The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 14

VOTING SYSTEM 14 BROOKLYN FRIDAY, NOV. 14, 1941 NATIONAL WHIRLIGIG Revision of Neutrality Act May Force Action on Strikes aai in 1 (K tS ALLQT5 about the threatened national railroad strike, a strike in a New Brunswick plant making tank parts, a threatened drivers' strike that would halt motor trucks in eleven States, a strike of oystermen tha tied up 550 New Jersey canneries, a threatened strike in the Chrysler tank arsenal in Lansing, a threatened strike of 12,000 workers in the Bell plants in Niagara Falls and-Buffalo producing Airacobra fighting planes for Britain, the move by the President to prevent the John L. Lewis strike of 53,000 miners and the return to work of the building trades union strikers in San Diego as a result of the Navy's cracking down. Mr. Roosevelt's letter to the House referred to the Government's efforts to keep the coal mines open and declared that "the Government proposes to see this thing through." Washington is seething with rumors as to how the White House plans to meet the threats, and at last there is coming to be a general feeling that some means must be found to curb the powers of labor dictators who would put themselves above the Government.

Mr. Roosevelt rightly pointed out that failure to art on the Neutrality Act changes would weaken the domestic situation for such failure would tend to make strikes seem less serious with the result that they would be more numerous and more difficult to check and there would be a consequent lessening of our production of war materials. Even though the vote was close, the victory was a great personal triumph for the President and Mr. Hull because the outlook was very gloomy prior to the receipt in the House of their letters appealing for support. 1 WHAT letters must bear the signatures and addresses of the writers but pen names will ke permitted et the discretion of tht editor.

Contributions should be kept aa short ai possible but the editor reserves the right ta cut them dawn to meet requirements of space. RAY TUCKER'S LETTER FROM WASHINGTON Ways and Means ChatniMn Doughtoa advertised the poiiUcos' secret rief whan he abrirpUy refused President Rooaevolt's ee.rneat request for a new antl-lnflationarf revenue measure. The North Carolina war horse al-lzes that taxes will empty more Congressional seats In 1942 than will death. Congressional mall and personal eanvasAM oonvlnce every smart legislator that folks back home are mors concerned about present and prospective taxes than over the threat of war. Many who never before contributed directly will have that unpleasant experience next March 15.

Old givers will pay more generously. Veteran solons are warning younger colleagues of the massacre which decimated World War Congresses responsible for the high cost of living. Opponents stumped the countryside with cuts of meats, articles of clothing and pieces of furniture as campaign exhibits, and explained in detail how sitting members' votes had increased the cost of those things, November of 1942 will see the same technique in operation in almost every close district. By that time higher taxes and prices will have had their effect on voting psychology, according to the oldsters, and constituents will ballot with the sole idea of taking revenge on the so-and-so who nicked them. Mr.

Dough-ton's defiance of the White House has made him the most popular man on Capitol Hill. The squabble over seating Senator Langer of North Dakota has raised new and knotty ques- Hons which are puzzling political legalists. The Senate's final decision may result in a realistic reinterpretatlon of that famous club's eligibility rules. Under the Constitution the Senate is the sole judge of the qualifications of its own members. No standards were established, and some lawyers contend the members could bar an applicant if they don't like the way he parts his hair.

Others maintain that the real sentiment of his State must be ascertained, and that the voters have a right to choose any kind of man they want. Without, of course, admitting the charges against him. Mr. Langer argues that he was elected Governor twice and then promoted to the Senate. He Insists that his Dakota neighbors are better Judges of his fitness than are his colleagues at Washington, and that they already have pronounced him a "Jolly good fellow." His opponents counter that the voters did not know about his extra-political activities when they approved him.

They demand a rigid application of the Constitutional regulation, and contend that the freah revelations disqualify him. Several committee members hearing the case have done a Pontius Pilate. They have washed their hands of the affair with the comment that they will abide by the neighbors' verdict. If Mr. Langer Is seated on the basis of that theory, Uncle Sam will owe, morally at least, a fortune in back salary to several ejectees of recent years.

Our experts' study of the oil situation In Germany casts doubt on the popular belief or hope that Hitler's Russian campaign has reduced his supply to the danger point. But the evidence does suggest that Der Fuehrer will approach a crisis next Spring unless he either conquers the Soviet completely or at least obtains control over the vast resources of the Caucasus. Germany is understood to have stored sufficient fuel for a three-year war before she invaded Poland, having in mind an eventual attack on Moscow. That means stocks should become low by next Summer or Fall. Hitler may have increased this reserve by drastic measures.

He has used horse-drawn transport whenever possible. He has sharply curtailed civilian consumption. He has stepped up synthetic output. It is estimated that the amount of German-controlled petroleum totals an annual Increment of 50,000,000 barrels. But most of that supply comes from European or Balkan wells, and the Reich will face a tremendous transportation problem for a long war in Russia or in Asia Minor.

With the Caucasus in Nazi possession, the task of shipping oil from the fields to either a Russian or Middle Eastern front would be simplified. If Hitler has not knocked out tht Russians as a fighting force by Spring, ha could be assured of sufficient fuel to continue the job. If he mops up to the north, thus eliminating a threat to his rear, he would be in a strategic position to move against Syria, Turkey and Egypt. But for such an operation he must first conquer the Caucasus. Baffling Hie Strategy fProm the Ottawa Oltlaanl Unless they let the Italians slink through Turkey and get around behind somewhere, how is Mussolini going to get set to stab Stalin In the back.

BROOKLYN EAG1E (Trada Mark Bade Restates) (Founded by Iiaaa Van Andes ta ISill THK BROOKLYN DAILY SAOUS PRANK D. BCHROTH. President and Pnnllatier W. P. CROWKLU Baeratarr and Treasurer Kifli Bulldlnc.

Johnson and Adams (treats Brooklyn, Maw York TELEPHONE MAln 4-S20S Subscription rata by mall lor the Brooklyn Baste in the United States, one year. Sit 00 entered at the Brooklyn Foatofiieo ae Reeond Clsss Mali Matter The most important action yet taken In Congress on American foreign policy in the present emergency was the vote In the House yesterday, 212 to 194. to accept the Senate-revised Neutrality Act, lifting the ban on our merchant ships entering the war zones and permitting the arming of these vessels. To us this step seemed necessary to assure the delivery to Britain of the help to which this nation has committed Itself. It is drastic but the sweep of events has led us inevitably to it.

Certainly It would be ridiculous to continue spending hundreds of millions of dollars on guns and planes and tanks and the like and make no move to prevent their being blasted to the bottom of the Atlantic. We heartily agree with President Roosevelt's statement in his eleventh hour appeal for House support that defeat of the measure would cause rejoicing in the Axis nations. It was a close call for the President. He had a margin of only eighteen votes. Yet the crisis was largely of his own making.

Although much of the opposition was due to fear that this action would lead to open war, the vote would not have been close at all if It had not been for the Administration's weak handling of labor troubles that threaten the national defense program. A considerable group of Representatives who have thus far gone along with the Roosevelt foreign policies served notice that they would not support this sort of legislation until the labor problem has been settled. It is no wonder that such sentiment has arisen although it never should have affected a vital bill involving foreign policy. On one page of a morning paper yesterday there were stories Why This Discrimination? The municipal authorities have just transferred the New York County prisoners to the new Tombs prison in the $19,300,000 Criminal Courts Building, which was recently completed in Manhattan's civic center. Pictures of the new cell blocks and all the accompanying facilities emphasize how well-lit the jail is, how capacious its facilities and how completely escape-proof It is.

Always It is contrasted to the old Tombs across the street, which is referred to as grim, vermin-infested, ancient, gloomy and the like. We do not begrudge Manhattan this new building. Certainly the old Tombs had come to be a mess. We would merely like to call attention again to how readily city officials can get excited about such conditions in Manhattan while it is necessary to campaign for years and often without results for similar improvements in Brooklyn. As a matter of fact, conditions in Raymond Street jail are even worse than in the old Tombs.

This is only natural since the jail in this county was constructed in 1879 while the old Tombs was built in 1902. That makes the Kings County jail twenty-three years the older, and the sheer weight of age tells in a public building of this character. Yet nothing has been done about a new prison in this community. Brooklyn may well ask, "Why this discrimination?" The Brooklyn Americans In bringing his hockey team to Brooklyn under the name of the Brooklyn Americans, Mervyn Dutton is making an investment in Brooklyn's love of sports which he is not likely to regret. Sports writers long have contended that most of the hockey game audiences in Madison Square Garden come from Brooklyn.

If that is true, Mr. Dutton must simply be tapping a rich vein, and if his Brooklyn Americans make the kind of showing that Brooklyn's baseball and football teams have made, he can't help but strike pay dirt at the box office. And we won't begrudge him a penny of it. He's moved his own residence over here, will advertise the name of Brooklyn, is planning to have his players live here and to do their practicing here. Unfortunately, they'll have to continue to play the games in the Garden.

But if his team shows it. merits Silent Partner i Prom Bo3ton Hfrald' If Hitler peace should become effective, the lion might lie down with the lamb, but you wouldn't see the lamb. CONTRAPTION! Worm Winter Clothing Is Needed By the Actors' Clothing Bureau To the Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle: Some actor or actress may be made happy if discarded warm clothing is sent to the Actors' Clothing Bureau of the Union Church, 229 W. 48th Street, Manhattan. Clothing is given free without regard to creed or race to stagefolLs who have suffered the reverses of sickness or unemployment.

Contributions of clothing may be sent directly to the Actors' Clothing Bureau or we will be glad to call for same if a telephone rail is made to Circle 6-5940. Rev. C. EVERETT WAGNER. Manhattan, Nov.

11. A FACT A DAY ABOUT BROOKLYN From the selection of George Hall in 1834 o.t the first Mayor of tht City of Brooklyn to the administration of Frederick W. Wurster, which closed with the expiration of the city's municipal life, there have been twenty-five men occupying the office of Mayor. Several of these men served for more than one term. They were, after Mr.

Hall, Jonathan Trotter, Jeremiah Johnson, Cyrus Smith, Henry C. Murphy, Joseph Sprague, Thomas G. Talmage, Francis B. Stry-ker, Edward Copeland, Samuel Smith, Conklin Brush, Edward A. Lambert, Samuel S.

Powell, Martin Kalbfleisch, Alfred M. Wood, Samuel Booth, John W. Hunter, Frederick A. Schroeder, James Howell, Seth Low, Daniel D. Whitney, Alfred C.

Chapin, David A. Boody, Charles A. Schieren and finally Mr. Wurster, FINALE By EDGAR A. GUEST Now the winds are bitter cold, Now the green Is white with frost, Now the year is growing old, Now the last game's won or lost.

Now the golfing parson's back In his suit of priestly black. In the locker all unseen Hangs his knitted sweater brown, And the hat with visor green Which he wore, as kings a crown. Now he wears on every trail Derby hat and swallow-tail. Now he leaves us, one and all, Till the robtns shall return; For the church and meeting hall, Decked with potted palm and fern. Once again in shepherd frock, Back he goes unto his flock.

Now his friends and legion they Wish him luck as he departs. As to him farewells they say, There's a sadness in their heart. Now we pray to meet htm when Spring and he return again, A LETTERS TO THE EAGLE Hold Borough's Campaign Weakness Responsible for O'Dwyer Defeat To the Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle: in the last election for Mayor, I think that District Attorney O'Dwyer received very mean treatment from the Kings County Democrats, especially in the 2d and 16th Assembly Districts of Kings County two of the heaviest voting districts. There was no action taken by the leaders, no buttons, no handbills or pictures of the candidate shown. The headquarters of the Democratic party was notified of this condition but it was neglected, so those two districts lost just enough to defeat William O'Dwyer for Mayor.

I wonder what excuse they have for such a rrsult. AN OLD DEMOCRAT. Brooklyn, Nov. 9. Former Peddler Appreciates Chance to Participate in City Market To the Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle: In further reference to the ltinerent peddler problem, follcwing is an excerpt from one of the letters I have received: "For more than two years I had been peddling on the ftieets and subways of New York.

At different times of the year, it was always something. During the Summer, I went through Central Park with ice cream for sale. For cooler weather I had gloves; for Christmas it was toys, etc. On several occasions I was brought, to court, fined, and many times my sentence was suspended. "Today I am happy to say that such a situation does not exist any more.

I manage to 3 IS iff VS Ed couldn't come they got some preferring warm fires and easy chairs the support of Brooklyn sport fans, perhaps a way will be found to change that, too. The Reles Case Although there will be few to mourn the passing of Abe Reles, we hope the investigation into the circumstances of his death will be thorough. In view of his reputed fear of gang vengeance, it is perplexing to be told that he was attempting to escape when he died. And if he was as valuable a witness as we have been led to believe, there would seem to be good reason to learn whether there was negligence on the part of the guards charged with watching over him. To persuade prisoners like Reles to talk, there is no doubt that the authorities have found it wise to treat them rather better than they treat ordinary prisoners.

However, it may be there is some way that this can be done without allowing them opportunities to attempt escape, opportunities which Reles apparently came near putting to excellent use. The German Goverment has banned the manufacture of monocles as an economy measure. Hitler would have economized much more if he hadn't viewed the future through rose-tinted spectacles when he started East. GRIN AND BEAR IT By Lichty "Too bad Joe and cracked ideas about to th.s." I make a living by being it the Park Ave. Market.

Stand 411. "I wish to thank your entire department for their good work in building a better morale for the merchant of today who were the pushcart peddlers of yesterday. "Harry Polokoff." WILLIAM FELIiOWES MORGAN Commlssionc-. Department of Markets. Manhattan, Oct.

21, Protests Removal of Weother Vane From Roof of Old Eagle Building To the Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle: I wish to make a vigorous protest against the removal of the weather vane from the top of your building. For nearly twenty years I have consulted this weather vane, which was extremely accurate for a newsparjer, and have been thereby enabled to prognosticate future weather conditions, often more accurately than the official weather bureau. As a supporter of vested rights that have developed under the New Deal, such as the right to a Job or the right to relief or the right to violate fundamental property rights after a reasonable continuation of such violations, you should concece that this use by me of nearly twenty years creates a vested right that cannot be lightly cast aside. Brooklyn, Nov. 5.

EDWARD A. SIDMAN. The New York Weather Bureau for years conducted a branch in the old Eagle Building. Several weeks agi it was given up and the bureau's property. Including the weather vane on the roof of the building, was removed.

Ed. Hits Service on Bergen St. Line To the Editor of the Brooklyn Eagle: It's necessary to wait a half-hour for a Bergen Street trolley and they are such dirty cars! A RIDER. Brooklyn, Nov. 2.

25 YEARS AGO IN BROOKLYN i November 14, lilt Supreme Court Justice Pendleton handed down a decision denying to Jacob C. Klinrk, president of the Brooklyn Civic Club, the injunction to restrain Borough President Pounds from letting the contracts for the patching of the Kings County Courthouse. Capt. Ian Hay Beith of the English Army and MaJ. Gen.

Leonard Wood, TJ. B. emphasized the need of military preparedness at. a dinner at the Hamilton Club in honor of Captain Beith. The Metropolitan Opera Company opened its Mason in Brooklyn at the Academy of Music with the presentation of "Boris Godu- Off .11 RfiH v..