TWO THE MICHIGAN DAILY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1954 TWO THE MICHIGAN DAILY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1954 DEMOCRAT CAMPAIGN ISSUE: Dixon-Yates TVA Contract: "Yoo Hoo - charlie" D RAMA A Republican Scandal T FIRST GLANCE it appeared to be just anoth- er of the Eisenhower administration's public land giveaways; another attempt to put an end to the 'creeping socialism' that had been sweeping the country for the past twejity years. Forests, grazing lands and offshore oil fields had already been transferred to non-national interests so the hand, ling of a contract for Tennessee Valley Authority power to a private group didn't raise too many eye- brows around the United States. . In fact first reports indicated the private or- ganization involved, the Dixon-Yates Syndicate, would be able to supply the power needed cheap- er than a government agency could. President Dwight D. Eisenhower had backed the plan in- Pcating apparently that there was nothing un- savory about the issuing of the contract. However shortly there were intimations that some Irregularities might be involved. This possibility could be gathered from a scrutinization of the background of the situation. While President Eisenhower was successfully campaigning during the fall of 1952, he pledged himself to the support of TVA. The pledge undoubt- edly helped make possible his fine showing in the exclusiyely Democratic states of Kentucky and Ten- nessee. The initial test of his campaign statements was his awarding this power contract to private enterprise.' To meet expanding power needs in its terri- tory, TVA sought a 600,000 kilowatt plant to supply electricity to the Memphis area. The Au- thority asked for government funds and Army Engineers, after surveying several areas, chose a spot in Fulton, Missouri, for the new TVA plant. Things seemed to be moving in the same channels that were followed during the days of Harry S. Truman and Franklin D. Roosevelt. * * * * BUT A NEW administration was now in Wash- ington and new opportunities for private en- terprise existed. Two financiers, Edgar Dixon and E. A. Yates associated with an organization known as the Electric Bond and Share Company proposed to construct a private plant across the river in West Memphis, Arkansas. There were six things that apparently eliminated the private offer from consideration. 1. Its proposed site was 200 miles from the area to be served. 2. The site was below flood level. 3. While it was called private enterprise, the government was to pay all construction costs, to repay the syndicate for all state, local and fed- eral taxes. If this was not enough the federal government was to guarantee monetary profits for the company for 25 years. 4. The Atomic Energy Commission which was called in to act as contracting agent opposed by 3 to 2 the. Dixon-Yates proposal. 5. From the TVA's point of view It appeared to be a deliberate attempt to infiltrate the organiza- tion with private enterprise thereby ultimately transforming the project initiated in New Deal days. a. TVA administrators maintained that during the life of the contract the Dixon-Yates scheme would cost taxpayers $140 million more than the TVA proposed plant in Fulton. Despite these arguments against Dixon-Yates President Eisenhower intervened and ordered AEC to conclude the contract with the private power company. Apparently the only reason for Eisen- hower's action was the backing that his aides were giving Dixon-Yates. Stephen A. Mitchell, Democra- tic National Chairman, has intimated that possibly Eisenhower's friendship with former amateur golf- ing star Bobby Jones had something to do with his approval of the contract. (Jones is a member of the Board of Directors of Electric Bond and Share.) This has been vehemently denied by President Eis- enhower and since then the issue hasn't been pressed. The Bureau of the Budget has claimed since that TVA's estimate of the extra cost of the project has been exaggerated and actually the excess cost would only amount to $90 million. The Atomic Energy Commission General Man- ager, Gen. K. D. Nichols has tried to ease the Administration's position by a discrediting of past TVA performances and an attempted im- pugning of the integrity and good faith of TVA management. * * * * MEANWHILE, the nation's press, which Adla Stevenson called 90% in favor of one party in the fall of 1952, has concentrated on such things as Mitchell's blast at President Eisenhower and the consequent retorts. One magazine after extolling the virtues and 'integrity of President Eisenhower for. several paragraphs concluded by asking how the citizenry of Georgia, (where Jones lives and where the President quite often plays golf) could still be proud of the political party it had so long supported. * * * * NOW IT appears that revelation of new aspects of the situation may show that scandal can even creep into the Republican Administration. First Walter von Treschkow, in charge of another private syndicate interested in supplying power to the TVA, charged that the Bureau of Budget figures had been deliberately misleading. He claim- ed that the contract hadn't even been awarded to the lowest private bidder. Von Treschkow's com- ments were somewhat passed off as those of a dis- gruntled loser in a battle of private enterprise. However, early this month Senator William Langer (R-N.D.), chairman of the Senate Judi- ciary Committee called before his sub-commit- tee on monopoly James Stietenroth, former see- retary-treasurer of Mississippi Power and Light. Dixon is a principle shareholder in the company. Stietenroth rebelled against the company a short time ago for what he termed the use of absen- tee power by Dixon involving excessive exploita- tion of customers, possible violations of the Holding Company Act and doubtful accounting practices. Stietenroth's moral integrity finally caused him to quit the company, he says. He accused the com- pany'specifically of maintaining two sets of books thereby concealing its oversized profits amounting to $2 to $3 million a year in excessive rates. Sen. Langer and Sen. Estes Kefauver (D-Tenn.), a member of his committee, want funds to conduct the probe of the Dixon-Yates contract. Thus far their desire has been stymied. The anti-Monopoly sub-committee is holding hearings without finan- cial backing of Congress. It faces Administrative opposition when the vote for funds goes before Congress, Nov. 8. In fact Sen. John Butler (R- Md.) told the sub-committee while Stietenroth was testifying that it was useless to hold the hearings since the Dixon-Yates contract had already been approved by Congress and the sub-committee could in no way expedite change or a stoppage of the contract.. * * * * ACTUALLY President Eisenhower finds himself in a precarious position. He and his Republi- can followers campaigned vigorously two years ago against the "mess" in Washington. The United States was reminded continually of the great scandals that had rocked the country during the Truman administration. GOP leaders were proud to point to their candidate as the representative of extreme integrity, one who would restore honor in the nation's capital. Revelations concerning Dixon-Yates will shake this symbol of integrity. If President Eisenhower pleads ignorance of the situation as a defense, slanders on his integrity may be removed. He has used this defense before and the President's great record of service to the United States makes it difficult to level any charges that would im- pugn his honesty. However as an attempt to evade responsibility for the contract it is not sufficient. Before he de- cided to pressure AEC the President should have investigated the facts of the case rather than de- pend on advisors. The Dixon-Yates scandal could hurt the already shaky Republican congressional campaign. GOP candidates need the great personal prestige of President Eisenhower. The facts behind the Dixon- Yates contract may tarnish this prestige. -Dave Baad rO A r : "Y R:. P f r' s r - eY , . , - = _ s " Xettei' TO THE EDITOR The Daily welcomes communications from its readers on matters of general interest, and will publish all letters which are signed by the writer and in good taste. Letters exceeding 300 words in length, defamatory or lbelous letters, and letters which for any reason are not in good taste will be condensed, edited or withheld from publication at the discretion of the editors. - 1 . CURRENTMQf 1/IEbl AT THE ORPHEUM .. . Noel Coward's Tonight at 8:30 TAKING THREE of the plays Noel Coward wrote under the title of Tonight at 8:30, this British film version has done a slick job of transferring stage onto screen. With an all-star cast, the three pomedies often seem better here. than reading or seeing them. Beginning with the farcial "Red Peppers," while the weakest of the one-acts, it sets the mood for the latter plays. The story of a vaude- ville team similar to "Mother and Dad's" loses something in its at-i tempt to be broadly funny but af good performance by its star, Kay1 Walsh, as well as a terrific char- acter portrayal by Martita Hunt, makes up for it. The best part of the picture "Fumed Oak" is theh"unpleas- ant comedy." Telling the story of a hen-pecked husband who finally rebels, Cow- ard is at his best as is the acting. Stanley Holloway gives a perform- ance that is a gem of underplaying, as he tells his wife, "witch of a mother-in-law" and sniffling daugh- ter how he hates their London sub- urb home with its respectability- its "fumed oak" furniture. Played to the hilt by literally "hamming it up" the players of the third part of "Ways and Means" seem to be having a whale of a time. A young couple on the Riviera, flat broke, decide to have the chauf- fer and part-time burglar, steal money from their hostess and then split it fifty-fifty. The natural little twist at the end makes this part of the tril- ogy even more hilarious. Jessie Royce Landis as the vociferous hostess comes close to being a laugh riot. Equally good perform- ances are given by Valerie Hob- son and Nigel Patrick as the young couple and a subtly effec- tive job is done by Jack Warner as their cohort in crime. On the whole the picture is an en- joyable one with many laughs. The direction is brisk and the settings are well done. These plays are not like the "usual" Coward for there is less sharp wit ;and warm humor in these three plays than in most of his works. -Harry Strauss AT THE STATE WOMAN'S WORLD, with Clif- ton Webb, June Allyson, Van Heflin, Arlene Dahl, and others. [ DON'T know why Hollywood constantly lavishes great sums of money and an array of its best talent oninferior scripts. I can't forget the twenty-four carat fi- asco The Egyptian which last month spoiled Ann Arbor evenings. While Woman's World doesn't sink low enough to be classed with The Egyptian, it does lack an ef- fective enough story line to jus- tify the assembly of high echelon performers and writers that take part in the film's presentation. The primary fault of this movie is in the unsuccessful attempt to blend the serious question of what- makes-a-good-executive with a sa- tirical slap at the calibre of people who occupy these important exe- cutive positions. The story line concerns itself with the efforts of an automo- bile magnate (Clifton Webb) to select a man to assume the po- sition second in command of the firm from a trio of his fin- est district executives (Van Hef- lin, Fred MacMurray, and Cor- nel Wilde). To see more clearly who is the best suited for the job, the magnate invites the three candidates and their wives to the New York office, in order to scrutinize the candidates more thoroughly. Here the wives have a chance to pick up the cudgel for their respective spouses and give the film its title. The, miserable plot is compen- sated for by some excellent dia- logue conjured up by the talented team of Howard Lindsay and Rus- sell Crouse. The acting, too, far outshines the script as Clifton Webb, June Allyson, and the oth- ers turn in first-rate perform- ances. The cinematography is well- handled; the Cinemascope lens capturing the highlights of the New York skyline as well as it does the Arlene Dahl skyline. The latter is a feat that together with the dialogue and the acting, af- fords the audience some degree of satisfaction. There are numerous funny scenes. scattered throughout the film. Unfortunately, isolated in- cidents, no matter how well exe- cuted, canot be successful if link- ed to an inferior plot. It is too bad that a Woman's World has that kind of plot. ---Burton K. Beerman AT THE CASS THEATER, Detroit SAINT JOAN, starring Jean Arthur. GEORGE Bernard Shaw, set de- signer Mordecai Gorelik and a consistently fine cast of support- ing actors are the stars of the Producers' Theater production now at the Cass. The play itself is excellent en- tertainment, with England, Eng- lishmen and the Clergy sharing Shaw's satirical jabs. An uncluttered stage with a minimum of setting provides a much richer and more vivid back- ground than the most elaborate trappings the prop man could pos- sibly whip up. Instead of detailed, painstaking reproduction of the castles and throne rooms of 15th Century France, the staging is ac- complished with the sureness and subtlety of a simple line drawing. The power of such understatement is especially evident in the scene at Rheims Cathedral where the length of the stage is cut by a ser- ies of slender soaring arches with a group of tiny dolls high upon a platform of one arch, representing all the crucifixions and Pietas of all the Churches in all of France. The actors rolic" and squirm and cringe wonderfully through Shaw'schronicle of the upstart peasant girl who was naive enough to expect men whom she thought fools "to be obliged to her for setting them right and keeping them out of mischief." (And though she abandoned the female things of life, she suf- fered the fate of woman. Poor Joan was burned by Man, and those modern women who feel themselves saints and martyrs for bearing the vagaries and fickleness of men may perhaps be consoled somewhat by Joan's belated canonization.) Jean Arthur is ostensibly the star of the show but she plays a shaky second to her supporting cast. She is as sexless as Shaw tells us Joan was. She is young and alive and even emits a cow- boyish yip at one point and her voice has that exciting throati- ness and unexpected delight which does so well for Joan Greenwood. But when she is given a speech which involves more complex emo- tion than impatience or enthusi- asm, she throws it away. Shaw has apologized to the critics for the epilogue. "It was necessary by hook or by crook to show the can- onized Joan as well as the inciner- ated one; for many a woman has got herself burnt by carelessly whisking a muslin skirt into the drawing room fireplace, but get- ting canonized is a different mat- ter and a more important one," he wrote. Miss Arthur owes Shaw an apology for her failure to rise to martyrdIom as soaringly as do the Gothic arches. Wyndham Goldie as the Earl of Warwick is frightfully Bri- tish and terribly funny and Paul Richards has something reminis- cent of Jerry Lewis in his par- anoic and persecuted Dauphin which doesn't detract one laugh from his weak-kneed Charlie. Lou Povan as gravel-voiced Captain La Hire was especially fine as was Sam Jaffe's Inquisi- tor. Even the minor parts- pages and stewards-were ex- tremely well cast. "The Producers Theater," guid- ed by Ann Arbor's Roger L. Stev- ens among others, is a fairly new Ward Clarification... To the Editor: MAY I PROTEST against the dis- torted impression of my re-~ marks before a meeting of the Young Democrats conveyed by the article in Friday's Daily. I went to some pains to make, clear the fact that I was not rec-l ommending at present either the cessation of American support to Formosa or the recognition of the Chinese Peoples Republic. What I, did suggest was: 1. T h a t American diplomacy avoid any permanent commitment to the support of the Formosan regime; 2. That there is no significant difference in ethical principle be-' tween recognition of Red China] and recognition of the USSR or the satellite states of central Europe;1 3. That it is difficult and prob- ably unwise over the long run to ignore the fact that the Peking Government actually and legally represents China; and 4. If in the future it seems pos- sible to negotiate with the Commu- nist Government a general settle- ment which seems to us both de- sirable and reliable, that we would be foolish to sacrifice such an op- portunity in favor of continuing our present national stand against the recognition of Red China and its admission to the UN. I further made the point that in altering our policies in these respects in return for such a settlement, we would be sacrificing little of practical value to U.S. foreign policy. I submit that there are impor- tant differences in emphasis and timing between these views and those attributed by the Daily's ar- ticle and request that you make these clear by publishing the pres- ent letter. --Robert E. Ward * * * CYL Query... To the Editor: rpE ARTICLE in your October 13th issue on the formation of a new club having as its object the study of the capitalist system, is so ambiguous that I would like a little editorial light on it. Does this club intend to study only the capitalist system without comparisons to other alternate eco- nomic structures? Such a proceed- ing is no study at all. Controversy is the essence of true valuation and that requires a many-sided inves- tigation. The statement that this or- ganization is devoted to furthering the capitalist program as outlined by the late W. R. Hearst shows the complete bias this study club is starting on. This is no longer a study-it is pure propaganda. Then the lecture by an unan- nounced speaker on the subject of "the regrettable tendencies of the Lower class toward self-expres- sion" is so ridiculous that one sus- pects this article to be really a fine piece of irony. As such it de- serves the admiration of all think- ing people. We know that in a real democracy there is no question of class in our society-much less is and successful merging of theat- rical men and businessmen deter- mined to revitalize repertory the- ater. Their Saint Joan is certain- ly more than worth the agonies of a bus-trip to Detroit. -Gayle Greene it regrettable that any segmen of our society should seek self-ex >ression. Furthermore, the state ment that this club assures one the membership list is kept safely se cret, gives support to the suspicioi that this added safeguArd is a slat at the treatment the editor got ii Wisconsin for keeping his anti McCarthy list secret. As a bit of ridicule, this articli should get a big chuckle from al who appreciate a bit of clever strategy. -Alma E. Meyer * * CYL Doubts... To the Editor: SO MANY THINGS have bees happening recently here on camp pus and across the nation that w4 feel something should be done t prevent it. Weehave read about the forma. tion of the CYL (Capitalist Youttl League) and we have grave and serious doubts about their loyalt3 and wish to do something to pro tect our interests. Since going ou and foraging for ourselves has been rather rough, particularly in the kind of weather we have been having recently, we would like ttt call for the formation of the Bird dog Youth League. The BYL's aslo gan is "Back to the Kennels." -Blue Carsfenson and Sherry Stone (Bird Dog Watchers) Fido, Rickey, Pepper, and Faithful Rover, (Canines at Large) A t: Bermuda Sheep... %ANKYOU, Miss Houghton, for saying something we have been afraid no Michigan coed would ever say. We agree with you on the hideousness of long socks and short hair, and with Mr. Dawson on the ugliness of the average adolescent knee. If the Bermuda-attired sheep could see themselves through the eyes of "their common foe, Man,"' they would immediately realize they are in no danger from wolves. If your non-conformity is con- fined to "modern" ideas of femi- nine apparel and appearance, and otherwise you are a "good, old- fashioned girl," the undersigned await with eager anticipation the publication of your telephone num- ber in the Student Directory, but would value more highly the op- portunity to express personally their discerning mile opinions! -Dick Putney, Grad. -Al Emery, Grad. -H. Alul, Grad. and 14 others *Rft * *R *e SL Congratulations... STUDENT LEGISLATURE presi- dent Steve Jelin saw "bad faith" in the administration's attempt to block Davis's appearances before SL on the question of severance pay, and had the courage to say so. He also asserted the right of student government to concern it- self with any matter affecting stu- dents as students (The Michigan y, Daily, Oct. 14). Warmest congratulations, Jelin! Let there be real issues and a man- ly stand on them; and you need not fear student "apathy" toward SL. Remember too, for everyone who writes to the editor thousands silently nod in approval. --Stefan Vail MAN'S BEST FRIEND? Secretary Wilson's 'Dog' Reveals His Peculiar Economics DAILY OFFICIAL BULLETIN I r .1 If THE GREAT sport of hunting has done little for thle Republicans this election year. Secretary of Defense Charles E. Wilson has burst a political bombshell with his "Bird dog- kennel dog" remark at a Detroit news confer- ence Monday. Quite unwittingly Secretary Wil- son handed his Democratic rivals the juciest is- sue yet in the young campaign. Uttered while speaking of the employment situ- ation, Wilson's now ill-famed remark was that he had always "liked bird dogs better than kennel-fed dogs. You know, one who'll get out and hunt for food rather than sit on his fanny and yell." Republicans and Democrats alike pounced on the out-spoken defense secretary in a barrage of criticism. Republican Gov. William G. Stratton of Illinois even refused to attend a $100-a-plate din- ner at which he and the secretary were to speak if Wilson appeared. However, at the insistence of the Republican Citizens Finance Committee who spon- sored the affair, Gov. Stratton rescinded his ob- jections. Nationally, however, criticism has not abated. Labor leaders and Democrats have taken the re- mark as a direct slap at the American worker and GOP spokesmen declare that Wilson's com- ment is "unrepresentative of the Eisenhower ad- he had meant no slur against .the unemployed. True, the recording of the fatal news conference upheld his protest that he had had reference to boys who would rather be drafted for war than go a hundred miles for a job. BUT THE damage had already been done. Neither his protest of distortion nor his later apology can rectify the damage his remark has done to the Republican Party. Sadder but wiser, Secretary Wilson has learned the hard way the effects that can come from one revealing comment. This does not lessen the merits of initiative. Wilson's comment reveals an inherent trait in his character and it is reflected in the Repub- lican Party as a whole. This is the way he thinks. A man with his background in big business is bound to place the full burden of unemployment on the worker. Why shouldn't the unemployed pick up and move his family a hundred miles so he may seek a new job? Should friendship, family ties, lack of money or uncertainty in future employment deter a person? Wilson doesn't seem to think so. Secretary Wilson should remember that all the unemployed are not as talented or aggressive as he I MUSIC 1 AT HILL AUDITORIUM.. .. Societa Corelli, in a program of music for string ensemble. RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS, speaking recently on campus, talked of music as a way by which we discover the ultimate reality of things, expressed in beautiful sounds. Last evening's concert by the Societa Corelli was certainly one of the most convincing and sat- isfying expressions of beauty in musical form that has been heard here for some time; we will prob- ably remember the intellectual and, may I say, spiritual perfect- ness of last night's music as one of this season's rare occurences, even as we include the visit of a similar organization, the Virtuosi di Roma, among the three or four memor- able evenings of last season. From a technical point of view, the .evening seemed .virtually night, as well as the necessary values of mature understanding of styles and idioms, of the indi- vidual expression of each compo- sition, and the ability to project .that understanding in perform- ance. There seemed to be no drop or "low" in the entire evening, which concluded all too suddenly. Each piece seemed to be approached with an honesty and a freshness, as though for the moment that one composition were the most beauti- ful part of the program. The G Mi- nor Cello Concerto of Vivaldi, with Silvano Zuccarini as soloist, ap- pealed to me the most. The inten- sity of its lyric expression was beautifully projected. The Simple Symphony for Strings, of Benjamin Britten, a charming but rather un- even work, and the familiar Sara- banda, Giga and Bandinerie of Cor- elli were most favorably receoived. The Daily Official Bulletin is an official publication of the University of Michigan for which the Michigan Daily assumes no editorial responsi- bility. Publication in it is construc- tive notice to all members of the University. Notices should be sent in TYPEWRITTEN form to Room 3553 Administration Building before 2 p.m. the day preceding publication (be- fore 10 a.m. on Saturday). SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1954 Vol. LXV, No. 22 Lectures Lecture by Dr. Roger W. Jeanloz, in- ternationally known biochemist, of the Harvard Medical School. Sat., Oct. 16, at 11:00 a.m. in Room 1300 Chemistry. The topic is, "Amino Sugars." Academic Notices Doctoral Examination for Harry Pal- mer Sharp; Sociology; thesis: "Migra- tion and Social Participation in the De- troit Area," Mon., Oct. 18, 5615 Haven Hail, at 1:30 p.m. Chairman, Ronald Freedman. Biological Chemistry Seminar: Dr. Dominic Dziewiatkowski, an Associate Fellow of the Rockefeller Institute, will give a seminar at 4:30 p.m., Mon., Oct. 18 in Room 319 West Medical Building; the title will be: "Fate of Sulfate-Sul- fur in Animals." Events Today WCBN-East Ouad. All members are attend a Sukkos Open House at Hillel, Sun., 4:00-5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. 6:00 p.m.-Supper Club fol- lowed by record dance. The Congregational-Disciples Guild: A student panel will present "Apprais- ing and Using My Religious Heritage" at the 7:00 p.mi meeting of the Student Guild in the Mayflower Room, Sun., Oct. 17. Panel members are: Margue- rite Loang,Lois Nowak, Gershom Morn- ingstar, and Pete Vandervoort. All stu- dents are welcome. 7:00 p.m., meeting at the Congrega- tional Church. Marilyn Mason Brown will present a program on "Sacred Mu- sic in Perspective" including selections from Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant traditions. Tues., Oct. 19-4:30-6:00 p.m., Infor- mal tea at the Guild House.] Episcopal Student Foundation, Sun.,] Oct. 17. Canterbury House breakfasts1 following both the 8:00 and 9:00 a.m.] services. "Faith of the Church" lec-] ture series at 4:30 p.m., at Canterbury ' House. Student Supper Club, 6:30 p.m., at Canterbury House. Coffee hour at] the Student Center following 8:00 p.m. Evensong. Wesleyan Guild. Sun., Oct. 17. 9:30 a.m. Discussion, "Basic Christian Be- liefs;" 10:30 a.m. Discussion, "Great Ideas of the Bible;" 5:30 p.m. Fellow- ship Supper; 6:45 p.m. Worship and Program. We will meet in Wesley Lounge and go together to the Baptist Church to hear Benjamin Mays, one of the speakers at the world Council of Informal Folk Sing at Muriel Les- ter Co-op, on Sun., Oct. 17 at 8:00 p.m. Everybody invited! Sixty-Fifth Year Edited ,and managed by students of the University of Michigan under the authority of the Board in Control of Student Publications. Editorial Staff Eugene Hartwig. Managing Editor Dorothy Myers...............City Editor Jon Sobeloff..........Editorial Director Pat Roelofs........Associate City Editor Becky Conrad..........Associate Editor Nan Swinehart.........Associate Editor Dave Livingston........Sports Editor Hanley Gurwin. Assoc. Sports Editor Warren Wertheimer ..............Associate Sports Editor Roz Shlimovitz. ....Women's Editor Joy Squires... . Associate Women's Editor Janet Smith. .Associate Women's Editor Dean Morton.......Chief Photographer Business Staff Lois Pollak........,Business Manager Phil Brunskill, Assoc. 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