The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1934-11-03
R|CHBERG GIVEN
BROAD MIRA
POWERS
BY FRANKLIN G. SARTWELL

by FHANhLlN u. SAhIWELL
Washington, puzzled for al.
most two years by the rapidly
shifting New Deal, today is try.
ing to place the new status of
Donald Richberg. nominally ex.
ecutive director Of the National
Emergency Council.
With the departure from the
Capital Of President Roosevelt
for New York to vote in next
weeks election, Washington is
asking today whether Mr.. Rich
berg'S status gives him the posi-
ton Of acting President" or
whether the title and honors
conferred on him a few days
ago fall short of that exalted
and somewhat mythical position.
Has Powerful Post
While there Is some doubt as
to title and some small question
as to authority, the fact remains
that today Mr.. Richberg is the
most powerful figure in the
National Capital.
He occupies a position in the
ecutive establishment I'm.
dreamed of in the Constitution, un-
sanctioned by Congress-, and un-
provided for by law.
Nevertheless his position is so
strong that any problem which
arises during the absence Of the
President Tin fact, almost any
problem that arises while the
President is here) goes to Mr..
Richberg for solution and deci.
sion.
This is not in any degree ex.
aggerating the power and author
1ty conferred upon Mr.. Richberg
by the recent executive orders.
Next to President
Washington observers see the
situation created by the new
grants to Mr.. Richherg as follows:
Above Mr.. Richberg is still the
President, but below him is every.
one else in the Government.
That is the present status of
the chief coordinator.
It Is a status that is somewhat
amazing to those who believe the
Governmental structure to be
more or less rigid. They do not
zee how any man who has never
received the vote Of any portion
of the people should rise to the
position which Mr.. Richberg has.
More than that they are amazed
that such position could be Gre
Ated without its having been in
the mind Of Congress when it
passed the laws under which the
position has bloss0med.
AS an example Of the manner
and extent Of change in the pub
lie viewpoint after almost two
years of experience with the
Roosevelt administration, there
was cited today the difference be-
tween the reception Of the news
Of Mr.. Richberg'S accretion Of
power and the situation which
existed about a year ago when a
prominent industrialist came to
Washington.
This induStrialiSt was and still
is a recognized advisor Of the
President. He came to Washing
ton about year ago and word
went out that, although he would
have no position in the govern.
ment, he would be given a desk
in the State, War and Navy Build
ing and would advise the Presi.
dent.
Started Cutlery
Immediately the cry went up
that this man was to be in effect
the assistant President" He was
to be the acting President" in
the absence from Washington Of
Mr.. Roosevelt.
The outcry became so great
that the industrialist promptly
withdrew to his own pursuits in
some embarrassment.
But now that Mr.. Richberg has
taken over even greater power
than was ever thought of in the
case Of the induStrialist, the 'nci-
dent ELECTS only mild comment.
This is the prime incident Of
changes wrought by the New Deal.