The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 12

12 BROOKLYN EAGLE. FRIDAY. MARCH 14. 1941 NATIONAL WHIRLIGIG Bus Mediation Shows Folly Of Original Stubborn Refusal RAY 3 TUCKER'S A LETTER FROM WASHINGTON THIN. ('jlj brtiin mediation as the Mayor originally suggested.

Allan S. Haywood, national director of organization of the C. I. is the man responsible for getting mediation under way. The Mayor got in touch with him, after which Mr.

Haywood saw Quill and the other union leaders. It was as a result of these negotiations that representatives of both the companies and the employes met yesterday at City Hall with Arthur S. Meyer, chairman of the State Mediation Board. No useful purpose was served by the original attitude of the transport union leaders; indeed it may harm the cause of the men. Now an opportunity Is presented, as it should have been at once, to calmly study the facts in the case, hear the claims of both sides and seek to arrive at a determination which is fair and just.

That is all that can be asked. The Mayor deserves the plaudits of the city for persisting in his efforts until he finally brought about mediation. We hope the lesson of this unfortunate strike will not be lost and that in the future when vital services are Involved and the Interest of the public is as great as that of the companies and the employes, mediation or arbitration will be resorted toimmediately. America shipping experts private and public have begun to scrape the seven see a for tonnage' that can be released to Great Britain under the Lease-Lend bill. They have hired numerous $l-a-year experts because of Churchill's warning to President Roosevelt that ships rank with planes as his country's greatest needs for the Spring showdown with Hitler.

The United States has been a wastrel with respect to shipping space and sch-dulcs. But now the Maritime Commission is engaged in a 4 radical revision of there practices. Army transports which used to return from Hawaii and the Philippines in ballast henceforth will pick up strategic materials in the Dutch East Indies and the Malay Straits. Vessels hauling troops to Panama will be loaded also with guns and eement for fortifications. Shipments now tarried in coastwise trade will be hauled by rail, despite the additional cost and the vessels thus freed will be turned over to England.

Sugar once bought in the Philippines, necessl- tating slow and expensive voyages, will be obtained in Cuba. There will be a speedup in unloading at all ports over which American shipping agencies have any control. These economies will free millions of tonnage for the British. Priorities on the ocean will be established far and wide. Space now allotted to luxury imports will be given to guns, even if that means shortages of sugar, coffee, spices, etc.

In short, the same crackdowns contemplated for American industry will be applied to shipping. Otherwise England may be strangled by the Spring submarine campaign. The attempt to hand over to Britain almost 500,000 tons of Danish shipping interned in our harbors has run into an insurance snarl, which is giving headaches to State Department lawyers. The Danes are willing for the United States 4 to confiscate their vessels and place them In British service. But the ships cannot be manned by American crews because, as previously noted here, their construction falls below the requirements of the La Follette Shipping Act.

If Danish sailors should handle them, there is always the possibility that they light enter a port controlled by Nazis and confiscated. Hitler has listed the names of Natives of all crews on the ships of countries has conquered, and is holding them as Under such a threat use of foreign crews Is hazardous. Because of these considerations, Insurance companies decline to Issue policies on these vessels. They figure that it is too great a risk, in view of previous experiences with Hitler in Prance, Belgium, Norway and Denmark. Only solution seems to be for the United States to seize the ships, hand them over to the British, and underwrite the insurance payments and possible losses.

Thus, step by step, we get in deeper and deeper. Administration spokesmen finally have broken down and admitted that there can be no savings in non-defense departments of the Government. They had held out that hope BROOKLYN'S ENEMY NO. 1 Ltrrers must bear th signatures end eddretset of the writers but pen names will be permitted al the discretion ef th editor. Contributions should be kept as short as possible but the editor reserves the right to cut them down to meet requirements of space.

MediaTion of the bus strike has be-pun and there are strong hopes for the return of the 3.500 strikers and the resumption of service on the lines effected by tonight. Yet the situation is no different now than it was the day the union's international president, Michael J. Quill, called the men out. Then, as now, a principal party to this dispute Is the public the 900.000-odd citizens who use these lines daily to go to work. Then, as now, the important thing was to arrange for a fair adjudication of he issues at stake while at the same time maintaining this vital transportation service without interruption.

Mayor LaGuardia offered his services then as he has continued to offer them ever since, either as mediator himself or as the channel to arrange lor mediation or arbitration. The bus company officials accepted the Mayor's offer but Mr. Quill spurned It and called the strike. So there can be no question as to where responsibility rests for the discomforts forced upon the traveling public. But, fortunately, there were cooler heads in authority in the union organization and, as a result, Mr.

Quill has had to get down off his high horse and Bombs on Berlin By resuming their bombing raids on Berlin and by throwing against Hamburg, Bremen and the invasion ports of France a greater weight of bombs than ever before, the British serve notice that their promises of increasing air strength are being fulfilled. Such attacks on German centers are, unfortunately, the only method that seems available for protection against the night bombers over England. Anti-aircraft artillery and fighter planes seem unable to cope with the midnight raiders so England must take the punishment until it has the strength to return blow for blow. When that point is reached, there is strong hope that the time will come, too, when two R. A.

F. blows can be returned for each one loosed by the Luftwaffe. The Catholic Congress An indication of the lively interest taken by the Catholic church in the problems afflicting modern life may be gleaned from the program of the first New York State congress of the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, which Is assembling in Brooklyn this weekend, beginning today. High church dignitaries and leading members of the laity will bring to bear on social and religious problems the wisdom and experience of the church by lectures, sermons and forum discussions. It is trite to say that in few countries Is such a gathering able to assemble freely for such discussion, yet it is well to be reminded of it.

And it is proof that the church is vigorous and alert, and has the courageous will to let the light of spirituality illumine a world darkened by the clouds of misery, hatred and a denial of man's divinity. The Need for Nurses The Red Cross, asking for enlistments of trained nurses in the First Reserves of the Red Cross, from which the Army and Navy make their appointments, announces here that there is a serious lag in enrollments. In the Second Corps Area there is a shortage of 600 nurses which is to be met by June. We doubt, once the need for nurses becomes generally known, that there will be much difficulty filling the quota, as our nurses never have any disinclination to be of service when they are needed. The history of the profession is one of devotion to duty and eagerness to serve humanity.

Army's New Saluting Etiquette The Army officials responsible for relaxing the saluting etiquette deserve congratulation and commendation. Discipline, in America, never required such fulsome demonstration of rank and authority. While we don't surest that the relationship between officers and men need be as cozy as that established by a New York cab driver and his fare, we suspect that the increased mechanization of the Army makes for closer co-operation between all ranks. The officer in command of a tank works in pretty close quarters with his men and what he wants is a team that responds to his signals, given, incidentally, with his feet. It may seem a small thing, but it is a good sign that our Army is in the hands of men whose thinking is democratic and up to date.

Recognizing Merit The services of Philip Farley, Borough Engineer, were assured for Brooklyn by unanimous vote of the Board of Estimate yesterday. It is good to know that as self-effacing a gentleman as Mr. Farley can have his merit recognized and acted upon in an age when only the louder brasses seem to be heard. As far as the Administrative Code is concerned and its provision for retirement at the age of seventy, every one knows that a young man of seventy is much better than many who are half that age. It would have been a deplorable thing if, at this time when Brooklyn is battling for a program of great civic improvement, one of the most important factors were to be removed.

Mr. Cashmore calls Mr. Farley's services "necessary and advantageous" and it certainly would be hard to find a man at any age with his knowledge of borough affairs. Brooklyn is to be congratulated. Drawing the Line tFrnm the Detroit Nfwl Our youth waxes fat and hearty on irradlat-cd milk ant! vitamin-enriched bread.

It will swallow anything just so it isn't 'labeled "educational." Awful Eyeful iFrnm tin- Toronto Star I Berlin hoaitA of an invisible bomber, but this won't scare any one who remembers the invisible hairnet. GRIN AND BEAR IT By Lichty "Before I pronounce aims!" ill fi LETTERS TO THE EAGLE Great Storm and Fire of 1804 Wos 'Calamity Yardstick' of the Past To the Editor the Brooklyn Eagle: The editorial in the Eagle of March 10, "Blizzards as Yardsticks," ends as follows: "And, by the way, what did the New Yorkers of 1887 point to for comparison, seeing that the big storm was still in the future for them? What yardstick did they use in those days?" Here is one yardstick of years Ravages of fire and the great fatality of yellow fever in 1804 pointed to the cold and severe Winter of 1804-5. Although it happened cichty-four years before the blizzard of 1888, nevertheless many old persons living in the latter year compared both blizzards. Here is an account of the cold Winter of 1804-5: In addition to the frequent recurrence and great fatality of yellow fever, the city suffered greatly from the ravages of fire. On the night, of the 18th of December, 1804, fire broke out in a grocery store on Front not far from Wall burning a whole block.

Forty buildings were consumed, with a loss of $2,000,000. "The Winter In which this fire occurred was remarkable for Its severity and for the suffering caused among the poor, especially for want of fuel. Immense quantities of snow encumb. cred th" streets and in many cases made them almost impassible, Fuel rose to an cxhorbitant, price," When this was recorded in 1853) many persons residing in New York and Brooklyn rememberer! the storm. The excerpts are from a bo.ik entitled "New York: A Historical Sketch of the Rise and Progress of the Metropolitan City of America." By a New Yorker.

My you man and wife, stote your war (Alh I I'll OIT. All Al NM until the hard facts hit them In the face. Fact Is that the expense of agencies outside the orbit of war are destined to soar. Henry Morgenthau is recruiting high-pressure financial and advertising experts to promote the sale of Treasury issues. The General Accounting Office must Increase its staff to check up on contract payments.

The 4 ment of Justice, especially the FBI, has hired a small army of accountants, lawyers, sleuths. The dismantled PWA will be revived when and if the Lanham bill becomes law. A new I River-and-Harbor bill is in the works; every creek will be deepened in the omnipotent name of national defense. F. D.

R. warned against this dish of pork, but nobody heard him. So Congress at last has awakened to realization that the Federal budget will average about $15,000,000,000 for the next few years, with an income amounting to only two-thirds of that figure. It was $1,000,000,000 before the World War, So far, they haven't dared to break the bad news to the taxpayers. Army experts figure that canteen sales in the new cantonments will be big business.

They estimate that these will gross about $90,000,000 annually with a force of 1,000.000 men in khaki, even though goods are sold at cost. father's signature is recorded in the front of this book: Abraham Barnett, 1857. It was' forty-nine years after this storm that the volume was published. GEORGE W. BARNETT.

Brooklyn, March 11. Believes Importance of H. R. 1776 Depends on How It Is Executed To the Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle: Thejjassage of H. R.

1776 prompts a ques-tionjp the spirit in which the sums allocated for, defense articles and activities are to be Weare men and women of good will aggrieved naturally by Germany's disdain of International law and the good will and respect of other lands. We know that her people have suffered and have caused vast suffering throughout Europe because of her ill-advised leadership. Yet not for this are we armed. Resentment though natural cannot excuse the spirit of revenge or hatred. Out of respect for ourselves we bstter our means of defense and, conscious of the plight of other free lands, will lend them such relief and encouragement as our friendly relations with them prompt us to proffer.

If this spirit Is distasteful and our actions unwelcome to European dictators, we can only say "with Gods help we can do no otherwise." On the other hand, this spirit and these activities may cause European dictators to pause and bring about a better mind in them. Such a result, may he well worthwhile, It may be 5n achievement of supreme 'importance and etlert. Let us hope so. WILLIAM E. DAVENPORT.

Brooklyn, March 11. Inadequate Police Force Claimed, Mayor Urged to Fill Vacancies To the Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle: I wish to go on record, both as an Individual and al.o as a representative of the Civic Association of Eastern District, condemning the inadequate polire protection received in New York City. We have, in the conglomerate, a fine polire but lfi.nno po'arcmrri operating the proteciifw of 'TOpiVoftnperforis, us to the I 25 YEARS AGO IN BROOKLYN March 14, 1916 Approximately 40.000 automobiles are owned In Brooklyn and Queens, but the Brooklyn Motor Vehicle Dealers Association declares that there are no proper highways reaching from the most Important tenters in Kings to the most Important places in Queens. The asportation ha.s demanded that a system of at least three highways be built. More -than 150 delegates of the New York State Association of Master Plumbers gathered today at the Hotel Bosserl for their twenty-eighth annual convention.

This is the first time the association has chosen Brooklyn for 1U meeting place, conclusion that the force is undermanned. The capital outlay budget provides the necessary money to take care of the hundreds of vacancies now existing in our police force. The City Council has recommended to the Mayor that the vacancies in the department be filled. Yet, nothing Is being done to carry out the recommendation. Mayor LaGuardia must realize the precarious situation in which our citizenry linds itself, and should act immediately on the recommendation of the Council.

GEORGE A. SPITZER. Brooklyn, March 11. A FACT A DAY ABOUT BROOKLYN The Bedford section of Brooklyn was the site of the third oldest public school in the borough, which was erected in 1663 at the corner of what is now Fulton St. and Bedford but was then known as the junction of the old Clove and Cripplebush roads.

The school flourished there until 1S41. The Bedford school was remarkabln for the longevity of its teachers. John Vandevoort presided over it for 60 years, teaching three generations of pupils. He occupied one half of the building as a living apartment and added to his income by selling gro-, ceries. Teaching was in the Dutch language exclusively until 1758.

In the years between 1751 and 1800, all Brooklyn schools save instruction in both English and Dutch, and in Bush-wick the Dutch language persisted in the schools until 1830. TICKETS By EDGAR A. Gl'EST Today no matter the plare or street Ticket sellers we're bound to meeU Tickets for raffles of motorcars, Tickets for concerts and church bazars; Tickets, tickets to make it brief-All for additional war relief. Tickets for China, tickets for France, Ticket to furnish an ambulance; Tickets, and only a dollar apiece, To back up the courage of gallant Greece, All good people, known little or well, Going about with tickets to sell. Tickets for lectures and boxing shows And all of the profit to Europe goes.

Tickets for radios, tickets for trips, Tickets for genuine leather grips, Matron and maiden and reigning belle! Every one carrying tickets to sell. This I think when I'm thus beset So far little of war we've met. On us no splinters of gunfire rain. Let's buy tickets and not complain! Let'a buy tickets and gladly, tool Little It li at the most to dot TODAY'S LENTEN SCRIPTURE TEXT "Beloved, I pray that In all things thou mayest prosper and be In health, even as thy soul prospereth," III John, 2. 4 Suggested by the Rev.

Hugh D. Darsie, pastor of the Flatbush Christian Church. BROOKLYN EAGLE iTrtdt Murk Emit Reentered! IFounded by lec Vn Anden In 1S1J THE BROOKLYN DAILY EAOLE FRANK D. BCHHOTH, President tnd rublinhrr W. F.

CROWELL, Becretury tnd Treasurer Elt BulUllnf. Johmon tnd Adiilii Streeti Brooklyn, New York TELEPHONE MAln 4-S200 Subscription rt. bv mull for th Brooklyn Ele In V. tinned 8ttf, one yer, On Entered it tht Brooklyn Pnntofftct ti Second C1M Mull Mutter 14.