Evening star., 1934-09-24
ROOSEVELT SILENT.
ON GEN. JOHNSON
Maintains NonCommittal
Attitude, but Watches
Situation Closely.
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the N. r. A. or else is headed for the
exit door. he mas made it very appar-
ent that he is watching things
closely.
Moreover. While no word is coming
from the Summer White House re-
garGing the Presidents feelings in the
matter especially the "belligerent"
speeches made recently by johnson in
relation to the textile strike, Signifi-
canoe is attached TO the fact there has
been no attempt at denying any of the
fresh rumOrS about johnson. Neither
is there any denial of the report that
Bernard M Baruch, noted financier, is
under consideration for appointment
as the new directing head of the
N r. A.
It is realized that the situation is a
delicate one and that the President,
no matter what his convictions are. is
treating it dellcately. but just the same
the feeling here is that the attitude as
sumed by the Summer White House
certainly tends to lend weight upon
the new rumOrS.
Gives Indirect Answer.
BaruCh. who recently returned from
visit abroad, was a guest at Hyde
Park Saturday. When asked directly
by newspaper men then. if he was to
take some place in the New Deal ad-
mlnistration he gave an indirect
answer to the effect that he was GER
tainly not contemplating taking some
bOdy'S place. 1t is clear that sort of
evasion does not imply that the noted
financier who headed the War Indus
tries Board would not permit himself
to be drafted as one of the major
aides to Mr.. Roosevelt.
No matter what the President per-
Sonally may have thought about
Johnson's speech regarding the textile
strike, it is known that following his
conference here about two weeks
ago, these two parted, to all outward
appearances. the best of friends. But
those close to the President have eX-
pressed the belief for many weeks that
johnson was on the way out, or, that
his days of being the real czar of this
big establishment were ended
The opinion was expressed privately
that johnson had outlived his useful
ness: that when the codes had vir-
tually been completed. his methods
and his force of character and un-
usual personality. we're no longer
needed. and that the N. r. A. would
function more effectively in the future
with a different personality at its
head.
Has High Appreciation.
Regardless of how the President
may feel now about Johnson's use
fulneSs. it is known that he has
high appreciation of all that he has
done in the past, and that he would
not want to make any gesture now,
unless forced, that would imply in
gratitude on his part When the
question of replacing johnson comes
up for discussion in well-informed
quarters, it always is pointed out that
the President would not want to ap-
pear unappreciative. Therefore, it is
assumed. that if the President be-
lieves the fortunes of N R. A. in the
new set-up would be benefited with
johnson entirely out of the picture,
Mr. Roosevelt must figure out some
way to accomplish his purpose with
out embarrassing the general.
At least, the President must act so
as to make clear his appreciation of
what Johnson has done in the past.
In this connection. it had been be-
lieved here, the President would find
the means of accomplishing this in
the plans being worked out for re-
organizing N. r. A. by spreading out
and dividing the administrative and
policy-shaping authority.
Matters Seen Complicated.
But it is now thought that develop
ments since johnson had his last con-
ference with the President may have
complicated matters so it will not be
so easy for Mr., Roosevelt to make it
soft" for the Johnson exit, if that is
what he has in mind. Because of all
this, the situation now is looked upon
as uncertain. This uncertainty is only
accentuated by the silence OF the Sum-
mer White House
However, it is believed here that the
time is not far distant when the PreSi-
dent will make known his ideas re-
garding the immediate future of the
N R. A as well as its more per-
manent Set-up.
The President announced today
that he will leave here for Washing
ton tomorrow night, arriving at his
desk Wednesday morning.