The Washington times., 1933-04-20
GILBERT sELDEs

RESPONDENTS He's in the movies now, not bothering
about newspapers.) ~ -.
drive was coming and my predictions military strategy
although based the best authorities, were pretty un
formly wrong.
y >CrumbIi,ts Before Storm
It is likely therefore, that my political prediction OF
week ago obvious and that its prompt futiment IS
no more startling than the fufment of prophecy that
the sun will rise tomorrow said that President Roose,
welt was coming in for period OF serious crtclsm ana
that one way him to- take advantage OF the situation
was to get in ahead with clear statement of his prlnc
pies and his intentions.
The storm of criticism has not yet fallen his head
but the thunder has been heard especially in the North
west in New York and in New England, and the Repub
an that have been notably careful not to be
partisan at last beginning to ask questions.
The President is now being warned that he cannot
pect the company of conservatives all the way the group
of ANALYSTS examiners and thinkers with whom he has
surrounded himself will presently be called mean Names
like college professors Qt seems to be all right for us
to send children to have their minds formed Oy college
professors but, for college professor
mustn't advise agriculture corporations or interna
tional afairs And, most surprising to the President
If he attempts to make good on his more portanC cam
paign promises we'll beer he is in for trouble
Breakers Ahead
Presidents do not often accept invitations from private
citizens-or even from journalists. The last invitation
recall was to Mr. Hoover in 1929, to say something
reassurng He resisted until March, $780, and then made
his disastrous promise about the worst effects being over
in sixty days. Perhaps Mr. Roosevelt will be canner SO
far his way has been all the easier ne actually sao
verv little in practical terms during the campaign In
general terms he said great dealso much that those
who witnessed his prompt action about banks ought not
to be surprised slower but equally fundamental changes
in industry know more than anyone else whether
this is the right tme whether the President has chosen
the right methods but do not think anyone has the
right to be astonished by the developments which were
clearly foretod in the San Francisco speech last summer
We, haven't had any melodrama in the White House
since the time of Theodore Roosevelt, who made meo-
drama out small situations and thereby made life enter
tanning for It the second Roosevelts good Tor
tune to arrive in office in the midst of drama which
might have become tragedy; he acted with such start
ling effect that all thought were in the gallery at
ten-twenty thir show; but craftsmanship isn't melo
drama and the past few weeks have proved that Washng
ton knows the difference. Only appetite has been
sarpened that would cheerfuy through another
crisis in order to have the elaton OF another moratorium
sits costly business
Long-Run Changes
Instead of a sudden move we will probably get-and
ought prepare fora reeXamnaon OF the basic Ideas
in American industry 1t will probably range from the
structure of corporations to the output OF Individual tac
tories It will involve regulation by law to nigh degree
suspect for cannot how country can exist hall
regulated and half free Finance and agriculture are
the regulated half and industry now under
THE guns) None of this is whm the part of the
Presidents all of it specifically promised Tor threat
ened) in the campaign
We have been so accustomed to neglect campaign prom
ises that we hardly pay any attention to them Mr.
Hoover and Secretary Mills both attacked Mr. Rooseves
San Francisco Speech but Mr. Roosevelt elected just
the The President therefore, is not slipping any
thing us but it might be we'll for him to re-
Afresh the minds of the people who elected him as to his
plans and by doing refresh the spirit of cooperation
with which his advent into power met
M1~~o,. Doo1 EHch Aro Cofo