Evening star., 1933-10-30
Use of Blue Eagles Talons
Has Wide Public Approval

An appeal to the sense of public duty
is made in comment on the decision OF
the Roosevelt administration to order
penalties for those who evade their re-
sponsibilities under the recovery act.
Possible fines and imprisonment are in
dorsed, with the conviction that proper
test of the provisions under the Blue
Eagle should be made.
President Roosevelt sharpens the
beak and strengthens the talons Of the
best known bird in America" accord
ing to the Toledo Blade. "by signing an
order which calls for imposition of
$500 fine and six months impriSon-
ment penalty for persons displaying the
Blue Eagle insignia while not comply
ing with their working agreements with
the Federal Government. The chiseler
behind the bars, looking out, will have
something to think about for a half
year Of his lifetime. He may do some
constructive thinking Immediately, to
avert such serious consequences of his
unpatriotic and downright dishonest
conduct" The Blade feels that "a
Blue Eagle emblazoning a show window
Is not merely a heraldic emblem, but
an authentic witness Of honest endeavor
to bring about the recovery of an in
dustrfally sick Nation"
Those who try to pull feathers from
the Blue Eagle will feel its talons,"
warns the Oakland Tribune, asserting
that 1.-The public will appreciate the ne
ceSSity for such an order" and offering
the explanation: while thRre are those
who resent q Government regulation Of
business, there are few who do not
recognize the necessity for the N. r. A.
program and that the interests Of all
are in seeing that, 50 long as it is In
effect, its provisions be enforced. Again
the Government has shown its hand in
prosecuting the hoarders of gold. To do
this it was necessary to win test case.
The time of waiting for an assurance
Of the power to act saw many threats
which came to nothing. Hoarders
gained the impression that they could
defy the Presidents order. That is now
Of the past
Business, big and small, has no
choice but to cooperate with the Pres
ident and Gen. johnson until COM
Herald, while the Rock Island Argus
"It is q question of simple honesty.
Unless the recovery provisions are taken
seriously the recovery program will be
endangered. 1t preSupposeS compli-
ance. The new order may be criticized
here and there, but it was probably pro-
claimed because OF numerous violations.
In q program of such magnitude there
must be such thing as discipline. The
N. r. A. is not joke, but serious
attempt to master the depression. There
must be some means Of dealing with
those who are not playing the game
according to the rules"
THE recovery act has teeth-plenty
Of them-and they are sharp, too" is
the assurance from the Scranton Times,
which, however, emphasizes the leniency
shown. Even in the face of wide de-
mands on the part Of some that the
Government use heavy hand, the
President and the national administra-
tor refrained from repressive measures"
the Times adds, although it has been
revealed that "this policy of moderation
would not continue indefinitely"
"The mind and sentiment Of the
country" the Charlotte Observer be-
lieves, will give the President its un-
swerving support and devotion to his
rigid plan to compel compliance. In
all cases where It is humanity possible
to conform to the codes which express
the purpose and principle of the recov-
cry act and where such conformity has
been upheld, such as are guilty of fail
ure or refusal under these circum-
stances merit the criticism of the pub
lie, II not more" The Danbury News
Times holds that I'VE have entered one
Of those periods. not uncommon IN the
history of the world. when we are to do
as We are told" and as the safety Of
our society requires wide and strong