Evening star., 1933-06-23

Vice President John Nance Garner
receives the Applause Of his fellow
citizen by rejecting an offer of So, 900
year for broadcasting five minutes
each week on a nationwide hook-up.
The country thinks he maintained the
dignity of his Office, and avoided set
ting a precedent which might even
tually lead to a practice hostile to good
government.
1.-THE American people" according to
the Memphis Commercial Appeal, will
appreciate Mr.. Gamers keen sense of
propriety. He very correctly sensed the
wishes of the people in this matter and
turned down the proffer promptly. This
adds much to his prestige. Since he
became Vice President he has conducted
himself with statesmanlike ability and
has contributed much to the progress
Of President Roosevelts program" The
Spokane Spokesman-Review declares:
1T takes character to put aside so en-
ticing a temptation and Mr.. Garner
gave the correct reason for his refusal
that he die not consider it proper for
man in his position thus to discuss
government or public affairs, meaning
for pay from private interests. OF
course the Vice President, like any other
public official, is entirely free to discuss
government or public affairs, but he
cannot do it with dignity or propriety
for hire"
He declined the proposal as undigni-
fled, not to say improper" says the
Columbia IS. c. Record, with the be-
lief that he deserves commendation
for his good taste in refusing to sell
the prestige of his office" The Abilene
Reporter is of the opinion that he
probably has no vain regrets" al
though that paper emphasizes the fact
that getting paid $4,000 for four
hours and twenty minutes of rather
as an offer that calls for serious con-
sideration."
Mr.. Garner is not rich man."
points out the Scranton Times, land
he has little more than his offcial
salary on which to live. In Washing
ton he occupies modest quarters, and
his elevation to the Vice Presidency has
not materially changed his mode OF
living. His rejection Of the radio broad
cast offer recalls that William Jennings
Bryan. when Secrtary of State, engaged
in a series Of Chautauqua lectures. Mr..
Bryan said he needed the money to
supplement his salary. Nevertheless he
was criticised freely. More recently Mr..
Howe President Roosevelt's chief secre-
tary, has been giving radio broadcasts
and writing magazine articles touching
on affairs in Washington. One OF his
radio talks was commented on In Con-
gress and the question was raised as. to
the propriety of any one so close to the
President giving public addresses be-
cause of the possible inference that he
might be speaking authoritatiVely Tor
the administration
The company making the offer"
observes the Rock Island Argus, in
tended to recognize the office he holds.
1t is very much to the Vice Presidents
credit that he refused this financial
lure. We think Mr.. Garner, in the flrst
place is too conscientious to consider
such an offer. In the second place. he
has had many years experience in pub
lie life and IS too shrewd. A study OF
Mr.. Garner's biography reveals the fact
that he is not the sort of man VINO
would be at all likely to accept such
lucrative post-under the circum-
stances" The Argus adds that although
In this particular case the end sought
is legitimate, the public has no guar
anty for the future"
There is an element of high de-
cency in such a refusal, for which Mr..
Garner ought to get a real cheer" de-
clares the Baltimore Sun, with the fur
ther comment on the incident: This
latest manifestation Of vice presidential
restraint reflects great credit on the |
author. Because Of his skill as a rough |
and-tumble parliamentarian and his |
realistic attitude toward the proverbial |
pork barrel. Mr.. Garner has been the I
target Of great deal Of hostile criti- |