Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1931-08-14
Prescriptions Pride.

1t is a new experience for the electorate
of the United States to have the President
in the midst of his term telling in effect
what good Executive he has been. It
has been the custom heretofore for the
Chief Executive to let his acts speak for
themselves, at least until he had been re-
nominated and the actual campaign was on.
The assumption Of the party in power
has always been that its high officials were
competent, and that the nation in it's wis
dom must appreciate the dizziness and skill
OF the administration. When the time came
for speeches. the accomplishments Of the
administration and the benefits that had
accrued to the country from the Presi-
dents exercise of the functions of the high
Office were naturally the theme of the
dominant party's orators.
II is all different this time. The deduc-
ton must be made from the output Of the
publicity branch OF the Republican National
Committee in that so far from applaudine
the President. the country is most doubtful
OF his capacity and increasingly critical of
his performances. No other conclusion is
possible in view Of the constant stream of
apology and explanation. This is particu-
iarly significant inasmuch as it is popularity
understood in Washington that the Presi-
dent. with his meticulous attention to
details, supervises and o. KS the entire
output of his press agents.
A recent publication emanating from the
Committee carried an elaborate disserta-
ton on the inaccuracy Of the assumption
that the President was a miracle worker in
the direction of insurine prosperity. This.
OF course. though it departed radically from
all the campaign propaganda precedent to
to his election, was intended to palliate the
difference between his promises and what
actually eventuated in the fields Of industry
and commerce. especially with reference to
the inconeruity Of his campaign declara-
tion that his election meant that every
body should have good job. including the
six or seven million people now without
employment.
More recently we have White House
statement telling of the marvellous achieve.
ments Of the administration in the National
Building Program and Secretary of Labor
Doaks report on the unemployment of
|Sl.OO0 men for which he gives the Hoover
regime credit. II is stated that $4,000
600 worth of projects are in the course of
contract letting and the plans are under
way for $l8l. 600. 900 more. and reference is
made to something like $4,000, 900 worth
OF projects that are under way but have
not quite reached the stage of contract
letting. The obvious question is raised
why it should have taken upwards of a
year and a half to have reached these
plans which were to furnish immediate
relief for the unemployment situation 2
Senator Fletcher. Of Florida. recently COM
planned Of the delay in the governments
building program. Fletcher particularly in.
stanced projects in his own State to illus
trate his point, among them the post Office
building at Lake City. the appropriation
for which was made in 1880. The work was
not begun until year later He also cited
the Jacksonville Parcel Post Building, the
appropriation for which was made in March
OF 1880. but work on which has not been
begun yet. Lest it be thought that Fetch
er's structures had partisan bias, it NAV
be noted that Senator Bingham, of Con.
necticut, rock bound Republican regular.
was equally vehement in his criticism of
the governments delay.
In the matter Of finding places for the
unemployed II is probable that the 2Sl. 600
Jobs which the administration claims to
have filled, would have been filed a GOOD
deal sooner had the Preside..t not vetoed
the Wagner Employment bills in order that
none Of the credit of supplying men with
work might be alienated from the Repub.
licans.
The instances could be multiplied indefi.
nately to show the extraordinary appeal
that Is being put forward to excuse the
President 1t is curious political departure
and the significance that President Hoover
feels It Is necessary at this time to 90 to
such length to appesse dissatisfaction with
his administration is perhaps the leading
political index of the day.