Evening star., 1933-06-24
BARUCH GOES BACH
HOME TO NEW YORK
''Unofficial President" Shuns
Publicity of His Work.
Doesn't Want Title.
BY REX COLLIER.

Shrinking from the limelight Of pub
licity which greeted his arrival and
somewhat appalled, by press reports that
he had become unofficial President Of
the United States" Bernard NJ. Baruch,
veteran financier and friend of Presi-
dents, slipped out of the Carlton Hotel
yesterday and returned to New York
without having performed a single act
to justify his unsolicited title
Not once since his informal appoint
ment as Government adviser" and
'haison officer between President Roose-
velt and the American delegates at the
London Economic Conference" has the
tall, white-haired economic expert set
foot in the Office turned over to him at
the State Department; nor has he been
seen anywhere else in the gray stone
building vacated by Secretary Hull and
Assistant Secretary Moley.
Stunned Glare of Publicity.
Apparently the first blaze of publicity
occasioned by Moleys announcement Of
Baruch's assignment caused the sedate
New Yorker to shun the press -besieged
Department of State in favor of well
secluded suite in the Carlton Hotel,
some blocks north of the White House.
From there he sent word to department
aides that he would not need Assistant
Secretary Moley'S office which had been
offered him. He would get in touch with
the department when and If necessary,
officials were advised.
Up until his hasty departure today It
was said at the State Department that
no cablegrams from London had been
sent to the departments adviser" and
that SO far as was known Mr.. Baruch
had not begun to function officially or
unofhcially in his extraordinary role.
Whether this was because no cable
grams had been received from the Lon
don delegates-which seems unlikely
or because Mr.. Baruch wanted time to
orient himself in a job that has no
precedents in the memory of State De-
partment officials, was a matter of
speculation.
Just a Lot Of Hooey.
TITS just a lot of hooey," was the
way one official facetiously passed off
published assertions that Baruch was
officer without portfolio" State De-
partment attaches are known to have
delivered at least one telegram to the
f1nancier. It was a congratulatory mes
sage addressed to him as "Unoficial
President of the United States"
Baruch himself has been too busy
at his hotel to receive members of the
press desiring enlightenment on his
duties. An efficient secretary fends of
all prospective interviewers with the
polite explanation that Mr.. Baruch lust
hasn't the time to talk to newspaper
men.
That Baruch has been busily occu-
pied in conference with numerous in
d1viduals and groups is certain, but the
identity of these visitors Is being care
fully guarded. Having been fitting In
and out of Washington since World
War days, he is widely acquainted in
the Capital, especially in official circles.
Given Great Power.
Despite the persistent denials that
Baruch has been vested with any un-
usual powers, the State Department. by
direction Of the President, has been
given permission to extend to Baruch
privilege apparently never before ac-
corded private citizen-the right to
open confidential cablegrams and let
ters OF grave international Importance.
Furthermore, according to the an
nouncement Of Assistant Secretary
Moley, Mr.. Baruch, although entirely
without official status, will maintain q
confidential liaison with the President,
with the London delegates and with
Government heads here. He is empow-
cred to study the confidential reports
from London and make recommenda-
tions anent the course of events there
and on this side of the water.
In view of this blanket verbal COM
mission" Mr.. Baruch, if he cared to,
could WELD much greater influence be-
hind the scenes of Government than
has fallen the lot Of any other private
cltiZen-not excepting Col. E. NJ House,
close adviser to President Wilson and
now assuming some prominence in a
similar role with the present admin
istration.
Gen. Johnson Baruch Man.
In this connection it is of interest
to note that two "Baruch men''-Gen.
Hugh S. Johnson and George Peek
have been appointed to positions of
commanding prominence in the Presi-
dents recovery program. Gen. john
son. former economic adviser in Ba-
ruch'S organization, Is administrator
OF the national recovery act and Peek,
another former associate, is a6ministra-
tor of the agricultural adjustment act.
Baruch's counsel has been coveted by
men in high places for many years.
President Wilson had a high regard for
his advice, and he was called to the
White House frequently during the
regime of President Hoover
His creed is best summed up In .
statement he made some weeks ago
before the Senate Finance Committee {:
Balance budgets. Stop spending
money we haven't got. Sacrifice for
frugality and revenue. Cut Govern
ment spending-cut it as rations are
cut in siege Tax-tax everybody for
everything. But take hungry men of
the worlds pavements and let people