Houston home journal. (Perry, Houston County, Ga.) 1924-1994, February 28, 1946, Image 6

Houston home journal., February 28, 1946, Image 6

About Houston home journal. (Perry, Houston County, Ga.) 1924-1994 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 28, 1946)

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Newspaper Page TextMMuxgltm, WGO-ROUHP P£A " m STEEL CARTEL FILES WASHINGTON.—Dozens of G.I. investigators have been working since the shooting war stopped to help win another war. This is a war against international big busi ness, which recognized no national boundaries, which used countries only as market divisions for its products, and which at one time aid ed Hitler. Mussolini and Hirohito just as much as it did France and Eng land. What the G.I. investigators have uncovered in Germany is a tribute to Nazi thoroughness and to the gullibility of American big business. For what it amounts to is a world plan by which Germany expanded its industrial capacity for war while simultaneously curbing the industri al capacity of this country and other potential enemies. And the names of the same men who have been dickering with Tru man over steel—Ben Fairless, Eu gene Grace, et al.—have turned up fn European files as part of the car tel which unwittingly played into the hands of the Nazis. It is a story which the leaders of the steel in dustry would like to forget. But the justice department hasn’t for gotten it. American participation in the steel cartel was decided upon as late as 19.17—when there was no longer any doubt regarding Hit ler’s warlike intentions. By that time he had already invaded the Rhineland, showed his hand by sending arms to Franco, and boast ed openly in speech after speech that Germany would dominate Eu rope The steel cartel files, seized in Luxembourg, reveal that S. M. Bash of Bethlehem Steel and A. G. Mundle of 11. S. Steel look the initiative in binding their companies to the cartel. Four months later an agree ment to divide up world mar kets was reached. ANTITRUST ACT The steel barons were careful about the Sherman antitrust act, however, and the minutes of the June, 1917, meeting reveal that no written agreement regarding U. S. markets was concluded. In February, 1938,a delegation of European steel men came to the United States. “Our representatives,” the Luxembourg files showed, “ob tained a very clear declaration of responsibility for the agree ments from” Messrs. Eugene Grace of Bethlehem Steel, Ben Fairless of U. S. Steel, Rufus Wysor of Republic Steel, Frank Purnell of Youngstown Sheet and Tube. M. Racket! of Jones and Laughlin Steel, Charles Hook of Armco International, William Holloway of Wheeling Steel, Robert Wolcott of Lukens Steel, and Ernest Weir of the National Sfeel corporation (Weir ton and Great Lakes steel). Also included in the American group were Inland Steel, Newport Rolling Mills, Pittsburgh Steel. Otis, and the Allan Wood company. RACE FOR WAR . What the steel barons agreed to was not only a division of markets but arrangements for price-mainte nance. Quotas were set regarding the total production of each partici pating company, with fines levied against the firm if it exceeded its quota. However, here is the pay-off The Germans always exceeded their quotas, after which they politely paid their fines and then kept on speeding their output of steel in the race for war. Meanwhile, American and British firms stayed within their quotas and kept down their war ma chine. In contrast with the Germans, American firms, when they exceed ed their quotas, were contrite and apologetic. For instance, here is an item from the steel cartel minutes of April 18, 1939, which read: “In regard to a recent ship ment by the American group to Belgium, i.c., a home market, the American representative stated that he was taking this matter up with his group in order to avoid a recurrence.” How the cartel worked is also il lustrated by a cable sent by Eugene Grace of Bethlehem Steel to Sir Charles Wright in London, dated January 12, 1938, which read: ‘‘Glad to have your message and talk with Elliot. I feel sure there will be no question about perform ance of member companies. Our only diflculty will oome from out side and uncontrolled interests. It will be our hope to protect prices and bring all influence possible on uncontrolled interests. CAPITAL CHAFF Bob Hannegan will soon launch an all-out drive to get the Presi dent’s legislation program passed on Capitol Hill. Hannegan’s first target will be the minimum wage bill increasing minimum wages to 65 cents an hour. . . . President Tru man has begun a major shake-up of the White House staff. The first to go was Gecrge Allen who becomes an RFC director. Next will be an other Mississippian, the President’s naval aid, Capt. James Vardamann Jr., who wifi become a member of the Federal Reserve board. ALMOST everyone knows that Joe DiMaggio is a great hitter and a brilliant outfielder with a stout arm. But what about the mat -4 ter of psychology ||B|jHr or philosophy, Hr' 'V* which is also a BmIII kig but hidden are cursed by tension, especial ilMil ly in slumpS. „ i They are nearly . all keyed up be- DiMagg.o yond the safety level. After bad days they can’t sleep. They begin to brood. They are tightened up. This has never happened to DiMaggio, who is now in the sunny South getting his legs in shape. “I’ll give you my philosophy,” Joe told me a few weeks ago. “I rarely worry about anything if they will only let me alone. I do the best I can and if that isn’t good enough I can't help it. I never bothered about making good with the Yankees when 1 first reported, for I felt that if I did n’t make good there was always something else. I quit baseball when I was around 14 or 15 years old because I got bored with it. And 1 never thought I’d get very far. Now when I get in a batting slump it still doesn’t both er me. “Baseball is a great game, but it still isn’t the only way to make a living. Not with the taxes they throw at you. I never played ar hail game in my life where I didn’t give all I had. But I took my bad days with my good days. I\ly bad days never had me worried. They still had the best I had to give. You can’t he good at any game when you arc fretting, worrying, all loaded down with too much tension. “I never expected to be a good ball player when I started, and whatever happens to me is still vel vet. I’m not worrying about being in shape this next spring. I figure I’ll be in shape. If I have a bad year it won’t be my fault and it isn’t going to wreck my life. “My philosophy of life is to give the best you have, and If that isn’t good enough, try something else. I have another angle—l haven’t any interest in anyone else’s business, I still don't see why so many have an interest in my business. After all, I’m just a hall player, giving what 1 have to give on the ball field. That’s my only job. I'll let ev erybody alone if everybody will let me alone.” DiMaggio happens to be 100 per cent right in this philosophy. Why shouldn't a fellow live his own life? Picking Season Opens The Louis-Conn pickers are al ready warming up, getting ready for one of the most garrulous cam paigns on record. Gene Tunney, as you may have heard before, is naming Louis in from one to three rounds, “provid ing that Louis is even close to the Louis of four years ago.” Tommy Loughran disagrees. Tommy votes for Conn. The fact that Tommy was one of our best boxers undoubtedly influenced this verdict in Conn’s favor. "If Conn gets back in shape, which I think he will,” Loughran said, “I believe he will win. Billy may have lost some of his speed but so has Louis who after a long layoff at the age of 32 can be even more affected by it. Conn was much fast er than Louis in their first meeting and he will be just as fast this time. “Hard punchers always had trou ble with good boxers,” Loughran continued, “Dempsey had most of his trouble with Tom Gibbons and Gene Tunney. In 35 rounds against this pair, Jack had only one knock down. Billy Conn has always been a good boxer and at the age of 28 there is no reason why he shouldn't be at least close to his best. It will take a lot of hard work, of course, but at 180 or 182 he should be stronger, a harder puncher and still the better boxer.” It may be recalled that Tommy Loughran was the sparring partner who tipped many of the sharper ones to Dempsey’s coming downfall before the first Tunney fight in Phil adelphia. In a fast thre°-round workout shortly before the big scrap, Loughran outpointed Jack by a wide margin, although Dempsey was throwing all the punches he had in stock that day. These two opinions are only the beginning of a nation-wide debate that will soon be picking up added steam as the two heavyweights move into their respective training camps. The flow of words will soon reach tidal-wave proportions. Old-Timers' Session In a gathering of old-timers a few days ago, one made this point. “While Conn is much faster on his feet than Louis ever was, don’t for get that Louis is just as fast with his two fists as Conn is. Maybe faster. Louis can wreck you with a short punch and he can throw these punches with lightning speed. They travel faster than the eye can fol low. Louis won’t lose much of this hand speed, although his reflexe* are bound to be slower. THE HOME JOURNAL, PERRY, GEORGIA iA&M BW HI jkJywl %^MBllWfti^gß^Sl MfcßM «M| <jßpiiii| m» m|M[ &•V - ■ . lx b !{«£• :'&**' i. ■■' ™**™* ; ....... .-. -o-wix.w»>v«v— . ■ -..> •^a^^Mßßgaftfiagwfw TUGMEN VOTE ON COMPROMISE ... The 10-day tugboat tieup that shut off fuel supplies in New York City and curtailed nearly all business activity ended when the owners of the 400 tugs and the union agreed to arbitrate before a three-man board. Members of the union are shown outside their headquarters as they voted on compromise measure to return to work. BBb iiiiii» 111 ..jim jw THINK WE’RE GOING TO LIKE THIS PLACE . . . Showing various emotions these three youngsters, shown shortly after their arrival from England. They will make their homes with their G.I. Dads in Cali fornia. Left to right: Patricia Conn, bound for San Jose, Calif.; Thomas Hocker Jr. and Frances Karrman, who will both become citizens of Los Angeles. Mpfe f|»> v j- M ; •; ■§• IfBKSlrinMT ’" ', t \'l' 1 T .y i\ .* j % M WSk -g| WB ‘IKE’ TELEVISION STAR . . . Smiling study of General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower, U. S. army chief of staff, was transmitted by television from Washington to New York City during the Lincoln memo rial services. This was a test of the new inter-city coaxial cable, and proved the possibilities for television photographs for current news events. BOBBY HAS POSSUM PET , . . Bobby Underwood, 8, Detroit, Mich., is always surprising his family by bringing home strange pets. They re cently made him get rid of two cats, a rat, rabbits and a rattlesnake. The next day he showed up with the possum shown in his arms. Bobby’s two-year-old dog does not intend to associate with a possum, according to his tilted chin. ■H|Mjpl \ \ - ..^^m ICKES TAKES A WALK . . . Har old L. Ickes, the “Old Curmudgeon,” resigned from President Truman’s cabinet, with bitter attack on Cali fornia oilman, Edwin W. Pauley, nominee to naval post. Ickes warned of new “Teapot Dome.” |glr TASTES LIKE BREAD . . . Clinton P. Anderson, secretary of agricul ture, who recently issued dark bread order, is shown as he tried out the new 80 per cent rate bread. He says it looks and tastes like regular bread. I m v; : - \ W ■ ■■: • ■:■. • •••:•' .:- !• REMAIN FOREVER . . . Reports from Japan indicate that Emperor Hirohito will remain the permanent head of the Japanese government. Photo shows him in one of the few pictures in which he wore civilian attire. SOUTH ELECTS WOMAN . . . Mrs. Helen Douglas Mankin, who was elected as Georgia’s first woman representative in a special election to fill the unexpired term of Rob ert Ramspeck, who resigned. She won over 18 candidates. SkplP : * 'Jppp '* iBBr £P* ■ RfH BLOLOCK YOUNGSTER . . . Cork ey Emch, 2, Toledo, Ohio, who has been taken to Boston to undergo the famous Blolock operation. Doctors discovered that he had no vein lead ing from his heart to his lungs.