Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-12-06
COUNCIL PROPOSED
TO AID ROOSEVELT
Many Outstanding Leaders
Available, Who Could Not
Be in Cabinet.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

A presidential council to advise with
the President and his cabinet, serving
Informally and without statutory desig-
nation, has been suggested as one way
that President-elect Roosevelt can
avail himcelf of the services of some
OF the country's outstanding men
whose business or personal circum-
stances would not permit them to &C
cept cabinet portfolios.
Many men now being mentioned for
cabinet posts are certain to decline
the compliment. They do not relish
coming to Washington to become ad-
ministrators of departmental routine.
American cabinet officers, unlike their
counterpart abroad, are managers OF
departments and bureaus rather than
brCad-guaged advisers or students of
administration policies. The country
thinks of cabinet meeting as a
rcund-tahle discussion of all questions,
but usually cabinet members interfere
very little and offer few suggestions
relative to the operation of the other
cabinet officers bailiwick. There is no
such thing in America as a minister
without portfolio who can keep up with
the current questions and really assist
in their settlement for or on bshalf
OF the President It has often been
argued that the President ought to
have an assistant for this purpose. But
what really is meant is some auxiliary
service that can sift suggestions and
really advise.
Likely Personnel.
If Mr.. Roosevelt, for instance, wished
to set up a presidential council to
meet with him once month or with
his cabinet twice month, he could
uneuestionably prevail on some out
standing leaders of American thought
to make the journey to Washington
and to keep him in touch between
times by mail with the currents of
public thought and with the attitude
of the country on pending questions.
Such a council might include the fol-
lowing:
Alfred E. Smith, whose knowledge
of the relations of government to pub
lie opinion would prove especially help
full.
Owen D. Young, who has the con-
fldence Of the business world and has
been summoned for advice more times
by Republican and Democratic leaders
than any man in recent years.
Bernard M. Baruch, who was Of
fered the sscretaryship of the Treasury
by President Wilson and is so keen a
judge of economic trends that Presi-
dent Hoover has consulted him fire.
Quently during the depression.
James M. Cox, whose advice has been
repeatedly sought by his former run
ming mate, Mr.. Roosevelt, and whose
knowledge of business in its relation
to government has made him one of
the most influential factors in the
business as well as political world.
Newton D. Baker, who probably
would never accept another cabinet
portfolio but whose liberalism and
vision have already appealed to Mr..
Roosevelt In the past and who would
prove one of the best counsellors the
new President could obtain.
Davis Valuable Man.
John w. Davis, whose familiarity
with legal problems and foreign affairs
would make him an exceptionally valu-
able adviser, but who probably could
not be persuaded to accept cabinet re-
sponsibility.
Melvin Traylor, Chicago banker, I'M
likely to accept a cabinet post but able
to serve on a presidential council.
The foregoing are Democrats, but
since there are many business men who
are not particularly partisan but who
are familiar with the currents of bust
ness, Mr.. Roosevelt might wish to in
clude In his council leaders like Alfred
p. Sloan, IT., of General Motors or even
John D. Rockefeller, jr., who by his
disinterestedness and public spirip has
won the respect of both parties.
If it were desirable to bring various