The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-19


later sent routine letter of Acknowledgement.
July Acting Secretary of State Castle. after
White House conference with Hoover the American
minister to Canada and the Canadian minister de-
MED that the st. Lawrence treaty was under dis
cussion.
July S-The state department spokesman admitted
that ST. Lawrence discussions were being carried sn
with the Canadian minister and that the latter had
made special trip to Washington for that purpose
Aug. 5-The New York state power authority
Chairman Walsh, replying to inquiry from the
Hoover employment sterilization board stated that
1880 men could be employed on the st. Lawrence
power project almost Immediately after negotiation
of Canadian treaty
Aug. 11-Governor Roosevelt, not having received
definite reply to his July request wrote President
Hoover, asking status of the St. Lawrence negotia-
tons.
Aug. 12-Scripps- Howard news dispatch from New
York City said: Secret negotiations between this
country and Canada regarding the st. Lawrence
waterway and power development have been in prog
ress for two months, according to member of the
Canadian parliament. The state of New York has
not been represented in the negotiations"
Aug. IL, Later-State department spokesman ad-
mitted that intermittent treaty negotiations were
going on
Aug. 15-Scrpps- Howard news dispatch from
Washington stated that Governor Roosevelt probably
would force the administration to explain the status
of the st. Lawrence negotiations without New York
representation.
Aug. 15-Whte House and state department. de-
MED all knowledge Of Roosevelt letter
Aug. II, Morning Governor Roosevelt announced
he would make public his letter Coz Aug I'D unless
President Hoover did So
Aug. II Afternoon-White House admitted that
partment admitted that Castle, acting secretary of
state, had replied to Roosevelt on Aug 49, "A that it
is possible to say is that no negotiations of any
Kind are going on. ct not denied that negotia-
tons had been conducted at other times than the
day or moment Of the Castle letter.
Aug. IT, Afternoon, Later-When confronted bv the
press with official proof of receipt and answer of the
Roosevelt letter. the White House then denied that it
ever had denied receipt of that letter. The White
House also repeated its denial of negotiations
the state department had denied on July T. had ad-
mltted on July g. had admitted Aug. H. and had
denied in its equivoca letter to Roosevelt on Aug 49,
On the basis of that record, the average citizen
is apt to think that the White House and state de-
partment were guilty of deliberate deception We do
not make that charge, because we have no way of
knowing the intent and motive of the officials in
volved
The fact is that the public deceived by the ad
minstration this important public matter That
the deception might have been unintentonal does not
alter that fact. Whether the was merely inef-
cheney, or something much worse the public was mis-
led and the public will be suspicious of future admin
istration statements.
1t is imperative that the country and the world be
able to trust White House statements Therefore. we
hope that the President irnmediate,, will cear euev
the ST. Lawrence deception, regardless of who was
responsible.
It is the Presidents duty to protect the integrity
of all future official announcements. Only in that
way can he restore public confidence.
1t may be true that prosperity is just around the
corner, but there seems to be some doubt about the
traffic signal.
Banks may fail in great many ways, but not
at calling overdrafts
An Arkansas jury refused to return verdict
before receiving its fees You might say justice not
only is not blind, but has excellent foresight.
Mayor Walker has gone to Germany to take the
baths. 1t is not known whether he took along his
record for the same treatment.
Aviators seem to be flying everywhere this sum-
mer. even off the handle.
"A new statute in Illinois prohibits carrying in
an automobile firearms meant for criminal usage
Looks like body blow at the motor car business.
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