Evening star., 1932-04-06
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

Democratic harmony hopes are revived
by the action of the party Arrangements
Committee in recommending Sen
ator Barkley of Kentucky and Execu-
tive Chairman Shouse, respectively, for
temporary and permanent chairman of
the Chicago convention. The eagerness
of Gov. RooSevcltS friends to enforce
the choice of one of his supporters as
keynoter contained the ingredients of
flrst-class row. 1t might have had
as deadly consequences as the Smith
Roosevelt feud itself. Now that an out
and-out Rooseveltian captures the
coveted post and the party wing not
SO conspicuously identified with the
Governors fortunes gets a no less dis
tinguished convention honor, the goose
hangs high. What cheers Democratic
leaders the most is the demonstration
that they can and will bury hatchets
II and when necessary. They know the
fond hopes the Republicans pin en-
Democratic discord-that the G.. o, P.
counts on 1t and an improvement in
business conditions as their two best
bets. In neither direction. the donkey
brays, will the elephant get his wish.
VI OIL t1Ac ldfOlICe SOIlS VINO, one Dy
one, are getting out Of the way of the
Roosevelt bandwagon, Senator Joe
Roblnson OF Arkansas is accounted the
likeliest choice for second place. The
alliterative ticket of Roosevelt and
Robinson is already rolling mellifuously
from many lips. 1t balances geograph-
lca!ly, 1t carries liquor on one shoulder
and water on the other. and it offers
the country as candidate for presid-
ing officer of the Senate a seasoned and
respected member of that body. Fight
Ing Joe" also knows from experience
how to run for Vice President. OF all
the available Democratic timber for
Gov. Roosevelt's running mate-and the
woods are full of it-none outstrips the
sturdy oak of Arkansas. Robinson Is
regarded receptive.
An outraged patriot calls this OBJ
servers attention to what is described
as regular desecration of Old Glory
and, of all places in the world, at the
White House itself. He depoSes and
says, Time after time, when the flag
that flies from the Executive Mansion
is hauled down at the days end have
noticed that the person who does 1t
let's the halyard, especially If it is
"AANyb sap Odb u lid doP 81 tlluI
the flag drags on the roof In the
Army or the Navy such a thing is an
offense prohibited by the regulations as
constituting disrespect for the national
colors. 1t certainly should not be toll
Grated at the very center of our Gov
ernment's power and majesty"
k* r
A retired Army officer, whose heart
Is still in the service, asked this recent
sojourner in Geneva if there was any
real possibility that our military estab-
lishment might be wiped out "over
there" Assured of the unlikelihood of
such calamity, the veteran rejoined
Congress, not Geneva, is the real
| danger"
Nothing more graphically illustrates
the fevered state of the Union than the
bumper crop of mail members of Con-
gress are noW receiving. Some Senators
ana Representatives, claim it is of rec
| ord-breaking bulk. During the sales
tax fight letters swamped the House
Never since the League of Nations battle
in the Senate 13 years ago or the anti
| naval crusade fomented by pacifist or
ganizations in 1927 has mail streamed
| across Capitol Hill SO torrentially as
| this Spring. Radio suggestions to write
TO your Congressman" are largely re-
sponsible. Ax-grinding organizations Of
various ilks do the rest.