The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-04-17
ROOSEVELT is
FACING FIRST
TEST OF FIRE
Growing Revolt May Force
Roosevelt to Strike
With Both Fists.
BY RAYMOND CLAPPER,
United Press stan Correspondent

WASHINGTON, April II. - The
time is near when President Roose-
welt may reveal whether he merely
is fair weather leader or is ready
to roll up his sleeves and strike
with bare fists for the revolutionary
program which he believes neces-
sary to conquer depression.
For the first six weeks he had the
gallery and the players all with
him. They spurred on his fast
moving program. But those days
are numbered
Over the weekend, Senate Leader
Robinson and House Leader Byrns
complained bitterly over the increas-
ing hesitation Of congress.
Powerful interests who fear their
toes will be stepped on are begin
ming to pull the strings to halt the
submissive dance Of congress.
g. o. p. Papers Revolving
Republican newspapers are show
ing their first signs of rebellion at
the scrapping of their traditional
party doctrines which favor loose
reinS on private business.
Industries which have snuggied
behind high tariff walls are register
ing alarm over President Roosevelts
plan to ask blanket power to dis
cusS with Prime Minister Mac
Donald, former Premier Herriot, and
other foreign statesmen, who begin
arriving this week. mutual reduction
OF tariff barriers to revive tWo-Way
international trade.
President Henry I. Hartman of
the United States Chamber of Com
merce, a private power executive,
circulated his membership, register
ing strong protest against the Roose-
welt program for developing Muscle
Shoals and later other areas
through governmental operated power
projects
Bankers Slow Reform
Bankers have slowed down re-
form measures designed to make
banks safe for depositors, and to
lous sellers of stocks and bonds.
Stock exchange interests are at
tempting to thWart proposed federal
regulation
Real estate interests are appre-
hensive of plans to build cheap
dwelling. through government aid
as part Of vast public works pro-
gram.
Railroad executives are faced with
the probability of taking cuts in
their 100000 salaries under the
temporary national management of
the railroads through a federal CO.
ordination which President Roose-
welt is expected to propose this
week.
On the momentum of popular ac-
claim after his Inauguration, Pres
ident Roosevelt was able to defy
powerful Hobbies.
He put through his veterans cut,
brought back beer and reduced sal
aries of government employees, over
riding strong organized minorities
each time.
Real Test Is Looming
But as his program expands and
reaches out into its more funda-
mental purposes, the opposition
rises.
1t is this rapidly developing sit
uation that is expected here to put
the Roosevelt leadership to its test
of fire.
The backbone of the program
calls for spending from SO, 100000 900
to $6,00O,000,000 in replacing slums,
building grade crossings. sewage
systems. bridges and running cheap
electricity into farm houses.
Those close to the President be-
lieve that a program on this scale
is the only alternative to further
dehation
Many close to the President feel
that rather than Subjec5 the Coun-
try to several years more of defla-
ton. it would be far better to en-
bark on an era of social invention
applying the same boldness and re-
sourcefulnes sthat science has used
to transform the modern world.