PRIDE OT ACCOMPI.ISHITIETT

The Maritirne 'rM't has been awarded to our organization and we are indeed honored to receive this recogmition for outstanding achievernent.

This "M" Pennant signifies the highest United States Maritirne Commission tribute, and we ane ever rnindful of the responsibility we accept in rnaintaining the constantly increasing accelerated schedules rrecessary to fulfill our Nation's reguiremente for "Ships, More Ships, and Still More Ships."

WISTERII HARIIWOOD I.UMBIR CO.

P. r. waLKtR c0.

Westcrn-Walker foint Vcnture

I.OS ANGETDS

All commentators, journalistic and political, seem to agree that the General who is attracting the most attention, and getting the most criticism, in Washington right now, is General Confusion.

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As I look back over my recollections of World War One, it seems to me that the greatest difference between then and now is that most of the present confusion was lacking. Other oldsters seem to agree with that conclusion. George Creel, who was Chairman of the Committee on Public Information in the first war, in an article in the current issue of "Nation's Business," says that Woodrow Wilson's delegation of authority was complete and explicit; that conficts, duplications, and confusions were thoughtfully guarded against by giving each job ONE boss whose work was clearly outlined and understood, giving him full authority, and then holding him responsible for getting the job done.

Even Winchell suggested the other day that there is so much confusion in Washington now that even the Nazi spies can't find out anything. **{<

Senator Harry S. Truman, one of the most respected members of the Senate, writing in "American Magazine" says that "a large proportion of Washington makes its living by unraveling one another's red tape." He blamed "bureaucratic waste" and "overlapping jurisdiction" for much of the chaos. Another Senator recently reported to the Senate that there are now about 35,000 people on the government payrolls in Washington, writing publicity stuff. You can remember when all the propaganda writers employed by the Government could have ridden in one automobile.

Elmer Davis, the highly esteemed journalist and war correspondent, who for several months past has been fighting the very difficult assignment of Director of War Information has, according to official announcement, already .eliminated for the duration 239 federal publications, and ordered reduction in size oi. 284 more. And Mr. Davis says this is only the beginning. James W. Byrnes, the new Director of Economic Stabilization, used to say when he was a member of the Senate that the nearest thing to immortality in lhis world is a Government bureau lhe need for them may disappear, they may have nothing left to do, but they go on forever. It is largely to preserve the immortality of these bureaus that thousands of men are writing. ttr|.* t,t* d<**

So, knowing his opinions regarding bureaus and their inclination to increase and multiply, many believe that Jimmy Byrnes may in his.huge new job, do a lot to eliminate the Washington state of confusion. His appointment to the inflation-fighting job, met with approval from one end of the country to the other.

A young American aviator has made himself famous by the terse, direct and laconic report he made to his commanding officer: "Sighted sub; sank same." Elmer Davis might sign that young m:rn up as an aide to help him cut down the Niagara of unnecessary words coming out of Washington. Or he might get Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia. That black-skinned gentleman is likewise master of the short order. Wasting words is not in his make-up. Ever hear of the selective service law he sent out to all the men in his Kingdom, when the Italians invaded Ethiopia in 1937?

Here it is. If it isn't a classic, you're wasting your time looking for something that is. A well known officer says that often, after he has wearied his brain trying to dig the meaning from some verbose and redundant order or regulation, he turns for relief to Haile Selassie's draft act, which read:

"Every man able to carry a spear will come to Addis Ababa to fight.

"The blind, the lame, and those too young to carry a spear, need not come.

"Married men bring their wives to cook for them.

"Men without wives bring any available woman.

"Anyone found at home will be hung."

(Signed) Haile Selassie. t**

There is a cartoon going the rounds that splendidly illustrates how every business man feels about business rules, regulations, and amendments, and the difficulty of the most intelligent and best-meaning men to understand

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