Evening star., 1933-07-24
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

President Roosevelt has been plan
ming for some time to make the big
recovery talk he will deliver on the
radio tonight-his third broadcast to
the Nation since he took Office. He is
at the top Of his form at the micro
phone and feels that much Of the
stranglehold he maintains on public
confidence has sprung from these
heart-to-heart communings with the
folks back home. gathered in their
myriads around the living room receiv-
ing sets. 7. D; r. has what the broad
casting fraternity calls the ideal radio
rsonality"-resonant voice, clarity and
terseness Of expression. and q sense Of
showmanship. Tomorrow at midnight
the President will broadcast again-a
l5-minute message to the Governors
Conference In San Francisco. Doubt
less the recovery program will be his
topic then. too.
One Of the stories current while Gen.
Balbo was In Washington was that
President Roosevelt promised him q re-
turn visit to Italy by squadron Of
American airplanes some day. Balbo
said In New York that his expedition
cost 100000. Everybody in Washing
ton Is wondering what particular object
this investment. The consensus in
diplomatic, military and naval quarters
is that italy wants mainly to impress
France with Fascist air power. Many
years ago. when Great Britain and
Russia were at loggerheads, there was
famous ditty in London aimed at
Russia, with the refrain: I'VE don't
want to ight, but. by lingo, If We do,
we've got the men, we've got the ships,
and we've got the money. too" Many
think the theme song of the Italian
Transatlantic air exploit, with the
French IN mind, runs something IKE
by Balbo, If we d. we've got the men,
we've got the planes, and we've got
the money, too"
The troubles of the Treasury ought
on the job there now. w. W. Durbin
register of the Treasury. Is president
Of the international brotherhood OF
Magicians. Magic and politics have
long been Mr.. Durbins weaknesses.
For years men Of magic from all over
the world have held an annual con-
vention at his home In Kenton, Ohio
There he maintains the Egyptian
Theater" which Is chock-full Of all
sorts Of doc dads dear to the heart and
fancy of professional miracle-workers
Incidentally, another little "Ohio gang
Is now installed In the Treasury De-
partment. Register Durbin will flnd
Buckeye, Democratic National Commit
teesnan william A. Julian, appointed
Treasurer of the United States several
months ago. Mr.. Durbin has long been
Democratic State chairman and broke
away from the Ohio delegation early
, in the Chicago convention balloting to
vote for Roosevelt's nomination.
Mr.. Roosevelt's reported siding with
Public Works Administrator Ickes
against Secretary of War Dern In the
controversy over public works funds fol-
Army housing and mechanixation con-
hrms the fears some Of the military
crowd have had about r. D. r. Know
ing the sailor -President's fondness fol-
the sea and the Navy, and all there
with connected, many Of the soldiers
persuaded themselves that II the time
ever came when he had to choose be-
tween favors for the Army or the Navy
the water establishment would gener-
ally sink the Army gray" Perhaps
the Army leaves out of consideration
the master politician now at the head
Of the Navy Department, Secretary
| Claude A. Swanson, who has just had
| $238, 900 900 of public works funds allo-
Gated for naval construction, while Sec
retary Dern was being turned down
In the Senate Swanson enjoyed the
reputation Of being the most effective
"hxer" and "go-getter" on either side
| Of the aisle. The Navy is tickled to
have q man of his talents on the joh
at this witching and economical hour
4
At his semi-weekly press conference
| In the White House President Roosevelt
continues to be patience personinsd