Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-06-25
PARLIAMENT MEMBERS
GUESSING OVER BURNS
Persistent Attacks of Liberal
Press Excite Wonder-Rea-
sons for UnpopuIarity.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.


LONDON. June IA. 1913.
Members OF parliament are asking what
is the inner meaning OF the persistent at
tacks which are being made upon John
Burns in the liberal press, and whether
he will continue to find his position as
president Of the local government board
tenable. He is described by a liberal
paper as more conservative than the
conservatives and sadly out OF sympathy
with liberal aims and projects"
Emphasis is given to the feeling that
, the situation is strained by the appear
ance Of bitter criticism of him in a
ministerial organ today. 1t is believed
however. that the trouble goes a long
way back. The impression has hardened
among liberals. rightly or wrongly. that
Mr.. Burns has been dominated by the
permanent officials Of his department,
,, and that this is the reason why he is SO
out or sympathy with fresh constructive
proposals. Against that must be put a
rather wicked story that when he wen,
70 the local government board he COM
planned OF the conservatism of leading
officials. but these officials now com.
plain that they cannot get him to go for.
ward.
Charged to Ill-Feeling.
Many believe. however. that personal
considerations largely account for the
situation, principally mutual ill-feeling
between Mr.. Burns and Lloyd George
When the insurance proposals were con.
templated It should. in the ordinary ma.
ture OF things, have been the business
or Mr.. Burns to formulate them and
carry them through the house of com
mons. but, instead. the task was kept In
the hands Of the chancellor.
sundry private criticisms, and it was only
after a long silence, during which the cry
was SO frequently heard. Where is John
Burns?" that he spoke on a public plat
form In defense Of government policy
and action.
Liberals who have been engaged in by
election contests complain OF the way in
which Mr.. Burns fought the unonis,
housing bill. They say that his conduct
was inept. They contend that if the
by the government. it might. at least
have been arranged that it had a less
violent death.
Another to Take Lead.
There is no doubt that the report is
sued by the departmental committee of
the board of agriculture on small hold
fngs and housing accommodation for the
agricultural classes gives the keynote to
the government movement, and that once
more it is another minister (Mr Runci-
mani. and not the head Of the local gov
eminent board. who will take the lead
In the matter Of social reform in which
the local government board should be
concerned.
Another reason why Mr.. Burns is un-
popular is that. according to a definite
whisper, he has shown small considera.
ton to his ministerial juniors, Mr.. Runci.
man. DR.. Mcnamara and Mr.. Master
man, who were each, in turn. secretary
to the local government board. But the
chief rarely. IL ever. gave any one OF
them Show They have all passed
on to distinction and influence, and scarce
" have had much gpod to say OF Mr.
1t would not, however. be easy to dis.
place him. except by shifting of chairs
though Mr.. Asquith's action in ''promot-
ing Lord Pentland to the governorship
of Madras shows that he can take a
strong line If he thinks 1t desirable.
Hence, there Is talk of Mr. Burns being
transferred to one or another department,
though the suggestions are exceedingly
loose.