Evening star., 1933-03-15
PHIL LAF0[LETTE
TO SEE PRESIDENT
Former Governor of WiScon-
sin Had Been Considered
for Attorney General.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

President Roosevelt, it Is understood
here, would like to have former Gov.
Philip La Toilette of Wisconsin figure
in his administration. La Toilette Is
now on his way back from Europe, but
will come here by the end Of the week
to confer with the President, on invita-
ton of Mr.. Roosevelt himself.
Just what place the President has in
mind in his administration for La Fol-
lette has not been disclosed. 1t Is
known that when the office OF Attorney
General had been offered to the late
Senator Thomas j. Walsh Of Montana
and the Senator had it under advise
ment, President Roosevelt had La Fol-
lette in mind for that post If Senator
Walsh should decline.
However, in view of the fact that the
cabinet now includes three members
who have been Republicans in the past,
the appointment of La Toilette as At
torney General might not sit well with
the Democrats of long standing, al
though La Toilette worked hard for the
election of President Roosevelt in the
last campaign. Not only did he support
Mr. Roosevelt, but he also gave his sup
port to Gov. Schmedeman, the Demo-
cratic candidate for Governor.
Name Variously Mentioned.
Immediately following his retirement
as Governor the first week in January
La Toilette went to Europe. His name
has been mentioned in connection with
various Offices under the new Demo-
cratic administration. among them
American Ambassador to Russia
should this Government recognize the
Soviet government and establish diplO-
matte relations. In informed circles.
however. 1t Is said that La Toilette not
only has not been offered such q posi-
tion, but that he would not be inclined
to accept 1t.
As Governor Of Wisconsin, La Fol-
lette went deeply into the matter Of
unemployment relief Should President
Roosevelt undertake to set up-with the
approval OF Congress- Federal organ
iZation dealing with unemployment re-
lief on a Nation wide scale 1t has been
suggested that he might turn to La Fol-
lette to head such an organization.
When Homer S. Cummings was ap-
pointed Attorney General following the
sudden death of Senator Walsh. 1t was
said that the appointment would be
Temporary" and that Cummings would
go eventually as governor general to
the Philippines, an ONCE which he had
already agreed to accept.
Successor Much Discussed.
With that in mind. there has been
much discussion in Washington political
circles of a possible successor to Cum
mings as Attorney General. The Pro-
gressives in the Democratic party, as
well as in the Republican party. are
insistent that the office 60 to Pro
gressive." They were greatly pleased
when Senator Walsh was selected for
that post
Senator Norris Of Nebraska has. 1t Is
taken a great interest in the
matter, and when he returns to Wash
ington from Nebraska, where he went
for the funeral of the late Senator
Howell, it Is expected that he will seek
a conference with the President regard
ing the appointment Of an Attorney
General.
1t is reported that Senator Norris
will favor three possible appointees:
Frank P. Walsh of Missouri and New
York who was joint chairman Of the
War Labor Board with the late Chief
Justice Taft during the World War;
Donald Richberg of Chicago counsel
for the Railway Labor Executives As
sociation, and former Gov. La Toilette.
Richberg has the backing of the
brotherhoOds for the Office.
Former Senator James A. Reed Of
Missouri, known the country over not
only as Senator. but also as a fiery
prosecutor, has more recently been
mentioned as a possible appointee to
the Office Of Attorney General, and
Felix Frankfurter of Boston has been
talked of not only for the office Of
Solicitor General of the United States,
but also for that of Attorney General