Evening star., 1934-11-08

What happened in the Richbers
case was that Mr. Roosevelt a few
DAYS ago issued an executive order
giving Mr.. Richberg broad powers
TO act occasionally in his stead Nc
explanation was offered by the White
House. The hssty Interpretation was
immedia tely broadcast that Mr.
Roosevelt was under the spell of q
new major influence. Some implied
he had virtually sbdicated.
MT Richberp is one OF the
smarteSt men on the unofficial
board of Ne,o Deal strategy. but he
is long aony from being No. 1
man. or eDen assistant President.
The facts are these:
Some weeks ago Mr.. Richberg wa.
slated to take the unofficial leader
ship in N. r. A. reorganiza tion. Sub
sequently. the President got worried
about the co-ordinatins job He
knew as well as any one that CO.
ordination OF various New Deal phases
had not been successfully accom-
plished, but he had more hopes than
most people that 1t could be done
Richberg was one of his best ad-
ministrators. so the President de-
clined TO let him leave the co-ordi-
nstors desk.
Steps on Toes.
Conscientious Mr.. Richberg took
his lob seriously. His job mas to
step on toes, and he did II NTH
abandon Certain Cabinet officers
ran to the White House displaying
their injured feet. Mr.. Roosevelt
informed them thot MT. Rtchberg
Wns his co-ordinator, and DItnt Mr..
Richberg said about cO-ordinating
must be done, toes or no toes.
That did not work out very we'll
The department leaders began tc
avoid Mr.. Richberg. No one except
the President was going to tell them
how to run their departments or how
to change their policies to flt in with
other departments
Mr.. Richberg soon discovered that
If he was going to get anywhere, he
would have to be given full authority
to act That. and that only. is the
reason for the Executive order.
Other No. l Men.
II would probably be accurate 10 say
that there are about four or Ave No.
men now functionine behind tile New
Deel. Among them are: Treasury
Secretary Morgenthau. Prof Raymond
Moley, Interior Secretary Ickes and
Richberg You might also include
Secretary Louis Howe and possibly
some others. Each has his own
sphere of influence.
Richberg's will be largely admins
trative; that is. in working on con-
f1icts in policy between the yerious
Government departments. So far as
inaugursting policies on money. taxes
railroads, bonus, banks and wnat-not
his influence will be nil. He will be
consulted about NRA. labor and bust
ness policies. but hardly as an assist.
ant President.
Sharpsh0oters ~ Work.
A pery delicate job of inside
sharpshooting at Richberg is al
ready under nay Most OF it is
being done BY the liberals inside
the administration. They took TO
the trees. some weeks back. When
their standing became uncertain.
About that time. they noticed the
President Dns not kicking oronnd
business men and bankers the 'Uoy
they prescribed. They hare been
saying TO themselves that they mill
get back in the limelight noW th0t
election is oDer, but they ore be-
ginning to Wonder.
Their dissa tisfaction has largely
centered in Richberg He was for
merry a labor attorney They think
he should still be labor attorney.
Apparently Mr.. Roosevelt and Mr..
Richberg think he should be q judi
cious adviser rather than An advocate
for any particular faction
Nevertheless. the Jealous liberals
have been spreading stories around
that Mr. Richberg has gone conserva- :
tive. About all there seems to be in
that is that Mr.. Richberg has ceased
to be labor attorney.