Evening star., 1934-05-07

Col. Edward NJ. House has been In
town during the past few days ano
presumably, in his unobtrusive way
seeing something Of President Roose-
welt and Secretary Hull. Little birds
long have whispered that Woodrow
Wilson's right-hand man periodically
counsels with the present admins
tration on foreign affairs. The init
mate relationship between the Preei-
dent and the Texan dates from the
earliest days Of F. D. RS presidential
aspirations, when House was con-
fidential adviser on preconvention
strategy. The colonel's presence in
Washington about the time Mr.. Roose-
welt announced his intention to SEND
a message to Congress on war debts
suggests the possibility that this may
have been a subject of discussion be-
tween them. Col. House holds that
the United States sooner or later viii
have to grapple with the debts once
for all, Just as the allied governments
disposed Of German reparations. In
a magazine article on the eve OF Mr.
Roosevelt's Inauguration Col. House
wrote, referring to the reparations
settlement: "In the same way. and
for similar reasons, the American
people must be ready-as practical
business men, and In cold common
sense-to do what is necessary In
order to dispose finally of the war
debts as q political question"
\ 4
There is some expectation that
President Roosevelt will suggest to
Congress the granting to him of such
war debt negotiatory authority as he
seeks in connection with tariff bar
gaining. 1t Is more than doubtful
whether Mr.. Roosevelt will f1nd Con-
gress in mood to sanction conces-
sions to our war debtors in any form
House and Senate have gone on rec
ord repeatedly during the past three
years against further leniency, and
in particular against any action what
soever that family resembles cancel
lation. It is questionable whether
Congress would approve Of debt favors
even in exchange for American trade
advantages. The cynical attitude
! adopted by nations which ruthlessly
defaulted on their installments stiff
fened the resolve Of Congress to stand
pat on the whole debt proposition
Should President Roosevelt 90 30 far
as to suggest a policy Of altruistic
generosity, he is sure to run into
. stone wall Of hostile sentiment on
Capitol Hill.
More and more, Henry A. Wallace Is
coming to be REGARDED the sage and
philosopher Of the new deal. Ap.
pearance in book form OF his thesis
ON Craftsmanship and Religion,
originally delivered as q series o,
lectures before theological organisa.
tions, will enhance his reputation az
the thinker" of the Roosevelt ad-
lace's recent brochure, America Must
Choose" which has an exclusive eco.
nomic background, Craftsmanship
and Religion" reveals him as a mar
stepped in biblical lore. He draws
| many graphic analogies between the
Old Testament and present-hour con-
ditions In the United States. Secre-
| tary Wallace is now being honorably
| mentioned as presidential timber. The
young liberals in the new deal are
said to be grooming him for 1910
when the Iowan will be 50 years old
Supposedly, they are doing SO in the
assurance that Franklin D. Roosevelt
will give his Secretary Of Agriculture
his blessing for the successofship II
the same spirit that actuated another
President Roosevelt . quarter Of 9
century ego in amounting q member
Of his cabinet (William Howard Taft
Is White House heir-apparent.
To this observer comes the sug-
gestion that the Republicans coult