The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-01-13

President Roosevelt, Sena-
tor Van Mugs was told, was
insisting that the appointee
be a Republican, and intended
to designate William Fortune,
indianapolis.
Senator Van Nuys then got in
touch with Louis Howe, personal
secretary to the President, who con-
firmed the report. The senator told
Mr.. Howe that although Mr.. For
tune was a man of distinguished
ability, he believed Mr.. Fortune to
be not in sympathy with the new
DEAL and therefore should not be
placed in charge of the adninistra-
ton program in Indiana.
Where did you get the name OF
Bill Fortune?" Senator Van Mugs
asked Mr.. Howe over the telephone.
"Out of Who's Who" Mr.. Howe
is said to have replied.
Mr.. Howe then asked Senator
Van Mugs to submit the names of
three Republicans.
Recommends City Men
After sleeping over the PROPOSE
ton, Senator Van Mugs decided not
to suggest any Republican candi-
dates, but went to his office this
morning and wrote Mr.. Howe a let
ter suggesting the names of Evans
Woollen, indianapolis banker, and
Fred Hoke, indianapolis manufac-
turer and civic worker, both Demo-
Gratis.
The senator's letter follows:
My Dear Mr.. Howe:
Pursuant to our conversation
over the telephone this morning,
am herewith formally submitting
the names of Hon. Evans Woollen,
and Hon. Fred Hoke, both of Indi-
annapolis, Indiana, for the position
of state director Of the National Ex-
ecutive Council.
Il invite the most careful scru-
tiny of the ability, integrity and fit
ness of either Of these gentlemen.
for the important position above
named.
Very respectfully,
Frederick Van Nuys."
Frank Walker, executive director
OF the National Emergency Council,
said last night that an Indiana di-
rector would be named "in the next
forty-eight hours"
NOnpartisan Is Sought
Mr.. Walker refused to reveal the
names of the persons who protested
against the appointment of Mr..
Werneke, but it is understood that
substantial citizens in Indiana had
complained that Mr. Werneke had
no qualifications for the position;
that he was nothing more than
glorified ward politician. They de-
clared that the Indiana director,
unlike Werneke, should be a man in
whom the business men of Indiana
should have some confidence
mai wiz 4ldo llOJ ouCI1 d IECOIQ dS
partisan in politics
Besides the Endorsement Of Sena-
tor Van Nuys, Mr.. Werneke also
was recommended by Governor Paul
V. McNutt, State Democratic Chair
man Carleton D. McCulloch and
National Committeeman Thomas
Taggart. 1t was job that Mr..
Wernecke picked out for himself.
His indorsers understood that Frank
Walker wanted to name Werneke,
and that their recommendation was
wonted only "as a matter of FORM"
Press Criticism Cited
Mr. Walker said last night he did
not remember whether he had ever
talked with Mr.. Werneke.
The Presidents desire to name a
Republican as NEG director in In
diana is said to spring from re-
cent press criticism to the effect
that the NEG setup is calculated
to convert the new deal" activities
into partisan "re-elect Roosevelt
movement"
Mr.. Roosevelt has said that he
wants the NEG personnel to be
formed so far as possible along
nonpartisan lines. and has indicated
that the state directors all must be
men of high business standing