Evening star., 1934-12-23
BY OWEN L. SCOTT.

,
presumably empowered to make cab
met officers dance to his tune, Dom
aid Richberg actually is having real
success as a New Deal evangelist.
Such. at least, is the impression con-
veyed by some of those who were to
be co-ordinated.
Mr.. Richberg retains his titles and
his powers. But Washington's most
interesting recent personal develop
ment is his APPARENT retirement from
the position of eminence as No. 2
man Of the Government. President
Roosevelt still is both the No. l and
the No. man, among others. In fair
ness, 1t must be said that the execu-
tive director Of the National Emerg-
ency Council never posed as Assist
ant President" even though he could
have rated the title on the basis OF
the grant of executive power made
to him.
Along with Mr.. Richberg's initial
lack of success in co-ordinating what
probably cannot be co-ordinated has
gone evidence of his marked ability to
serve as the super salesman of the
New Deal. In that capacity he has
made progress in effecting more har-
monious relations between the Gov
ernment in Washington and the bust
ness men out in the field, who are
trying to adjust themselves to hap
penings at the Capital.
His numerous, carefully prepared
speeches, replete with well-turned
phrases, have carried a note of con-
ciliation that employers have appre-
ciated. even If some high-powered
officials here have admitted that they
haven't understood the meaning OF
the most potent phrases. They marvel
at the judicial tone and the effective
ness Of the selling talk.
The result is that Mr.. Richberg has
been able to attain better results In
the field of oratory than in the realm
Of adjustments of what newspaper
men are won't to call an Ickes-Mof.
fett rift, or a Peek-Hull rift, or a
N. L. r. BIN. r. A. rift. These are
just a few recent riffs of the type
that the N. E. c. director presumably
was to coordinate before they
reached the public eye, or the Presi-
dents desk. But, Just as In the past
the squabbles and the policy contra
dictions are going through to the
White House.
A cabinet officer was heard recent
ly to make a rather facetious refer
ence to Mr.. Richberg's power. Also
one board, relatively new and much
battered board, openly opposed his
efforts. That result Is not surprising
to Director Richberg, who realized he
would be in trouble the first time he
started stepping on official toes.
Cabinet officers, jealous Of their
prerogatives, find 1t hard to bow to
any man other than the President
Likewise the men Of strong PERSONAL
ity and deep conviction who are di-
recting many of the emergency New
Deal set-ups do not submit lightly to
suggestions from outsiders. They look
to Mr.. Roosevelt alone as their boss.
In Difference to the executive director
Of the N. E. c. in his position as
official co-ordinator, high officials
have tempered their speech to remove
the sour notes that used to be so
noticeable. but if any has altered a
major policy at the insistence of Mr..
Richberg that alteration has not come
to light.
A glaring instance of the way CO.
ordination works in practice was pro-
vided by the experience Of the Ma
tional Labor Relations Board with
the co-ordinator. The board ruled on
a labor case In a way that the Ma
tional Recovery Administration con-
sidered contrary to q code agreement.
It's general counsel wrote q letter,
giving his opinion. Still the board
persisted in its stand. Then Mr.. Rich
berg stepped into the breach to
coordinate.
of the N. L. r. B., and his two COL
leagues on the board were not to be
co-ordinated. They stood their
ground, overrode the N. r. A. coun-
sci, and then did the same with the
New Deal co-ordinator.
What can be done in q case like
that? Members of this agency do not
figure as big shots" Of the Washing
ton show. They head very tempo
rary agency. But they wouldn't
bulge. That left the issue: Either
fire the N. L. r. B. or let the CO.
ordinator share loss Of prestige that
won't do him any good in dealing
with other personalities. Apparently
the board is not to be fired.
Or there Is the case Of Cordell Hull,
Secretary Of State, and George N
Peek, special adviser to the President
on foreign trade. Mr.. Hull believes
in trade treaties between nations that
open the way for freer dealings. He
believes that If we enter into trade
agreement with one nation, then the
terms Of that agreement should apply
to all other nations which want to de-
business with us and which would &C.
cord our business men similar priv
ileges. Mr.. Peek, on the other hand
thinks there should be more strict
control Of foreign trade, with the Gov
ernment keeping q close tab on ex-
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