Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida • 4

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 1945 PAGE FOUR Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians RECONVERSION TIME IN GERMANY F.D.R. Centers on Things Military And Diplomatic as 4th Term Opens By DREW PEARSON (Lt. Col. R.

S. Allen Now in th. Army) Copyright, 1945, by The Bell Syndicate, Inc. Fourth Inaugural Results From F. D.

Harmony With Public PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S inauguration today is noteworthy for two reasons: It is the first inauguration of a president for his fourth terni in office; and it is the first inauguration of a war president to preside over the destinies of a united nation. President Kearly 80 years ago left of center but the majority of congress is usually a little right of center. Public opinion polls over and over again have revealed and accentuated this astonishing situation. For example, the Gallup poll reveals that if congress had been responsive to public opinion a national service act would have been Lincoln assumed office at the first war inaugural, but unhappily he could not, as he would, have liked, speak for people of the south as well asMhe north. President Roosevelt speaks for botjh today, and under circumstances as solemn as those which confronted Lincoln, for southern eons at his desk.

But between the demands of the war and the demands of health, the latter usually comes second. The President's Health It is no secret that the president's health has suffered somewhat from the wear and tear of the most relentless, ravaging job in the world. Many others have broken completely under the strain, and the lines on Roosevelt's face show he has not come out unscarred. Yet the rumors about his health have been grossly exaggerated. The chief facts are that after his ill ness last spring, his doctors advised him to cut down his weight, and he has lost about 20 pounds.

This shows in his face, already lined with the worry of watching an ever-mounting casualty list and a war which has dragged on and on. Also the president has lost most of his teeth in his lower jaw and has a new set which is not too comfortable. During important and most embarrassing moments, such as in the middle of a speech, the new teeth sometimes click. Finally, the president has become more hard-boiled about being seen in public in a wheel chair. During the early years in office he was super-sensitive on this point.

He didn't like to have people realize he couldn't walk. But how he knows that during 12 yeans in the White House everyone is quite aware of this fact, so he frequently rebels against wearing his stiff and uncomfortable iron and leather braces, without which it is impossible for him to stand. a4d.jnorthern men will be dying adopted three years ago. The pub-althe moment he takes the oath ijc again strongly favored such of; Mfice; not in civil strife this time legislation a year ago when the president recommended it, but congress failed to act. The public today bijt in joint support ot a demo-critic ideal.

Charles Beard speaks of the Cffil war as the second American resolution. The New Deal and Itr. Roosevelt's fourth inaugural may well be classified by future historians as the third American reVoluttpn. top 'wS0 It lf? i rfici Roosevelt era is certainly fevdunionary in that the time- favors a national service act, but congress is unlikely to pass it except under severest pressure. In nearly every controversy between the president and congress, public opinion has supported the president while congress thumbed its nose at him.

Probably the single exception was the supreme court fracas. The key to this puzzle is that congress responds largely to pressure groups rather than to the people who elect it. Pressure groups have long memories, reward the co-operative, and punish the recalcitrant, while the public's memory is short. That is why the monumental success of CIO-PAC and the citizen's political action committee at the last election in retiring die-hards and isolationists, gives honored doctrine of laissez faire Was permanent burial SfWtly after the historic inauguration of March 4, 1933. The policy of non-interference by the government in economics and sociology had been gradually dying since the adoption of the interstate jftfutmcrcc act in 1887, but its (pnie was accelerated by (he great depression and the inaugwalion of the New Deal.

WASHINGTON As Franklin D. Roosevelt begins his fourth term as president of the United States, two great problems to the exclusion of almost all others are on his mind: 1. Winning the war as quickly as possible, and 2, winning the peace after the war. Many of those close to the president say his concentration on these problems is so intense that when they are settled he would like to step out and retire to the peace and quiet of Hyde Park. Roosevelt's absorption with things military and diplomatic, his veering away from things domestic is the most important basic change in the 12 long years since 1933.

In the days before the war he met with scores of politicians, economists, business leaders. Evenings after dinner in the early years his brain trust would bat out ideas galore on the economic state of the nation bat them into the air, discuss them, reject many, accept a few. Those were relatively carefree days of "picking the rabbit out of the hat," having a new trick for the economic ills of the nation. At that time also, Roosevelt got around among his fellowmen. despite his physical handicaps, more than any other president in history even more than William Howard Taft.

His travel record formed a restless zig-zag graph across the map of the U. S. A. When he wasn't traveling, Mrs. Roosevelt was, and her reports came in almost daily by private White House wire on telephone.

Today the old Roosevelt brain trust is gone, and the new brain trust which surrounds him is composed of admirals and generals. His concentration at night is not upon economic ideis tossed up by the Columbia professors, but on the map of the Pacific and the map of Europe, where blue, red, green and yellow tabs indicate the number of divisions Stalin has thrown into the battle of Poland, the amount of armor Von Rundstedt has in reserve in the west, the exact whereabouts of the battleships, cruisers, airplane carriers and destroyers guarding the islands of the Philippines. More than any other one man, Roosevelt helped to build up that armada, and he watches every barnacled bottom knows when it was last scraped, the caliber of its guns, how many hits it took in the last engagement almost as if each were one of his children. How Roosevelt Works But aside from the change in the subject matter of his work, Roosevelt's methods of work have changed little during his long years in the White House. He is awakened every morning about 8:30 by his negro valet, Arthur Prettyman, has breakfast in bed, brewing his own coffeee on a bedside table.

Usually while he is still in bed, the personal cabinet drops in his daughter Anna, Henry Morgenthau, Harry Hopkins, Steve Early, Judge Rosenman, Pa Watson. They plan strategy and line up the day's business. By 9:30 he has read five newspapers, shaved himself, and is in the Lincoln study where he works for an hour before going over to the executive office for the usual round of callers. This continues, with luncheon at his desk, until 5 p.m., when a pile of mail and reports occupy his time until around 7. There was a day when F.

D. R. stopped work a bit early for a plunge in the White House swimming pool, but that rarely happens any more. Vice Adm. Ross Mclntire, the president's personal physician, urges him to get more relaxation, and at one time decreed that he was not to have business lunch- Not only has the president become relatively callous about his physical condition, but he is not averse to telling a story on himself, the frankest of which is regarding the Philadelphia convention which nominated him in 1936.

The president was walking up to the platform when the bolt came out of the brace on his left knee and he started to fall, in fact would have fallen to the platform; but secret service men held him up and stood around him so that 'few people could see what was happening. The bolt was replaced, and the president continued, but, he said, very much shaken up. In addition to this, Jimmy Roosevelt had dropped his speech and the pages had scattered fall over the platform. Then, as Jack Garner delivered hi acceptance speech, the pages were rattling in the wind, making a whistling noise in the microphone. Pat Harrison of Mississippi tried to hold the pages down, got one page out of place, and the vice president repeated one whole page of his speech.

The president tells how he was worried sick, until the last word of his own address was finished, for fear he would make the same mistake. of the administra- Fully aware tion's ernors. compromises and promise that the present congress sifdden shifts in policy, the public will work more harmoniously with TIMES FORUM Thf Timts torum hspn to stlmulott healthy argument and discussion on Mvo questions. Wo welcomo honest expressions ot opinion whether of not they agree with our editorial policy. Letters should bo limited to S00 words.

Initioli or pen names will be used it requested, but the editor must know the true names and addresses at the writers. It it impossible to publish all letters and preference will be given to those who sign their names. We reserve the right to shorten letters. In writing be honest and be fair. Teen-Agers Here Called Best Behaved nevertheless has repeatedly regis- the chief executive.

Representa-tered its approval of total results, tives of the people are now scruti-Cleajfithen. Mr. Roosevelt to a nizing the records of congressmen greatftflextent than any of his to reward or punish as has accurately diag- stances dictate, noscsfche public's pulse. If his fre- So while Mr. Roosevelt, at his quen'turns to the right and left simple but solemn inaugural, dedi-havej-made his course resemble the cates himself, like that other war temperature chart of a fever pa- president, to his unfinished task, tient, it will be found, on close the public may hope for a new examination, that his true course birth of freedom and a more fruit-always has pointed a little left of fuf expression of "government of center.

the people, by the people, for the people." grandma's prescription on economics. We had a recent illustration of what good times are doing in this war when you remember that the recent war loan drive DIDN'T GO OVER THE TOP for the series bond issue. They ara the bonds easiest to buy. Why didn't they go.over? Well here in this city at Xmas time they were advertising' $90 women's handbags. $25 pipes for the boy friend and $20 hand painted neckties to adorn their necks.

They should have choked them with it. So get wise pal, and learn that a dollar can go a long ways yet, if you know the secret and it can go fast if you put it on the wrong dog. CAROLINE M. VOLL, Bay Pines. Readers' A Service Majority public opinion also veers from time fo time but its true course is a little left of center.

So Mr. Roosevelt's course and that of majority opinion rarely have failed to harmonize, accounting for his long tenure of office. Veterans Service What do you wont to know? We will onsww question on ony ubect not involving extended research Legol or medical odvice cannot re given Write your question clearly ngn yotrf name ond oddress, and ilMPORTANT) MAIL THIS COUPON ond a j-cenf ftomp to the St. Pete's-, burg Times Service Bureau. 1217 13th Washington 5, D.

for personal reply. Oon't telephone write as directed. Q. Where do I write about my husband's war bonds which have not been received for six months? He has been overseas for almost 3 months. A.

Write to Army War Bond Office, 366 West Adams Chicago, 111., giving your husband's full name and army serial number. Q. When a soldier is killed in action, does his wife or his mother receive any medals or citations which may be awarded to him? A. His wife is considered next of kin and should receive citation or medal. Whot Is your problem? We will answer questions free for members of the Armed Forces and Veteran; on benefits pertaminq to the Gl Bill and all other legislation Write vour auction clearlv inn name and address and 'IMPORTANT.) MAIL THIS Contrasting with Mr.

Roosevelfs ArJJc0. Znu harmonious public relations are his Vy Wfc5' wVoeKS: irequem coniacts witn congress. used to make Q. How much rubber an army raincoat? headhunters, the httentots, the fighting Greek factions), a repudiation of the terms of the Atlantic Charter, although the charter was never regarded by its authors as either, a constitution, by-laws or a bill of rights for the peoples of the world; but rather was it a pious hope, a lofty conception of conditions which might and should come out of the present conflict, if all peace-minded people would rally to its support." The issue is not important, except that some of my political critics think they have found an issue on which 1 differ with President Roosevelt. However, their hopes are not well founded.

For twelve years I have consistently and persistently approved the entire New Deal program, and most enthusiastically the measures which have been most bitterly opposed. His fight for free enterprise and against special privileges, his demand for supreme court reform, his championship of price control and rationing, his opposition to the Ruml tax steal and for an adequate tax levy, his timely aid to distressed Britain, his recognition of a worthy ally in Soviet Russia, his determination to fight this war with the rich man's dollar as well as with the poor man's son, his noble vision of a world in which peace and economic justice prevailed, as- foreshadowed in the Atlantic Charter all these and other worthy conceptions of a president's duty and responsibility to his people classify Franklin D. Roosevelt as the compeer of the few greatest of the American presidents. This serves notice that this citizen still swears by F. D.

R. and trusts that the hopes envisioned in the Atlantic Charter may become the heritage, in due time, of the peoples of the world. E. LOCKHART, 645 Sixth Avenue North. for each A.

Two pounds of rubber coat. Q. Did Rudy Vallee write the 'Maine WASHINGTON CALLING Since congressmen are supposed to be public servants, responsive to popular opinion, this body's numerous and even boastful challenges to the president must be a constant source of puzzlement to foreign nations. The key to this puzzle is that congress as a legislative body is more conservative than the public whfch elects it. The majority of the public is alwavs a little Editor, The Times: Mr.

Grimmer says "Travel the world over" and you'll find that the worst behaved juniors are in the U. S. A. I have travelled over this old world as a seaman, crossed Canada and Mexico from coast to coast, and have lived in Britain during the present war. And my experience has been that children are children wherever you go.

Some are like the "little girl with a little curl right in the middle of her forehead." And if they appear horrid at times, most of that is due to our growing ir-ritableness as we get older and resent anything that jars on our nerves or disturbs the even tenon of our ways. From personal experience I believe that the teen-age youngsters in St. Pete are the most considerate kids I have met, and I have frequently seen teen-age girls in crowded street cars rise from their seats and ask an elderly man or woman to sit down. If that happened in New York city the rest of the passengers would faint. Mr.

Grimmer is upset because boys accidentally ran into him while chasing each other in front of a church. Seems to me the message he got while in church tailed to make him forgive and forget what happened outside. Here is an incident that happened early this month at the open air post office in this city, which proves that older people are worse behaved than youngsters and I could multiply this incident if space would allow. I was standing in the south passage and saw a penny rolling towards me and it stopped right in front of me. I looked down at it for a second and behold a woman swooped down on it just as a newspaper boy who was chasing after it arrived.

He said. "That's my penny, ma'am." But the woman clutched the penny and refused to return it although the boy's friends arrived to vouch for its being his. She went off muttering, "That's luck." A lady standing by said to me in disgust, "Well, that's the meanest thing I have ever seen in all my life we don't want her sort in St. Petersburg!" And I heartily agreed with her, we don't. In conclusion I would like to say that we parents are just men and women not angels, so we must not expect to have angels for children.

"What is bred in the bone comes out in 1he flesh." W. A. TEA RE, 3526 Burlington avenue north. btein Song? No, the music is by E. A.

Fenstad and the words are by Lincoln Colcord. Rudy Vallee and his orchestra made it nationally famous. Q. When was the U. S.

Battleship Maine blown up and sunk in Havana harbor, Cuba? A. February 15. 1808. Two hundred and sixty members of the crew were killed. Capt.

Charles D. Sigsbee was in command. Norwegians Almost Forgotten, Hit Hard by German Forces Stalin Will Have Ready Ansvers For F.D.R. About Power Politics Flat Electric Rate Urged for Consumers Editor, The Times: The Florida Power corporation wants us to believe that we are getting a SUBSTANTIAL reduction in our electric power rales. However, my own saving amounted to only seven-tenths of a cent per kilowatt.

Under the new rates a consumer using two hundred kilowatts has a rate of four cents per kilowatt. The consumer using only seventy kilowatts has a rate of six cents per kilowatt, Now it does not cost any more to make electricity for the small consumer than it does for the large. In both cases it is necessary to have the same force in the power house, the same office force and the same force in the field. According to the method of figuring the rate all consumers of electricity have to pay one dollar for the first twelve kilowatts they use. Why should a consumer who uses more than the minimum of twelve kilowatts be penalized by having to pay eight cents a kilowatt for the first twelve? The power company says that as consumption goes up costs go down.

Then why not give an equitable flat rate to all consumers using from fifteen to one hundred kilowatts? This would induce the average consumer to use as much electricity as he would like to be using and so would increase the profits of the Florida Power corporation. The importance of the flat rate to the consumer, however, is that it would equally benefit all consumers. A YEAR-ROUND RESIDENT OF ST. PETERSBURG. By MARQUIS CHILDS WASHINGTON For all the Allied world, the postponement of victory in Europe has been a crushing blow.

But if we feel it here in America, especially the prolongation of the tension which is the state of mind of millions with sons and fathers and husbands in the fighting, consider the plight of one small country that for nearly five years has known no surcease from suffering. Virtually outside the orbit of the Allied victories of 1944, Norway is almost a forgotten country. Yet Norway was among the first of the Western democ-cracies to come under the tyranny of the Nazis. Not long ago, the Norwegian government-in-exile asked the Allies to invade Norway, and that appeal had in it a note of desperation. When I was in Sweden a year and a half ago, Norwegians who came out of their country via the underground took a grave view of what another winter of Nazi occupation would do.

The Norwegian people had not starved, but they were close to the line. Inside Norway, they were pinning their hope on liberation in the spring of 1944. The theory and it certainly was not confined to Norway was that Germany could not last through another winter. Lacking any real hope, the Norwegians lived on rumors of hope which went in waves via the underground. Now they are enduring still another winter of Nazi occupation.

The reluctant sun sheds a thin light for a little while in the middle of the day. The rest is dffikness and raw, numbing cold knifing into bodies long in want of sustaining food. Recent reports coming out of Norway show that the occupation has become more savage and brutal during the past six months. While there was even a slim chance of a negotiated peace which would not sacrifice everything, the Nazi troops maintained some moderation. They even resisted the worst excesses of the Gestapo.

Today there are no restraints. The arrogance of victory has been replaced bv the hatred and frustration of defeat. Latest estimates put about 200,000 Germans in Norway. The army of occupation is comprised of more than 100,000 troops about 10 to 11 divisions of about 10,000 each. For the most part these are young boys or middle-aged men.

The German civilian organization, the Gestapo and the Todt, slave labor battalions under- the German lash, make up the rest. And many Nazis have their wives with them. The invaders live almost entirely off the country. For a time, the Germans sent in some food. That has now stopped.

They have said they have no interest in what happens to the Norwegian population. Obviously, this is part of the calculated policy to weaken all peoples as much as possible. In the Arctic north, the Russians have driven the Nazis out of several hundred square miles of Norwegian territory. As the Russians came in, the Germans burned the villages, turning families out of their little wooden houses to almost certain death in the Arctic winter. The saga of the wanderings of the dispossessed women and of Kirkenes and the smaller communities is one more chapter in the record of Nazi ruthlessness.

According to reports out of Norway, relations with the invading Russians have been good. Administration of civil affairs has been left to Norwegians. But the Russians can do little to alleviate the suffering, since they have only their own rations. In fact, recent dispatches from London reveal that Russia has requested her western Allies to relieve her even of the task of garrisoning the territory her armies have liberated. But the United States and Britain had to refuse on the grounds that, because of the demands of the western front they could not yet spare the necessary troops and supplies.

The Norwegians are a strong, proud people. But hunger is a cruel despot. When total liberation of Norway finally comes, the machinery of relief and reconstruction must be ready to move i mediately. There must be no delay. DAILY AND SUNDAY Entered ai iecond-clos matter ot the Pott Office) St.

Petersburg. Florida, Published every morning By the rimej Publish, ing Company from The times Building, Fifth Street ond First Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida. Subter'ption Rotes Dolly ond Sunday: One year, $14.75: six months, three rnonthi. in odvnnce, ond 30e a week by carrier Trl-Wekly iby mall): One year Hm.

iwonthi. $4 00; three months, $2.00 fn advance, MEMBER Of THI ASSOCIATED PRESS The Associated Press exclusively entitled to the use for publication of ell newt credited or not otherwise credited to the ooper and oiso the locat newt published therein. PAtA POYNTER Present NELSON P. POYNTM Editor Charter Regarded As More Than Pious Hope Editor. The Times: About three weeks ago, undersigned wrote a letter By LOWELL MELLETT President Roosevelt, sworn in again today as the supreme servant of the American people, is departing anon on an errand in our behalf.

Me is leaving lor another session with Stalin and Churchill to discuss ways and means ol winning the war and assuring a permanent peace. He goes full of instructions as to what he is to say and do. all taken a hand. We've reminded him of his youth he won't be 6:) until the end of this month, whereas Churchill is 70 and Stalin is 65 and warned him not to let those cagey old birds take advantage of him. And above all, we've told him over end over again.

'Remember now no power politics! You tell Joe we 'said so." So the president will sit down with his war colleagues and he'll say to Stalin: "We cant have anv power "politics." And Stalin will say: For example?" "Well, says the president, "this business of Poland "Oh, that. says Stalin. "What do you think we ought to have powerless politics? 1 don't think my people would care much for that. They remember the powerless politics of the old czarist government when it sent our Russian boys armed with wooden weapons, out to be Slaughtered by the Germans They remember the powerless polities of" the Kerensky regime and, for a time, of the Soviet government itselfthe period during which the Polish border was shoved over to the frontier now claimed by those Poles in London. And some of my people.

I'm afraid, have not forgotten the power of the American army that landed at Archangel or the assistance given by Britain and France to Denikin end Kolchak when we were attempting to do some self-determining, with too little power behind our politics" "But," says the president, having been well coached by columnists, commentators and other statesmen, "what about the Atlantic Charier? Aren't these practical arrangement? you are making in Toland contrary to the Charter? "Oh. I'm for the Charter." says Stalin. 'It was included in the Declaration of the United Nations which Litvinov signed for me at the White House. I subscribed to it and I am going to stand by it," "But what you are doing in Poland violates the Atlantic Charter." savs the president, remembering our instructions. "Oh, no," says Stalin.

"You sec. this land the London Poles are claiming was part of Russia up to the last war. We got it back again two years before the Atlantic Charter was proclaimed. And when we subscribed to the Charter we didn't suppose anybody would trv to make it retroactive. If you did that, there'd be no place to stop.

Mexico might want to reopen the matter ot Texas and California, for instance. Or your Indians might raise certain questions. And then." looking at Churchill, "there are some parts of the British empire What the president says from here on out, there's no knowing." We haven't instructed him. As for Churchill, he doesn't say a word. He has already told the Poles in London that he thinks the boundary should be where the Russians have reestablished it.

And, while he "recognizes" them, he hasn't told the London Poles that hell fight and die tor their nght to be the government in Poland behind Stalin's back as Stalin moves toward Berlin. Churchill just smokes his cigar and doesn't say a word. The president, of course, could suggest the possibility of cutting off lend-lease supplies if Russia doesn't accept our. point of view, but that would give us the job of licking Germany without Russia's assistance. Ot which Stalin is not unaware.

No, we've given the president a tough assignment. Maybe we'll just have to leave him alone to do the best he can with it After he has done all he can lo. well still be free to tell him how much better we'd have done it if we had been there. the for the "forum." which was in due High Living Costs Of War I Recalled Editor, The Times: Here is one that should bring some reverse comment from the younger generation and this is from one out of the last war. As follows: The other day your paper carried a comment from a young woman married to a service man and who had three children and was drawing clown one hundred and sixty bucks a month and she said that "To anyone trying to keep a family on that it sure was no cinch." Well I wonder if she realizes that back in 1918 we had a war too and we had babies and romances and children and basically it was the same as this one EXCEPT that we got $33 a month for overseas service leaving us about $21 when insurance, bonds, etc.

was taken out, AND we had 30 cents a pound sugar, 18 dollars-a-pair shoes, and plenty of inflation resulting in high prices that this war hasn't even approached yet. How do you think, young lady, that we got along? There are men and women in this war drawing down more than they will ever again get in civilian life and when you give a beggar a horse, he rides him to death. Think of the hundreds of thousands of old people who draw-pensions and similar ones that haven't been increased a dime In the last ten years, they still cut their cloth to match the suit. Anyone that can't get along on a $160 and a lot less had better get a book on management or get down to domestic science not from the moderns but from Extravagant Lighting? Editor, The Times: Now that our government is driven to conservation of power resources by limiting transportation, domestic fuels, why is the present extravagant lighting of our Fourth street north permitted? It seems senseless to maintain such extravagant lighting where scarcely anyone lives, while in many most densely populated city areas, one needs a flashlight to find the curbs and street-markers. TIIO.

G. BOWER. 2319 'i Fourth avenue north. time published. In that letter it was my intention to laud the Atlantic Charter and to lambast its detractors.

However, the cdi-lor captioned my little piece "Atlantic Charter Termed Merely Pious Hope." As one who had in his student days won honors in literary composition in intercollegiate competition, and who later taught English literature for several years, I rather prided myself on being able to express an idea with sufficient clarity to be understood. Therefore, I submit this issue to the judgment of the readers of The" Times forum: Does the caption of that letter properly epitomize the substance of the letter? In the event that you may have forgotten the following is part of a paragraph most applicable to the question at issue: "Not only so. hut they consider this refu.al (refusal to free the CLERGYMAN IS SHERIFF WISCASSET. Me. (U.R) The new chief deputy sheriff of Lincoln county can be trusted to administer the law "without fear or favor" for he's a clergyman.

Sheriff Limvood E. Palmer of Noblcboro is a clergyman and a teacher at Lincoln academy..