborate what Hitler said that woodpile, you will find a lot of fel­ therefore our Government would cease and to convince the German people that lows of African descent in it. That bill to exist. When you consider that fact Mr. Hitler was right, that he would have made World War No. 2 millionaires, along with the charges you will realize an enormous, tremendous, and powerful which meant the second crop of war mil­ how impossible it is for a dictatorship to weapon right in the heart of America lionaires made in World War No. 2. happen in this country. We are not go­ when he waged war against America. Imagine the disappointment of a Chief ing to have it under our present form of Then he said, "When I go in and invade Executive of this Nation when he is try­ government. I will know who will rise up and ta~e my part; I will know the people I can ing to keep our Government solvent and NOT FACING NATIONAL BANKRUPTCY UNLESS WE trust, those who would help destroy their pay our debts, and pay them in a reason­ HAVE INFLATION-IN THAT EVENT WE WILL BE able length of time, having a Congress FORCED TO HAVE A DICTATORSHIP own government and who have by their statements and acts demonstrated they that, instead of levying taxes to pay the I dislike to hear statements made that can be trusted in opposition to their own debt, always passes tax-remission bills we are facing national bankruptcy. We government." and makes millionaires in this war. I are not facing national bankruptcy, not Mr. MASON. Will the gentleman consider it a great disappointment my­ by any means. yield? self, and I can see why the President of It is impossible for a nation to go into Mr. PATMAN. I yield to the gentle­ the United States would be disappointed. bankruptcy. Nations do not go into man from Illinois. I am not apologizing for any language the bankruptcy; they never have and they Mr. MASON. Then I say to the gen­ President used in connection with that never will; it is impossible for a nation to tleman that all the words creating dis­ message. become bankrupt; bankruptcy involves a union are not spoken on the floor of this Mr. COX. Will the gentleman yield? receivership, a trustee, or some person in House but are spoken to the Congress Mr. PATMAN. I yield to the gentle­ custody. So we are not concerned with by the President of the United States man from Georgia. that as long as we have the taxing power when he states our work is a fraud­ Mr. COX. Is the gentleman as an of the Government functioning suffi­ when he says we are legislating for the honored Member of this body befouling ciently that money can be raised to pay greedy and not for the needy. I say his own nest by sanctioning and approv­ off our existing debts. And may I re­ those things are creating more discord ing the language of the President as used mind the gentleman, Mr. Chairman, since than anything else. in his message to the Congress? his speech was colored very much in a Mr. PATMAN. How could the Presi­ Mr. PATMAN. The gentleman can political way in which he laid stress on dent say anything else under the cir­ construe the language any way he wants the last 12 years, that when the present cumstances? How could he say any­ to. I am not fouling my own nest when administration took charge of this Gov­ thing else? I try to keep this country solvent and ernment and when his administration Mr. COX. Will the gentleman yield? try to prevent inflation. I have no apol­ went out of power March 4, 1933, the ·Mr. PATMAN. Let me finish one at ogies to make for that. I do not blame total national income in the United a time. the President in his disappointment at a States of America was only $38,000,000,- Mr. COX. Is the gentleman seriously Congress that would do anything like 000 a year, yet last year alone we col­ making that statement? that. I am personally disappointed my­ lected and will collect in taxes $41,000,- Mr. PATMAN. Let me finish my self. 000,000. Imagine. More money being statement, then I will yield to the gentle­ CONGRESS INFLATIONARY collected in taxes in 1 year now than man. This Congress has been going the road the total national income in 1932. There is a big difference in the two and When the President asked for a tax . toward ruinous and runaway inflation. I I think that should be taken into consid­ bill to be passed by this Congress that am disappointed in the Congress. Of eration. would be sufficient to liquidate this enor­ course, every Member has his own indi­ Mr. WHITE and Mr. GEARHART mous debt in a reasonable length of time vidual responsibility. I have mine and rose. and not have inflation, he asked for each Member of this House has his own. $16,000,000,000. Finally, it was reduced I am not criticizing any Member. Let TOO MUCH UNNECESSARY DISUNITY to less than that. What did the Con­ him do what he wants to. That is a Mr. PATMAN. I will yield in just a gress do last year? It passed a so-called question for him and for his own people, moment. tax bill, although both parties-Demo­ but in my own individual responsibility I do not like such statements to be crats and Republicans-have often said I am personally greatly disappointed in made on the :floor of the House con­ that in the event of another war there this Congress not raising the money to tinually which would indicate that there will be no profit in war; we do not want pay our huge war debt in order that it is so much disunity among the people of any millionaires made out of wartime might be paid as much as possible as the our country, that we are fighting among profits. Both parties have said that. war goes on and not pass it on to the ourselves, that we are accusing our allies Nearly every Member of this House has shoulders of these fighting men on the of things that are calculated to cause said it. So instead of sending to the 55 fighting fronts of the world when they those allies to distrust us even though President a. bill that would raise ten or come back here and reassume their posi­ they are made possibly to curry fa~or fifteen billion dollars, we sent him a tax- tions in civilian life. We should not do XC-150 2372 CONGRESSIONAL R·ECORD_:_HOUSE MARCH 8 that. We should pay up this debt as we · they paid their debts with worthless · power then, the- Herbert Hoover admin­ :go along just as much as we can, but tp money. . istration, ·sent ·the Army against thos.e that end this· Congress has not coop~r­ Mr. Wffi'rE. What can you procu~e poor, peaceful, helpless fellows. Many ated. ·with worthless l!loney'i' of •them had their wives and chiidren INFLATION CAN CAUSE LOSS OF WAR Mr. PATMAN. That can happen with them. Not only did they run them On the other hand, inflation can cause right here in America. We can lose this down with ·officers on horseback, and the loss of this war. Inflation is serious. war if there is worthless money. Any punish them, but they actually killed You cannot have two or three hundred time it comes to the point that people some of those veterans. They set fire to billion dollars in money in a country with are asked to work in the factories and their homes when they and their wives 135,000,000 people and not have a serious on the farms for money that is worthless, , and children were sleeping peacefully at inflation threat unless there are ade­ they are not going to put forth their best -night. They were forced out of those lit­ quate, proper, and substantial inflation efforts and they are not going to deliver tle homes; they were forced out onto the controls. This Congress has not co­ the production. Therefore, it is pos­ highways and the byways, and the next operated to that end. This Congress has sible for us to make a great contribution morning, on the grass by the side of those been going in the direction of ruinous in­ toward the losing of thi's war by per­ highways here in Washington, you could flation and in the direction of destroyiL.g mitting inflation to get hold of this see those poor wives and veterans sleep- those dams that are holding back that country. . ing, resting on the grass by the side of reservoir of purchasing power which is Mr. WffiTE. How can the gentleman the road, driven from their Capital City calculated to go over the dam at any harmonize that statement with the because they took advantage of an op­ time and destroy the purchasing power statement he made that a Government portunity to appeal to their Government o::: the people's money. could not go }?ankrupt? · to pay them ·a debt that had been ac­ I am not condemning the action Mr. PATMAN. I still say that Ger­ knowledged by Congress to be an honest of any individual Member, but I am many printed the money and paid her debt. That is treatment No. 1. Let me keenly disappointed in the Congress debts, but the money was worthless. We tell you about treatment No. 2. In 1935, not doing two things effectively. One is could do the same thing here. I hope when Mr. Roosevelt was President, the to pay more of the cost of this war as we we never do it. veterans came back here, ' and they as­ go along and the other is to erect proper sembled just as they had in 1932. Did PRESIDENT HOOVER OR PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT ON President Roosevelt drive them out? barriers to prevent ruinous and runaway TREATMENT TOWARD VETERANS inflation. We have not done that and I Did he have any of them killed? Did he can cite proof of it. The gentleman from Illinois· men­ punish them and their wives, and drive I do not care if everyone is against my tioned the treatment the veterans have them out of the city of Washington? proposition, I still say as an individual been receiving at the hands of Mr. No; he provided ·quarters and eats for Member of this Congress, on my own in­ Roosevelt, our President. I remember them, gave them an assembly. place, and dividual responsibility, I express disap­ back in 1932. I could cite several in­ provided a big auditorium and a public­ pointment and disapproval of what we as stances where I have not agreed with the address system, and provided public a Congress have done toward stopping administration on veterans' affairs, in a transportation back and forth from their inflation and toward not paying more of lot of cases. I have voted against the quarters to this public meeting place. the cost of this war as we go along. I administration on certain veterans bills, They stayed there, and they passed reso­ am convinced of that. That is my as well as other bills. But at one time lutions. They peacefully assembled, and opinion. there were 20,000 veterans assembled they left Washington and· nobody was Let me discuss price stabilization. here in Vvashington, D. C. They came hurt. There are two examples of how The CHAIRMAN. The time of the here in support of what they considered. one President treated the veterans of gentleman from Texas has expired. to be their rights. I happen to be the World War No. 1, and how another Mr. LUDLOW. Mr. Chairman, I yield author of a bill they were favoring. I President, the present Chief Executive, 10 additional minutes to the gentfeman protested against their coming. I sent treated the veterans of World War No. 1. from Tex!ls. - · wires and letters and gave out state­ With reference to Mr. Roosevelt, I say Mr. GORE. Mr. Chairman, will the ments to the newspapers that it would that he has been a great leader, and a gentleman yield? not be helpful to our cause, it would be great President. The people have a right Mr. PATMAN. I yield to the gentle­ hurtful for people to assemble here in to pass on the Presidency every 4 years. man from Tennessee. Washington in the form of a mass dem­ They have already passed on him three Mr. GORE. Will the gentleman ex­ onstration. Nevertheless, they were times, and they have a right to pass on plain to the House whether or not he desperate. Many of them were hungry. every Member of this House every 2 years, thinks this three-fourths Ruml plan. we In their desperation they came to Wash­ which is right, and they have a right to passed helped inflation? ington in droves, in automobiles, on pass on every Member of the Senate every Mr. PATMAN. Of course, that was freight trains, in passenger trains, and 6 years, which is right. Sg the people highly inflationary, very inflationary. every other way. They came here and of this country are in control. They are Mr. WHITE. Mr. Chairman, will the they went over to Anacostia flats. They our masters, and if they want somebody gentleman yield? took old pieces of boxes, all kinds of to be President, let them have that man. Mr. PATMAN. I yield to the gentle­ scrap lumber, and pasteboard, every­ I am talking now from a realistic stand­ man from Idaho. thing they. could rake and scrape to­ point. If this World War were over to­ Mr. WHITE. Returning to the state­ gether, and they built themselves little day, who cculd better deal with Mr. ment made earlier in the gentleman's homes. They laid ..out streets and alleys. Stalin and Mr. Churchill than President discourse, that this Government could They had sanitary facilities built with Roosevelt? He has been in all those not go bankrupt, I am disturbed about their own hands, and organized their secret conferences, he knows what they what happened in Germany during the own police force. They built their have promised to do and what they had inflationary period. Can the gentleman homes with their own hands, and they said they would not do. He knows what explain that, in connection with his occupied quarters as comfortable as they the agreements are. Name me one man statement about a government not going could mal;:e them, 20,000 of them. They in the world who is in a better position bankrupt? were not violating any law, they were to deal for the United States of America, Mr. PATMAN. The money became not disturbing anybody. tlle people of this country, in the con­ worthless, just as it could become worth­ If you will look at the record of crime ferences leading up to what we hope will less over here. in the District· of Columbia then and be a lasting peace, than Mr. Roosevelt. Mr. WHITE. The government issued compare it with times before and subse­ If you are going to go out here and con­ money, then, that was no good? In what quent thereto, you will discover that vince the German people and others that shape was the · gov€rnment when that there was less crime in Washington at we are fighting among ourselves, that we transpired? that time than at any other time, so cer­ hate our leader, that he is no good, that Mr. PATMAN. The government had tainly they were not law violators. we are going to get rid of him, and we plenty of money to pay its debts. Of This administration the gentleman are going to give him a vote of no C'Jn­ course, the money was worthless, but has defended, that was going out of fidence, then, which country do you 1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 2373 think would crack first, Germany or the ·America, as part of their ·program of and how to retard inflation and how to United States? ·revolution. cooperate with their Government in war­ The CHAIRMAN. The time of the -Mr. PATMAN. It was not. time and how to stop and retard infla­ gentleman from Texas has again expired. Mr. BUSBEY. Does the gentleman tion. So they voted to eliminate or de­ Mr. LUDLOW. Mr. Chairman, I yield deny it? stroy entirely that important function the gentleman 5 minutes more. Mr. PATMAN, I do, and I state that of the 0. W. I. that was doing such mar­ Mr. PATMAN. Why, the people in the rank and -file was composed of men· velous work. ThEm the other bills came Germany, of course, can read Hitler's just as good as the gentleman himself. up, the Commodity Credit bill for sub- Mein Kampf and read what their leader Mr. BUSBEY. The rank and file, yes, ·sidies, and we will have that in soon in has said how certain things would hap­ but I am talking about the leaders that the 0. P. A. extension. May it be said pen in these democratic countries, and organized that march. of all the power that has been granted they will say, "Look at what is happen­ Mr. PATMAN. They were not, and the Chief Executive during this war, this ing in America; didn't he tell us that although I opposed them, and tried to · Congress has been discreet, as it should the people would break out and cause get them not to come here, they were be, I do not care who is President; we dissension and trouble, that there would good, law-abiding men. They wanted to have written into every major law a pro­ be so much bitterness and antagonism collect an honest debt. They were prom­ vision that the law will terminate on and envy and hatred and greed that they ised a dollar a day for time here during June 30, 1944, or June 30, 1945, or when · would destroy one another? Look at the war and $1.25 a day for time abroad, the war is over, or 6 months after per.ce America." And perhaps they would be and they had waited for many years and is declared. Vle have written safe­ able also to look even in the CoNGRES­ then there was put a provision in the guarding amendments in every major SIONAL RECORD; but COUld you think of bill at the time of enactment that if they law. A cut-off period is written into anybody among the German people mak­ wanted to borrow money 2 years from every major law so it cannot be said we ing statements like that about their date of issuance of their certificates, they have passed laws giving the Executive leader? And if someone were in a neu- could borrow $88.15 on a policy of a thou­ unlimited powers from now on. That is , tral country today and were to read what sand dollars on an average from a ban!{ strictly not true as to any major law is happening in America, and what is only, but they must pay an interest rate passed by this Congress during this war, happening in Germany, which country of 2 percent above the Federal Reserve any law that I am acquainted with. do you think that person in the neutral rediscount rate in that district, which On the tax question, when the Ruml country would believe would crack first? meant that when the veteran borrowed plan came up, that was to give back $10,- Germany? No; because there is no dis­ about $200 on a thousand dollar policy, 000,000,000. That was to create the first sension or trouble there, so far as we the interest would eat up the remainder, crop of war millionaires of World War know; while in America there is plenty and they were trying to get that wrong No. 2. Our Republican friends voted 182 of trouble. Read Hitler's book, and read righted, that is what they were doing. for it to 22 against it, and on another what is happening, and see if thereis any The bank would get $800 and the veteran vote in 1943, on May 4, they voted again corroboration for it. So I humbly sug­ $200 on the average certificate lil{e it was. on the Carlson-Rum! plan, 188 for it to gest, as one who is deeply interested in I am not trying to say that they were 12 against it. The Republican vote was this country and in tliis Congress, that dishonest because they were resorting to almost solid in every case, but there we should not make intemperate and that method of trying to get that wrong were enough Democrats who joined the loose statements that are calculated to righted. Republicans to the point where the Re­ cause dissension and trouble among our Mr. BUSBEY. Will the gentleman publicans finally won by voting together. own people, and especially should we not from Texas challenge me to prove on the On the motion to instruct the conferees make statements, uncorroborated and floor of this· House that that march was to agree to the Senate amendment the unsupported, that are calculated to cause not organized by the Communists? Republicans voted 194 to 9 against and dissension and trouble among our allies. The CHAIRiVIAN. The time of the there was about the same vote on the Mr. BUSBEY. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman from Texas has again ex­ agreement to the conference report. It gentleman yield? pired. goes to show their attitude on it. I do Mr. PATMAN. Yes. Mr. LUDLOW. Mr. Chairman, I yield not blame the members of the Republi­ Mr. B'C'SBEY. The gentleman from the gentleman 5 minutes more. can Party for supporting their party any Texas appreciates the fact that no one Mr. PATMAN. Mr. Chairman, I want more than one would blame other mem­ on the floor thinks that he is serious in to get some statements into the RECORD bers of other parties in supporting their what he says-- to corroborate what I said about the own party. That is their own responsi­ Mr. PATMAN. Oh, I only have 5 min­ Congress not supporting the Chief ~­ bility. And to everyone his own con­ utes, and I might yield for a question. ecutive. When the price-control bill to science is his guide, so far as I am con­ Mr. BUSBEY. The question is 'this. prevent inflation came up, the Democrats cerned. I am not criticizing. But I do On that so-called bonus march to which overwhelmingly, 3 to 1, voted for it, and say that this Congress has not cooper­ the gentleman refers, the gentleman the Republicans voted against it, 93 to 56. ated with the Chief Executive, due prin­ from Texas surely knows that was or­ The next Price Control Act gave a di­ cipally to the fact that our friends on ganized by the Communist Party of the rective to the President, to stabilize the Republican side, by voting solidly to­ United States as a part of their program prices and wages and the cost of living, gether and then having a few on the of revolution to overthrow this Govern­ and then the Republicans voted for it Democratic side join them, have suc­ ment, does he not? overwhelmingly, because it was a di­ ceeded in stopping effective tax laws and Mr. PATMAN. Although I opposed rective, and the Congress was saying, have succeeded-in making the price con­ that, I think that statement is not true. "You are hereby directed to do this," trol and stabilization law enforcement Mr. BUSBEY. Is my statement cor­ and so the Republicans had voted for almost impossible.. Remember this, t-he rect? that, but when it came to providing gentleman from Michigan [Mr. CRAW­ Mr. PATMAN. They were good, law­ money to enforce this law, the Republi­ FORD] brought it out a while ago, we have abiding men. I do not say that one par­ cans voted almost as a unit, 156 to 11, saved because of the stabilization pro­ ticular group did not so organize. I do to cut the appropriation $35,000,000, gram; we have not had an increase in not know, but I have no.reason to believe which made the amount available in­ prices of steel, not one penny, during the Communists led that march. sufficient to enforce the law: That is, this war. We have not had an increase Mr. BUSBEY. . I am not talking about they voted for the law, and then voted any particular group. I am talking for an insufficient amount of money to in the price of glass or tin or cement about the bonus march. enforce it. and a number of other critical materials Mr. PATMAN. They were generally Then when the 0. W. I. appropriation I could name. We have had no increase composed of as good men as the gentle-· came up, the Republicans voted 160 to 5 in the price of those materials whc.tso­ man himself. to eliminate entirely one whole division ever. And by reason of that, if we com­ Mr. BUSBEY. I am saying to the gen- of the 0. W. I. That particular divi­ pare what we have paid for this war with tleman, if he does not answer the ques­ sion was charged with the duty, and they what we paid during World War No.1, we tion, that that was organized by the Com­ were doing a good job in it, of teaching will have saved over $65,000,000,000 on munist Party of the United States of the people about the _evils of infiation the cost of the war alone up to-dat3. In ·2374 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE MARCH 8 other words, our war debt would be $65;- . discharged them b.ecause they were un­ purchase of consumer gooc;ls, and in the . 000,000,000 more were it not for the· price able to agree. Mr. Weed was a good citi­ next breath he is arguing in the well of control and stabilization program. That zen. He had his collar open and his ·this House that we should pay consumer means $50,000,000 a day is the amount necktie untied and his hair was an ruf­ roll-back subsidies by reducing the cost we are saving on war costs alone. fled up when he came out and said, of consumer goods to the consumers so The CHAIRMAN. The time of the "Damn the jury system. Oh, what a ter­ that they would have more money left gentleman has expired. rible thing it was. I never want to sit on in their pockets to buy other consumer Mr. TABER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 15 another jury. They were a lot of block­ goods. If anybody can see any consist­ minutes to the gentleman from Wiscon- heads on that jury. They did not have ency in that type of argument I would sin [Mr. KEEFE]. . any reasons. They could not be led. like to have them make explanation in Mr. KEEFE. Mr. Chairman, I always They could not understand the evidence proper time. listen with great interest to the remarks or the facts or the instructions of the Now let us talk for a minute about of the distinguished· gentleman from court." I asked him, "Mr. Weed, how did another phase of the gentleman's speech. Texas. He has a capacity for utilizin·g the jury stand?" I know why he is making it. We all know time in the well of the House to make "Why," he said, "they were 11 to 1!' that. The gentleman speaks constantly remarks very frequently, and he has evi­ "Well, who was holding out?" I asked. for the administration .. He is one of the dently convinced himself of the right­ He said, "I was." men who is always up here espousing the eousness of his position, although he has And so the distinguished gentleman affairs of the administration. He is apparently been unable to convince from Texas is repeatedly standing in the loyal. He has a right to do that. He e!ther the country or the Congress, or well of this House making arguments thinks he is espousing the proper cause. even the Members of the Congress of his which, when analyzed, will not stand the I admire him for it. That is his duty as own side. The gentleman from Texas scrutiny of the intelligent membership he sees it. I hope that he gets proper says that he was not criticizing the Con- · of this House. So when these votes are compensation at the proper time, from gress. No; he was not criticizing the cast, he finds that he is speaking for a the administration that he has served so Congress. He is just expressing his own very small minority. Let us just analyze well. There may be a judgeship avail­ contempt for Congress, his own personal one part of his argument. He con­ able in Texas or in some other place, so contempt and his own personal feeling. demned the Committee on Ways and that the gentleman has nothing to worry Let us analyze that just a little bit. He Means because they brought in a ·bill about. devoted a lot of his time talking about which froze social-security taxes at the There have been many such examples the tax bill, criticizing this Congress be­ present rate of 1 percent. The reason he of that in this House before; and I have cause they had not passed an effective makes that argument is, as he says in no objection to it. The gentleman is a tax bill. In the latter part of his speech substance, by that action the Govern­ good soldier. He presents the position of he attempted to show that the reason for ment has been denied revenue of about the, administration, sometimes without the failure to pass an effective tax bill $1,400,000,000. very much regard for the actual facts, · was the result of the union of Repub­ Mr. PATMAN. The gentleman is mis­ and without very much regard for what licans and D~mocrats who have suc­ taken about that. he does to the Congress of the United ceeded in preventing the passage of a Mr. KEEFE. I do not yield at this States in the eyes of the people. of this proper tax bill here on the floor of this time. I will yield in a moment. Let me country. But, he is carrying on the fight House. The gentleman is simply follow­ finish my statement. Maybe the gentle­ nobly in behalf of the administration ing the line that has been adopted by man did not mean that. Maybe he did that he loves so well. I would direct the the campaign managers of this adminis­ not use that language, but I heard the gentleman's attention to the fact how­ tration who are seeking to promote a President's speech vetoing the tax bill, ever, that if all the things he says are fourth term, to misrepresent the facts to and I assume the gentleman from Texas true, why is it that only on Tuesday out the American people. The gentleman is adopting the same tactics that the in Denver, the people of the great city of from Texas knows as well as I know that President did when he said there was a Denver, many of whom have apparently every tax bill originates in the Commit­ loss of revenue-- been heretofore following the philosophy tee on Ways and Means of the House of Mr. PATMAN. No. expounded by the gentleman from Texas, Representatives. The gentleman knows Mr. KEEFE. By reason of the freez­ went to the polls and said. "We do not that the Committee on Ways and Means ing of the social-security tax at the exist­ want any more of that kind of stuff." is predominantly controlled by the mem­ ing figure. Why is it that the people of this country bership of people selected from his own Mr. PATMAN. Will the gentleman in all but 2 of the 10 off-year congres­ party. It is dominated and controlled yield right at that point? sional elections have unmistakenly said by Members who are of his party-not Mr. KEEFE. I will yield in a moment. to the gentleman from Texas and those Republicans. The gentleman knows as Mr. PATMAN. The gentleman wants who are expounding his philosophy, "We well as I know that the Committee on to be fair about it, I know. do not want any more of that thing; we Ways and Means reports a bill to the Mr. KEEFE. I want to be fair about are through with that sort of philoso­ House under a closed rule and that the it. I want to be just like the gentleman. phy"? Oh, I know what the gentleman is r:::mk and file of the membership of the I will yield when I have concluded that working up to. I put some of it in the House have to either vote for or against portion of this statement and not before. RECORD yesterday. Evidently the gentle­ that bill as it is brought here by the I have had some experience before, where man did not read it. I wish he had. He Committee on Ways and Means, which the gentleman used up all my time. The is following right along the line of your is dominated and controlled by' the gen­ gentleman has had 25 or 30 minutes to Democratic National Committee Chair­ tleman's own party. speak already. man Hannegan. I think the gentleman I think the gentleman from Texas is The gentleman further said-and I do has been reading Mr. Hannegan's politi­ just becoming a little sour and ill-tem­ not want to misquote him-that because cal speeches, and the thesis of his talk to­ pered because of his inability, after mak­ of the fact that the tax bill froze social­ day indicates that he has been inspired ing 15 or 20 speeches, and having the security rates at existing levels, it was an to new activity, political activity in the whole floor of the House, including the inflationary bill, because it failed to well of this House, if you please, by his well, cluttered up with charts to demon­ siphon off this additional purchasing new, neophitic Democratic chairman. strate the correctness of his philosophy, power of the laboring people of this coun­ Now listen to this if you will. I am I think he is becoming just a little bit try. Well, I think there is. some argu­ going to read it again. I hope it sinks sour when the House, by such an over­ ment for what the gentleman says in that into the gentleman from Texas and some whelming vote, repudiated the philoso­ regard, but how inconsistent, it seems to of the others in this Congress who were phy which he is expounding. He reminds me, is the gentleman from Texas. Just not here and perhaps have not read it me somewhat of the old fellow back in a few days ago he was in the well of this in the RECORD. my town who served upon a jury. His House arguing for the payment of sub­ I received a letter yesterday from a name was Weed. The jury was out for sidies. He was asking in one breath marine out in the South Pacific, and in 48 hours and was finally discharged. I that the social-security tax be raised so that letter, passed by the censors there happened to be in the courtroom when . as to reduce the purchasing power in the was enclosed a portion of a mimeo­ the jury came out and the judge finally hands of the people, available for the graphed sheet made up of Associated 1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 2375 Press reports which are sent to Navy sta­ which he made here today in the.well of tion as being unpatriotic. I believe in tions for the purpose of disseminating 'this House. I regret that such a distin­ free and just criticism of any admin~ news, and sent all over the world. Among guished gentleman as the gentleman istration. other things in this r~port was one item from Texas would permit himself to Mr. KEEFE. What was the gentleman carrying the date line Minneapolis, advance the argument that criticism of talking about? Minn. It reads as follows, and I .quote it this administration or the President is to Mr. PATMAN. I expressed disap­ exactly as it came from that clip sheet: give encouragement to Hitler and Tojo. proval of statements that are being made Chairman Robert E. Hannegan, of the Mr. PATMAN. Mr. Chairman, will the that would create friction between our Democratic National Committee, said Tues­ gentleman yield? country and our allies, and· unjustified day night, "The election of a Republican Mr. KEEFE. Not at just this moment; and unwarranted statements in this President in November would turn the Gov­ Mr. PATMAN. For a correction? country, that are calculated to cause dis­ ernment over to unpracticed hands and Mr. KEEFE. I will yield in just a unity-unjustified and unwarranted bring inescapable confusion and indecision in winding up the war and planning the moment. And I will state to the gentleman that · peace." Mr. PATMAN. That statement is not I did not make the statement that ~e correct. said I made a while ago about the Reichs~ The CHAffiMAN. The time of the gen­ Mr. KEEFE. The Members present tag. I will make the point of order that tleman from Wisconsin [Mr. KEEFE] has heard the gentleman's statement. I as­ he misquoted me and ask that my state­ expired. sume that the RECORD will show what it ment be read. I think that in fairness Mr. TABER. Mr. Chairman, I yield was. I do not know how it will appear to me that should be done. I did not use the gentleman 10 additional minutes. in the RECORD tomorrow but I heard his the word "Reichstag'' at all. If the gen­ Mr. KEEFE. Have you heard any­ statement and I place that construction tleman does not agree with that, I insist thing like that this afternoon from the upon it. That is what the gentleman that the speech be produced and read. gentleman from Texas? It is almost the tried to convey. He made the statement Mr. KEEFE. All .. right; bring the same language as the speech delivered by that there is no talk in the Reichstag speech up. the gentleman from Texas here this condemni,ng or criticizing Hitler. Mr. PATMAN. Find where I said af4;ernoon. Did you make that statement? Did "Reichstag." · · This sheet further says: you make that statement? Mr. KEEFE. I do not know that the ·In his second major address since his elec­ Mr. PATMAN. I will tell the gentle­ gentleman used the word "Reichstag.'' tion to the Democratic chairmansl'iip, Hanne­ man what I said if he gives me time. The speech will speak for itself when it gan told the Washington Day dinner up in · Mr. KEEFE. Just answer that ques­ is finally brought up. Minneapolis: "What could hearten Hitler or tion. Mr. PATMAN. Does the gentleman the Japanese war lords more than tidings that the American people repudiated the Mr. PA'l~AN. I said that if some per­ concede the point of order? administration of Franklin Roosevelt?" son in a neutral country, an observer, Mr. KEEFE. Oh, no; I insist upon it; were to read the proceedings of the Con­ the gentleman asked for it. Did you hear an.ything like that this . gress of the United States and also what Mr. TABER. Mr. Chairman, there afternoon from the mouth of the gentle­ was happening in Germany that this in­ has been no_point of order made; there man from Texas? Is that not exactly terested observer would probably ·come has been no statement made that .would what the gentleman from Texas was to the erroneous conclusion that there interfere in. any way with the gentle­ arguing this afternoon in ~he well of this was more disunity and more danger of man;s having the floor. House, in substantiation of his appeal America cracking than there was of Ger­ Mr. PATMAN. The gentleman has for a continuation of .the indispensable many, · backed up. on t:P,e statement, so it does man in the White House? Yes. The -Mr. KEEFE . .The gentleman is not not matter. people .of this country are to be told, as answering any question at all. The gen­ Mr. KEEFE. The gentleman has not a part of the program of your party, that tleman made the plain statement that backed up on the statement and the if they dare to vote for any candidate there was not any criticism of Hitler in RECORD must not show that. other than Roosevelt that vote will be a the Reichstag. I heard him say it and The CHAIRMAN. The time of the vote for Tojo and Hitler. That is the everybody else heard him say it. gentleman from Wisconsin has expired. talk that the gentleman from Texas Mr. PATMAN. I did not use the word Mr. KEEFE. Mr. Chairman, will the made here in the well this afternoon. ''Reichstag ." gentleman from New York yield me 10 Let us see wh"'t effect that sort of talk Mr. KEEFE. I want to say to the gen­ additional minutes? has upon this marine out in the South tleman that there is a perfectly obvious Mr. TABER. Mr. Chairman, I yield Pacific. He put it in this letter to me reason why there is no criticism of Hit­ the gentleman 10 additional minutes. in more cogent language than I could ler in the Reichstag. There is a per-· Mr. KEEFE. I know the suave manner perhaps use. This is what he said: fectly good reason why there is no criti­ of the gentleman from Texas, how he can This item strikes at the roots of what cism of Tojo in the Japanese Parliament. talk himself in and out of almost any America is fighting for-a free choice by elec­ There is a perfectly good reason why kind of proposition, but let the RECORD tion of whom we want for whatever elective there is not any criticism today of Hitler show that I insist that the statement office we want to elect him without anyone in the official circles in France. They which I made will be found to conform offering the cry of traitor, treason, mutiny, or sabotage. I want the chance to make a are not free countries. The democracy to the truth of the statement made by choice between Roosevelt and the other can­ that we prate ourselves upon having here the gentleman from Texas. didates, because that's a choice denied the never existed there and it is dead today. Mr. PATMAN. A point of order, Mr. people of Germany, Japan, Italy, France, and I wonder if the gentleman from Texas Chairman. · I insist that if the gentleman the conquered countries. Whi~e . we're free, would want the mouths of the Repre­ now declares I made that statement that I want a free ballot, and I want Hannegan sentatives of the people of this country the RECORD be brought up and read by to have a free ballot, but I don't want either here in this Congress to be silenced as the reporter who took it down, because of us to tell the other that his candidate is are those of the groveling people who it certainly is unfair to a Member to be a "Hitler-Tojo" candidate. misquoted, and in that casf' I know that It isn't an issue and won't make any votes pretend to -serve as members of the for them out here, but it is just plain ridic­ Reichstag over in Germany? I was misquoted. ulous that a party, after 12 years of the I want to say to the distinguished gen­ The CHAIRMAN. The Chair will state President, wants to run the show and steer tleman from Texas that the people of to the gentleman from Texas that the the campaign on anything but those 12 years this country are not going to be fooled RECORD cannot be brought up at this and the prospects of the next 4. Hitler and by any such specious argument as he time. Japanese war lords will have more to h~arten made here this afternoon. That is what Mr. PATMAN. With the knowledge them if the American people don't have a he said on this floor: Any proper criti~ that the official report for the RECORD frea election, free of all international intimi­ cism of the acts of this administration will not disclose what the gentleman dation. is giving aid and comfort to Tojo and said, I will not press the point of order. Now I say to the distinguished gentle­ to Hitler. . The CHAmMAN. The RECORD will be man from Texas: There is the answer Mr. PATMAN. Mr: Chairman, will the available in due course. from at least one thinking soldier in the gentleman yield? I made no reference Mr. BREHM. He used the word ''Ger­ South Pacific to the type of argument to any just criticism of this administra~ many," not "Reichstag." 2376 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE MARCH S Mr. KEEFE. Yes; perhaps the fact of call inflation. But, oh, no, the gentle­ has resulted from the actions of this the matter is that the RECORD will show man from Texas said, "We will let the administration at the top. The Ameri­ that he used the word "Germany" in- · President handle this labor situation," can people are pretty well aware of that t stead of the word "Reichstag"; that may although in many cases labor constitutes situation and know that a vote to stop be true, but the inference certainly is the about 80 percent of the cost of a com­ spending is not a vote for Tojo or Hitler same. modity. See where we are? See where but is, rather, a vote for the preserva­ Mr. PATMAN. The gentleman was we are today fighting as never before to tion of constitutional government here very positive. control this cost of living, which is in­ in the United States of America. Mr. KEEFE. Yes. So far as I am flation? If Congress made any mistake, The CHAIRMAN. The time of the concerned, I want one or two things to in my humble judgment, it made the mis­ gentleman has expired. be made perfectly clear. I happen to talce of following the philosophy of the ANSWERING THE GENTLEMAN FROM WISCONSIN, have some interest in the situation, the gentleman from Texas at that time when MR. KEEFE same as the gentleman from Texas. He the amendment was submitted by the Mr. LUDLOW. Mr. Chairman, I yield is entitled to his view and as a Member gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. GORE] 10 minutes to the gentleman from Texas of this House I am entitled to mine. I and was voted down. Had we followed [Mr. PATMAN]. happen to have ~our boys from my fam­ the philosophy of Mr. Baruch and the ily in the service. I have some interest gentleman from Tennessee at that .time Mr. PATMAN. Mr. Chairman, I hope in the kind of world that will exist when and wrote into this price-control law an no one understood me to say that any this war is over; I have some interest in over-all ceiling on everything, we per­ criticism of this administration is un­ seeing to it that ruinous, run-away in­ haps would not be confronted with the patriotic. I have never said that upon flation does not occur in this country; situation of which the gentleman from any occasion, and I certainly did not say but let me say to the distinguished gen­ Texas now complains. Well, the Con­ it upon the floor today, because I do not tleman from Texaso that a citizen and gress followed his advice then and voted believe that. I believe in justified and a patriot does not have to swallow his the Gore amendment down. Now we warranted criticism. That is the basis entire financial philosophy in order to are in a dire situation as a result. Now of democracy. Our country cannot be effectively fight inflation. Let me ask the gentleman is damning the Congress the good country and the great country the gentleman from Texas this question, because it has not controlled inflation that it is and destroy that great privilege and he may answer it: Does the gentle­ to the extent that he would like to have in wartime or in times of peace. man recall that when the present con­ it controlled. The gentleman from Wisconsin almost trol law was before the Congress the I only call your attention to this sit­ caused us to become involved in person­ gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. GoRE] uation because it is a pretty good thing alities. Possibly I provoked him and he offered an amendment to that bill em­ when you are weighing the arguments was more or less justified. I am sorry bodying the principles of the so-called of the gentleman to sort of check back about that, if I participated in indulging Baruch plan? Does the gentleman re­ just a little bit and see where the gentle­ in personalities, because I do not believe call that? man was when he was casting votes on in that. If anything like that has oc­ Mr. PATMAN. Does the gentleman­ some of these things, You cannot be curred, I am sorry, because I feel that want me to discuss that? fish today and fowl tomorrow, you can­ each individual Member has his own re­ Mr. KEEFE. I am asking the gentle- not jump all over the lot on these great sponsibility. I do not impugn the mo­ man, Does he recall that? · economic questions and expect to assume tives or question the sincerity or honesty · Mr. PATMAN. Yes; the gentleman leadership in this House or in the coun­ of any Member of this body, and I shall from Tennessee [Mr. GORE] infroduced try itself. The people of this country certainly not say anything that would be an amendment. are able to think, they are able to analyze contrary to what I have just said. Mr. KEEFE. Did the gentleman vote the situation, I may say to the gentle­ Regarding the Baruch report about for or against that amendment? man from Texas, and God be praised, price control, I think we made lots of Mr. PATMAN. No; I did not vote for they have indicated that they are able mistakes back then. I think if we had it. to do it. If I wanted to stick my neck had an over-all control and had every­ Mr. KEEFE. The gentleman voted away out, I would say that they have thing in it, in the light of what has hap­ against that amendment? refused and are refusing in tremendous pened since it would have been the best Mr. PATMAN. Yes; I voted against numbers to follow this New Deal philos­ thing. I am not sure that the Gore it, and let me tell you why. ophy either in finance, in 0. P. A., or in amendment was the answer to it. But I Mr. KEEFE. No. a'ny other thing as advocated by the will say that we should have frozen Mr. · PATMAN. The gentleman in­ gentleman from Texas, and, perhaps, everything right there and adjusted in­ sisted on asking me a question. when the clouds clear after next No­ equalities and inequities up or down. But Mr. KEEFE. I do not yield further. vember we will be able to approach the if you are going to point back to mistakes, I asked the gentleman a simple question solution of some of these problems based let us not stop there. and he has answered it. I do not yield upon common sense, and common inter­ Let us go back and say the greatest for any further speech from the gentle­ est, and in the interest of the people mistake that we made was in not freez­ man. He can get time to make. his own of America instead of approaching them ing everything the day we declared war explanation at some other time. He through the eyes of the crystal gazer on Germany and Italy and Japan. There will not take it out of my time. who is looking off into the heavens be­ is where our greatest mistake was made. That is exactly as I recall the situation. yond in an attempt to apply to the whole Then if we want tfl go back and observe There was the Baruch plan submitted by world the phi1osophy that has failed so what happened in the past, and consider the distinguished gentleman from Ten­ miserably on the domestic front here at hindsight just a little bit further, let us nessee, which was offered as an amend­ home. go back and say that the greatest mis­ ment to the original Price Control Act. I hope that so far as I am concerned take we made was in not helping China That plan proposed to place a ceiling on at least this subject of politics in the several years ago. And let us add to everything and the gentleman from consideration of these bills will be kept that the great mistake of the isolation­ / Texas, who is so loud in his talk against out of the well of this House. I have ists in this country that caused our coun­ the danger of inflation, voted against it. never seen an opportunity missed by the try to be in such a helpless condition Of course, he no doubt did so because gentleman from Texas to make political when the attack at Pearl Harbor oc­ the President did not approve of the speech after political speech in the well curred. plan. As I recall, he came here with the of this House whenever opportunity is So if the gentleman wants to recount message and he said: ''Now, you fellows open in the consideration of any meas­ ·mistakes that were made, I suspect he over there in the Congress take care of ure. I want to say that if any admin­ could find that a lot of mistakes were agriculture, you fix the farm prices and istration in the history of this country made, but that does not justify trying to arrange for price control and I will talce has ever engaged in the process of ar­ scuttle price control now. We did have care of labor." Do you remember that? raying class against class, one group of a good law passed, an over-all law. The Had you passed the Baruch plan you our society against the other, farmers date of it is October 2, 1942. The gen­ would have had a control over the rising against labor, labor against management, tleman's own party has denied the ad­ cost of living which, after all, is wl).at we it is the present ad,ministration and it ministration sufficient money- to prop- ·1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 2377 erly enforce that law. To that extent Mr. KEEFE. What party was in con­ Mr. P-ATMAN. The me-mbers of his the law was scuttled, because of the in­ trol of Congress when the appropriation party did, almost unanimously. ability of the President to properly en­ for 0. P. A. was passed last year? Mr. TABER. The gentleman from force it, due to the lack of money this Mr. PATMAN. Of course, the Demo­ Massachusetts and I did not. Congress failed to give to him. cratic Party, in theory, but in practice Mr. PATMAN. Oh, just you two? Mr. TABER and Mr. KEEFE rose. the gentleman's party, voting together, Mr. TABER. I do not l{now about Mr. PATMAN. Will the gentleman in sort of a conspiracy. I am not criti­ that, but we did not, I know that. from Indiana give me some more time if cizing you for it. That is up to you. Mr. PATMAN. Anyway, I will change I yield to these gentlemen? Mr. KEEFE. The gentleman is not my statement, then, and say to the gen­ Mr. LUDLOW. I yield 5 additional criticizing? tleman, because the RECORD shows it, minutes to the gentleman from Texas, Mr. PATMAN. But you did, and there that all of you but 11 voted that way. Mr. Chairman. were enough on the Democratic side who Of course, I will put you· two gentlemen Mr. PATMAN. I yield to the gentle­ joined you to permit you to control the among the 11 as representing the excep­ man from New York, and I hope he will situation. tions. not take much time, because the gentle­ Mr. KEEFE. How much was the ap­ Mr. RABAUT. Mr. Chairman, will man has said so much that I want to propriation cut? the gentleman yield? attempt to answer. Mr. PATMAN. The appropriation was Mr. PATMAN .. I yield to the gentle­ Mr. TABER. The gentleman realizes, cut $35,000,060. man from Michigan. does he not, that the trouble with the Mr. KEEFE. Where? Mr. RABAUT. In justice to the gen­ price-enforcement law was the improper Mr. PATMAN. Here in the House of tleman from New York, who is the rank­ operations of Mr. Henderson when he Representatives. ing minority member of the Deficiency was the head of it. He wrecked the Mr. KEEFE. What was done with it in Subcommittee on Appropriations, of price-control law by his performances. the Senate? which I happen to be a member, I may Mr. PATMAN. It was finally agreed 1 say that we had an agreement in the Mr. PATMAN. I think Mr. Henderson that the appropriation would be cut $35,- made lots of mistakes, but if the gentle­ committee on the amount, and both the man· is going to say that the people who 000,000. To that extent you scuttled gentleman from New York and the gen­ 0. P. A. enforcement. After you voted tleman from Massachusetts voted to sus­ are enforcing the law are to blame, does for the law, you refused to vote for suffi­ the gentleman know that more than 50 tain the figure that was brought. to the cient money to give the President the floor. percent of the people in key positions in ways and means to properly enforce that 0. P. A. are members of his own party Mr. PATMAN. Anyway, I will just and have been all along? law. read the RECORD here, which shows it. Mr. TABER. Would the gentleman The RECORD shows that on the amend­ Mr. TABER. That does not make any like to have the facts about the money? difference. ment to reduce the appropriation for Mr. PATMAN. There is no dispute 0. P. A. by $35,000,000-this is June 18, Mr. PATMAN. Yes, it does make a about it. difference. If the Il}.embers of hi& party 1943, page 6140; get the RECORD and look Mr. TABER. Under the direction of it up-156 Republicans voted to reduce are so good at administering laws, why the President's budget, the 0. P. A. was do they not administer them better? it and 11 voted against reducing it. If I required to hold out of the money that were not justified in saying that the Re­ Does the gentleman know that better was appropriated by the Congress $6,- than 50 percent of the people in W. P. :i3. publicans joined together to deny the 690 ,000. This appears on page 612 of our President sufficient money to enforce the are members of his own party? hearings. Mr. TABER. The ones that control 0. P. A. law, then this RECORD is not cor­ Mr. PATMAN. I am familiar with rect. I was correct in making that asser­ are not members of my party, and they that. I was here and I know what hap­ are the ones who are doing the damage. tion. I think it was justified, and the pened. The gentleman knows, too. records will disclose it. I did not know Mr. PATMAN. So.it is not a political Mr. TABER. Just read the hearings about the agreement the gentleman from question at all, it is a question of trying on this bill. Michigan [Mr. RABAUT] referred to, to do somethi1;1g that cannot be done in Mr. PATMAN. The gentleman knows which explains why two leaders of the a satisfactory way. There are certain he voted right here in the House to cut things that you cannot do in a satisfac­ this appropriation $35,000,000. Is that Republican Party voted the other way. tory way. 0. P. A. and Price Stabiliza­ correct or not? Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Chairman, will tion have taken something away from Mr. TABER. It is not. the gentleman yield for a question on the people. You cannot satisfy the peo­ Mr. PATMAN. The RECORD shows it. this point? ple and do that to save your life. You Mr. TABER. It does not. Mr. PATMAN. Yes; just for a ques­ cannot administer relief satisfactorily. Mr. PATMAN. The gentleman had tion. There is no way to do it. . better correct the RECORD. Mr. CRAWFORD. This has nothing The 0. P. A. is an organization that Mr. TABER. The RECORD does not to do with what has been said, except deals with 8,000,000 different commodi­ show it, and the gentleman knows it. that 1t is based on what is coming before ties and products, including styles, Mr. PATMAN. If the gentleman will our committee very shortly in connection classes, colors, and designs. Did you take the proceedings of that day, he will with 0. P. A. Does the gentleman un­ know that 0. P. A. has more than 1,000,- discover it', because all the Republican derstand that 0. P. A. is now without suf­ 000 telephone calls a day? The law of leaders, and he is one, were known to ficient funds to administer the act ac­ averages has not been repealed, not even have voted that way. cording to its present plans? by this Congress. The law of averages Mr. TABER. The gentleman knows Mr. PATMAN. They had to make would say that a lot of mistakes would be that is not correct. their program conform with the appro­ made in a million calls. Did you know Mr. PATMAN. We will look it up. If priation for the fiscal year, and I state that there are more than 1,000 applica­ the gentleman says he did not vote for positively, they have been denied a suffi­ tions for price increases before 0. P. A. it, I will take his word for it, but the ap­ cient opportunity to adequately do it. every day? There are. The law of aver­ propriation was reduced $35,000,000, and That is my statement. - ages has not been repealed, so that out· I understood the gentleman was leading Mr. KEEFE. Is it not a fact that the of a thousand price increases there will the fight to do it. Bureau of the Budget impounded over be some mistakes made. So let us go into Mr. TABER. The gentleman knows $6,000,000 of the funds appropriated for this question openly and frankly, with that is not correct. · 0. P. A., and directed them to utilize the knowledge that a lot of mistakes are Mr. PATMAN. Anyway, the· appro­ those funds in absorbing a portion of going to be made and have been made, priation for 0. W. I. came up. I hope I the overtime pay which their employees but in the hope that where th.eY. are d~s­ am not misquoting the gentleman. The would be entitled to under Public, 49? covered they will be quickly and speedily gentleman admits he did vote to· reduce Mr. PATMAN. I am not acquainted corrected. the 0. P. A. appropriation, does he not? with what the gentleman alleges to be Mr. KEEFE. Mr. Chairman, will the Mr. TABER. I did not. the fact. gentleman yield? Mr. PATMAN. The gentleman did Mr. KEEFE. If the gentleman is not Mr. PATMAN. I yield briefly, for a not vote to reduce it? acquainted with the facts, how can he question. I do not have mucp. time. Mr. TABER. No. make a proper statement? 2378 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-=-HOUSE MARCH 8 Mr. PATMAN. · I say that particular Mr. TABER. Except to misrepresent all of the facts, if we knew them, instead statement, that the gentleman's party- things? of what is being done. 1 think he was one of them, though, of Mr. PATMAN. They had a lot to do FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS A DAY SAVED BY 0. P. A. course, there were 11 who voted against with it. They were doing a good ·job. AND STABILIZATION PROGRAM it-voted against cutting the appropria- Does the gentleman deny that? About this 0. P. A., I want the atten­ . tion for 0. P. A. $35,000,000 on the floor Mr. TABER. I do. tion of gentlemen on the other side of the of this·House. Mr. PATMAN. Of course, if the gen­ aisle, in all seriousness and to say that Mr. KEEFE. Mr. Chairman, will the tleman bEhieves in inflation, he does have we have developed a program, and we gentleman yield further? . that idea. cannot afford to dispense with it. It is Mr. PATMAN. It reduced the appro­ Mr. TABER. No; I do not believe in one of the greatest programs on earth­ priation to the extent that made it im­ inflation. and at no other time in the history of a :.1y possible to properly enforce that law on Mr. 'PATMAN. I have a very high re­ government on earth, has the Govern­ price control. gard and great respect for the gentle­ ment engaged and tried to have price and Mr. KEEFE. Mr. Chairman, will the man, and. for the minority leader, and wage stabilization in time of war except gentleman yield further? ail of the Members on that side. Let me in this war. Remember that. It is a Mr. PATMAN. For a question. just say here as an humble, poor Mem­ feather in the cap of every Member of Mr. KEEFE. Is :lt. not a fact that the ber, a Democrat from Texas, and suggest this House who helped to put on a price action of the House in reducing the ap­ that you change your course, and get off control and stabilization program. The propriation for 0. P. A. is not final, .and that road to ruinous inflation, runaway first time in all history it has been done, that under due operation of legislative inflation, and wake up to its dang.ers. and the program has worked. It has pract ~ ce, the Senate raised the appro- · Mr. TABER. Mr. Chairman, will the worke.d successfully. It has caused some priation, and that in the c·onference it gentleman yield? was finally agreed upon by both the annoyance, and we have made some mis­ \ Mr. PATMAN. Just wait 1 minute­ takes and we will always have them, but House and the Senate, practically unan­ and throw. off that well-earned and· de­ let us see what the result of the pro­ imously, and the amount was appro­ gram is. priated for them. served and recognized label of being a Mr. PATMAN. The gentleman said party of isolationists in time of peace and The result is, as I said a while ago, that thg,t he was going to ask a question. 'inflationists in time of war. we have saved $65,000,000,000 in our na­ Mr. KEEFE. And that after that sum · The CHAIRMAN. The time of , the tional debt. You cannot laugh that off. was agreed upon, the President signed gentleman from Texas has again ex­ We are saving $50,000,000 every 24 hours tbe bill, and thereafter the Bureau of pired. on the -cost of this war. You cannot the Budget impounded $6,000,000 of that Mr. LUDLOW. Mr. Chairman, I yield laugh that off. Now whenever you have money on the theory that they had too the gentleman 5 minutes more. a program like that, that· is saving so ·much and asked them to absorb over Mr. PATMAN. In all seriousness I much money, why cannot we, as Repre­ $6 000,000 on their overtime pay. agree with what the gentleman· said sentatives of an average of 300,000 pe'ople Mr. PATMAN. Sometimes you have a while ago, that we should not have in the congressional districts which we to take something bad, to keep from tak­ politics in war, and I regret exceedingly have the honor to represent, in some way ing something worse. The point is that that there has been some display of it. get together and pass some kind of law the gentleman and his party, first, were Mr. TABER. Mr. Chairman, will the that will continue this program that has for price control and stabilization, and gentleman yield? done so much good without all this dis­ then at the first opportunity that was Mr. PATMAN. The gentleman from sension and trouble, which we could do presented on the floor of this House Illinois [Mr. MASON] was within his without and without jeopardizing it. voted to scuttle the entire program. The rights to make certain political remarks, Mr. KEEFE. Mr. Chairman, will the amendment was offered ·and voted on, and I had a right to reply to him if I · gentleman yield? . and 156 of the Republicans voted for it, could, and to that extent we engaged in The CHAIRMAN. The time of the gen­ and only 11 against it, which, to that politics in time of war on important mat- tleman from Texas has expired. extent scuttled the enforcement of the . ters. I yield. Mr. LUDLOW. Mr. Chairman, I yield 0. P. A. Mr. TABER. Does not the gentleman to the gentleman from Texas 1 additional Mr. RABAUT. And the amendment know that his speech here today has done minute. was offered by a Presidential candidate, more to promote disunity and discord Mr. KEEFE. Mr. Chairman, will the the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. DIRK­ than almost anything that has happened gentleman yield? SEN}. ih the United States in a long time? Mr. PATMAN. I yield. Mr. PATMAN. Well, anyway, theRe­ Mr. PATMAN. Well, possibly amongst Mr. KEEFE. Did I understand the publicans almost unanimously voted for the Republican Party, I expect that is gentleman to say in one breath that the it, and in the same way they voted on true, but if the gentleman will take the 0. P. A. is a great success today and in other measures. I am not condemning speech delivered by the gentleman 'from the next breath say that the Republicans them. That is their right. Let them Illinois [Mr. MASON], preceding mine, I in this Congress had scuttled the whole exercise their right. I am not saying suspect that he will find some statements. program by denying appropriations to it? anything about that, except the e-ffect it there that are calculated to .cause dis­ Mr. PATMAN. No; I say that to the . has on the country, and I think this has unity among our own people; but any extent you denied them money which a dangerous and a disastrous effect gen­ way, in all frankness, we must face this they needed you scuttled the whole pro­ erally. Not only that, but when the situation which we cannot avoid. I sus­ gram, and I reiterate that statement. 0. W. I. appropriation came in, and was pect 200 Members of this House have Mr. TABER. Mr. Chairman, I yield doing the best job any organization ever sons in the service. They have them on 15 minutes to the gentleman from did for the people of this country, in all of the battlefields of the World War­ Massachusetts [Mr. WIGGLESWORTH]. teaching them the evils of inflation and in Europe, in the South Pacific, and ev­ Mr. WIGGLESWORTH. Mr. Chair­ how to retard and prevent it-then the erywhere else-and we are interested in man, I am glad to learn that the gentle­ Republicans voted almost as a bloc, and the conduct of the war, and obtaining a man from Texas has at last arrived at joined with a few Democrats on this lasting peace. We are interested in get­ the conclusion that this country of ours side, and they were able to absolutely t~ng these servicemen back to their posi­ is threatened with the suffering and scuttle and destroy the only division of tions, to their families and their busi­ anguish which can come from an uncon­ this agency of our Government that was nesses, when this war is over, and we trolled inflation as a result of the policies teaching the people the evils of infla­ want the war to end in an early vic­ pursued during the past decade by the tion, and how to retard and prevent it. tory, and an early and lasting peace, and present administration. If that is not an .inflationary vote, I do let us therefore indulge in as little un­ Some of us have feared that pos­ not know how you are going to test an warranted disunity and criticism as pos­ sibility for a long time. I could produce inflationary vote. sible, and let us try to adopt the policy if a copy of a public address which I made Mr. TABER. Does the gentleman we are going to criticize anything, of as long ago ·as the summer of 1934, in think that the 0. W. I. has anything to being constructive, let us say what we which I predicted that if policies even do with inflation? would do, if we were in the same posi..: then in force under this administration, Mr. PATMAN. I do . . tion, let us say what we would do, with were continued~ they would result inevi- 1944 CONGRESSIONAL . RECORD-HOUSE tably in uncontrolled inflation or its F. P. H. A. decided to pull out the furnaces projects unneeded in the communities in equivalent. and fans, but because of threatened criticism, which they are located, unwanted by local it was decided to let the furnaces stay, but municipal officials, and spurned as unfit to Perhaps I was gun-shy. I had been to install' larger fans. · live in by newly prosperous defense workers for years in Germany, in France, in 4. We charge that the site selections were for whom they were presumably constructed. Poland, in Italy, and in other countries most unfortunate. In Pittsfield, Mass., the Across the face of Massachusetts, from a in the twenties, when inflation had done highest and bleakest hill in the Berkshires bleak and desolate hillt op in the Berkshires its worst. Whether the gentleman from was selected as a site for 100 units. The cost to a dreary claybank in Chicopee and then Texas calls it national bankruptcy or of these, will run over $6,000 per unit. The down to the swamplands of weymouth, these uses some other term to describe it, I, reason for the high cost of these cellarless empty shanties stand as eloquent evidence 2- and 3-room dwellings is the fact that Ya of the stupidity of Federal Public Housing for one, do not want to see any part of of such cost was incurred in blasting and Administration officials who would not listen it in this country of ours. excavating made necessary by the topog­ to wise counsel from mere citizens. I did not intend to take any time to­ raphy of the terrain. We charge that all What motive could have prompted the day, Mr. Chairman, but inasmuch as the of the site selections of temporary hous­ F. P. H. A. brain trusters to select the solid matter of war housing has come up for ing projects in Massachusetts were decidedly rock on top of the coldest hill in Pittsfield as discussion I think perhaps I should in­ unfortunate, and _unquestionably expensive a fitting foundation for cellarless homes for sert in the RECORD certain information to the taxpayers of the country. defense workers whose place of employment 5. The type of construction is definitely was 2 miles away? which I have recently received in this unsuited to our New England climate. What consideration impelled the selection, connection from the Massachusetts Fed­ Whether single-family or multiple-family as an ideal housing site, of a long-abandoned eration of Taxpayers Associations. units, the construction was generally the claypit in Chicopee where the slippery shift­ I ·received a letter back in December same, either gypsum interior and exterior ing earth is no firmer underfoot than sand? from Mr. Reginald W. Bird, president of walls, or cinder block exteriors and gypsum Why was a site selected in Weymouth, thiS organization, in reference to hous­ interiors. In practically all T. D. U. projects which had been repeatedly spurned by private there are no cellars, no telepho'nes, no fire builders because the land was under water ing projects in Massachusetts. He alarm systems. Some are without street for part of the year? stated in that letter that investigation of lighting systems. Most have no cooking gas, Why did the F , P. H. A. · contemptuously these projects had been made by the no mail boxes or mail slots in the doors and reject an offer of. the free use of a factory federation and that the federation was various other deficiencies which make them building in Southbridge for a defense-houS­ convinced that the results clearly dem­ unattractive to war workers earning from ing dormitory and insist upon paying the onstrated ''the waste and inefficiency $50 to $150 dollars a week. owner $15,000? that characterizes these unnecessary The federation stands behind the allega­ What caused the bull-headed decision of tions made on all the projects in Massa­ the F. P. H. A. to proceed to the construction and in most cases unwanted projects." chusetts. Information supplied herewith on of a project in Holyoke over the protest of He protested against any further appro­ projects outside of Massachusetts comes from the Holyoke Housing Authority that such a priation for the construction of addi­ what we consider to be reliable sources, but project definitely was . not needed and -cer- tional facilities similar to those in we have not yet had time to check all of the tainly was unwanted? · ·Massachusetts. statements made to us. This, however, we These are but a few of the many questions Under date of March 2, 1944, I re­ propose to do as soon as possible. to which the righteously indignant taxpayers ceived a further letter from this same Respectfully yours, of Massachusetts demand answers. The fu­ MARTIN R. DURKIN, tile dodges and make-shift alibis of regional organization, which._ ! am going to take Massachusetts Federation of Tax­ F. P. H. A. officials are not enough for our time to read into the RECORD, It reads payers Associations. distressed and outraged citizens. Congress, as follows: Mr. ROWE. Mr. Chairman, will the through appropriations, made it possible for Congressman RICHARD B. WIGGLESWORTH, the Federal wastrels to throw the taxpayers' House Office Building, gentleman yield? money around in disgraceful fashion. The Washington, D. C. Mr. WlGGLESWORTH. I yield. people of this State and of this country­ DEAR CONGRESSMAN: I am enclosing here­ Mr. ROWE. I want to say at this point for an have to share the expense-demand With material on Federal public housing in that in the district I represent, and par­ an accounting. It is time they received it Massachusetts and certain projects in Maine ticularly Akron, Ohio, about 6 weel{S ago through the agency of their Congress. and Connecticut, ·which are in Region I zone. there appeared in the paper a statement The wasteful conditions that exist in F. P. Our investigation reveals the following de- that the · saturation point had been H. A. projects in Massachusetts are typical fects: · reached insofar as these temporary of F. P. H. A. region No. 1 operations. This 1. Most of these projects, particularly in region embraces the six New England States. Massachusetts, were not wanted by the offi­ dwellings are concerned. When I was T'.ae Portland and Bath, ·Maine, projects cry cials in the communities in which they are home the latter part of the week, another out for investigation. One has but to read located. This is true of Pittsfield, Holyoke, neighborhood in the southeastern part of the annual report for 1943 of the Bridgeport, Southbridge, and Weymouth, particularly. the city said they have torn up ground Conn .. Housing Authority to know that F. P. In other communities the officials took the to build an additional 400 units. I want H. A. has learned nothing from its previous projects as a matter of course, and are at­ to call particular attention in the RECORD housing mistakes. tempting "to make the best out of a bad that within 20 miles of this place where The best test of whether these projects, situation." the saturation point has been reached particularly in Massachusetts, were needed 2. Our federation contends that these tem­ rests on the extent to which they are occu­ porary demountable projects were not needed. and they are adding an additional 400 pied. Millions of dollars have been spent, The best evidence of this lies in the fact that units, there are 1,000 units unoccupied anBoston. They cling to their to escape the attention of an intelligent and preliminary arrangements. The company salaries and official dignities in spite of the inquisitive F. P. H. A. site selector, interested representative conferred with F. P. H. A. of­ fact that nearly all projects are completed in obtaining the best buy for the taxpayers ficiais and was given a verbal go-ahead since and turned over to city and town housing of this cotmtry. F. P. H. A. wanted work started on the project authorities. It is but slight exaggeration to Some time after the school was finished the immediately. say that th€re a!e nearly as many experts as wall on the lower side of the clay hill started The company proceeded to make on-site there are tenants, each with an imposing and to slide. According to witnesses, it moved improvements which cost in the vicinity of dignified title, each with several assistants, fully a foot before its progress was stopped. $20,000. Suddenly, orders were issued to stop and each assistant with a quota of subordi­ It cost the city of Chicopee thousands of all work until further notice. nates. dollars to shore•up the foundation and re­ Later the company was informed changes But it is frequently necessary for the ex­ move the danger of collapse. in the specifications necessitated calling for perts to seek advice from still other experts. Yet, with this example staring them in the new bids. When these were opened the For instance, when some alterations in the face, F. P. H. A. officials selected this unstable Walsh Co. was not the low bidder. The F. P. plans are necessary, the F. P. H. A. technical hillsic:t.e as an ideal spot to throw up a new H. A. informed the Walsh Co. there was noth­ department calls in some engineer to perform project. Why? Why did the F. P. H. A. in­ ing in writing to authorize the on-site im­ the work. In Weymouth everybody but the sist upon taking over this site over the pro­ provements and therefore its b1ll for this F. P. H. A. experts knew the project site was test of Chicopee officials when other locations work could not be paid. honeycombed with springs, which flooded the were available? Who was the owner of this . Question. Why was it necessary to change site periodically. The belated discovery . by site previous to F. P. H. A. occupation? How the specifications suddenly several weeks after F. P. H. A. officials threw everybody into a long did he own the premises? How much the contract had been awarded and work had dither. It was then decided that curtain did h~ pay for the premises? How much did been started? What F. P. H. A. oftlcial was drains were needed to relieve the situation. the United States Government pay him for responsible for this sudden shift in· plans? Technical help from outside the F. P. H. A. the site? Every taxpayer in Massachusetts What were the reasons for the change? In was summoned. The bill for this was $500. is iLterested in the answers to these ques­ what particulars did the new specifications Although practically all the projects are tions. differ from the old? These questions might completed, the regional office pay roll remains Calamity stalks the Federal defense-hous­ very properly be asked of F. P. H. A. regional as high as when the experts were first stum­ ing projects in Massachusetts. One day in director, Sumner K. Wiley. bling and mumbling over the plans and Pittsfield there were 100 units. The next day Springfield city oftlcials did not want this specifications. Experts with practically noth­ there were only 99. Overnight one of the project. There are two other housing plants ing to do, are still drawing down $5,000 and buildings was blasted to smithereens. A gas in the city and they long have felt these were $6,000 : year. The taxpayers demand an im­ explosion in the dwelling was given as the suftlcient. Their principal fear is that the mediate slash in personnel in this office. cause. And in Chicopee one of the two-story Riverview · Apartments will develop into a Few, if any, changes have been made since buildings collapsed for some reason as yet slum area under Federal auspices. September J.943. The salaries of these em­ undetermined. ·The builder said it was van­ Fancy names have been hitched to most of ployees and their duties require congres­ dalism, but no complaint was made to the the defense housing projects in Massachu­ sional investigation. police. Mr. Trevvett, F. P. H. A. development setts. But even this device has failed to en­ Following is a short summary of a recent chief, blamed it on loose braces. Another tice war workers to occupy the projects. investigation by the Massachusetts Federa­ theory was that too much material was stored The Springfield project is called Riverview tion of Taxpayers' Associations, Inc. This in­ on the second fioor and the weak 2 x 3 stud­ Apartments. This is a misnomer. True, the vestigation, of necessity, was largely confined ding which supported the upper floor could project is located on the banks of the majestic to the physical and visible aspects of the not stand the strain. But Sumner K. Wiley, Connecticut, but a 15-foot high concrete wall projects. Needless to say, the federation did the F. P. H. A. director for this region, blamed runs the full length of the river bank at this not have access to the files of the F. P. H. A. the collapse on a sudden, severe gale. point, blocking any possible view of the river There are many people who are ready and by any occupant of the project. willing to t alk about F. P. H. A. projects in SPRINGFIELD "Oophs, there goes another" is a frequently · this State. These include municipal officials, What is a zero housing unit? Zero units, heard expression at the Riverview Apart­ local housing authorities, and even honest for the information of those initiated in the ments. "Another" refers to the flying roofs F. P. H. A. employees who feel they owe a tortuous processes of the F. P. H. A., is a which fill the air over the project on a windy higher duty to their country than to bungling combination kitchen and bedroom, with per­ day. Tar-paper roofing is frequently seen flY­ superiors who are responsible for this gross haps some draperies or a folding door be­ ing in all directions, and much additional inefficiency and mismanagement. tween. They are called zeros presumably for expense is incurred in trying to hold the the reason they have nothing else but the papier-mache houses together. CHICOPEE one room. They have 16 of these zeros in Si'~ bewildered families are the only occu­ the Riverview Apartments project in Spring­ HOLYOKE pants of a 250-family defense-housing project field. "The Holyoke defense housing project is in Chicopee which cost $558,000. They are By what devious mental processes could the a monstrosity. We did not want it here in bewildered because they do not understand F. P. H. A. arrive at the conclusion that such the first place. It was not needed. We ad­ how their beneficent Government could have skimpy quarters would satisfy $50-to-$150-a­ vised against it, bL.~ our advice was spurned. set their living quarters on the most deso­ week employees in Springfield's booming war We don't want any Federally-owned slums late, muddy, water-logged clay bank avail­ plants? in Holyoke. The Holyoke Housing Authority able in that section of an otherwise wen­ Tliat another blunder was committed here will have nothing to do with it." drained, pleasant countryside. They find ts evidenced by the fact that hardly any of This is the startling declaration of John F. themselves the lonely inhabitants of a com­ the zero apartments are now occupied. There Dowling, chairman of the Holyoke Housing munity that was a ghost town even before was some demand for them at first, but rigid Authority. This does not mean that the its construction was completed. They under­ restrictions placed upon entertaining caused Authority is against Federal housing. The s-:;and now why Chicopee city officials so vehe­ some of the gay young tenants to seek quar­ Authority now manages for the>F. P. H. A. two mently objecte~ to the project, and why ters elsewhere. Hence the zeros are as empty other projects of permanent nature in the "white elephant'.' is the least vigorous of the as the inside of a cipher. city. But the Authority is unanimous in critical descriptions applied to their drab There are 192 units, zero anci other kinds, decla.ring that it will have no part of the and gumbo-encrusted village. in this project, and 'two-thirds of them are thir~ project, called Liberty Park. 1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 23§1 Here again gloom and emptiness pervade bridge. Neither project was wanted by the dark until he finds the telephone. Or this project, which has, indeed, a strange Southbridge officials and there have been he can do none of these things and let his history. Two months ago there were 2 ten­ frequent clashes between the town officials building burn down. ants in the 44-family project. Since then anti the F. P. H. A. The flimsy quality of these buildings was there has been a 100-percent increase. To­ There are 80 family units tn the project clearly demonstrated during the November day there are 4 families in the project. called Chestnut Heights. This project was cold spell. One moment everything was Originally it was planned to build 114 conceived aJ?-d constructed over the vigorous peaceful in the lightless streets. The next family units. The contract was let to the protest of Southbridge officials. The South­ moment there was a tremend_pus explosion. Walsh COnstruction Co. of Holyoke: The bridge Housing Authority took over the Almost immediately one of the 100 units was price was $212,000. The Walsh Co. had ex­ management of this project, but solely "to a mass of flames. It was only a matter of pended $20,000 making on-site improvements prevent it from developing into a slum area," minutes before the building was completely when · word was received frorr F. P. H. A. according to members of the authority. demolished. moguls to stop work. Southbridge taxpayers were sc-: resentful of F. P. H. A. officials blamed the explosion on It seems that th~ violent and constant pro­ the Chestnut Heights project that they con­ leaking gas. · tests of city officials and the Holyoke Hous­ demned the project on the floor of the town What is the reason these flimsy cigar boxes ing Authority, that the project was not hall at an annual town meeting. It was cost $5,000 each? Again the answer is the needed, was beginning to penetrate the outer decided, however, that for the best interests blind, stupid selection of this rocky peak as defenses of the F. P. H. A. consciousness. of the town and the taxpayers the town a project site. Thousands of dollars were Conferences were held. F. P. H. A. stub­ should take over operation of both projects. wasted on blasting through solid rock. Be­ bornness melted before the incontrovertible The selectmen appointed the first housing cause of the severe winter the frost line is evidence that the rental shortage in Holyoke authority, but now the members are elected deeper here than in other places and dollars has passed the peak and that rentals in pri­ at the annual town meeting. and days were wasted in running public utili­ vate buildings were available. Although completed for several months ties -through the solid ledges. This would F. P. H. A. finally conceded that there ·was the Chest nut Heights project is similar t~ not have been necessary if the F. P. H. A. of­ - some merit to the protests. But it would not the others as far as tenancy is concerned. There are not more than 10 tenants in the ficials had heeded the wise counsel of Pitts­ admit a total blunder, however. So the field officials. Walsh Co. was instructed to proceed, but on 80 family units in Chestnut Heights. There are about 35 in the available 98 bedrooms in Pittsfield spent $20,000 running gas, sewer­ a much restricted basis. The 114-family proj­ age, and water pipes to the project . City of­ ect was cut to 44 units. But if the F. P. H. A. the dormitory. Recently the F. P. H. A. autocratically ficials are· doubtful if the city will ever be had to pay for all the on-site improvements reimbursed. Payments in lieu of taxes were that would be an admission that somebody ordered the Southbridge authority to reduce rentals for rooms in the dormitory. The held up for several months by F. P. H. A. had pulled a boner, so the F. P. H. A. informed little Caesars because the city refused to Walsh Co. officials· that F. P. H. A. would pay authority refused to do so. The members charged that the F. P. H. A. was attempting accept the streets located in the project. only for those improvements where the 44 F. P. H. A. wanted assurance the streets would units were located and the company would to subsidize the defense workers who occu­ pied the dormitory to the detriment of other be plowed out in winter before the Govern­ have to stand the loss for the remainder. ment would make payments. This assurance This is further evidence of the F. P. H. A. re­ workers. Furthermore, the authority stated there were plenty of vacant rooms in private the city refused to give. Mr. Wiley then said fusal to admit an error or to learn a lesson the F. P. H. A. would buy its own plows to do from a previous mistake. · houses in Southbridge and that subsidizing the dormitory tenants was competing with the work. Here is another example of the Not only are Holyoke officials and citizens autocracy of bureaucracy. Here Federal of­ indignant at the insistence of F. P. H. A. offi­ those engaged in the rental business in Southbridge. The Southbridge authority ficials would set up a separate governmental cials in thrusting a project upon them which unit sufficient unto itself; within the con­ they did not want and fear will develop into seems to have won the first round, as no reductions in dormitory rents have been fines of a political subdivision of the sov­ a slum area, but the defense workers for ereign State of Massachusetts. whom the dwellings were presumably erect­ made. ed, refuse to occupy them. PITTSFIELD Here is the story told by William E. Yoerg, Whiplashed by the howling - gales that INFORMATION RECEIVED AND BELIEVED To BE former mayor of Holyoke, and now execu­ sweep in unending tides across th~ Berk­ RELIABLE BY FEDERATION BUT NOT YET tive director of the Holyoke Housing Author- shires, 99 tiny, cigar-box dwellings cling pre­ VERIFIED , tty. The two other projects managed by the cariously to the rocky top of the highest hill The Bath, Maine, site was selected by an authority are filled up. There are long in Pittsfield. agency other than F. P. H. A. , but the deal waiting lists for each place. The Holyoke Here is where the F. P. H. A. decided, by had not been closed when Mr. Wiley, regional Authority suggested to a number on each some unimaginable process . of reasoning, to director, took over. He could have dropped waiting list that they take tenements in the build 100 single-family units at a cost of this project if he wished, but the final selec­ Liberty Park project. Their almost universal $500,000, or $5,000 per dwelling. Today there tion was definitely his. There is under­ reply was: "What, live in that dump?" are only 34 of the dwellings occupied. If ground water at Bath with springs constantly The Liberty Park project is located on the any one site selection was to be chosen as the supplying water. The site is in a low sec­ site of the Holyoke circus grounds. Holyoke worst example of F. P. H. A. inefficiency, then tion surrounded by hills and thousands have officials and citizens say that F. P. H. A. the palm should go to the anonymous been spent in addition to the original con­ an tics bring back undeniable memories of F. P. H. A. official who selected the Pittsfield tract price for sewers and drainage and it the acrobats, clowns, and mountebanks of a site. was necessary to install pumps in the houses long-past era. But the taxpayers feel they Perhaps it is only repetitious to say that to eject the water. The overcharges on this are paying too much for the show this time. this site was bitterly opposed by Pittsfield project will be tremendous. This site should just one further instance of F. P. H. A. in­ officials. Mayor Fallon was against it from never have been selected and certainly it efficiency and utter disregard of ordinary the start. The Pittsfield Housing Authority should not have been developed, if Mr. Wiley business principles. During his inspection of suggested other sites more suitable. But the had been on the job:. More pumps were the Holyoke project in November, the fed­ same stubbornness and arrogant disregard requisitioned for this project only last week. eration representative found water still in the for the advice of others that seems always to NEW LONDON pipes of the unoccupied dwellings. In a post­ characterize F. P. H. A. site selections, bat­ tered down the Pittsfield officials. The re­ Wiley is responsible for the selection of this script to the Holyoke article in Taxtalk, the site. This is on a solid ledge, where thou­ monthly publica-tion of the federation, it was sult has been constant conflict between the sands were spent and only one-half mile away suggested as advisable to shut off the water F. P. H. A. and city officials. - was an ideal level site. This could h ave in these units to avert freezing and bursting Five thousand dollars will build a fairly been had for $3,000 more than the select ed water pipes. Two years before such an inci­ good small modern house even in wartimes, site, but $35,000 more than the contract price dent had occurred in the Chicomansett proj­ but $5,000 per unit for the boxes on stilts was expended at the selected site on rock ect, only a few miles away. that pass as homes on top of Victory Hill is positively and unequivocally a waste of the excavation. But again advice was ignored by F. P. H. A. SOUTH PORTLAND officials. For only 2 weeks after Taxtalk was taxpayers' money. Like other projects, the issued, articles were carried in the Spring­ buildings here have no cellars, no phones, no This was a cost-plus job with contract field and Holyoke newspapers stating that fire alarm system, no mall boxes, and no ac­ given to Casper Ranger, of Holyoke. George the water pipes in the unoccupied tenements cepted streets. Coal bins are located outside McLaughlin, former selectman of Belmont, had burst and that water had poured out into the back door. No shelter is provided for and a capable engineer, was the F. P. H. A. the streets creating hazardous conditions. automobiles of the tenants here where the project engineer. He criticized the Ranger temperature frequently falls well below zero. type of work and was subsequently dis­ SOUTHBRIDGE The only telephone on the premises is lo­ charged because he "talked too much." This In Southbridge the F. P. H. A. spurned cated in the recreation building. project went one and one-half million dol­ an offer of an unused factory for a women's H.ere is the procedure in cas~ of fire, ac­ lars over the estimated cost, according to our dormitory rent free for the duration and cording to instructions passed out by the reports. It was said that winter weather insisted upon paying the owner $15,000 for F. P. H. A. The tenant who finds his home and labor conditions ran up the cost, but the building. sudQ.enly a:blaze must hurry ~o ~he recrea­ most of the additional expense was due to Th1s is one of the highlights of the tWo tion building, either break down the door inefficient and inadequate supervision of tl:e Federal defense housing projects in South- or smash a window and stumbie around iu work by F. P. H. A. McLaughlin complained 2382 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE MARCH 8 on numerous occasions to the Boston office Kimball ·says the 1,100-famlly Fort Hill tories. Several of thes~ cafeterias which were and this correspondence should· be very il­ project 1s bui:lt on a mud·fiat near. the railroad opened in New England are now. closed; luminating-yet he did .not get the support tracks probably on the wrong side. WEYMOuTH, MASS. he should have received. Kimball says six houses were built in a Casper Ranger held elaborate parties at very low area and at least three in a swamp. The Weymouth project, 100 units, with a the'Copley Plaza, at which F. P. H . A. officials These were condemned by the Groton Board contract price of $578,000, is built on a~d were particular guests. There were 200 girls of Health, which put up signs on the houses rhubarb farm which was bypassed by private in the Ranger office in Portland. Trench saying they must not be occupied. But the builders because of the-fact that it was st.l.ld­ diggers, trucks, and other heavy equipment F. P. H. A. took the signs down-it wouldn't ded with subsurface springs which inundated were hauled to the scene of the project, but look nice to have newly built houses con­ much of the ground during the spring. The never used, even though a charge of $50 a demned. F. P. H. A., however, has locked subsurface condition in Weymouth was day was paid for each item of equipment. them up and they are not available to tenants. known to practically every resident in the town. Seventy-five dozen shovels and the same PORTLAND number of picks, more doors than were nec­ If the F. P. H. A. had made soil tests they ess&ry, and much other equipment was pur­ Contractor Bowen also had a 500-unit would have discovered unquestionably the chased through the procurement section, but project at South Portland which is not in the 'presence of springs. However, construction never used on this site. Fourteen Skilsaws housing directory. This cost a million. That had hardly begun before the subsoil condi­ which cost $250 each were stolen from this it was not necessary is proved by the fact tions became apparent to the F. P. H. A. project. The contractor paid for this ex­ other Portland projects are not occupied. engineers. During the first evacuations the pense and F. P. H. A. reimbursed him. At Red Bank village, more than $200,000 steam shovels were taking up as much water Mr. McLaughlin, the F. P. H. A. engineer, was spent on extras. Ranger not only had as earth. During the course of construction made a written report to the Boston office his personal representative on the job at all the pumps were operating day and night in and nothing wa& ever done. The -Truman times but also his personal lawyer. The sub­ an ·effort to dry out the excavations. No at:. committee and the Department of Jus tice · contracts on this were extremely high. This tempt was made during construction, in spite are understood to have started an investiga­ was one of the two cost-plus jobs. of the obvious water hazard there, to change t ion of the Portland project. Long Creek is only 20 percent occupied. the specifications and to install proper drain­ Mountain Apartments, 382 temporary, cost age systems. _ GROTON, CONN. $1 ,769,000, has only 10-percent occupancy. Following completion, however, the situa­ This was the other cost-plus contract in Despite these vacancies the F. P. H. A. went tion was so bad and the complaints by ten­ New England. The contractor was ·Lindholm·, ahead with the latest South Portland job, ants of flooded cellars were so numerous, that who was also the contractor on the Pitts­ on which Bowen is contractor. There may F. P. H. A. had to install curtain drains. The field project. The Groton contract-ran about be a few now in this latest South Portland' cost for relief of the water situation will run a million over the estimated cost. This proj­ job but most of it is boarded up. into $50,000 it is estimated. The correspond­ ect was supposed to provide housing for em­ Although Mountain View, also Portland, ence between the Boston office and the en­ ployees of the Electric Boat Co. Mr. Bland· was completed nearly a year ago, the heat­ gineers on the site would show that Mr. Wiley, ford, who was one of the officials in the Na­ ing system was so bad they are still working head of the Boston office, was entirely fa­ tional Housing Authority was responsible on it. They spent originally $135,000 on miliar with the situation and made no at­ for determining the needs of public-housing heating. The extras and change orders on tempt to remedy the defects. projects. Mr. Dobbs is a l'Ocal director of the heating alone now amount to $28,000 in ad· BRIDGEPORT, CONN. N. H. A. with offices at 24 School Street. It dition to the $135,000. The entire heating is his duty to determine the need in any job could have been done and properly for Harold Poole is executive director of the locality for a project. $80,000. One Slotnich, of New York, was the housing authority in Bridgeport. This au­ The Groton project will never be fully oc­ contractor on this. thority published a report on public housing cupied because of the poor site development J. Slotnick, Boston, had the Broadview, in Bridgeport which condemns the negligence there. Mr. Wiley is responsible for this site. Portland job. Although the job has been of the F. P. H. A. officials and squandering of Houses in the Fort Hill project at Groton, completed and accepted last fall the F. P. public funds. The situation there is so bad Conn., were jammea together so badly they H. A. is holding up $50,000 on Slotnick claim­ the authority has asked the Byrd committee constituted a fire menace. The Connecticut ing noncompliance with specifications. to make an investigation. fire marshal told the F.. P. H. A. the crowd­ ExtrA.s in heating alone are estimated to CHARTER OAK TERRACE AT HARTFORD ing constituted a fire menace. There have_ run into $2,500,000 in region I area. This The subsoil and ground-water conditions been 12 fires in the Groton area, which com­ could have been saved by intelligent plan­ at this site were especially troublesome. The prises several projects. One house in the ning and construction. site grading plan and street pavement specifi­ Fort Hill project burned down in 7 m'inutes. The grade at Groton involved filling which cations were poorly conceived and many Ira C. Kimball, 73 Martin Street, Cam­ cost additional thousands of dollars and the errors and omissions in the drawings were bridge, worked at the Groton project as an entire project was handled in a most un­ not corrected before the contract was let. assistant mechanic. He said the Groton economical manner. Wiley was responsible The originai drawings submitted by the Board of Health shut up several hom:es at for the lack of supervision of the contractor architects provided for connection of roof the Star Hill project because the septic tanks which duty and obligation rested fully and conductors to storm sewers which would have were laid in clay and the sewage could find completely on the Boston office. These de­ carried water away from the houses. The no seepage, particularly in the low area, with mountable-buildings were designed by an Ala­ regional office of United States Housing Au­ the result that it ove;:ofiwed the tanks and. bama architect who, apparently, had no con­ thority, which comprised the same key per­ covered the surface. After children became ception of the New England climate in win­ sonnel as the present regional office of Federal ill the board of health stepped in and ordered ter. The mistakes made in design, particu­ Public Housing Authority, however, insisted the houses in the low areas closed. . larly regarding heating (Pittsfield is an out­ that the connections of roof conductors to Victory Terrace, also at Groton, is a dormi­ standing case) is an example of lack of fore­ sewers be eliminated. The result has been tory, or rather was a dormitory until fire s:.ght. that crawl spaces and cellars under houses nEarly destroyed it. SOUTHINGTON, CONN. have been continuously flooded. This project The trouble with the Groton project-and comprises 1,000 dwelling units and has been this is typical of practically all temporary They have 150 dormitories there. Eight are fully tenanted for a year-and, though about jobs-is that the flues are jammed up against occupied. There is a cafeteria big enough to $170,000 has been spent over and abOve the the wall material, which. is generally com­ feed the whole town. This project should original con tract price to correct these and bustible. Because of small fans, the hot air not be completed as there is definitely no de­ other errors in planning, it is probable that 1s not pushed through the flues as it should, mand for the rooms. Unneed-ed cafeterias another $80,000 will have to be spent to fully with the result the flues become overheated were also constructed at other projects. correct the nuisance and eliminate the hazard and fire the surrounding material. The Nathan Strauss Duparquette Co. has to health to which the tenants are being Kimball said the F. P. H. A. installed 200 the in~ide track on the selling of kitchen subjected. sewage tanks at the Groton project. One cafeteria equipment for these lunchrooms. Many thousands of extra dollars have been hundred were put in first at Navy Heights This company is located in New York. South­ or will have to be spent to overcome drainage and, although found to be unsuitable be­ ington was designed to house workers at the defects or to excavate and remove ledge and cause of the clay, 100 more were installed new Pratt Whitney plant, but the project is boulders from poorly selected sites on most at Star Hill. It cost $25 a day to pump out 3 miles away from this plant and the work­ · of the above projects. the tanks, and it was necessary to clean out ers will not go that distance. The manner ·Such errors have not only been costly but ID'ost of them every second or third day. of awarding contracts on cafeteria equipment they have caused serious delays in time of At Navy Heights, which was constructed might very properly be investigated. This completion of sorely needed housing and un­ for navy officers and their families, as soon equipment is purchased through the central necessary health hazards and inconvenience as a Navy family would move out a defense procurement office in Washington and prac­ to tenants in those projects that have been worker's family would be installed by the tically all of this equipment is purchased occupied prior: to correction of the defects. F. P. H. A. This condition became so bad from the Strauss Co. The majority of the that a protest was made by naval officers to cafeterias are not needed. Most of them run Under leave to extend my remarks, I Mrs. Roosevelt. Then the workers' families in the red. The Government absorbs the loss also insert two paragraphs from a recent were thrown out. of subsidizing the occupants of the dormi- editorial in the Boston Post, a Demo- 1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECO.RD-HOUSE 2383 cratic newspaper, dated February 26, earned dollars into the Federal Treasury measure proposes some 23,261 additional 1S44, which tends to confirm the conclu­ for unnecessary and nonessential things. housing units for the remainder· of the sions drawn from the material which In other words, Mr. Chairman, the the­ fiscal year. With all of the scandal that has been furnished me. ory of economy was urged, and· it was we have had in the past regarding some The editorial reads in part as follows: pr~cticed. Caution and . judgment 'Qe­ of these housing projects, and I speak of Previously, the war-housing units were re­ came the watchword respecting our them advisedly, I am surprised that the served for war workers and their families financial condition. That is as it should committee would consider any such addi­ in the areas where it was believed congestion had developed or was threatened. But thou­ be. And with the exercise of that care tional housing. In my own State of In­ sands upon thousands of these units were and judgment, when that First World diana, we had 1 project at Kingsford never occupied at all. The heads of the War was over we had a debt of approxi­ where approximately 1,100 housing units Government agencies that built these houses mately $40,000,000,000. were constructed, at a tremendous cost. say that changes in the war program, de­ Mr. Chairman, in this present con:fiict There were some 250 of them occupied, velopment of greater efficiency by the work­ the leadership in this Nation has utterly and no more. These were of a perma­ ers, freezing of jobs, etc., resulted in fewer failed to follow, as a precedent, the wise nent construction. Then, after this un­ applicants for housing than had been esti­ mated. course which was pursued during World necessary construction, the National In a word, the scores of millions wasted War No. 1. Instead of pursuing a course Housing Agency decided to tear a large on these projects were spent on guesswork. of care and caution, instead of profiting number of these housing units down and Even the bad guessing might be excused in by the experiences of the last World War, move them elsewhere. The cost of the rush of the war emergency, but what ' and instead of spending the taxpayers' wrecking these units, and then moving does not appear to be excusable was the money wisely and carefully for the essen­ them away, and then trying to recon­ building of these units in places where the tial purpose of prosecuting this war, this struct them at the new location is entail­ local authorities familiar with the situation said they were not needed; and on top of this, administration has entered upon a pro­ ing a tremendous cost to our Govern­ the construction, especially here in New Eng­ gram of spending, waste, and extrava­ ment. There was a grave mistake made, land, was of such a nature that the houses gance the like of which has never been in that project, in building the units in could never be of much use except as sum­ recorded i.n any nation throughout his­ the first place. That was miserable mer camps. tory. I am not speaking about the ex­ bungling on the part of some agency of At the best they were poorly constructed pense of the war-that which has been government, because the people had no and, in many instances, little or no pro­ necessary in order to successfully prose­ part in either the location or the con­ vision was made for such public services as cute the war-but I am speaking about struction of these housing units. They light or water. It was maintained by the Federal agencies that these housing projects the waste and extravagance which has had but to pay the debt. However, the were to be self-sustaining through proper been permitted, and in many cases sanc­ people in that partiCl,llar locality realized rentals, but this has proved sadly not so. tioned, under the guise and pretense of that the Government had made a miser­ Now the houses are to be placed in the war, and I am speaking of those things able mistake in constructing such a large stand-by category, which probably means which are entirely of a civilian nature number of housing units at that· place. they will remain idle indefinitely at Govern­ which have been continued, although rtot The Government officials should have ment expense. necessary. We cannot win wars by the likewise known that those housing units Mr. TABER. Mr. Chairman, I yield waste of money. Waste and extrava­ were unnecessary, and that they were such time as he may desire to the gentle­ gance can do one thing-those things unessential. That simply demonstrates man from Indiana [Mr. SPRINGER]. can lose wars. The resources of any that incompetent people are engaged in Mr. SPRINGER. Mr. Chairman, this nation has its limitations; and when that work, and that they are contracting measure contains many items which, in that litnit has been reached, when the for the expenditure of untold millions of my opinion, are not necessary and non­ people are unable to respond in purchas­ dollars of the hard-earned money of the essential, but which, in my humble opin­ ing bonds and in paying the taxes which people oi the Nation. This same condi­ ion, are not helpful to the war effort but are imposed -upon them, then disaster tion exists very largely throughout the which will operate as an obstruction to occurs. Those in authority and leader­ country. This must be stopped, and the the war effort in the end. This war is ship· today should stop, look, and listen. waste must be discontinued. Those in not over. When we receive information They should take an inventory of our authority must cause this waste to be respecting our progress in this war we situation, and they should realize that stopped. We cannot win this war if are constrained to say that we are just if this present war should continue for waste and extravagance is countenanced. getting started. We have taken a few 2, 3, or 5 years-as some of the so-called I am speaking ~or the boys and the girls outposts only. The major portion of this experts have suggested-what a serious in the uniform of our country-and I am war is yet to be fought and won before situation we will then face. With a debt speaking for the people of this Nation-! victory is ours. of more than $200,000,000,000 at the mo­ ur't~e the immediate discontinuance of Therefore, Mr. Chairman, as we con­ ment, which may be increased to $300,- all waste and extravagance in every de­ template the very serious situation be­ 000,000,000 or more before this war is partment of our Governmentt, in the in­ fore us, let us analyze some of the provi­ over, and with the terrific taxes the peo­ terest of our ultimate victory in this war. sions of this measure. However, prior to ple will have to pay, what will be the Mr. Chairman, under the heading of entering into this particular discussion, opportunity of our people to make prog­ "Community facility, Federal Works let me say that heretofore when our ress? And, I wonder, what opportunity Agency," in the out-plant and store fa­ country has become involved in war­ will our soldiers and sailors have when cilities, we find in the testimoay that and I speak especially of the period dur­ they return from war with the terrific grocery stores, moving-picture theate1;s, ing World War No. l-our country, un­ tax burden upon them that such a debt and places-beauty parlors, si1oe-shining der the leadership at that time, buckled will require? These are staggering prob­ places, and the like, are counten:::nced by up the belt and began to economize in lems, and those in leadership in this country should think, and act, and stop this Agency. Has it come to the place in every respect except as to those things the history of our Nation when our Gov- which were essential for the war and for the unnecessary and nonessential spend­ ing of the people's money, and they . ernment spends the taxpayers' money our ultimate victory. Everything that for be&.uty parlors, moving-picture thea­ was absolutely necessary for the war was should stop the waste and extravagance that has been developed in the many and ters, and shoe-shining stands? This in forthcoming, but those things which time of war, when our boys are fighting were unnecessar.y for the prosecution of various hearings before congressional the war were largely eliminated. The committees. for liberty and freedom, and we do not leadership of this Nation during the pe­ Mr. Chairman, I wish especially to know whether the resources of our coun­ riod of ·world War No. 1 recognized the speak of some of the material matters try, will be sufficient to prosecute this war terrific financial strain upon the people, that are exposed by the hearings on this to ultimate victory. These are nones­ which was apparent in their efforts to 'Qill. The National Housing Agency, sential things. These are unnecessary provide the funds with which to prose­ which was created by the present leader­ things. Money spent in time of war for cute the war. That was a monumental ship in this Nation, has been the source luxuries and things which can be elimi­ task. But that leadership during that of more spending and waste, in large nated from the category of necessities is struggle did not continue to make de­ amounts, and of gross inefficiency, than an obstruction to our war effort. When mands for the people to put their-hard- any agency of the Government. This our soldiers and sailors return from this 2384 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 1\i ARCH 8 war and learn of the foolish and unnec­ from cost-plus to a negotiated contract, in the right direction and should be de­ essary things that have been done by the efficiency of the shop increased from veloped to that end. I trust that this this administration while they were 10 to 20 percent. matter may receive the early attention fighting, and for all of which they will H. R. 4352 sets up a means of protect­ of the House in order that it may be in­ have to aid in paying, I wonder what they ing the Government from profiteers. It corporated into the law of the land as will say. provides for a simplified system of audit­ quickly as possible for it is in my opinion Mr. Chairman, these are serious days. ing and adjustment of fees. It sets a long step toward holding and cutting These are tragic days. This spending of up a formal process of renegotiation down the cost of waging the war and any the taxpayers' money for unnecessary of various construction contracts and and all work that may be planned in the and unessential things must be stopped. acts as an aid to such process. It pro­ post-war era. Yes, we want to win this war-we must vides a means of removing many of the Mr. WIGGLESWORTH. Mr. Chair­ win this war-but we cannot win it if causes of unfair-trade practices in public man, I yield 10 minutes to the gentleman this administration continues to spend, construction which many representative from Colorado [Mr. HILL]. waste, and squander the taxpayers' contractors have been endeavoring to Mr. HILL. Mr. ·Chairman, I take this money and the resources of this Nation. wipe out. It provides a triple check of time to remind the membership of a lit­ This deficiency bill would not be neces­ costs of every contract negotiated under tle election-not so small, but very im­ sary if some economy has been recog­ it; that is, first, an estimate of the work portant, that was held in Colorado in the nized in the past by those in power and to be done is established before a general First District only yesterday. i am per­ control in our Government. Since this contractor is' selected; second, a check sonally interested in the election and the measure is here let us cut it down, let and approval of the contract and sub­ outcome of it because of the fact, if you us carve out the nonessential things, contracts must be·made by the ratifying know the geography of Colorado, you will let us eliminate the needless housing and committee before the work is begun and realize that the Second District of Colo­ the beauty parlors and the shoe-shining finally, third, the ratifying committee rado, which I have the honor to repre­ stands and let us get down to the busi­ makes a complete audit of the books of sent, completely surrounds the citi of ness of fighting and winning this war, the contractor and subcontractors be- Denve1·, and the First District is nothing that this Nation may survive and that fore final payment. · more nor less than the incorporated city the people may not be bowed down in In order to avoid the abuses that creep of Denver. debt beyond their ability to pay. into contracts as a result of extras, . This election had in it all the elements Mr. LUDLOW. Mr. Chairman, I yield H. R. 4352 specifically provides that all that you will find in the coming cam­ 10 minutes to the gentleman from Wis­ extras shall be negotiated for in advance paign. I am sure, had the gentleman consin [Mr. WASIELE.WSKIJ. on a lump-sum basis in the same manner from Texas [Mr. PATMAN], who so elo­ Mr. WASIELEWSKI. Mr. Chairman, as prescribed for in the original contract. quently addressed us this afternoon, been earlier in the day I placed into the hop­ A central construction-contract rati­ able to understand the full pulse of the per H. R. 4352 which amends and re­ fying committee is established under people of that great district, he would H. R. 4352 which would have jurisdiction realize the fact that the common man vises H. R. 4010, a bill I introduced Jan­ has nothing particularly to approve or uary 18, 1944. The purpose of this meas­ over all construction and building con­ ure is to replace the present cost-plus tracts that are entered into by any and support the 0. P. A., and the gentlemen and other systems of contracting for pub­ all the various Government awarding who have peen trying to enforce their lic construction by a system of negotiated authorities. In this way, a more uni­ regulations. form system of contract letting is estab­ There were many issues in this cam­ lump-sum contracts. It specifically lished and takes the matter out, of the paign that may parallel the campaign abolishes the cost-plus contracts by pro­ hands of whimsical individuals. This coming this fall. There is not ai:ly viding that no construction or road­ ratifying committee is established as a question in my mind but that this par­ building contract shall hereafter be en­ part of the General Accounting Office ticular election might set the pattern. tered into on a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee and is to consist of three members who In this election you may see, if you will basis or a cost-plus-a-percentage-of-cost are qualified engineers or architects. study the issues as they were discussed basis. · The ratifying committee shall have the by the various candidates and their sup­ Throughout our defense and war-pro­ power to disapprove any contract that porters, just a faint foreshadowing of the duction effort, we have been brought face does not comply with the existing law things to come. And that is important. to face with the tremendous cost and and the provisions of this act and shall I would like to give you in closing a waste that has accompanied contracts let have available to it all the records in word or two of statistics on this election. on a cost-plus basis. The scandals that connection with all contracts that are In 1938 the Republican candidate for have arisen are not based so much on the negotiated by any and all Government Congress was defeated in this district fee allowed the cor_tractor as because the · agencies. No contract can be consu­ by 4,100 votes. In 1940 the Democratic costs have been permitted, to mount to mated without its approval. It shall majority reached an all-time high of astronomic proportions as a result of also have the power to adjust any and 50,000. In 1942 this Democratic ma­ failure to properly plan, control, and all differences arising between the jority began to dwindle and it dropped limit the expenditures. Only the other awarding authority and the contractor to a majority of 8,000 votes. We now day, the gentleman from Michigan [Mr. or between the contractor and a sub­ discover in this special election held ENGEL], brought to our attention the tre­ contractor. The centralization of the yesterday that the Republican candidate mendous waste experienced in the con­ ratification of all contracts should received {!. majority of about 3,000 votes. struction of the Pentagon Building. This greatly aid in avoiding conflicts and con­ That is not official, it is absolutely un­ structure was built on a cost-plus basis fusion that often occur under the pres­ official. I wish you would think for just and in the end cost the taxpayers of the ent system of letting Government con­ a moment, that in 1940 this district was Nation 150 percent over the amount orig­ tracts. carried by a Democratic majority of 50,- inally appropriated for its construction. Mr. Chairman, H. R. 4352 deals only 000 and only yesterday the Republican Mr. Chairman, a number of labor lead­ with construction and building contracts. candidate carried it-by 3,000. That is a ers have complained to me, as no doubt It is my fervent hope that the committee change of 53,000 votes. I think that they have complained to other Members, to which this measure may be assigned should shocl{ the gentleman from Texas that the greatest waste and the biggest for consideration may be able to expand and make him realize the fact that some hoarders of manpower are to be found and elaborate it to cover all Government of this program these boys have been among contractors doing work on a cost­ procurement. In order to prevent the promoting is not what the people want. plus basis. It is surprising also that the abuses that have been creeping into Gov­ Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance contractors have repeatedly stated that ernment contracts, it is the duty and ob­ of my time. they have found their men least efficient ligation of Congress to adopt a set and Mr. LUDLO'\V. Mr. Chairman, I yield when they are engaged in work known definite policy governing all Government 5 minutes to the gentleman from Mich­ to be done under a cost-plus contract. contracts and procurement in general. igan [Mr. RABAUT]. One of the largest war producers of my The plan I submit is not a perfect one, ' Mr. RABAUT. Mr. Chairman, I take State informed me that when a contract and I am not wedded to any particular this time for the purpose of informing for almost identical work was changed part of it. However, I believe it points the Committee that during the hearings 1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 2385 we had before us members of the Com­ distort the facts until there is naught and raisins. Those are the items that show modity Credit Corporation. Much talk but confusion. As to this program, I profits. Now, the Government gets the bene­ has gone on here recently in this House have not yet concluded. fit of the profits, does it not? relative to subsidies, and I am happy Crimson clover: This item, if you Mr. HUTSON. Yes. Mr. RABAUT. Those total profits amounting that I was present on the occasion when please, has been subsidized to the tune to some $9,000,000? the Commodity Credit Corporation offi­ of $282.62; and peas and vetch have Mr. HUTSON. Yes. cials were before the subcommittee, be­ been subsidized for $1,618.72. Every dol­ · Mr. RABAUT. Now let us consider corn. For cause I hMTe an announcement that I lar of it, mind you, goes to the farmers, instance, the first year with corn, forty-four­ want to make to this House as to the a subsidY, to the farmers; but there is million-and-some-odd-thousand dollars was evidence that was presented. Moreover, an awful noise in this House every time lost. Who gets the benefit of that loss? in making it to the House I hope it will anything is said about a subsidy for the Mr. HUTSON. I think the loss in the case of be read by the farmers of this Nation. consumer, yet the subsidy for the con­ corn arises out of a situation in which the producers receive more than the market price There has been so much misunderstand­ sumer is the one peg you can place to for their corn, and I think it might well be ing, so many interpretations of facts, so stop the spiral of inflation. said that the corn producers got the benefit many little individual avenues of ap­ Oh, they cry: "I don't want my boy of that loss. proach to this program that -lead, as it to pay my grocery bi~l." Why speak Mr. RABAUT. So that the American farmers , were, into a blind alley that I am happy about the little family grocery bill when got the benefit of this leas of $44,000,000? now to say that I have from the testi­ you have the grocery bill for lend-lease Mr. HUTSON. Yes. mony of the officials of the Commodity and you have the grocery bill for the Mr. RABAUT. What about the almost $129,- Credit Corporation discovered the truth armed services? Why the approach with 000,000 for wheat, who got the benefit for that of the downright subsidy of the farm the big ego appeal: "I don't want my loss? Mr. HuTI:oN. That would be split between program. This ought to be news to cer­ boy to pay my grocery bill"? The infla­ the wheat producers and the livestock pro­ tain Members of this House who have tion is going to hit your personal gro­ ducers. no respect at all for a subsidy for the cery bill and every other bill; it is going Mr. R.ABAUT. So the farmers got the benefit consumer. to hit the lend-lease grocery bill which of this loss? The consumers' subsidy is one of the your boy and my boy and you and every­ Mr. ·HuTsoN. Yes, sir. greatest pegs that can be placed in the one else will some day pay. Mr. R~BAUT. So the producers of wheat and spiral of inflation, and unless this House Likewise it will strike the grocery bill the producers of livestock, both of them sees fit to establish such a cheek we are of the armed forces of this country; so farmers, got the benefits of this loss of going to experience inflation to such. a if you oppose subsidies, tell the- soldier roughly $129,000,000? Mr. HuTsoN. Well, it was divided between n4arked degree that it will cause the boys the truth: "We are trying to raise them. people of this Nation to rise ~P in justi­ the prices on you so you can suffer the Mr. RAa.~UT. They went the same place, the fiable concern. I want to say in the first longer when you return." farmers got it? , place that the total of a loss of $182,- Every one of these figures I have read Mr. HUTSON. That is right. 000,000 by the Commodity Credit Corpo­ to you today is from the testimony of Mr. RABAUT. We have heard an awful lot ration was a subsidy to the farmers. the duly constituted authorities of the of talk about subsidies for the. consumers, That is including some of the profits Commodity Credit Corporation and it is and I just want to bring this out a little bit. that were made. The loss, for instance, in their own printed form · brought to On rye we have a loss of $576,000. Vlho to the American taxpayer, coming right got the benefit of that loss? the Deficiency Subcommittee on Appro­ Mr. HUTSON. The growers of the rye. out of Uncle Sam's pocketbook on the priations that held the hearings to which Mr. RABAUT. The growers of the rye? commodity corn was $44,073,875.59. In this form was presented. I can go on. Mr. HUTSON. Yes, sir. thE> matter of wheat the loss to the There are agricultural supplies out of :Mr. RABAUT. The farmers again got the American pocketbook, the pocketbook of Uncle Sam's pocketbook and into the benefit of it. Then there is grain sorghum. the taxpayer, to the benefit of the farm­ farmers' pockets in the form of subsidies You have a lm:s here of $3,107: Who got the er, was something more than $128,000,- $13,632,464.01. benefit of this loss? 000. On rye a benefit to the farmer but a Mr. Chairman, let us not be deceived, Mr. HuTSON. The producers of grain sor­ loss to the people of the Nation who pay ghum. we paid them ~uch more than we and let us make no attempt to deceive could l"ealize from it. taxes was $576,761.08. On grain sorghum others. We should take the long-range Mr. RtBAUT. The farmers got that, too? it was $3,107.53. On tobacco it was $1,- lool{ at this subsidy program and clear Mr. HUTSON. Yes. 431 ,917.53. Subsidies, mind you, every our own conscience with reference to the Mr. RABAUT. The loss in tobacco was $1,• one of these figures to the farmers of the ..obligation that is upon our shoulders as 431.917.53. How ·do you account for that loss, Nation, and still there is a loud cry to Members of this body and do our duty and who got the benefit of that loss? high heaven every time you talk about as we see it. Mr. HUTsoN. The tobacco farmer got the the smallest amount of money for the The following extract from the hear­ benefit of that loss. We loaned at a rate benefit of the consumer, for the people higher than we could realize out of the loan ings before the committee bears evidence when we sold the tobacco on the market. who live in the great cities of this coun­ to the truth of my statement, proving Mr. RABAUT. So the farmers got the benefit try, for the people of Detroit from which that the farmer is the recipient of the of almost a million and a half dollars on I come, who hold their heads high in subsidy: tobacco? pride, cognizant of their devotion to the BENEFICIARIES OF LOSSES Mr. HUTSON. Yes, sir. war effort, being first in production Mr. RABAUT. Mr. Chairman, I wanted to ask Mr. RABAUT. Here is turpentine and rosin, a among the cities of this Nation, yea of the Mr. Bartelt a question or two. In the first loss of $3,529,291.13 on turpentine and rosin. world. place, I want to ask you who gets the benefit Who got the benefit of that loss? The G ~ v­ Mr. PACE. Mr. Chairman, will the of these losses? ernment lost $3,500,000 here. gentleman yield? Mr. BARTELT. I believe that :Mr. Hutson is Mr. HUTSON. The farmers or naval-storas better qualified to answer that question than producers got the benefit of it. Mr. RABAUT. Not until I finish with Mr. RABAUT. Are they farmers? this question of subsidies to farmers: I: am, Mr. RABAUT. Mr. HUTSON. I will describe the loss to you Mr. HUTSON. Yes. Mr. PACE. That was what I wanted on wheat as an illustration. Mr. RABAUT. They are farmers, too? to ask about. Mr. RABAUT. I mean it more afl a general Mr. HUTSON. Yes. Mr. RABAUT. Turpentine and rosin question applying to all of these losses, be­ Mr. RABAUT. They got about $3,500,000 were subsidized to the extent of over cause I intend to ask you abput individual there--very good. $3,500,000. Hops! We hear from every losses. You have ari aggregate here of losses Here is hops. I thought with the great corner of the country that there is a altogether in this estimate before us of $183,- shortage of beer that the demand would be 000,000. big for hops. There is shown here a loss of shortage of beer, yet here we find the $883,809.66 on bops. The farmers got the farmers subsidized for $883,809.66 for Mr. HUTSON. I think it will be different for different commodities. benefit of that? hops. Mr. RABAUT'. Well, in the ·first place, here Mr. HUTSoN. Yes. I am going to surprise you by saying let us take cotton. You have a profit on (At this point there was a discussion off the that I am for this subsidy for the farm­ cotton of eight-million-and-some-odd-thou­ record, at the conclusion of which the fol­ ers. But let us tell them the truth about sand dollars, and you have a net profit there lowing occurred: ) it. Truthfully let them know what this totaling $9,069,312.41 on the items of cotton, Mr. RABAUT. We have quite a Cheddar­ administration has done for them, not barley, soybeans, flaxseed, peanuts, butter, cheese program bere. Now, I notice in the 2386 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE MARC.H 8 Cheddar-cheese program we take a loss of went to the consumer, but the money went - Mr. O'NEAL. What rate does the farmer pay? $4,144,067 .86. to the producer, who is the farmer? - Mr. HUTsoN. Three percent. Mr. LunLow. Was that made in New York? Mr. HUTSON. That is correct. Mi-. RABAUT. You :1ave. had some other Mr. RABAUT. Some of it1s made up there. (Discuss~on off the record.) transactions with the Treasury, have you not? Mr. TABER. We do not produce cheese Mr. RABAUT. I am opposed to the attitude Mr. HUTSON. The last debentures we sold enough in New York to run a corner grocery that is taken against a subsidy for the con­ were 1 Ys percent.· Prior to· that time we had store. sumer. sold debentures in the open market at the · Mr. RABAUT. I want to know who got the · There is a small loss here on peas and vetch, rate ranging from three-quarters to 1 Ys per­ benefit of this loss which the Government $1,618.72, and there is a loss on crill1So~ clover cent. We do a small amount of financing sustained of over $4,000,000. of $282.62, and there is a loss here on agri­ with the banks on special transactions as low Mr. HUTsoN. I can describe the nature of cultural supplies purchase program of $13,- as one-half of 1 percent and some financing the operation, and I think it could be argued 632,000. Tell us about those items; I want to where banks perform administrative services in that case either way. What happened was know if those went to the producer? in addition to advancing the funds for which this-- Mr. HUTSON. The first part--peas and vetch we pay interest at a rate of 11/:z percent per Mr. RABAUT. Give us both of your argu­ and crimson clover-were losses incurred in annum. ments, because we are going to dissect them. connection with guaranteeing producers of Mr. RABAUT. Your agency has no connection Mr. HuTsoN. The pr.ice of cheese was 23 ~ these seeds certain minimum prices, and be­ with the meat subsidy or ·the butter subsidy? cents a pound at Plymouth, Wis. · ing unable to realize 'the amount of those , Mr. HUTSON. We do not. Mr. TABER. You mean when you began to seeds when they sold them to other farmers. , Mr. RABAUT. That is ·tnder the R. F. C.? operate? It was a transaction bet'#'een two groups of . Mr. HUTSON. Yes, sir. . · Mr. HUTsoN. That is right; back when we farmers. We tried to get more seed produced by malting a price guaranty, and -it did not - The CHAIRMAN. The time of the began to take this loss. It appeared to the gentleman from Michigan has expired. best-informed people in the Department and quite balance. · Mr. RABAUT. You had some losses there in -· Mr. ' WIGGLESWORTH. Mr. Chair­ those that we could contact that it was nec­ order- to get seed produced at a minimum essary to pay the producers more than 23%. man, I yield 10.minutes to the gentleman cents a pound in order to get the production price? · -from Pennsylvania [Mr. GRoss]. Mr. HUTSON. Yes. The growers of cotton­ that we needed. · We advanced the price 3% seed, soybeans, and peanuts were guaranteed THE NATIONAL SERVICE ACT cents. We paid the producer of cheese 3% Mr. GROSS. Mr. Chairman, one cents a pound more than he had gotten prior _certain prices for their products. We guar­ of to the announcement of the program. By anteed the producers prior to the planting the most important as well as one of the · doing that we think that we got more cheese seas:on-- most discussed issues before the country produced than we otherwise would have got­ Mr. RABAUT. You guaranteed them? .today, is the National Service Act, pro­ ten, and to that extent certainly the con- · Mr. HUTSON. Well, we guaranteed prices to po£ed by the .President. Most people, I sumer benefited. · the faimers to get the crop planted. When we were ready to harvest the crop the believe, question the necessity or the ad­ The farmer actually was the first recipient imp~ct of these additional q_uantiti~s of soy­ visability of enacting this proposal. of the benefit, certainly in re·ceiving this ad­ beans and peanuts on the oil-bearing mate­ This bill~rovides for the mobilization ditional amount. He got more than he would l'ials would have caused a reduction in cotton­ of the manpower and womanpower of have gotten if we had not made a change in see_d prices, so in aU fairness to the people the Nation by making all men between 18 the program and if we had not absorbed the who sell their cottonseed, the impact from .loss. We could argue tha'- both the farmer ·and 65 years of age and all women be­ soybeans and peanuts would have caused a tween 18 and 50 years of age subject to . and the· consumer gained at the expense of competing oil-seed product, and we estab­ .the Government. lished minimum prices on cottonseed-- draft for civilian work necessary to the Mr. RABAUT. You mean the consumer got Mr. RABAUT. To the farmer? ·war effort. · cheese at a lower figure than he would have Mr. HUT.::oN. To the farmel'. . · The machinery for drafting civilians is gotten it otherwise? Mr. RABAUT. So the farmer got the benefit to be local draft boards and their appel­ Mr. HUTsoN. I think he got more cheese. ·of this $13,000,000; is that right? late agencies. The President is to de­ Mr. RABA UT. He got more cheese in the Mr. HUTSON. My judgment is that when consumer market, but he paid more for it? tel~mine the needs for agriculture and in­ you marketed the products the existing ceil­ _dustries and the relative importance to Mr. HUTSON. No; he did not pay more for it. ing prices would -not permit the sale of the Mr. RABAUT. He' did not pay any more product at a price as high as the price which .the war effort of same. for it? you had guaranteed the p,roducers, and so we · Transportation · for persons selected, , Mr. HUTSON. No. . absorbed some losses, and in the ('ase of. soy­ .including dependent and household ef­ Mr. RABAUT. So the consumer got more beans and peanut's we gave th(l. producer more fects, is to be paid to and from place of cheese into the consumer market. than he otherwise would receive, and we got employment by the Government. Re­ The CHAIRMAN. But he would have had to him· to plant more. turn to prior private employment with no have paid more if there had not been more In the case of cottonseed we kept the im­ cheese in the market. loss of rights is guaranteed unless it is pact from brealting the market. impossible or unreasonable. States and Mr. RABAUT. The consumer got more cheese (Discussion off the record.) into the market at the same figure? Mr. RABAUT. I am very much in favor of this political subdivisions are requested tore­ Mr. HuTsoN. That is con:ect. program, and all my questions were not asked store their former employees. Mr. RABAUT. However, the money that was with the idea of making light of the program, The penalty for noncompliance with spent here did not go to the consumer? or doing anything injurious to it, but I did _the proposed act are fine and imprison­ Mr. HUTSON. It was paid to the producer. want to bring out this fact; that this program ment. Mr. RABAUT. It was paid to the producei·, constitutes a subsidy to ·the farmer, which and the producer was the farmer. By the terms of this proposed legisla­ has been somewhat itemized here this morn­ tion, the lives and privileges of every in­ Mr. TABER. Who was the producer? ing in this mass of figures .we have before us; (Discussion off the record.) but no one has an objection to their being dividual in the country would be affected. Mr. RABAUT. Now, we have a loss here on subsidized and the market being stabilized. Now before I could support this type of the fluid-milk program of $2,431,595.89. Now, (Discussion off the record.) legislation there are a lot of questions in the Government took that loss. Who got the Mr. RABAUT. There are a few others in which my mind that the President would have benefit of that loss? there were profits to the Government that I to answer. Among them are the follow­ Mr. HUTSON. The situation there was very did not talk about. But I will put them in ing: Is this action necessary to the win­ similar to that described in the case of cheese. my remarks. ning of the war? If so, is this bill the It was felt that it was necessary to advance There was a profit on wool, on figs, and rub­ only remedy which would meet the pres­ the price of milk in certain cases in order to ber, a profit of $10,000,000 on rubber. keep up production. Mr. HUTsoN. There was a question whether ent need, and have other remedies been Mr. RABAUT. In order to keep up produc­ that should be credited to rubber or cotton. suggested or studied? Will the enact­ tion? We exchanged cotton for rubber. ment of this bill establish in the United Mr. HuTsoN. Yes; the prices paid to the Mr. RABAUT. It shows here that there was States a system of forced labor? Do producers were acrvanced and the prices were $10,000,000 in profits on the rubber and $8,- the provisions of the bill delegate to kept unchanged to the consumers, and we 000,000 Jn the cotton figure as profit, so that the President dictatorial powers to be believe that resulted in more milk being on is $18,000,000 in the rubber deal. exercised through a bureaucracy over ag­ the market. I think that constitutes the entire list. Mr. RABAUT. More milk was on the market? I want to ask you what is the rate of inter­ riculture, industry, transportation, and Mr. HUTSON. Yes. est you pay? labor? Will its enactment impair the Mr. RABAUT. I am not criticizing that· part Mr. HUTSON. One percent. constitutional guaranty against taking of the program, and, in fact, I like that, but Mr. RABAUT. You have had soma transac­ of property without due compensation or I do want to develop that none of this money tions with the Treasury? process of law? Will this bill permit the 1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 2387 favoring of certain sections of -the coun­ only because the district cannot assess is going to be needed or not. When the try? Might it cause certain ·sections of Indian lands. need for pumping is great, in .the middle the country to. be ruined by disrupting its In the expenditure of funds thus of the growing season it is too late to look agriculture or its -industries? Will fear raised, the project management is lim­ for money with which to run the pumps. of the consequences under this bill act as ited in three respects, namely, they may Mr. Hanna and Mr. Sperry have asked a_restraint of free speech by persons cov­ not expend beyond the amounts collected for a deficiency appropriation for the ered by the bill? Might it result in co­ from the districts; they may not expend purpose of completing the present fiscal ercion similar to that exercised under the beyond their budget; and they may not year. If they do not get it, the project Agricultural Adjustment Act? Might it expend beyond the appropriation made will be desperately crippled in starting force employers to add to their pay rolls by Congress. Even though there be the coming season. No preseason main­ unnecessary employees? Will the· bill money on hand, and work is needed to tenance work will be possible. Caved-in interfere with the right of an individual be done, the project management cannot canal banks and cattails and other to secure higher pay for his or her serv­ move beyond those limitations. Now to growth in the ditches will have to b~ ices? Will it interfere with collective the problem. contended with during the irrigation bargaining and the recognized rights of· The advance estimate for fiscal year season to the costly detriment of the lebor? What will the additional taxes 1944 submitted by the project engineer, project and to farm operations. bz for the administration of this law? Mr. G. L. Sperry, in collaboration with· I now quote from a letter to me from How will it affect the status of selectees the district engineer, Mr. W. S. Hanna, Dennis Dellwo, secretary of the Flathead subject to military law? Will the selec­ for operation and maintenance of both irrigation project, and dated Deceinber- t3es, under this bill, be entitled to free the irrigation system and the power sys­ 4, 1943: assembl~. and s·o forth? -Could a selectee, tem, on this project was $246,300. In- We want you tq look after this for us. We under this bill, petition his Congressman , stead of appropriating that amount: want you to go to the Irrigation S-ervice cr for relief; or would he be automatically which turned out to be too low .an esti­ the Budget Bureau or the Appropriat ions bound by Executive orders or the Ar-ticles mate, on acount of increased costs, since Committee, Subcommittee on Interior, cr of War? What security will he have; encountered, the Congress appropriated wherever the proper defici~ncy bill might happen to be at the time, and get in an item will he be give~ medical service, hospital $235,000. Increased pay, overtime pay, of $38,200 for the balance of the fiscal ye :~ r care, and so forth? - . leaves of absence, and other labor· ad­ 1944. That is about $25,000 for irrigation· Before the President or proponents of vantages, ·plus sharply Increased costs of and the balance for pow~r. You undej:stand this legislation can bave my·support they materi-als, which have had to be met dur­ this will be an appropriation of moneys will have to satisfy me as to the above ing the .past season, have increased the raised out here on the project through land questions. costs both already incurred and esti­ levies made by. our district and through re­ Mr. LUDLOW. · M-r. Chairman, I -yield mated to complete the fiscal year by ceipts from our power operations. We are not asking for a penny out of the Treasury 7 minutes to .the gentleman from Mon­ about $28,000. -This increased cost added in this instance. t ana [Mr: MANSFIELD]. to the short appropriation leaves the pro­ I believe the time is short for getting this Mr. MANSFIELD of Montana. Mr. ject with a shortage of around $39,000 to done. There has been considerable cross-fire Chairman, there is in the oill now under· complete the fiscal year and give service of letters and telegram3 J:::etween the Bureau discussion an item affecting the main­ to the farms of the project during the and the field on this matter which toolt up tenance of the irrigation project on the first 2 months of the coming irrigation a lot of time. It is possible that already the House committee is considering deficiency ~~ason. Fhthead Indian Reservation in Mon­ appropriations. If so, I assume it will be nec­ tana. The sum listed in the bill is not This project operates a large pumping essary to secure an amendment to the bill enough to take care ·of the needs of station on Flathead River below Polson teing 'considered. that project and I will at the proper for the purpose of supplementing the time ask permission to insert in today's gravity supply of water when necessary. That is the end of the quotation from REcORD, so that the 'House may study it, During the last two seasons it has not Mr. Dellwo, but I shall place at the end some pertinent material· received from had to .operate the pumps to any large of my remarks some further correspond­ the secretary of· that project, Mr. D. A. extent except to finish off the season just ence on this subject, so that the House Dellwo, of Charlo, Mont., one of the out­ closed-194'3. During 1942 there was no will have a chance to study this small but standing experts on irrigation in my 'pumping at that station. Since the very worth-while project and will be able State. pumps are operated only to supplement tomorrow, I hope, to make the proper Mr. Chairman, the Flathead project the water which is taken by gravity from appropriation so that it can continue is organized into irrigation districts our mountain streams, and sin_ce pumped functioning as it should. • under State laws. Money to def-ray the water and gravity water are used on the It might be well to bring to the atten­ costs of operation and maintenance of same land, and since it is impossible to tion of the Members of the House the the irrigation project is raised through predict the amount of gravity water fact that as far as precipitation in Mon­ a per-acre levy -made by our district whi9h will be available during the com­ tana is concerned this year, it is only 20 against the irrigable area. Money for ing seasons, the costs for pumping-, from percent of normal. We are going to the operation and maintenance of the the very nature of our system, runs from have to ha•Je help if we are going to irri­ power system of the project is appropri­ :zero up to thirty or forty thousand gate as much as we possibly can. In or­ ated out of revenues received from the dollars per season. -The maximum figure, der to do that, the Congress is going to sale of power. The irrigation and power of course, has to be used in any workable have to authorize the appropriation of systems are operated by the Irrigation estimate concerning the operation and the moneys now waiting to be used and Service of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. maintenance costs of the project, espe­ lying in the irrigation district's treasury. The project is billed by the Indian Irri­ cially when that estimate has to be made Mr. Chairman, the correspondence I gation Service for the estimated cost of about 2 years in advance. referred to a moment ago is as follows: operation and maintenance of the irriga­ Since there was no pumping in the FLATHEAD IRRIGATION DISTRICT, tion project well in advance of each ir­ season of 1942, and since a large part of Charlo, Mont., February 10, 194{ . rigation season so that it will have com­ the costs of that season enter the fiscal Hon. MIKE MANSFIELD, year 1943, there was a balance in the Member of Congress, pleted its cycle of assessment and collec­ Washington, D. C. tion of its land levy in time to provide project operation and maintenance fund DEAR CONGRESSMAN: The confusion int o funds in advance of each season's opera­ for that fiscal year of $36,565. Appar­ which the Flathead i-rrigation project offi­ tions. The landholders pay the money ently the presence of that balance at the cials and the Office of Indian Affairs have to the district, the district pays it to the end of fiscal year 1943 led to the belief gotten with respect to funds for the opera­ United States, Congress appropriates it in the Interior Department and in the tion of the project for the balance of the for the use of the Indian Irrigation Serv­ Bureau of the Budget and in Congress present fiscal year and also for the operation ice, and they expend it in the operation that our estimates were running too high. and maintenance of the project for fiscal year 1945 seems to be reaching a point where and maintenance of the project. There Of course, that assumption is erroneous further correspondence would be useless. ·has not been ~ny Treasury appropriation and extremely dangerous for the reason The chances for serious loss in case the for operation and maintenance of the that the project positively must be pre­ operation and maintenance of the irrigation project except to take care of costs prop­ pared to pump up to the full capacity of and power project should be hampered frotn erly chargeable to Indian lands and that its pumps every season whether pumping lack o:f :funds is so imminent, however, that XC-151 2388 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE Th-1ARCH 8 we-cannot refrain from one more attempt to Then the project also has a surplus of funds getting more busy now to provide the Bureau get to those who are the custodians of our on hand from payments made by us in ex­ and yourself with additional information. destiny, etc. Our board of commissioners cess of costs. I think this is something like The problem is more than one of overtime have instructed me to advise you of the facts $76,000. To sweeten this little nest egg, our pay. It results in larger degree from the in ample detail so that you might be able to district. paid the project just the other day higher cost of everything and the lower effi­ :convince the Indian Office and the Bureau the first half of the 0. & M. charge for this ciency·of mostly everything. -< of the Budget that no slide-rule computa­ season amounting . to $32,500. We will pay I think an item of $39,000 should be in­ tions made in Washington far from the field the other half, a like amount, the 1st of July. cluded in the next deficiency bill. If then will either raise or lower the costs of run­ To be added to this are the payments made Congress appropriates funds for overtime pay, ning the projec;t, and they will not serve to by the other two districts. Is it the wish we will not have to spend all of our money, keep the pumps running when authorized of the Office of Indian Affairs that those maybe. Our expenditures will be held in funds are exhausted. moneys should lie. idle while our farms burn line, e'(ren if we should become extravagant, First thing, they should quit talking about up for lack of water, with a fiood of it going by the problem of hiring J!Ilen. The most overtime. This is not a matter of overtime to waste out of Flathead Lake, and our that our project management can get done only. It is a matter of increased costs, in­ pumps, capable of lifting 400 acre-feet per in the way of operation and maintenance will creased costs of labor, of materials (running day, standing by rusting? I don't think it be little enough. They will not need to to 50 percent); increased costs of work being is, but, then, what is the explanation? restrain us by cinching up the purse strings. done on ditches on account of enormous Now, what we want is this: In a previous You might point out regularly and often amounts of plant growth in them resulting letter I asked that you try to get an item of that this is an appropriation of money raised from unusual moisture conditions last $39,000 into the deficiency bill for the bal­ out here. It is merely an authority for the spring, as well as increased compensation and ance of the fiscal year 1944. Since that time project management to spend the m'Oney so-called overtime. Then, to augment the additional funds in the amount of $20,811, which we raise and turn over to them to difficulty, the estimate m'ade in the field, earm_arked for overtime compensation only, spend. An appropriation out o{ the Treasury nearly 2 years previous to the use of the have been released from some source. No of the United States would be a •different funds, was pared down by everyone up the part of this amount is available for any matter. line, and then when it was finally embodied costs except overtime. We need an addi­ I think Mr. Zimmerman will be getting in an appropriation, it was arbitrarily re­ tional $25,000 made available a.t the earliest more on this from Mr. Hanna. Thank you duced by $8,850. by someone. I don't have to possible date so that we may know what to again for your assistance. tell you that an estimate made in 1942 is no expect and know if an intelligently planned Yours truly, gocd in 1944. and adequate pumping program can be de­ D. A. DELLWO, One of the most discouraging things about pended on; and, of course, if when that Secretary, Flathead Irrigation District. this letter-writing contest is the continual amount is appropriated, it will be subjected request of the Office of Indian Affairs for to the usual trimming down, it should be in­ justifications for the anticipated costs for creased to, say $40,000, to make allowance ExECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, the balance of this year, after several sets of for euch trimming. That would be for fiscal BUREAU OF THE BUDGET, complete justifications have already gone in. year 1944. Washington, D. C., January 8, 1944. Justifications made in detail have gone in Then, in the bill which is now pending Hon. MIKE MANSFIELD, so many times that it would be merest repe­ before the Subcommittee on Appropriations House of Representatives, tition to prepare any more. And then, when for the Interior, for fiscal year 1945, we want Washington, D. C. the requests for justifications are complied an appropriation large enough to provide for MY DEAR MR. MANSFIELD: Reference is made with, the Office discovers that at the end of sufficient pumping to carry us over the dri­ to your personal call on January 4, at which fiscal year 1943 there remained an unex­ est kind of a year. The Budget figure for time you left with Mr. Dodd certain cor­ pended balance of funds in the amount of the Flathead project for the fiscal year 1945 respondence concerning the Flathead Indian $35,565-, and they immediately assume that is somewhere around $135,000. While this irr:.gation project in Montana. justifies trimming future estimates. figure would make some provision for pump­ The estimate transmitted to Congress for This balance, of course, as anyone con­ ing, it is not sufficient to take care of the this project for 1944 was in the amount of nected with the irrigation service should increased costs and also to provide for a long $240,000. The estimate w'as based on a 44- know, resulted from the fact that in the irri­ season of pumping. That figure should be hour workweek with no provision being made gation season of 1942 and 1943 there were raiEed to $165,000, with adequate provision for overtime compensation under Public Law unusual rains and heavy winter snows in the for trimming as cited above. 49.- The amount of the estimate was reduced mountains with run-offs during the early If, then, the next season, 1945, should b~ · the Congress to $235,000. summers so great that much water had to be prove to be another wet one, and if costs The Indian Service, in connection with its wasted. Little or no pumping is required should suddenly drop-which they won't­ estimates for the fiscal year 1945, has indi­ during such seasons. During the last season and this fUll amount should then not be cated the requiremsnt of approximately $28,- the pumping plant on Flathead River lifted needed, the balance will revert and be tnere 850 to cover the cost of overtime compensa­ only around 3,500 acre-feet of water, whereas for reappropriation. tiou c..uring the year. Its expenditure record dUring a normal or dry season it might de­ Mike, we want you to ride their tails and through October would indicate that about liver from thirty to sixty thousand acre-feet. pour on the buckskin. As I suggested in my $9,000 is all that would be required on this An acre-foot of water durin'g a dry sea­ other letter, 1f the situation got too bad, account. It is understood, however, that son, when our crops are virtually all pro­ the district would have to take over the oper­ operation and maintenance on reclamation duced by irrigation, will produce, with nor­ ation of the pumps. That, of course, would projects cannot be handled on an equal mal prices, around $10 worth of new wealth. be bordering upon insurrection, and should monthly apportionment or expenditure basis Under present prices it might run to $20. not be made necessary by lack of thought on because of the character of some work that If we should be short, say 20,000 acre-feet of the part of anyone 1n the Indian Office. has to be performed during the nonirrigating water as a result of shortage of funds and There is no malice in this letter and no season. Thus, the expenditure experience for stoppage of our pumps therefrom, the loss attempt to reprove or upbraid anyone, but, the first 4 months of this fiscal-year need not in money could well run up to three or of course, our board takes pains to know necessarily be construed as a definite guide four hundred thousand dollars. Of course, what is being done about project finances. fo ~ the total year's expenditure. then we would be able to supply that much We have to make the land levies and pay It is planned to transmit to the Congress less of the vital products of our supposed­ the bill. It naturally follows that we feel for its consideration in connection with a to-be irrigated farms to the cause of the war, some responsibility to not let emergencies supplemental or deficiency appropriation bill and we would be able to buy that much less find us in repose. . · estimates to cover overtime compensation in bonds and we would be paying propor­ With kindest personal regards and best on a Government-wide basis. In our consid­ tionately less in income taxes, to say nothing wishes, eration. of the estimates submitted by the about our personal loss. The loss of 20,000 Yours truly, several departments and agencies appropriate acre-feet of water would be the equivalent D. A. DELLWO, attention will be given to the requirements of taking 12,000 acres out of production. of the Flathead project. There is no dispo­ Just why should this have to be argued out FLATHEAD IRRIGATION DISTRICT, sition on the part of this Bureau so to re­ over and over again? If the project man­ Charlo, Mont., December 19, 1943, strict appropriations that maintenance con­ agement should be at the point of going Ron. MIKE MANSFIELD, sidered essential to the project and paid for bay-wire in the spending of money need­ Member of Congress, by project water users must be deferred. lessly, then we would most certainly call washington, D. c. You also made inquiry with respect to the them to task. On the other hand, we have MY DEAR CONGRESSMAN: Your letter Of the Bitter Root project. This is a water conser­ taxed ourselves purposely to provide for just lOth should have been answered sooner, but vation project to be financed through funds such a contingency as this. We have a sur­ I was attending the convention of the Mon­ appropriated pursuant to the Wheeler-case plus of money on hand-a good sensible sur­ tana Reclamation Association at Bozeman for Act. I have been informed that the project plus, large enough to carry us through· the several days. has been cleared by the War Food Admin­ period of uncertainty and fiuctuating costs We are encouraged by your getting quick istration and the War Production :aoard. which anyone should be prepared for during action on the problem we presented to you. The Bureau of Reclamation advises, however, these times. I mean a· surplus in our district Mr. Sperry, our project engineer, and Mr. that it has not yet put in final form its re­ treasury. Hanna, of Blllings, the district engineer, are port which, under the law, must be preparEd

. / 1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 2389 and transmitted to the President, through pated, it may become necessary to pump large shortage. But I have confidence that this office, for approval. If and when the quantities of water at the Polson pumping report reaches us you may be assured that plant, in which event an additional sum may the vision of the Congress is no less clear it will have prompt attention. be required, and that he will be advised ac­ than it has shown itself to be in all mat­ The correspondence left by you is returned cordingly should the need for further funds ters having to do with providing nurses as requested. become acute. for our services. Very truly yours, I believe something along the above line In the matter of child care: Perhaps HAROLD D. SMITH, Director. would answer the purpose for the time being. we women see that part of war rather Very truly yours, differently from most men. We are, of FLATHEAD IRRIGATION ThSTRICT, W. S. HANNA, necessity, looking into the future, seeing Charlo, Mont., January 26, 19.44. DiStTict Engineer. Hon. MIKE MANSFIELD, the results of neglecting the children Member of Congress, Mr. WIGGLESWORTH. Mr. Chair­ now. This is part of our responsibility Washington, D. C. . man, I yield 10 minutes to the gentle­ to the future. We know, too, what it DEAR .MIKE: I herewith return the letter of woman from Ohio [Mrs. BoLTON]. means for a mother to be away from her the Director of the Budget for your Flathead Mrs. BOLTON. Mr. Chairman, I want home, because she is doing something file. I gave it to Mr. Sperry, our project engi­ to discuss for a few minutes several fea­ patriotic or because she must earn more neer and he sent a copy to Mr. Hanna, the tures of this bill. I am very appreci­ money. If she feels that her children are supervising engineer at Billings. Copy of ative of the attitude of the committee not having care and proper oversight, Mr. Hanna's letter to Sperry is enclosed. I have seen a wire to the effect that cer­ in their consideration of a ·project in anxiety will have an effect upon her tain funds which apparently had been se­ which I have had the deepest interest work. Eager as we are to do our bit in questered from the Flathead appropriation ·because of a long service in hospital work this war, we women did not ask to go out had been released for expenditure, and I am and in nursing, as well as their recog­ of our homes, but industry is pleading now told that a good part of their deficiency nition of the serious and immediate with us, begging us to get onto the pro­ is taken care of. However, as Mr. Hanna problem that faces us in child care. duction lines. The response has been says, this appears to be the makings of a You will recall, perhaps, that when the magnificent. good dry year and in all probability much appropriations were made for the Bolton I had luncheon the other day at the pumping will have to be done. Pumping is Women's National Press Club with some expensive, and in case a lot of it will have to Act the request was for $65,000,000 to be done, a shortage of funds might be dis­ put the Cadet Nurse Corps into effect. of those very fine women who have an­ astrous. An original grant of $45,000,000 was made swered industry's call. Consequently I see no reason why we should to take care of the first 6 months. Then We must recognize the fact that it is stop working for a deficiency appropriation. the Budget requested that the amounts practically impossible for young women If the money is not needed it will not be ex­ should be appropriated quarterly, and' to take jobs unless provision is made for pended. It would be too bad to run into a this is being done, although it gives a their children. In some of the factories long siege of pumping and have to stop in somewhat false impression as the re­ it was found that the absenteeism among the middle of the season for lack of funds, quest has to be made in a deficiency bill the women was due to such a large de­ still having plenty of money ·in the bank. when the appropriation is for a regular gree to wash day, shopping day, that in Thanks far your good help. Yours truly, rather than a deficient amount. Be­ some of the nurseries they have set up D. A. DELLWO. cause the Budget saw fit to cut the re­ an amazing volunteer service. The FLATHEAD IRRIGATION DISTRICT, .quest for the fourth quarter from some- woman brings her children, her shopping Charlo, Mont., January 31, 1944. thing over $5,000,000 to $2,700,000, which list, and her soiled linen in the morning DEAR MIKE: I hope I might really get those sum the committee has graciously al­ and she leaves them all. In the evening enclosures into this envelope before it gets lowed, it is possible that there will have she picks up her child, her clean clothes, sealed and posted. I must be getting old or to be an actual deficiency request made and her marketing, grateful to the vol­ something. I talked to Sperry yesterday in a later bill. Should this become nec­ unteer service of other women who make about this matter and he said I am right in insisting upon getting a deficiency ap­ essary, I am certain it will be met by her job possible. I want to remind you propriation, inasmuch as the outlook for a the usual fine understanding in both the that in this child-care program women very dry season, requiring much pumping, is committee and the membership. are paying for much of what their chil­ becoming more and more cerhin. We even As a woman, I know what it means to dren get. They want to pay, but there discussed the possibility of the irrigation dis­ the women of the country to have added must be facilities. trict's being obliged to take over the opera­ assurance that Congress is going to do I understand there are some 300 proj­ tion of the pump plant in case the Govern­ its part in providing skilled nursing care ects that have been checked carefully, ment should run out of authorized funds. It to the the armed forces. The men them­ ready to go in areas where the need is would be a bad precedent to establish. . great, waiting for these funds. There Of course our district has funds on hand selves go into action lifted by the cer­ which are ours to spend, and of course the tainty that nurses will be at hand if are others that are needed, because pro­ farmers here would not sit idly by and see and when they need them. Our people duction lines are asking for another their cr'ops burn up, just to save someone's are strengthened in their natural anx­ 900,000 to 1,000,000 women, and with the face. It seems so difficult to impress anyone iety by the same assurances. Women Ordinary ratio, that will mean about · in Washington with the very patent fact everywhere are grateful for the under­ 140,000 children, who will need some pro­ that the costs which show in the record for standing action of this Congress in all tection. This is a very real emergency any one month are no criterion as to the matters having to do with an adequate need. I feel certain it is safe in your needs of any other month. We don't pay supply of skilled nurses. hands. ditch riders and we don't pump water in the The CHAIRMAN. The time of the winter. Part of this program to insure a flow Yours truly, of girls into nursing necessitated an in­ gentlewoman from Ohio has expired. D. A. DELLWO, crease in the number of students in the Mr. DREWRY. Mr. Chairman, I ask hospital schools over and above the hous­ unanimous consent to extend and revise BILLINGS, MONT., January 20, 1944. ing capacity in those schools. Because my remarks in the Appendix and put in Mr. G. L. SPERRY, it was an emergency program, it was a tribute to my colleague the gentleman Project Engineer, Flatltead J1·rigation considered justifiable for funds to be ap­ "from Florida [Mr. GREEN]. Project, St. Ignatius, Mont. The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection? DEAR ;M:r. SPERRY: I have your letter Of propriated through the Lanham Act for January 17 enclosing a copy of the letter the emergency housing of additional There Wl:l,s no objection. · written Congressman MANSFIELD by the Di­ students. The slow-down in the- appro­ Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Chair­ rector of the Budget, concerning Flathead priation has meant that there have been man, I yield 10 minutes to the gentleman appropriations. some rather bad bottlenecks. In some from South Carolina [Mr. RIVERSJ. It would seem to me that it would be ap­ schools they have not been able to take in Mr. RIVERS. Mr. Chairman, I ask propriate for Mr. Dellwo to write Mr. MANs­ the March 1 classes because the housing .unanimous consent to speak out of order. FIELD thanking him for his cooperation in facilities have reached an end. Emer­ The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection? this matter and advising him that, while the There was no objection. allotment of additional funds authorized is gency housing projects had been sub­ not all that had been requested, it will be mitted and approved but money has not Mr. RIVERS. Mr. Chairman, I have ·of great assistance and that, in the event it been available. Should no relief be given, asked this permission for the purpose of d-evelops that the water supply from natural it will slow down the nurse-training pro­ answering one of the most unfair, one flow and storage proves smaller than antici- gram to what may develop a serious war of the most vilifying statements that the 2390 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE MARCH 8 filthy pen of any degenerate editor of any Mr. LUDLOW. Mr. Chairman, I yield Mr. WIGGLESWORTH. Mr. Chair­ second-rate newspaper ever heaped upon the gentleman 5 minutes more. man, I yield 5 minutes-to the gentle­ the shoulders of one of the sister States Mr. RIVERS. And none of us ever felt woman from Massachusetts [Mrs. of this Nation, and I speak of that non­ that you were unwelcome in our part of RoGERS]. entity, and I say it advisedly, Eugene the world, and yet these people from far Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. Mr.' Meyer. In his yellow sheet of this morn­ off look down upon us and call us igno­ Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to ing are things that heap insults upon the rant and say that we are- indifferent to revise and extend my remarks and to State that I have the honor to represent. the destiny of our colored people and insert part of a report made by Mr. · Among other things his filthy pen, and indifferent to the.destiny of our Ameri­ Aubrey Williams, of theW. P. A., on the it is known for his filth, made this obser­ can heritage and to the destiny of Amer­ loss of life of the injured veterans of vation about the State from which I ica. They do not know the problems the so-called second bonus march, on come. It so happens that the legislature which we have in the South. I say to you September 2, 1935. This whole matter of my State asked ·the political hitch­ when you from the North, East, and West was handled in a very careless manner hikers who are ruining this country, who come down to see us, you know we are by the W. P. A. are trying in· the midst of a great war, trying hard to bring about an under­ The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, when our country is fighting for its life, to standing of a condition through a it is so ordered. bring about a commingling of the races, friendly approach to the Negro question. There was no objection. to bring about racial equality, which you We in my State appropriate vast sums of Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. Mr. know, and which I know, is as impossible money to take care of our colored people. Chairman, I want to set the record as it is to fly to the m<>on, to let us run Then in another part of this same yel­ straight, not in a spirit of partisanship, our own affairs. A resolution was passed low sheet I notice the report here from because it would be too horrible to ac­ through the legislature asking these peo­ Mr. Studebaker's organization, the De­ cuse any administration of any part of ple to keep their noses out of the affairs partment of Education, where, among deliberately -sending war veterans to a of the South, to let us in South Carolir.a other things, tfiey say, "We have got to place where they very likely might be attend to our own domestic affairs with­ put the colored people in our universi­ injured or meet their death as a result out any help from people who have no ties." You know good and well we are of the hurricanes that frequently come background, who do not know where they not going to do that, anq all the legisla · to that area in the Florida Keys, namely, are going, and care less when they get tion in the United States is not going to Windley Islands and Matecumbe Island. there. The legislature asked these people make us do it. You cannot do it. For But I do claim that a grave error of to keep their noses out of our State, and the Federal Government to take the po­ judgment was made and that there was let us settle our own domestic affairs, sition that we in the South have got to grave neglect and carelessness in send­ and we asked for that one right under put the colored people in our high uni­ ing many of the veterans of the·so-called the Constitution. This evil-minded per­ versities is impossible. You are not go­ bonus march who were in Washington in son made this observation ·about the ing to do it, and all the laws in the world 1935 to the Florida Keys. great State I have the honor to represent: are not going to make us do that. When our boys come home they will see to it The islands ~here they were sent from This is so close to the Hitlerian doctrine of Washington were totally unsuitable any­ nordic or aryan supremacy as to be indis­ that they do not do it. . tinguishable from it. way for the proper housing and care of The South, as you know, has had a the veterans. There were no hospitals In other words, we of South Carolina tremendous percentage of volunteers in there. There was no fresh water prac­ are traitors according to the pen of this this war. So many southerners joined tically. There was no sanitation, and Eugene Meyer. the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps that at high tide the water lapped over the Mr. HARE. Mr. Chairman, will the we had to pass the Draft Act to· keep the Army and Navy from being strictly bunks in the tents where the veterans gentleman yield? slept. That was when . there was no Mr. RIVE"RS. Yes. southern boys. You know that. The hurricane. The gentleman from Texas Mr. HARE. I rise to congratulate my Marine Corps at one time was made-up strictly of southern boys. spoke of the fact that this administra­ colleague on taldng this opportunity to tion gave the second bonus marchers make reply to this unwarranted, unjusti­ We have always clung to the colors housing and cared for them. What kind fied, unfair, and libelous attack upon the when our country was in danger and of houses did they give them, and where courage, the loyalty, arid-the patriotism when we were attacked. Now so many of did they send them? If you would like of the citizenship of the great State of our young m~Ii have marched off to war to refer to the record, I refer the Mem­ South Carolina. and left our cities without any single ber to the hearings before the Com­ Mr. RIVERS. I thank the gentleman, young men, with the exception of the mittee on World War Veterans' Legis­ I also, note, Mr. Chairman, that the gen­ .colored boys which the Army has turned lation. You will find everything that tleman. of our delegation [Mr. HARE] down because they say they cannot use I say verified therein. These veterans would have taken this up had he not them; all of our white boys have gone to were sent to a place that was unhealthy recently been very ill and unable to talk the war. While they are away, we in Con­ under ordinary conditions when there · at this time. gress and in our State legislatures are are vast areas in the country where they I have no ill will toward any particular going to resent with every power at our might have been sent to do W. P. A. section of this Nation. All of you are my command any attempt to change or to bring about a social equality in the midst work, which\ was what they did, or what friends, and to me there is neither they were sent out to do, where they North, South, East, nor West. We are all of a great war. Do not get out here and villify us. Do not say that we are not could have had good housing and worked one Nation. All of you are good people, under proper conditions and healthy so fa:t as I am concerned. I am for all of patriotic. Do not say that we are cling­ you; I am for your settling your own do­ ing to the Hitlerian doctrine. Do not conditions. mestic troubles and quarrels. You all say that we cling to the Meyer doctrine Instead they were sent to these two know that we cannot get along if one either. He has declared war on the bad places in the Florida Keys where no section is set up against another, and you South. He has declared war on the men one went practically except those who know that your prosperity is contingent and women in the service, the mothers, went during one season of the year for upon my prosperity, and you all know wives, and daughters of those men from fishing and for amusement. Warnings that you cannot vilify the South and ex­ the South. He has declared war on me. w~re ·received on a Sunday that a hur­ pect the South to take it lying down. It !-accept the challenge and from now on ricane was on its way to the Windley seems that it has always been popular I declare war on Eugene Meyer. And Islands and Metacumbe Islands. But in for :some people to attack the South. this is not the last you will hear from spite of that fact nothing was done to Not one of those people has ever taken me. I propose to attack him wherever he remove the veterans t_o a place of safety. the time to come to my section and try is vulnerable. I propose to attack him I will not take the time of the House in to see what we do and go back to the often. And I do not propose to come out going into details of all that transpired •. North knowing anything about us. second best either, when a man villifies Trains were not asked for. Trucks were The CHAIRMAN. The time of the my section of the world. not asked for. Nothing was done to in­ gentleman from South Carolina has .ex­ The CHAIRMAN. The time of the sure the safety of those veterans or their pired. gentleman has· expired. families. I am giving you the figures I 1944 CONGR·ESSIONAt RECORD-HOUSE 2391

from Mr. ~\ubrey Williams' report. He Wisconsin [Mr. SAUTHOFF] and I were unable to mgve ou.t by means of the was the head of this section of the Works prevented from:asking perfectly proper trucks: So these ·unfortunates who had Progress Administration. On September and legitimate questions. been crowded down there and left out on 8, 1935, that was 6 days after the hurri- Mr. PATMAN. Well, r did not know these Keys had no means of getting away, . cane, he gives the number of men who that. I hope the gentlewoman w111 put although for 2 days there had been warn­ lost their lives, the identified dead, the both reports in the RECORD. ings of an impending hurricane. miss!.ng, and the unidentified dead and Mr. SAUTHOFF. Mr. Chairman, will The CHAIRMAN. The time of the · identified injured, and the identified un­ the gentlewoman yield? gentlewoman from Massachusetts has injured, as a total of 684 veterans who Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. I again expired. were there on the Florida Keys at the yield. Mr. CANNON of Missouri. I yield 5 time of the hurricane. Mind you, all Mr. SAUTHOFF. I recall this hearing minutes to the gentleman from Texas of these veterans might have been safe very definitely, and the efforts, partic­ [Mr. PATMAN]. from injury and saved from death. ularly of the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Mr. PATMAN . .Mr. Chairman, I well The number of identified dead is given PATMAN] in att&mpting to shut us out remember the investigation mentioned as 44; missing and unidentified dead 238; from having a very thorough and com­ by the gentlewoman from Massachusetts identified injured, 106; identified unin­ plete and exhaustive hearing. [Mrs. RoGERS]. It was thought at that jured, 296. Mr. PATMAN. I ask that those words time to be politically inspired and a con­ Mr. PATMAN. Mr. Chairman, will be taken down, Mr. Chairman. gressional investigation was asked for. the gentlewoman from Massachusetts Mr. TABER. The regular order, Mr. I was a member of the committee mak­ yield? · Chairman. ing the investigation. We heard every Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. I Mr. PATMAN. A point of order, Mr. one of the material witnesses that yield. Chairman. I ask that the words be tal~en the gentlewoman from Massachusetts Mr. PATMAN. Is the gentlewoman down, that. the gentleman from Texas wanted called, or any member of the from Massachusetts discussing that dis­ was instrumental in trying to scuttle the minority. We did not object to the in­ aster that occurred in Florida a few investigation. troduction of any relevant testimony. years ago? Mr. SAUTHOFF. I did not say that. Anything that was material was per­ Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. I Mr .. PATMAN. What did the gentle­ mitted as in all investigations, I presume am. The gentleman from Texas remem­ man say? it has been admitted. After a thorough bers it very well. He was ori the com­ Mr. SAUTHOFF. I said the gentleman and complete investigation I think that mittee. from Texas was very ins·crumental in ob­ every person who went into it impar­ Mr. PATMAN. I was not present when jecting to questions that were asked in tially, that is not having any prec::m­ the gentlewoman started her address. Is regard to the examination. ceived notions or prejudices concerning she criticizing anyone for that? Mr. PATMAN. Oh, if that is what the it, was willing to exonerate the admin­ Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. Yes; gentleman said. istration and the people who were under I was criticjzing the administration. I Mr. SAUTHOFF. That is what I said, suspicion of having done something was saying I could not accuse any ad­ and I still stick to it, because you ob­ against the veterans of World War No. 1. ministration of deliberately sending jected to questions that I asked. I want to state, as a member of that men to their death and sending them to Mr. PATMAN. Oh, if they were not committee, that a report was made to an unhealthy place, but I was severely material, I did. the House of Representatives. It was censuring them for sending men to a Mr. SAUTHOFF. Oh, yes. Not ma­ accepted by the House of Representa­ place of this sort when they had other terial. What you might say was mate­ tives. The administration was exoner­ great areas in this country to which the rial would not necessarily mean that I ated. Every person who was accused or men could have been sent, such as in would think they were material. whose motives were impugned was ex­ the gentleman's own State of Texas, The CHAIRMAN. The time of the onerated. That has been a number of where they could have sent these bonus gentlewoman from Massachusetts has years ago. There cannot be any ques­ marchers and where they could have expired. tion about it. There is not a reawn on worked. • Mr. TABER. I yield the gentlewoman earth why it should be brought up now. Mr. PATMAN. The gentlewoman 2 additional minutes. It is not parallel to the so-called 1932 from Massachusetts is bringing the mat­ Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. The bonus march, where the facts are abso­ ter up at a rather late date. facts in the record and hearings speak lutely undisputed. Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. I for themselves, whether the committee Fact No. 1 is that more than 20,000 would say to the gentleman from Texas tried to whitewash the investigation or men, veterans of World War No. 1, had that he brought up the matter of the not. These veterans of bonus march No. assembled in Washington in 1932. treatment of the bonus lnarchers dur­ 2 were sent to a totally unsuitable place Fact No. 2 is that they were within ing the Hoover administration. for work, an unhea::lthy place, without their legal rights in assembling here. Mr. HOFFMAN. A congressional com­ proper sanitation, without fresh water; Fact No. 3 is that they lawfully assem­ mittee exonerated anyone from blame a place where the water carhe up over the bled in a lawful manner, under the Con­ with reference to that. beds in the tents where the men were stitution of the United States, and pre­ Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. I forced to live. There were repeated sented their pleas for the relief they were beg the pardon of the gentleman. Here warnings to the men in charge at those praying for. Fact No:4 is that they did is the gentleman from Wisconsin, who camps that a hurricane was coming, and not violate the law; that they did not do will verify what I say, who filed the nothing was done to remove those men anything wrong. Fact N;o. 5 is that they minority report. in time. It was a totally unnecessary were good, law-abiding, public-spirited Mr. PATMAN. But a majority of the loss of lives. citizens, from communities all over this committee exonerated anyone from Mr. SAUTHOFF. Will the gentle­ Nation, and from almost every State. blame, did they not? woman yield further? The next fact is that they built their Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. That Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. I own little houses with their own hands, is not my impression. There was no yield. and in some cases accompanied by their exoneration. There was an inexcusable Mr. SAUTHOFF. I might add in con­ wives and children, occupied those little whitewash by some of the committee. nection with the statement of the lady homes. The electric companies even Mr. PATMAN. Will the gentlewoman from Massachusetts that there wa·s evi­ furnished them electricity free of ch~:~, rge. from Massachusetts please file both the dence before the committee that Mr. They had a great deal of pride in those majority and minority reports in con­ Sheldon had dickered with the railroad little homes. They even built little nection with her speech so that we will company to remove those men, but was yards and fences, and they were going have the facts clearly set before the not willing to pay the price that the rail­ to stay there just as long as they could House? road company asked, and kept them on on the support they were getting from Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. I the Keys in spite of the warning. Sec­ their home communities. would like to have the entire hearings ondly, that he took from them the igni­ Of course, rio one asked them to come placed in the RECORD. It shows that tion keys for the trucks .in which . they. here, that I know of. I know I insisted time and time again the gentleman from might have gotten out, so that they were that they not come. I thought it would 2392 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD;_HOUSE MARCH 8· be harmful to the cause we were sponsor­ The following is the minority report side the year round on the Florida Keys ir­ ing. But they came, nevertheless. which accompanied H. R. 12869 and respective of the storms which occur in the fall. Again a· contributing cause, and in my· The next fact is that without any which proves the lack of proper care for opinion the main cause of the disaster, was warning whatsoever, the then President the·veterans on the Florida Keys: the nature of the weather bureau reports, of the United States called upon the EFFECT UNIFORM PROVISIONS IN LAWS ADMIN• due to the system or lack of it, which I have Army from Fort Meyer to run these ISTERED BY VETERAN~' ADMINISTRATION heretofore attempted to outline. A further former defenders of our country out of Mrs. Rooms 'ot Massachusetts, from the contributing cause is probably the lack of ex­ the capital city, washington, D. C. They Committee on World War Veterans' Legisla­ perience with weather condit ions upon the brought an army against these helpless, tion, submitted the following minority Florida Keys by Messrs. Ghent and Sheldon. views: In the light of their knowledge and experi­ defenseless, unarmed veterans. They ence, I do not think that they can be called were armed. They had guns. They had The undersigned members of the Commit­ tee on world war Veterans' Legislation, after culpably or criminally negligent. However, tear gas. They had hand grenades. careful and deliberate consideration of the had their experience been greater, had they They had everything necessary to kill hearings on H. R. 12869, while they concur had sufficient experience to rely upon their these men and to cause the destruction with the majority of the committee in other own observation more, or upon the weather of their little village. Not only did they provisions of the bill, feel that the rates set bureau reports less, it is possible that a differ­ destroy the homes of these poor, defense­ forth in title V, section 500, entitled "Flor­ ent decision as to the time for evacuation less, ragged veterans, but they also ran ida hurricane relief for World War veterans of the men might have been reached. them with whip and spur out of the Cap­ and other persons", are too low and should " 'I do not believe that any investigation be increased to the rates provided in para­ which has yet been conducted has uncovered ital City. The next morning at daylight, graph IV, part I, Veterans' Regulations No. all of the facts or is likely so to do. The when the sun was coming up, if you 1 (a), as amended, promulgated by the Presi­ probability is that any investigation which is would go up and down the highways out dent pursuant to Public Law No. 2, Seventy­ conducted may arrive at somewhat similar of Washington you would see tbose rag­ third Congress. conclusions to those herein contained. On ged men sleeping on the grass. Some of The United States Government has a most the other hand, facts may be uncovered which them injured; some of them would have direct responsibility in this matter-a re­ will throw a different light upon the entire their little children and wives with them; sponsibility just as great, or even greater, transaction. No investigation conducted un­ absolutely driven from the. Capital City, than it had when its soldiers were sent to officially, tj.S the investigation by the F. E. R. A. battle during the World War. Those soldiers and the investigation which I have made on sleeping or resting in the open with only knew they were going into danger; these behalf of the American Legion, has the power the sky as their cover, and only mother were given to understand they were to be to summon witnesses, to place them under earth as their resting places. care~ for in a safe, livable place. oath, and to searchingly go into the facts. I do not think that the case mentioned The rates provided in H. R. 12869 are the An investigation conducted by the State's by the gentlewoman from Massachusetts same as those allowed under the compensa­ attorney of Dade County is handicapped by is on all fours at all with such a glaring tion laws to men in the Civilian Conservation the fact that he represents an authority of Corps. The rates recommended above in this limited jurisdiction. If the whole picture is example as I have just recited about report are the same as would be paid to any tq be gone into and any investigatior which which there is no dispute of the facts veteran of the World War who was disabled develops a!l of the facts is had it must be a as I have recited them. in active service. body not limited by territorial lines, and have The CHAIRMAN. The tinie of the In support of their contentions, the under­ power to bring before it all persons who may gentleman from Texas has expired. signed set forth certain part_s of the testi­ have any information, whoever they may be Mr. TABER. Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 mony given during the hearings held on the and wherever they may be. The only body bill. These excerpts will bear out our con­ which I know having such powers is the Con­ minutes to the gentlewoman from Mass­ tention that the Government's responsibility gress of the United States, and if it be desired achusetts [Mrs. RoGERS]. was great, and will point out the following to go further into this matter and to come to Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. Mr. salient facts: a conclusion based upon all the facts, which Chairman, I maintain my contention 1. That the Government had a most direct will be received as a just verdict by the people that the second bonus marchers were responsibility, as the veterans who died did of this country, including the veterans, it treated very badly. The gentleman says so through the poor judgment and blunders seems to ~e that the only way to arrive at of someone else. that result is through a congressional investi­ it is a political thing. It was· not politi­ 2. That the veterans should never have gation.'" cal. Certainly an effort to right a grave been sent to the Florida Keys, on small Remarks of Hon. Joe H. Eagle, Member of injustice to the veterans who fought for islands but a few feet above sea level and Congress, pages 16 and 17: • us is not a political matter. There housed in poorly constructed shacks. "Mr. EAGLE. And whether it be the Govern­ were only 80 of the minority party, Re­ 3. That suftlcient warning was given to take ment itself, or any subdivision of the Gov­ publicans, in the House at that time. the men out of the affected area in time to ernment, the Government men should hav.e We, as well as some of the Democrats, save them. known that a sand spit, not high enough tried to secure the passage of a bill that 4. That the men could have been taken out above mean low tide to protect against those on trucks. seasonal hurricanes, was not a fit place for would give tbese poor widows a higher 5. That these men were wholly under the them to select for American citizens to go to rate of compensation than was given to control of their sup(lrvisors; they were told that kind of camp, or to remain in. For that the men under the legislation the House that if they resigned from the camp they reason, I would like to say, very frankly, that passed for them in March of 1936. could not come back. I am heartily in favor of compensating the Mr. PATMAN. Will the gentlewoman 6. That, at the first storm warning, Wash­ dependents of those who, without any fault yield? ington authorities suggested that the men of their own, were thus placed in those camps. be taken out of the affected area ' and "And another observation in that same Mrs. ROGE~S of Massachusetts. I brought back again, but the suggestion was connection, availing myself of the opportun­ cannot yield any further t-o the gentle­ not acted upon. ity of making my views known, which may be man. All of my contentions are proven ,7. That the danger was realized, and a hardly fair, but please excuse me, is this: by the hearings in March 1935 before the train should have been standing by at the If you are 60 miles out from sea, out from World War Veterans' Committee. I have camps to take the men out. the mainland, on one of those islands, and seen many of the widows of those veter­ Stat~ment of Hon. Howard T. McFarlane there is a warning, and in a few hours the ans. They certainly felt that they had representing committee appointed by the information by another Weather Bureau been, not intentionally badly treated, but American Legion, pa.ge 5: *arning that a storm is heading the other "Mr. PETERsON. That was a report made by way, you would not stay on one of those through neglect and lack of foresight, him to the national commander of the Amer­ places 15 minutes for any part of the 30 days very unfairly and unkindly treated. ican Legion. Based on that, subsequently, a in the season, because there is a storm warn­ Their husbands were dead through no committee was appointed and went into the ing out every day. fault of their own, and they had not facts. - "It is like the people who dwell at the base been cared for properly. Care of veter­ "To put men such as these veterans were of Mount Vesuvius; they know it has erupted, ans is not a political thing in any way in a location such as the Florida Keys upon but they think this time it is not going to and should not be made so. I think inci­ a project of this character is probably_ due erupt. It is like an evil that, when you .first dents of the first bonus march were very some criticism, and in my opinion does not look at it, it is hideous to behold, but after show the exercise of the best judgment. a while you get so you disregard it, because unfortunate, just as I think incidents However, viewing the matter from the other you get accustomed to it. Those people, once that happened as a result of the second angle, it can be fairly and truthfully stated they are warned, and if they should want to bonus march on Washington were ex­ · that the building of this overseas highway get away, how are they going to leave? How tremely tragic and extremely uncalled has been advocated tn south Florida !or at are they going to get a boat and get to the for. least 10 years, and that many people do re- mainland? l944 CONGRESSIONAL ·RECORD-HOUSE ·2393 "They wer.e just stuck there by the ho:J;lor-. "Mr. ENGEL. -And at 8:23 the hurricane ber 1935, when this -hurricane struck the able invitation of some proper agency of this struck? coast of Florida? ' government. I -think it would be mon­ "Mr. VANHYNING. That is right; yes. · "Mr. FELLOWS. Yes, sir. strous for this Nation not to take care of the ·"Mr. ENGEL. In otlier w01:ds, 7 hours, ap­ "The CHAIRMAN. You can tell the commit­ dependents of those who lost their lives under proximately, elapsed from the time the first· tee what you did. those conditions. serious warning came through and the time "Mr. FELLOWS. That was a holiday, and I "That is too long a statement, Mr. Chair­ the hurricane struck; that is true, is it not? was at home a little later than normal. - I man, but I just wanted to get it off my mind." "Mr. VANHYNING. Yes. read the paper at breakfast, the Washington Testimony of Julius F. Stone, Jr., adminis­ "Mr. ENGEL. Now, there is some testimony Post, and noticed in that paper the storm trator of the Florida Emergency Relief Ad­ here regarding your knowledge of weather re­ announcement; that is, the announcement ministration, pages 64 and 65: ports coming from the newspapers. Now, of the possibility of a storm in Florida. "Mr. STONE. Mind you, these people were what was your source 'of knowledge regarding "The CHAIRMAN . .That was on Monday individuals and some of them had peculiari­ these reports? Did you get them from the morning, was it not? ties like some of us have, and anything you Weather Bureau, from the newspapers, or "Mr. FELLows. That was Monday morning, have set up as a system is not going to be where did you get them? Labor Day. applied uniformly to 650 men. I can cite a "Mr. VANHYNING. I had none of these re­ "The CHAIRMAN. September 2, 1935? case to show that our men in the camps were ports after Monday morning, except from 'the "Mr. ·FELLows. September 2, 1935; ·yes, sir. not very much different from ourselves, in newspaper. So I went down to the office right after break­ _ the sense that when you get what you think "Mr. ENGEL. Except from the newspaper? fast and found Mr. Aubrey Williams in his you want, you do not want it. Some people "Mr. VANHYNING. I did not have them di­ office and suggested to him that it might be in the camps put "!lP a howl about leaving, rect. I had -them by telephone from Mr. Gil­ advisable to get in touch with the Florida and wanted us to pay :their railroad fare back fang, the administrator in Key West. I got administration, to see if they had taken care to Washington. They did not like the my information from him, direct by tele­ of orders for evacuation or the necessary pro­ clothes or the foreman's blue eyes, or what phone. tection of those men. not, and wanted to get out, and we said, "Mr. ENGEL. What time did you get that "Mrs. RoGERS. At what time was that? 'Fine, 'but if you go you are through. You 1:30 report? "Mr. FELLows. That was 9:30, about, when cannot come back. You have quit your job, "Mr. VANHYNING. I did not get that 1:30 I was talking with him. At 9:45 in the morn­ and other people want these jobs. There are report, myself, at all. I talked with Mr. Gil­ iuf5, after getting permission from Mr. Wil­ only 600 here, and if you leave you are out, fang, the telephone records show; at 11:23 liams, I put i.n a long distance call for the and we are not going to pay your railroad that morning and-- St r,te administrator. fare back to San Francisco, or Hong Kong, "Mr. ENGEL. Monday morning? "The CHAIRMAN. Who is he? or wherever you want to go. We will pay you "Mr. VAN HYNING. Yes; 11:23 Monday "Mr. FELLows. Mr. Van Hyning. your money· as long as you work here, and morning and 11:53, and 5:52p.m. "the CHAIRMAN. Did you talk to him? when you get money enough to go, you are "Mr. ENGEL. Then when did you first re­ "Mr. FELLows. Not at first. I had ditfi- perfectly free to leave and pay your fare back ceive knowledge of that 1:30 weather report, culty getting through to the office, because of to wherever you want to go.' " through the newspapers or otherwise? the fact that it .YJas a holiday. I tound that Testimony of Harold S. Langlois, veteran, "Mr. VANHYNING. I do not remember ever the office was closed; that is,· the telephone page 537: having seen the 1:30 report. I got it in the operator so reported to me. "Mrs. RoGERS. Mr. Langlois, there is one course of-- "After that, I called Mr. Williams' office to thing I did not quite understand. You said "Mr. ENGEL. What was your first informa­ get Mr. Van Hyning's first name and resi­ it was a case of going to Florida or walk out. tion, or when did you first have knowledge dence, if possible. I got his first name, but Do you mean you could not. stay in the that there was 1:1 serious hurricane coming 'could not get his residence; and in the transient camp on Canal Street any longer? through there, .and about to hit Key West? meantime I had told the telephone operator "Mr. LANGLOIS. We either had to go to a F. "Mr. VANHYNING. When I discussed the sit­ to get anyone in responsible authority, and E. R. A. camp from Washington, or they would uation with Mr. Gilfong around noon, I found that Mr. Van Hyning had gone to not keep us any great length of time, on ac­ through those two telephone calls at 11:23 Tallahassee. So I transferred the call there count of people coming in all of the time. and 11:53. At that time the report given to and told them to get him-! did not know but "Mrs. ROGERS. You had to leave Washing­ me was that the storm would not be there what he might be at some hotel-to try the ton? before Tuesday morning, just in a general hotels and the directory service, because I "Mr. LANGLOIS. It was· nothing but a discussion. So while I gave Mr. Gilfong in­ ·could not give the office number-! mean, transient camp. You could not exactly structions at that time to have the train I could not give the residence number. I make a home out of it. ~ brought in .immediately, I do not -remember located him before 11 o'clock, as I recall. "Mrs. ROGERS. And they offered you no seeing the 1:30 advisory or discussing it with ''The CHAIRMAN. Where? other alternative; it was either go to Florida him, because I called him next at 5:52p.m., "Mr. FELLows. In Tallahassee. or leave? and at that time I probably got the latest "The CHAIRMAN. What did you tell him? "Mr. LANGLOIS. That was all that was open information. "Mr. FELLows·. I told him that ·I had seen for the 'vets' outside of going to a C. C. C. "Mr. ENGEL. You gave Mr. Gilfong orders notice of the storm in the morning paper, camp, if you could make it, but they are not over the telephone- and asked him if they were making prepara­ very easy to make. "Mr. VAN HYNING. At 11:53. tions and necessary provisions, and he said "Mrs. RoGERS. You usually have to be a "Mr. ENGEL. At 11 :53? he thought they were. I assured him that little stronger physically? "Mr. VAN HYNING. Yes. Mr. Williams had given me authority to call "Mr. LANGLOIS. Yes; we did not have much "The CHAIRMAN. To do what? him and ask that· he ·take every precaution of an examination for the F. E. R. A. camp. "Mr. ENGEL. To order the train; is that that might be necessary for protection; that At the C. C. C. camps you have got to go right? they could tell better whether there was through a physical examination to pass, but "Mr.' VAN HYNING. To ask him to call Mr. need for it than I could up here, but I felt I was in good condition. I have been in two Sheldon and have the train brought down that some consideration might be given it, C. C. C. camps. and not wait. · and he assured me that they would take "Mrs. RoGERS. I will take a message to your "Mr. ENGEL. That was on Monday, which hold immediately and make whatever neces­ sister when I go back. would be approximately 8 hours before the sary arrangements that were required. But "Mr. ENGEL. What you mean is that they hurricane struck; that is true, is it not? at the same time he told me that he thought would not keep you at the veterans' transient "Mr. VAN HYNINO. Yes. they probably had people· in the vicinity there camp if you did not go to Florida, is that it? "The CHAIRMAN. What time was that con­ that might do the usual thing; that is, board­ "Mr. LANGLOIS. That is th,e way they men .. versation? up, and whatever is necessary. tioned it around there. "Mr. HYNING. The record shows 11:53. . "And after I got the call through to Mr. "Mr. ENGEL. You do not mean you had to "Mr. ENGEL. Was that the only order you Van Hyning and had relayed the message, get out of Washington, if you did not go to gave regarding the train? I reported back to Mr. Williams' office that I Florida? "Mr. VANHYNING. Yes." had cleared through-not to him personally, "Mr. LANGLOIS. There were so many vet­ Testimony of P. A. Fellows, administrative but his· office-that all requirements we1·e erans coming into the city of Washington assistant, Federal Emergency Relief Admin· taken care of, and I went up to Mr. West­ and they did not want us to stay here. They istration, pages 547 and ,548: brook's office .. Mr. Westbroolt is another as­ wanted to get us out of here." "The CHAIRMAN. What was your position sistant administrator, and I advised him ·of Testimony of Conrad VanHyning, Federal at the time this storm struck? the situation." Emergency Relief Administration, admin­ "Mr. FELLOWS. Administrative assistant un· . Testimony of P. A. Fellows, administrative istrator for Florida, pages 112 and 113: der Mr. Baker, who is assistant administrator assistant, Federal Emergency Relief Adminis· "Mr. ENGEL. The first serious warning, the in Mr. Hopkins' organization. tration, page 550: testimony shows, was at Key West at 1:30 on "The CHAIRMAN. Where were you stationed; "Mr. SAUTHOFF. Did you talk then with Mr. - Monday. At 4:30 another warning came here in washington? Van HyniEg about getting the men out of through, which was very serious-in fact, "Mr. FELLOWS. In Washington; yes, sir. · the camps? they were both very serious? "The CHAIRMAN. You were here in Wash­ "Mr. FELLOWS. I did say this to him, that ":r.lr. VANHYNING. Yes. ington on the morning of .the 2d of Septem· if they appeared to be in the path, in '~;he 2394 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE MARCH 8 immediate path of the storm; that I ·thought "The CHAmMAN. Yes; 1 think any railroad "Mr. CuTLER. They were on b:. ...·"lcs, set on it would be a good plan to have them out, that cannot get a train ready in less than 12 the ground. They were just platforms, or and I told him that ~thought Mr. Williams hours ought to have its charter forfeited. I 2 by 2 platforms. would prefer to have them out, even_if the do not care what railroad it is, but if any "Mr. ENGEL. Were they fastened down? storm did not strilte, rather than stay there; railroad which is operating and doing busi­ "Mr. CUTLER. The blocks. were set on top of that is, he would rather take the responsi­ ness cannot get a train a hundred miles, in the ground, and the walls were spiked to the bility of seeing them all moved out and case of emergency, in less than 12 hours, it is blocks. moved back again rather than to have them a mighty poor railroad, and I am speaking "Mr. ENGEL. They were not fastened down? stay at the risk of injury. from the horrible experiences we have had in "Mr. CUTLER. Only at camp 3, where the "Mr. SAUTHOFF. In other words, you did not the cyclone area in Mississippi and · Georgia dirt had been dumped in around them. · want to take a chance? last week. A railroad which cannot get a "Mr. F'ELLdws. That is right. train 70. miles in less than 12 hours, indi­ "Mr. ENGEL. You are sure of your state. "Mr. SAUTHOFF. Did you talk with him cates to me that it is worse than a. tramroad, ment that they were not fastened down? about the methods of transportation, train if that is correct. "Mr. CUTLER. If you take two camps-one or truck or anything of that kind? Letter from Florida East Coast Railway to might not say they were fastened down. "Mr. FELLows. No; I do not recall that we F. B. Ghent, director of veterans' work· pro- They were not fastened down in a way that had any conversation about the method of gram, page 505: • you might consider them fastened down. transportation at all. JUNE 6, 1935. Testimony of Aubrey W. Williams, Deputy "Mr. SAUTHOFF. Were there any particu­ Administrator, Works Progress Administra­ REMOVAL OF VETERANS FROM THE KEYS DURING tion, page 442: lar precautions discuss~:;d? You mentioned HURRICANE SEASON about boarding up buildings; anything else? "Mr. WILLIAMS. We selected Florida and "Mr. FELLows. We just discussed the mat­ Mr. F. B. GHENT, other Southern States down there for, I would ter of moving the men out, if they appeared Di1·ector, Veterans' Work Program, say, two or three reasons. The first reason to be in the path of the storm. Jacksonville, Fla. was the cost of maintaining men in a camp "Mr. SAUTHOFF. Did he offer anything in DEAR MR. GHENT: Referring to your letter 1s smaller in a section of the country that regard to that? of May 16, 1935, in reference to arranging for is warm, where you do not have the expense "Mr. FELLows. No, not to me. He said he train service to remove the veterans from the of heating, and the necessity of more ade· would communicate with the people down Keys during the hurricane season. quate and complete buildings, and so forth. there. In every case of disturbance of any 1nter1- That was one factor. "Mr. SAUTHOFF. I think that is all. sity we receive, through the weather bureau, "Another factor was we had in Mr. Stone "Mr. HousToN. In other words, you did sufficient advance notice to enable us to fur­ an imaginative and resourceful person who everything_you thought was necessary at the nish locomotives and equipment to make up could and was, in our estimation, able to time to expedite matters and get him into two trains, and they would be available after make profitable use in the way of work, to action down there? receiving 12 hours' notice of your desire for develop profitable work whereby these people "Mr. FELLows. In a general administrative them. could earn their wages. In the event it is deemed advisable to move way; yes, sir. It was advif>ory, so far as my "The third reason was that we did not re· relations were concerned." the veterans upon receipt of a report of an approaching storm, the railway must be ad­ ceive any general cooperation on the part of a Testimony of S. C. Cutler, works director great many States upon our request that these for the Florida veterans• camps, page 556: vised definitely to what point the veterans Will be moved to get them to safety. In men be organized and put into work projects. "Mrs. RoGERS. Did anyone from ·the East "Mrs. RoGERS. What reason did they give? Coast Line Railway talk with you on Sundqy other words, we will have to know definitely between what points the relief trains will be "Mr. WILLIAMS. They gave the ordinary about there being extra cars-! think on reasons, that they have enough troubles .of Sunday-to take the men away? operated 1n order that we may make neces­ sary arrangements for taking care of the their own, they have plenty of people who "Mr. CUTLER. I called the Florida East Coast are out of work in their State, and that they Railroad. equipment and the train crews after the trains arrive at destination; also, that the prefer to see those people get employment "Mrs. RoGERS. You called? rather than outsiders; that they have fami­ "Mr. CUTLER. I called them and tried to get railway will not. be subject to protest from any community to which the veterans will lies who are in need, and that these were un· in touch with Mr. Gaddis. He was out of attached men, and so forth, and so on and so town, however, and I talked to his clerk, and be transferred with regard to sanitary and other conditions. In order to complete ar­ forth. ' to!d him that, while I had no authority to "Mrs. RoGERS. What type of men were they? • order the train, I believed that they would rangements therefor, those in charge of the veterans' work program should now make ad­ Did you talk with them before they went .get orders very shortly, as I had previously down there? put in a call to Mr. Ghent in Jacksonville. vance arrangements and advise the railway to what points it is proposed to move them. "Mr. WILLIAMS. I met with a good many "Mrs. RoGERS. At what time was that? of their representatives; that is, their delega­ "Mr. CUTLER. I cannot give you the exact Yours very truly, ------, Coreceiver. tions came to see me on a number of .occa· time I put in the call. I put in the call for sions. I would say that on the whole they Mr. Ghent, I believe, before I called the rail­ Testimony of F. B. Ghent, director of Fed· road, because I know I -told Mr. Ghent when I eral works program in Florida, page 293: were a very good group of men, greatly talked to him that I had called the railroad "Mr. PATMAN. There was no effort made to troubled and harassed by the lack of employ­ and suggested that they have these trains in spare expense or trouble or anything else to ment and by the frustrations that they had readiness for immediate dispatch upon his look after them? experienced since the war. They were, many orders. "Mr. GHENT. Dollars and cents were never of them, in need of the simplest forms of food considered and are never considered when it and shelter as correctives to their condition. "Mrs. RoGERS. Was that in the forenoon or We found, while there was a small percentage, afternoon? comes to human life, in my estimation. "Mr. PATMAN. I mean, in this case, that was as there always is in any group of people, "Mr. CUTLER. I got back from camp 3, as who had suffered so long and so greatly that I say, along about 11 or 11:30, and it is my not considered? "Mr. GHENT. No; never the question of dol­ it was very difficult to restore them without recollection that I put in the call for Mr. adequate hospitalization, on the whole they Ghent almost immediately after that. lars and cents." Testimony of Mr. S. C. Cutler, works di­ responded very excellently to the camp en· "Mrs. RoGERs. I ask that, because the Flor­ rector for the Florida veterans' camps, page vironment and to the food and to the work. ida East Coast Line Railway said in the state­ 580: "Mrs. RoGERS. You felt that it was impor­ ment that they thought they had talked "Mr. ENGEL. You testified at the hearings tant to send them to a place where they .with the camp superintendent." that the buildings of the veterans were of far would be under no stress or strain, under the Testimony of Ray W. Sheldon, page 261: better construction than the buildings of the circumstances? "The CHAmMAN. Is that all? natives. "Mr. WILLIAMS. I was never conscious that "Mrs. ROGERS. I have one more question I "Mr. CuTLER. The buildings for the veter­ we had any places where the men were under would like to ask Mr. Sheldon. ans were in less exposed places than the na­ restraint. "It seems to me, Mr. Sheldon, in view of tive buildings. "Most of the natives' buildings "Mrs. RoGERS. No; I said strain or stress. the letter that I received from the Florida. are along the water edge, on the ocean side. I am speaking of such things as storms. Of East Coast Railroad, that Mr. Ghent did not I am speaking particularly now of camp 3. course, they do have storms in Florida. For tell you of the letter that they claim to have In camps 1 and 5, those buildings were on the instance, if you go to a travel agency, if you written him on June 2, that it would take 12 ·ocean side, too. If I may add something intend to take a trip, during those hurricane hours to get two trains. there, it was never intended to house the months they advise you to take your trip in "Mr. SHELDON. Well, now, it may seem men in those buildings during a hurricane. some other month. So we know that that strange, but I had no knowledge of it. "Mr. ENGEL. Were the buildings fastened situation exists. "Mrs. RoGERS. I do not mean that it seems down in any way? "The CHAIRMAN. Those men would have strange, but it seems.strange that Mr. Ghent "Mr. CUTLER. No, sir; they were not. We preferred that to being driven out of Wash· did not tell you about that. I think it would had intended to fasten them down, but had ington at the point of the bayonet and hav· be nice if we could question Mr. Ghent about never gotten around to doing it. · ing their tents burned down, would they not, that. "Mr. ENGEL. Were they on posts? Mr. Williams?" 1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 2395 Testimony of Joseph F. Fecteau, veteran, "Mr. SAUTHOFF. Now, you said there was no supplemental appropriations for the fis­ page 479: foreman or superintendent in charge of your cal year ending June 30, 1944, and for "The CHAIRMAN. Who was Robinson? camp on Monday-- other purposes, had come to no resolu­ "Mr. FECTEAU. He was our camp superin­ "Mr. LANGLOIS. We had a captain there on tendent. Monday, the man I referred to a while ago, tion thereon. "The CHAIRMAN. Who was he employed by? which I did not know his name. He was EXTENSION OF REMARKS "Mr. FECTEAU. Well, he went there-he was there. He was the one that told us that the a veteran and he worked his way up to this train would be there most any· minute. Mr. WIGGLESWORTH. Mr. Speaker, job. "Mr. SAUTHOFF. Was he there all through I ask unanimous consent to revise and "The CHAIRMAN. He was employed by the the storm? • extend the remarks I made today and to F. E. R. A.? "Mr. LANGLOlS. He was, sir. include therein excerpts from a recent "Mr. F'EGTEAU. Yes; he was employed by the "Mr. SAUTHOFF. All right, did you make any newspaper editorial and certain other F.E.R.A. . effort or any request of him to get you out of material furnished me in this connec­ "The CHAIRMAN. Do you know what they there? tion. paid him? "Mr. LANGLois .• We didn't make no request, . "Mr. FECTEAU. Well, I should think $125 a only he said we would have transportation as The SPEAKER. Without objection, it month, I believe, is what he was getting. soon as · the train would come, and they is so ordered. "The CHAIRMAN. I wanted to know what would take us to Miami, and to wait, and There was no objection. his position was. we practically all stayed in the mess house, Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask "Mr. SAUTHOFF. You were telling us about and when the mess house started to rock unanimous consent to revise and extend Tavernier-- back and forth-and you know it was not my own remarks and to include therein "Mr. FECTEAU. Well, Tavernier is not on the put up very safely, 2 by 4 boarded, and it excerpts from letters. m ainland, but it is safe or in a kind of little was nothing but a shell. He said, 'Boys, you The SPEAKER. Without .objection, it v-illage where there is a good cement building; had better get out of here and get into your you felt a little safe, and the train would have shacks,' and that was around 4 o'clock in the is so ordered. been able to make Tavernier, I believe; and afternoon, between 4 and 4:20. We had some There was no objection. we asked Mr. Robinson to take us down to soup there. Mr. PATMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask Tavernier, and we would-not myself, but I · "Mr. SAtn'HOFF. That was on Monday at 4 - unanimous consent to revise and extend ha1 my car or truck and could get out, but or 4:30? the remarks I made today and to include the boys told him, 'We want the trucl"..s to "Mr. LANGLOIS. Monday, September 2, and therein certain statements and excerpts take us out of here,' and he said, 'You can't we went into the shacks and most of us from the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD and get any trucks, becam:e the keys have been stayed 'there in the shacks until the water turned in to Mr. King.' He said that King gpt so high I got out of the shack. There other documents, especially. the report of had orders to take the keys from the truck were seven of us in one shack, standing in · the committee that investigated the inci­ drivers, so they would not run away with the there with the doors closed, and the water dents referred to by the gentleman from trucks, he said they did not want the trucks come Underneath, through the· floor, and Massachusetts that occurred in Florida. on the road, but he said 'they will be here and when I got out of the shack I was up to The SPEAKER. Without objection, it you need not worry about these trucks.' " here [indicating] in water." . is so ordered . Testimony of Harold Langloise, veteran, . The members of the committee signing this minority report urge most strongly a careful There was no objection. page 521: Mr. RABAUT. Mr. Speaker, ! .desire "Mr. LANGLOIS. That was so stated. There reading of the printed copies of the hearings. was four or five trucks they used to quarry T'.aere is no doubt in our minds that while to submit two requests: Fir:st, that my with in tne shed, which could have been · it would be impossible to place blame for colleague the gentleman from Texas taken, which could have tal~en us away from the terrible loss of life, yet the evidence [Mr. LUTHER A. JOHNSON] may have per­ there and got away from that storm. We had shows a surprising lack of judgment on the mission to extend his own remarks in plenty of time to get the men out before the part of those responsible for the welfare of the RECORD and include therein an ad­ storm. But evidently, when they used' the the men under their charge. Many ·blunders dress by Gen. William E. Chickering, Di­ trucks and they put them away, they take were, made. This hurricane has been· called an act of rector of the Army Postal Service; and the keys away and give them to the foreman. second, to extend by own remarks made Where the foreman was, I do not know, be­ God. God may be held responsible for this cause I was separated. But we could have got storm, but He cannot be blamed for leaving in the Committee of the Whole today and -cut of there in time. I was injured in the these men in the path of the storm, nor can to include therein some excerpts from camp 1tself, below the camp, my leg and my He be blamed for depriving them of their the hearings. arm, and I went--! finally dragged myself to only available method of leaving. The SPEAKER: Without objection, it shelter-and the only one particularly that If the employers of these men had been a is so ordered. I · eeen the next day was the captain of the private company, instead of the Government, no stone would have been left unturned in There was no objection. camp. We had nothing to eat that day, be­ Mr. WHITE. Mr. · Speaker, I ask cause it was all \7ashed away anyhow. The placing the responsibility. The Government buildings were all torn down.'' should be treated in the same manner. . An unanimous consent to revise and extend Testimony of Harold S. Langlois, veteran, employee assumes a risk of common knowl­ my own remarks and to include therein pages 539 and 540: edge, but he does not assume a risk arising a statement on the place of silver money "Mr. SAUTHOFF. When did you first see a from the employer's negligence or breach of in the monetary reconstruction. I have t·aise in the elevation of the water? duty of which he is not aware. an estimate from the printer in the "Mr. LANGLOIS. When I came out of the This responsibility is the Government's and should be recognized by the granting of amount of $157. shack a quarter to 8 or 8 o'clock at night, and The SPEAKER. Notwithstanding the the shack was starting to float off. benefits comparable to those permitted serv­ "Mr. SAUTHOFF. What night? ice-connected cases of World War veterans. cost, without objection, the extension "Mr. LANGLOIS. That was Monday, Septem- EDITH Nom:SE ROGERS. may be made. ber 2. . HARRY SAUTHOFF. There was no objection. "Mr. SAUTHOFF. The storm was · over then, CHARLES F. RI5K. (Mr. RoWAN asked and was given per­ was it not? Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Chair­ mission to extend his own remarks in the "Mr. LANGLOIS. No, sir; it was just starting. man, I ask that the Clerk read the bill. Appendix of the RECORD.) "Mr. SAUTHO~'. Eight o'clock, when? The Clerk read down to and including Mr. MANSFIELD of Montana. Mr. "Mr. LANGLOIS. At 8:15; between half past 8 Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to ex­ and a quarter to 8, it was just increasing. line 3 on page 2. When the storm was to its height was around Mr. CANNON of Missouri. Mr. Chair­ tend the remarks I made in the Com­ 9 o'clock. That is when I got this [indi­ man, I move the Committee do now rise. mittee of the Whole today and include cating]. between 8:30 and 9, and I cannot The motion was agreed to. therein several communications relative exactly tell you to the minute. Accordingly the Committee rose; and to the subject under discussion. Mr. SAUTHOFF. Yes; but we have had testi­ the Spealcer having resumed the chair, The SPEAKER. Without objection, it mony here that you had some pretty heavy Mr. BoNNER, Chairman of the Committee is so ordered. wind, and that the timber was blown down in There was no objection. the afternoon of Monday, and the water had of the Whole House on the state of the already covered the road in spots. Union reported that that Committee Mr. COMPTON. Mr. Speaker, this "Mr. LANGLOIS. It might have done that up having had under consideration the bill morning the gentleman from MississiPPi around company 3, but not around com­ H. R. 4346, making appropriations to reserved the right to object to an article pany 1. supply deficiencies in certain appropria­ from the Washington Post that I asked "Mr. SAUTHOFF. Not where you were? tions for the fiscal year ending June 30, to have inserted in the RECORD. He had "Mr. LANGLOIS. No, sir; that was 10 miles up. 1944, and for prior fiscal years, to provide not read the article at that time; he has 2396 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE MARCH 8 loyal services of colored servants, are, having the superior position assigned to the since read it and tells me he has no ob­ white race. I say upon this occasion I do jection. I therefore ask unanimous con­ at least for the time being, deprived for not perceive that because the white man is sent to insert this article in the remarks the most part of such services:' Many to have the superior position, the Negro I made this morning. of the recipients of allotment benefits should be denied everything. The SPEAKER. Without objection, it are no longer willing to work as they is so orf.iered. have previously done. What will hap­ It is my firm conviction that had the There was no objection. pen after the war ends, I am not wise martyred Lincoln lived the many terrible Mrs. ROGERS of Massachusetts. Mr. enough~ know. I sincerely trust that experiences of the South during· the re­ Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to in­ these honest, normally hard-working construction era would have been avoid­ sert in the RECORD as part of my remarks Negro citizens will then resume their ed. God seems to have endowed him certain pages from the hearings on the normal lives when peace . comes again. with a greater degree of wisdom and un­ Florida hurricane in 1935. If not interfered with by uninformed derstanding than is vouchsafed to most The SPEAKER. Without objection, it agitators and starry-eyed, half-baked of us, which enabled him to get directly theorists in other sections of our beloved to the heart of even the greatest problem is so ordered. and find its proper solution. There was no objection. · country, most of them doubtless will proudly slip back into their :ribrmal Many harsh things were said against The SPEAKER. Under the previous Mr. Lincoln in the South when he sen·ed order of the House, the gentleman from pursuits. In so doing they will have the complete cooperation of every thought­ the Nation as Chief Executive in time South Carolina [Mr. BRYSON] is recog­ of crisis, and equally harsh things were nized for 10 minutes. ful white man and woman in the South. Some days ago you doubtless read said against him in the North. But WHITE SUPREMACY reports published in the newspapers of he has grown in stature with the pass­ Mr. BRYSON. Mr. Speaker, may I the country of the opening of a local ing of the years. Were Mr. Lincoln preface my remarks by complimenting service unit in Washington for service alive today, I am confident that his my distinguished colleague the gentle­ men and women, regardless of color. voice would be raised in solemn warn­ man from South Carolina [Mr. RIVERS] The stories published at the time noted ing against all who thoughtlessly agi­ in his very proper statement on the floor the presence at the opening of outstand­ tate for social and political equality for earlier this afternoon and to state that ing officials and semioffi.cials of the the Negro. He would oppose with all I unequivocally agree with what this dis­ United States, and indicated that they the force for which he was noted any tinguished gentleman has said. joined with others of both races in sing­ movement or agitation "that made the Mr. Speaker, I have asked for this time ing such songs as Let Me Call Y: ou lot of the Negro less happy in a great . in order that I might discuss a matter of Sweetheart. country where he is outnumbered 10 to 1. a highly controversial nature, a delicate No Member of this House has greater The Negro race has produced some subject, especially during these trying respect for our leaders than I, but one great men and women, but they have al­ days of war. The subject to which I can be pardoned if he questions the wis­ ways been found counseling moderation am addressing myself, and my desire at dom of such officials participating in and restraint on the part of their fellows, this time to discuss the same, ha.., been these festivities. I unhesitatingly brand not agitating for the intermingling of the prompted by recent newspaper -stories. that affair as a distinct disservice to the races. Indeed, most of them have been I refer to the race question, which is be­ Negro race-one to which our sanction proud of the progress which God in His ing agitated by high officials and semi­ should not be given. Whatever the in­ wisdom permitted them to make and officials, as well as unofficial groups hav­ tent of those responsible for the creation fully appreciative of the unceasing ef­ ing little or no knowledge of the problem of this particular service unit, is con­ forts of thoughtful and understanding which confronts those of us who dwell in tinued operation can result only in the white men and women to keep open the the South where there is a large Negro intensification of the race problem, with door of opportunity and improve the lot population. which we of the South must constantly of their race. I approach the dis,£ussion of this sub­ struggle. · You who have few opportunities to ject humbly but with full earnestness Negroes in the armed services who visit examine the conditions in my part of the and seriousness of heart. So much non­ Washington or other centers do not lack country cannot easily realize the gravity sense has been spoken and printed about service units of their own, as well or­ of the situation created by the type of racial relations that I feel it my duty as ganized and conducted as any for white agitation to which I have called your at­ the representative of a southern con­ service men and women. In all con­ tention. If you lived with the race prob­ stituency in this honorable body to make science, why not permit them to patron­ lem in the South from day to day you some candid observations concerning the ize the units created especially for them. would understand the motives which true situation. As a rule, these trouble­ They are always happier among them­ prompted the House of Representatives makers may be denominated as "long­ selves on social occasions, most of them of South Carolina's General Assembly in haired men and short-haired women." preferring not to mingle with white folks. passing recently a resolution severely One is inclined to quote the words from The race problem is grave enough with­ criticizing agitators in the North, who Holy Writ wherein it is said, "Forgive out deliberately aggravating· it by pro­ insist upon stirring up the race problem them, for they know not what they do." moting the intermingling of Negroes and on every possible occasion, and telling The loyal, self-respecting colored peo­ whites on such occasions. them to mind their own business and let ple, I feel, are desirous of doing their full Recalling a statement used by that the South alone. part in this national emergency. Under great southern author, Thomas Dixon, That was a strong resolution, vigor­ the right type of leadership they can in his classic production, The Leopard's ously denouncing those who are seeking be depended upon to do their full share, Spots, attributed to President Lincoln, I by insidious utterances and actions to regardless of danger and risk to life. now quote from President Lincoln's speech delivered at Columbus, Ohio, on stir up trouble and bring conflict and By the induction of Negroes into the strife between the white race and the armed forces, I regret to advise you that September 16, 1859, wherein he said: Negro race of the South; and adding, a real problem has developed through­ I will say, then, that I am not, nor ever among other things: out the country. Congress has, as you have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the We indignantly and vehemently denounce know, passed legislation providing for white and the black races; that I am not, nor the intentions of all organizations seeking the highest rate of pay ever paid by any ever have been, in fa.vor of m'aking voters or the amalgamation of the white and Negro country to its servicemen and has made jurors of Negroes, nor of qualifying them to races by a commingling of tht:: races upon any more generous allowances for the de­ hold office, nor to intermarry with white peo­ basis of equality as being destructive to the pendents of servicemen. These allow­ ple; and I will say in addition to this, that identity and characteristics and integrity of ances, as a matter of course, go to Negro there is a physical difference between the both races, and as being un-American and white and the black races, which, I believe, hostile to the existence and preservation of homes, as well as to white homes. One will forever forbid the two races living to­ the American Union of States. result of our proper liberality toward gether on terms of social and political equal­ We reaffirm our belief in and our allegiance our gallant fighting men is that it is ity. And inasmuch .as they cannot so live, to established white supremacy as now pre­ almost impossible to obtain domestic or while thef do remain together there must be. vailing in the South, and we solemnly pledge other needed help. Our housewives, the position of superior and inferior, and I, our lives and our sacred honor to maintain it, who had grown so accustomed to the as much as any other man, am in favor of whatever the cost, in war and in peace. 1944 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE '2397 The resolution went even further, de­ Negro subjects lighter, darker, and mis­ mittee did on this day present to the claring that these agitators, whatever cellaneous. He found a "noticeable de­ President for his approval, a bill of the their station-official, semiofficial, or un­ crease of intelligence as we go from the House of the following title: official-are "'playing into the hands of white child to light Negroes and then to H. R. 4166. An act to amend an act entitled the Nazi philosophy of conquest, to first dark Negroes" and concluded that the "An act to establish a uniform system of divide, then conquer, and by their trea­ light Negroes were on the average 19.7 bankruptcy throughout the United States," sonable utterances and conduct are giv­ percent more intelligent than the dark approved July 1, 1898, and acts amendatory ing aid and comfort to the enemies of Negroes. This may be explained by the thereof and supplementary thereto. our common country." hypothesis that white blood makes them ADJOURNMENT In conclusion the resolution declared more intelligent than the dark Negroes. that "history and tradition prove that Archeologists and evolutionists are Mr. LUDLOW. Mr. Speaker, I move the wisest and safest policy is to allow quite unanimous on the subject of white that the House do now adjourn. each race to work out its own destiny in supremacy. From prehistoric days the The motion was agreed to; accordingly the South by a process of progressive white race has dominated in all fields (at 5 o'clock and 27 minutes p. m.) the evolution within the confines of its own of activity. The colored race is definitely House adjourned until tomorrow, Thurs­ racial borders." an inferior race. The prognathism, the day, March 9, 1944, at 12 o'clock noon. I think most of you will agree that lower forehead, the dark skin, the wide such a resolution never would have nose, all are primitive in character. Dr. COMMITTEE HEARINGS passed the South Carolina House of Rep­ Bean, of Virginia, states that the cerebral COMMITTEE ON ROADS resentatives except under the compul­ pattern of the Negro forebrain is inferior Hearings will be continued on H. R. sion of great provocation. Members of to that of the white. 2426 in the Roads Committee room, 1011 that body know the dangers inherent in In 1856 Gratiloet stated that in the New House Office Building, at 10 a. m. the constant agitation of this delicate Negro the cranium closes itself on the Thursday, March 9, 1944. brain like a prison. It is no longer "a problem by persons who are not in posi­ COMMITTEE ON INVALID PENSIONS tion to know the true situation. If they temple divine," to use the expression of did and are blessed with real character Malpghi, but a sort of helmet for resist­ The Committee on Invalid Pensions and integrity they would not lend their ing blows. When you truly understand will hold hearings on Thursday, March 9, support to any such movement. the situation I know that your judgment 1944, at 10:30 a. m., in the committee And I say to you in all candor that the concerning my stand on the status of the room, 247 House Office Building, on H. R. Negro race as such has never shown abil­ Negro will be free of harshness. 4099, entitled "A bill to extend the ity to govern itself, and Almighty God Suppose for a moment that these un­ period of the Philippine Insurrection so knows they could not govern us. There thinking people should be the cause of as to include active service with the are outstanding individual exceptions, serious racial strife. You know what the United States_ military or naval forces but these exceptional characters have result would be. With the Negro out­ engaged in hostilities in Moro Province, acquired wisdom and understanding and numbered 10 to 1 he would suffer most. including Mindanao, or in the islands of will not be found among those agitating No other outcome would be possible. The Samar and Leyte, between July 5, 1902, for the amalgamation of the · races, cards would be s;tacked against him­ and December 31, 1913," which was in­ knowing that such a development would and stacked against him by his self­ troduced by the chairman, Hon. JoHN set back the progress of their race in­ styled friends-before the strife really LESINSKI, of Michigan. definitelY. got under way. And you know as well as COMMITTEE ON WORLD WAR VETERANS' My friends, let me say that I take my I do that those same pseudo friends LEGISLATION stand squarely on the side of white su­ would make themselves scarce-flee to The Committee on World War Vet­ premacy, not only in the South but bombproof shelters-at the first sign of erans' Legislation will meet in executive throughout the Nation. In so doing I ask trouble, leaving the misguided Negroes session on Thursday, March 9, 1944, at you in all earnestness and sincerity to to their fate. Let no sensible citizen be­ 10:30 a.m. make a real effort to understand the sit­ lieve any such. trouble would be confined uation which confronts the white race, to the South. As a sincere well-wisher EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, ETC. of all loyal Negroes, I sincerely urge you particularly in my part of the country. Under clause 2 of rule XXIV, executive On the basis of test performances, to do your utmost to stop this dangerous agitation in the best interest of all of us. communications were taken from the whites are superior to Negroes. The test­ Speaker's table and referred as follows: LEAVE OF ABSENCE ing of the draftedsoldiers during World 1267. A letter from the Archivist of the War No. 1 gave the first extensive body By unanimous consent, leave of ab­ United States, transmitting a list of papers of data on Negro-white differences in sence was granted to Mr. WEICHEL of to be disposed of by him of certain Govern­ this country. In a special analysis of Ohio mmittee on Claims. -gotiated lump-sum contracts; to the Com­ By Mr. HARRIS of Virginia: fering, gentleness. goodness; meekness, mittee on the Judiciary. H. R. 4367. A blll for the relief of Mrs. Julia temperance, and faith. We ask it in the By Mr. RANDOLPH: Toler; to the Committee on Claims. dear Redeemer's name. Amen. H. R. 4353. A blll to provide for the de­ THE JOURNAL portation of aliens who do not diligently at­ tempt to become ..:itlzens; to the Committee PETITIONS, ETC. On request of Mr. CoNNALLY, and by on Immigration and Naturalization. Under clause 1 of ruie XXll, petitions unanimous consent, the reading of the H. R. 4354:. A bill to prohibit the entry into and papers were laid on the Clerk's desk Journal of the proceedings of the calen­ the United States of quota immigrants until dar day Tuesday, March 7, 1944, was dis­ the expiration of 5 years after the termination and referred, as follows: of the present war; to the Committee on Im­ 5205. By Mr. BREHM: Petition of sundry pensed with, and the Journal was ap­ migration and Naturalization. citizens of the Eleventh Congressional Dis­ proved. By Mr. BURCHILL of New York: trict of Ohio, urging the enactment of House NOTICE OF HEARING ON NOMINATION OF H. R. 4355. A bill to provide adjusted-serv-: bill 2082; to the Committee on the Judiciary. ELWYN R. SHAW TO BE UNITED STATES ice pay for those persons who served in the 5206. By Mr. ROLPH: Resolution of the armed forces of the United States during the California Legislature, joint committee on DISTRICT· JUDGE, NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS present war, and for other purposes; to the water problems, protesting against ratifica­ Committee on Ways and Means. tion of treaty between the United States and Mr. McCARRAN. Mr. President, as By Mr. HARRIS of Virginia: the Republic of Mexico, providing for de­ chairman of the appointed subcommittee H. R. 4356. A bill to grant free postage to livery by the United States to the Republic of the Committee on the Judiciary, and members of the United States Cadet Nurse of Mexico a guaranteed minimum amount Corps; to the Committee on the Post Oifice of water of the Colorado River; to the Com­ in accordance with the rules of the com­ and Post Roads. mittee on Foreign Aifair.s. mittee, I desire to give notice that a pub­ By Mr. RANKIN: 5207. By Mr. HANCOCK: Petition of Mer­ lic hearing will be held on the 17th day H. R. 4357. A bill to provide Federal Gov­ shed George and 300 other residents of Syra.. of March 1944, at 10:30 a.m., in the Sen­ ernment aid for the readjustment in civilian cuse, N. Y., opposing House Resolution 419; ate Judiciary Committee room, upon the life of returning World War No. 2 veterans; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. nomination of Elwyn R. Shaw, of illinois, to the Committee on World War Veterans' 5208. By Mr. FORAND: Joint resolution of to be United States district judge for the Legislation. the General Assembly of the State of Rhode northern district of lllinois, vice Hon. By Mr. REED of New York: Island, memorializing Congress concerning Charles Edgar Woodward, deceased. At H. R. 4358. A bill to extend for an addi­ c'!rtain pending legislation relative to the the hearing all persons interested in the tional 90 days the period during Which cer­ abrogation of the white paper and the es­ tain grains and other products to be used tablishment of a Jewish commonwealth; to nomination may make representations. for livestock and poultry feed may be im­ the Committee on the Judlc1... '\r~ The subcommittee consists of Senators ported from foreign countries free of duty; 5209. By the SPEAKER: Petition of the MCCARRAN, KILGORE, and WILEY. to the Committee on Ways and Means. Supreme President, Se~;b National Federatio~. By Mr. WEISS: NOTICE OF HEARING ON~ NOMINATION OF petitioning consideration of their resolution WALTER J. LABOY TO BE UNITED H. R. 4359. A bill to provide an increase in with ' reference to the establishment of the pay for the personnel of the military and Jewish commonwealth in Palestine; to the STATES DISTRICT JUDGE, NORTHERN naval forces engaged in actual combat; to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS Committee on Milit ary Affairs. By Mr. KEARN:EY: Mr. McCARRAN. Mr. President, as H. R. 4360. A bill to provide for determina­ chairman of the appointed subcommittee tion of claims for benefits under the laws of the Committee on the Judiciary, and administered by the Veterans' Administra­ SENATE in accordance with the rules of the com­ t ion with respect to persons discharged from mittee, I desire to give notice that a pub­ the armed forces because of disability prior THURSDAY, ·MARCH 9, 1944 lic hearing will be held on the 17th day to the granting of such discharge, an d for of March H~44, at 10:30 a.m., in the Sen­ other purposes; to the Committee on World