The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-05-28
Liberal Viewpoint
by DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

WHATEVER one thinks of the philosophy
| w or accuracy of the barrow report on the
NRA and fair competition, it has certainly
stirred healthy controversy with respect to the
new deal as has no other document submitted
during the Roosevelt administration.
There is little in the report which has not
been said time and again by we'll informed and
sane commentators. But Mr.. DarroWs person
atty and language have given color to his OBJ
servationS and have directed national attention
to the issues which he raises.
Where there is so much smoke there certain
ly must be little fire. That Mr.. DarroW puts
his finger so forcefully upon some of the sore
spots in the NFA may be suspected from the
violent language and devious tactics of General
Johnson and Donald Richterg. They have far
axceIled Mr.. Rand and DR.. Writ in dragging red
herringS and throwing dust. Nor can this be
excused as the hasty rage which might follow
a surprise attack. The general and his counsel
have had the barrow report to study for many
days and have had plenty of opportunity to con-
slider their language.
Some of Mr. Darrow'S critics have been in
clined to brush away the report on the ground
that it is the work of an old man losing his grip
upon realities It will be well to recall that Mr..
DarroW is a year younger than Justice BrandeiS
and that he is ten years younger than Judge
Holmes was when he was writing some of his
best decisions.
I HAD the pleasure of visit with Mr. OAR
- row in Washington after he had submitted
the report and found his customary mental
agility and his remarkable capacity for going to
the heart of social and economic issues entirely
unimpaired.
1t will not avail much to accuse Mr. Darrow
of any violent personal animuS against the NRA.
To my personal knowledge, his sympathy and
friendly sentiments were originally all with Mr.
Roosevelt and the new deal 1t would have
pleased him greatly to have been able to find
that the NF2A was working admirably in the in
tereStS of the American public
Perhaps the most amazing thing about the
report is that Donald Richberg allowed himself
to sink to the level of careleSSly hurting epithets
He has himself quite justly resented being called
Socialist by our American BourbonS But he
now allows himself to denounce barrow as a
philosophical anarchist. He charges the report
with being contradictory but what could be
more contradictory than to label a man who
warmly recommends the Specialization of indus
try and the extension of state activity an
anarchist?
1t has been contended that the report is SUI
perfclal and that the material was gathered IN
scientifically. From the long summaries which
have read in the metropolitan papers, see
little Justification for this charge And after
all, the major issue is the accuracy of the re-
port, and this can only be determined by careful
analysis and not by a volley of verbal brickbats.
TITO my mind the chief Importance of the re-
4 port is the fact that it has clearly called
attention to the alternatives which face the
United States if the new deal proves a failure
General johnson has been willing to admit
this and rightly points out that Fascism OF
Communism stares us in the face if the new
deal does not move on to ultimate success
The fact that Mr.. Darrow is rather skeptical
of the possible success of the new deal only
should encourage its friends to demonstrate thai
his pessimism is unjustified. This result will pc
achieved, if at ALL by steadfastly laboring to i'm
prove the new deal and not by calling Mr. Oar
row names.
The cruX of the whole debate, as well as Of
the NFSA, is the question as to whether competi-
ton can be civilized and exploited in the perma-
nent interest of mankind Mr. Darrow doubt,
it and says: All competition is savage, wolfsI
and relentless; and can be nothing else"