I EDITORIAL PAGE
La Grande Evening Observer
Frank Schiro, Publisher
WEDNESDAY EVENING, APIUL 18, 1945
Page Two
"And Then What D'You Think the Big Bear Did?"
EVENING OBSERVER'S
PROGRESS PROGRAM
IRRIGATION Complete the Grande
Ronde Valley irrigation project,
LA GRANDE A city of 10,000
Extend the city limits.
TODAY'S TEXT
Ik-hold, the people .shall vise up as a
great lion, and lift up himself as a
- younjf lion: lie shall not lie down until
he eat of the prey, and drink the blood
; Of the slain. Numbers 28:21.
' The Service Man
We have just been reading a letter
...by Paul Rpoicher, nationally known
business advisor, brought to our atten
tion by Horace Nelson, I,a Grande in
surance man, concerning the attitude
of the people at home toward the re
. turning service man.
The letter is noteworthy in that it
points out that our usual thinking
about the service man and bis return
to civilian life is based on what we can
do for him and his adjustment lo civil
ian life. Spcieher approaches the prob
lem of the returning service man from
the point of view of what he can do for
us that is we who have remained at
home.
The letter reads:
"The army was and is well-organized
to turn civilians into soldiers. Hut the
task of turning the soldier into a civil
ian is the responsibility of all of us.
We do not propose to shirk that p-spon-sibility.
On every hand, organisations
and individuals are giving serious
thought to the problem.
"lint unfortunately much of what we
say about the veteran and too much of
what we say to him suggests not only
that he is a problem, but also that in
adjusting himself to civilian life, he
Funny Business
faces a critical and dangerous situation.
"Artificial and unnatural barriers
are thus created and with the joy at
the thought of the return of the ser
vice man is mingled the anxiety lest
something be said or done which is not
right. Service men likewise are ex
posed to talks and articles, and even a !
perfectly normal individual beconies
sick if you tell him often enough and
in a lone of sufficient authority that
he is sick.
"Would it be sounder to approach the
problem partially at least on the basis
of the things that the service man can
do for us than totally on 'the basis of
the things we can and will do for him?
If we teil the service man that we lieed
him far more than he needs us and if
we prove the point to him, then he will
not regard himself as a national liability
but as a national asset.
"For example, the veteran can brihg
lo a business organization the benefit
of his training in straight thinking:,
in analyzing situations, in determining
objectives, in standing fast under strain
and pressure.
"For example, the pilot who has
learned not only the mechanics- of pin
point bombing, but those (treat quali
ties of determination, persistence and
daring which carried him to military
objectives possesses assets which are
priceless in the management of a busi
ness. "The service man has learned toler
ance. Me has learned the art of living
with people. He has learned that it is
good sense to admit at times that the
ether fellow is right. He has learned
that team work and unselfishness are
necessary to survival."
We like this attitude. We think it is
the fundamental attitude which should
lie developed by the people of our coun
try and our area. We commend it to
you.
yyZ,' ;. ' 'H1'L- ..'i ''.'' TI
.nilGli f IU I .: V, ......
O SO THEY SAY
In a technical sense we have
solved our problems of produc
tion. In a human sense, they are
very far from solved, and they
will never be solved if either so
ciety or the individual persists in
dodging or evading responsibil
ity. Dr. Everett Cse, president
Colgate II.
Before I ho complete ruin nf
Japan, these men (in control) are
almost rertnin to make an nt
t"inpt to save something from the
wreckage. They would probably
offer ts withdraw their troops
from the occupied areas and re
turn these areas to thvir former
status. Let 'hem surmnder un
conditionally now! ,0
Undersecretary of State Jo;p.
C. Grew. Q-j
Washington Merry-Go-Round
Side Glances
By DREW PEARSON
WASHINGTON President Truman Is be
ing advised by friends to make a few long
delayed changes in the Roosevelt cabinet
which would strengthen his administration,
electrify the country, and make the nation
realize that his is definitely a firm hand at
the helm. Here is how the cabinet line-up
looks at the moment:
Secretary of Commerce Wallace the man
most likely to remain. Truman will never
budge him. The two became good friends
during the presidential campaign, when Wal
lace rolled up his sleeves and fought hard
for both Roosevelt and Truman, even though
he had been ditched at Chicago.
Secretary of War Stimson Born two
years after Lincoln was assassinated, Stim
son has lived through three wars, fought in
one of them, and served as secretary of war
twice. He also served as secretary of state
under Hoover. He also will never be re
moved by Truman. But Stimson will want
to retire himself, after victory over Japan is
sewed up. ,
Secretary of Navy Forrestal Franklin
Roosevelt was his own secretary of the navy.
Between him and the admirals, Forrestal
was chiefly figurehead. Under the circum
stances, he did a good job, particularly in his
relations with congress. He will be contin
ued for the time being, but is by no means
a fixture. Senator Truman was critical of
the admirals, and if he thinks Forrestal does
too much kowtowing to gold braid, Presi
dent Truman ipay look for a new naval sec
retary. Secretary of the Treasury Morgenthau
Morgenthau was the closest member of the
cabinet to Roosevelt. The relationship was
intimate and personal. He has done an A-l
job on war bonds and has been a good ad
ministrator, but his relations with congress
are zero. Democratic Chairman Hannegan,
who once served under Morgenthau, is r
strong rooter for him and if Trulnan follows
Hannegan's advice, Morgenthau will stay.
However, Mrs. Morgenthau has been seri
ously ill, and the secretary of the treasury
may insist on retiring.
Secretary of the Interior Ickts The old
curmudgeon is the only member of the cab
inet who has consistently submitted his res
ignation every time Roosevelt was re-elected.
It was never accepted. He is also sub
mitting his resignation to Truman, but again
it will not be accepted. Truman wants to
keep the strongest men of the Roosevelt
cabinet, and Ickes, whether you like him or
not, Is strong. The possibility of Ickes re
maining for the duration depends pretty
much on whether Truman stays liberal or
goes conservative.
Attorney General Biddle Big interests
have already started gunning for Biddle's
scalp. They want to block further crack
downs under the anti-trust act. Also, the
big city bosses would like to have more pro
tection on their tax problems, Biddle is too
honest. He has also been America's staunch -est
defender of the civil liberties. Therefore,
Truman will think twice before replacing
him. His young friend, Hugh Fulton, coun
sel for the Truman committee, is too inex
perienced to jump into the job yet.
Postmaster General Walker Frank Walk
er was second to Morgenthau as personal
friend of FDR. His appointment was largely
a matter of friendship. However, Frank has
done a good job as postmaster and likes to
carry the mail. He will be the first to step
aside though, if he thinks Truman wants to
reward Bob Hannegan by making him post
master general.
Secretary of Labor Perkins She has re
signed twice before and will resign again.
This time it will be accepted. Miss Perkins
has definitely wanted to step out and Tru
man will take advantage of this opportunity
to make his first cabinet replacement. First
on the list as secretary of labor is his old
senatorial friend and colleague on the Tru
man committee, Harley Kilgore of West Vir
ginia. Another possibility is Governor Ellis
Arnall of Georgia. Some of Truman's friends
think he should appoint a liberal southerner
to the labor post and thus Influence conser
vative southern leaders. Friends of Su
preme Court Justice Hugo Black have even
let it be known he would be willing to leave
the supreme court to help but in the emerg
ency. Secretary of Agriculture Wickard One of
the kindest hearted men in the cabinet,
Wickard wis a political accident, due to the
retirement of Henry Wallace. For a time he
was in conflict with war food administrator
Jones, and his agriculture department was
partially stripped in favor of the war food
administration. Now plans are under way to
consolidate the two again and bring in a
new, strong man as secretary of agriculture.
Secretary of State Stettinius Whereas
Roosevelt was his own secretary of state,
Truman frankly admits knowing little about
foreign affairs. Stettinius was put in the
state department by Harry Hopkins, who
argued that Roosevelt would run things
See WASHINGTON . . , Page 4
WE, THE WOMEN
By RUTH MILLETT
The women of Chuppacjua, J. Y., are plan
ning to continue a summer day camp pro
gram they started last year. They found
that in these days, when time Is precious to
mothers who are combining housework with
volunteer or regular war work, such a com
munity project is a vital necessity.
And every town can follow the example
set by Chappaqua. This community raised
$600 in advance to pay for the camp. Last
summer 200 children benefitted,- and both
the youngsters and their parents were well
pleased with the results.
The $600 cfy-ered the cost of all equipment
thai was necessary. Volunteer workers
helped two instructors to give the camp pro-
. per supervision.' Outdoor, body-building ex
ercise aided the health of the children. And
a study course included manual iind decora
tive arts, cooking and story-telling. The
Red Cross gave swimming lessons.
The best part of the story is that both par
ents and children were able to get a seven
week "vacation," at an average cost of onlv
$3 a child.
Here's a constructive solution to the prob
lem of keeping children safe during the
school vacation, as well as keeping little
minds and bodies busily occupied while their
parents are free from worry.
The time to sart work on a summer day
camp in your community is right v ow.
Behind Scenes in Washington
By PfluEB EDSON, La Grand Evening Observer Washington Correspondent
. "to you mind li I call a houia-wreeker? My buddy didn t e.ui
make it." 0
(o'rhis time we must leave the ('
German people with no illusions
about who won the war, no less
than who K: the war.
-G.n. Omit K. LraJley, l2t!t
Army Group eornmandef.
Eighty veins, lacking only three days after
the death of Abraham Lincoln, Franklin
Delano Roosevelt dies. Immediately after
the death of Lincoln there was sworn in as
his successor Vice Preidcnt Andrew John
son. Immediately after the death of Roose
velt there was. sworn in as his successor Har
ry S. Trumanv, Lincoln died after the Civil
war was over,i: Rooevelt died Just as victory
was assured in, World War II. Andrew John
son of Ralrigtu N. C, had been a compromise
candidatc ton the vice presidency to appease
the South. Truman, of Independence, Mo.,
had been a qqmpromisc candidate from a
border state to please the South and still sat
isfy the industrial north. Johnson faced
four years of reconstruction as difficult a3
any the nation will ever face.. Truman
comes to the presidency .facing another four
years or moje of reconstruction, but there
it is sincerely hoped the parallel ceases. In
the four years of Andrew Johnson's presi
dency there was hardly a speech made in
congress, hardly an editorial written in the.
newspapers, hardly an argument started on
the street corners,. that did not reck, of all
temper, narrow-mindedness, internal strife
and dissension. The country itself was
physically wrecked from Gettysburg to
. Vickshurg and Savannah, but the spoilage
uf war was" nothing compared to the com
plete intolerance of men's minds.
Harry Truman doesn't assume the presi
dency with his country physically despoiled,
but there have been danger signs along the
way that the eml of the war could find the
country so divided in its ideas that the bit
terest kind of class hates might fallow. The
problem of the returning veteran is far from
:-olvd. Wige and labor l-lations politics
fof th pesHvdr period need much cl-irifica-(ion.
The whole :copc of rewlluitment to
peacetime living and working conditions
holds many uncertainties. J
All the' issues would have seriously
tasted the- abilities of Roosevelt in his
! pMme. There are many hiitorian;; who be
lieve that Lincoln died at precisely the right
moment to have his faiwo assured. Had he
been 'ee.t to weather '.he s'o.ra th.it An
drvw Johnson faced, L;r.evun's ;rea.nof
might not be what it is today, f Ae same
thing can be said for Franklin Roosevelt.
He, too, may have died at the very peak
of his greatness. The commander-in-chief
of victorious armies, the leader of his peo
ple in a war effort so great it dwarfs all
previous comparablcs, a world statesman in
his planning for peace. No fine can deny or
belittle Roosevelt's stature today, but whet
it would have been had he lived until 1949
is a great imponderable.
In this light, what chance has Harry Tru
man to be a greater man than the president
he succeeds? , . .
Only in the last few years have the stu
dents begun to reappraise the record of An
drew Johnson and his time admittedly one
of the most clouded periods in American
history.
. "If one looks at Johnson impartially, with
out prejudice," writes W. E. Woodward in
his new American history, "he is seen as an
honest, sincere and fearless patriot."
That could be Truman, too. "He never ac
quired the suavity that comes from breed
ing and culture," Woodward continues.-"The
shrewd humility of Lincoln was noticeably
absent in his make-up, and he had no funny
stories to charm those who came in wrath.
His temper had a low boiling point."
Truman lo a T. But more of this pen
portrait: "As sunn as he as sworn in. Hie Radical
(the word meant Republican in those
d.iysi the Radical Iradrra called on hirh
with congratulations. "The country is no
in safe hands," Ihcy declared. Bluff Ben.
Wade called vBluff beeause his manners
were coaree slapped the new president on
tin back and CNclaitncd: ' Johnson, we hai
faith in you. By the god;, there will be no
trouble now in running the government."
"How jstoni:i!d Hj radicals wouM have
Ken i! they had known that, before three
years had gone by, they would be arrayed
ajainst Johnson. To the dismay ej Thad
deus Stevens and other radical leaders, they
realized that Johnson w'Si bent un carrying
out Lincoln's policies. "
Substitute Kootovelt for Lii'.c.iA and Tfa
r.w.i for Joh.is.on in taut pjM3c ar.d then
wait to see if history will repeat itself.
mm. narrxn sinner, mc t. m. m u. . rT. v- . . i
"You'll have to do something about Junior's low marks 1 Why don't
tou investigate and find out if he has th right kind of teacher?"
O McKENNEY ON BRIDGE
By WM. E, McKENNEY, America's Card Authority .
A JUMP BID TELLS ...
MORE THAN DOUBLE
. I had an interesting letter from
Dr. J. S. Mitchener of Raleigh, N.
C, and in it he sent me today's
hand. He said it was played in a
seven-table duplicate. At all ta
bles, the opening bid was one
heart. Six times West overcalled
with one spade.
Now the question is, what
should North do. Of course, if
North doubles the spade, he is
actually saying, "Partner, I do
not think we can make a game
and if West had not bid a spade
that is what I would have bid."
A J 10 4
TKJ
K9TI2
K
N
W E
8
Oealar
None
AQ98 53
QJS
AJ8
Duplicate Both vul.'
South Wl North EmI
1 1 2 N T. Pass
4 ' " Pass ' INI. Pass
9 Pus IV Pass
Opening 4.
1
a hand as strong as he has, Hs
should make a good constructive
bid and then, regardless of the
system of bidding used, it should
not be hard to get to six hearts. .
With the club opening, you can
see that South has no problem at
all. All he has to do is lose a
diamond.
O IN FORMER
YEARS
30 Years Ago, April If
The athletic department of
the La Grande high school was
reorganized with the appoint
ment of a director of athletics
who will do all coaching and
managing and will be respon
sible for all athletic activity.
Charles Reynolds was selected
for the position. t
A social event of the week
was a reception by Mrs. Harry
M. Bouvy in honor of her moth
er, Mrs. Charles H. Chambreau
of Portland, her sister,. Mrs.
Charles G. Dougherty of San
Jose, Calif., and aunt, Mrs. Or
ville B. Mount of Baker.,,,
Now of course that is not the
true situation with North's hold
ing. Not only is a game practi
cally assured with his holding but
he really should begin to think
of a slam.
Only one pair in this game
reached a slam contract. Over
the spade bid, North bid two no
trump. South then bid four
South bid five hearts to show two
-hearts. North bid four no trump,
aces and North west to six hearts.
The main point is that North
should not make a double with
Questions & A Fiswers
Q What has happened to Ful
vio Suvich, former Fascist Am
bassador to the United States? .
A An Italian tribunal sen
tenced him to 24 years imprison
ment as a Fascist criminal.
IS Years Ago, April 18
Mr. and Mrs. Foster Sims and
Miss Lillian Sims, formerly of
this city but more recently of
Seattle, are making a motor tour
of California and will be gone
for about three weeks.
Mr. and Mrs. H. N. Ashby and
daughter, Gilda, and Mies Jane
Ravenscroft, drove to Portland
and Eugene. The girlsi (fanned
to attend the April frolic at the
University of Oregon.
Russell McKcnnon of Imblcr,
junior in agriculture at Oregon
State college, was clecte trcas
urer of Alpha Zeta. national pro
fessional fraternity in agricul
ture. :
(J Why is captured Kassel,
Germany, significant in U. S. his
tory? -
A It was the home of Hessian
mercenaries who fought against
the colonies in the American
Revolution.
10 Years Ago, April IS
The city commission adopted
an emergency ordinance designed
lo regulate and license all "game
machine, devices and artifices"
which require skill to wif prizes.
Clean-up week in La Grande
was launched by the Neighbor
hood club lo obtain a thorough
cleanup of the entire cily.-r
State Policeman Bill Roach an
nounced that the state game
commission has promised him
som-3 more bass, catfish and crap
pie for liberation in the streams
of this county.
This Curious World
W 5F MANY SMALL BIRDS I Ife 'I
7
CAS) BE USED Effectively AS
coa DSTA-VCES UT3
Km at athletic? teams won ihm
3
AXSV.TR: Montreal C-naJier.s, Green Eay Faekers and St. Louis
Cardinals.
NEXT: Where was Lake Agassix located?