Evening star., 1934-08-24
LIBERTY LEAGUE
AWAITS REACTION
Presidents Attitude Sought
on New Organization to
Guard Constitution. a
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

President Roosevelt's reaction to the
launching Of the new American
Liberty League was awaited today.
So far there has been no statement
from the White House in regard to
the organization which, while it has
been declared to be non-partisan
politically, has been generally inter-
preted as antagonistic to some parts,
at least, of the new deal.
One member of the Presidents cab
met, Secretary Ickes of the Interior
Department, has not hesitated to well
come the setting up of the Liberty
League. In Mr.. Ickes' opinion the
league tends to bring about a new
alignment in this country In accord
ance with the real issues involved.
Wants Open Fighting.
'I should like" said Mr.. Ickes, "to
see all progressives get together in one
camp and all the conservatives in an
other. Then we would always be
facing our enemies instead of what
was happening behind our backs"
The Secretary of the Interior, an old
supporter Of the late President
Theodore Roosevelt in the days of the
Bull Moose, has been a Progressive
for years. Whether such an align
ment as he hopes for would be entirely
welcomed by some of the Democratic
leaders is questionable.
However, five Democratic Senators.
who have not at all times seen eye
to eye with the new deal, hastened to
deny that they had any intention of
linking themselves up with an organ
ization containing Republicans, there
by indicating that the new league may
have the effect of strengthening party
lines rather than weakening them.
These Senators are Glass and Byrd
of Virginia, Gore of Oklahoma,
Tydings of Maryland and Bailey of
North Carolina. Their names have
been mentioned in the newspapers as
likely adherents of the new l-ague
Committee Issues Statements.
The statements of these Senators
were issued through the publicity de-
partment Of the Democratic National
Committee. right on the heels of the
announcement Of the formation of the
league, with such prominent Demo-
Gratis as Alfred z. Smith and John w.
Davis as members Of the Executive
Committee. The prompt manner in
which the party's national organiza-
ton acted to prove to the country that
there is no breaking down in the align
ment Of the Democratic party is in
itself significant.
Furthermore, these statements by
Democratic Senators, who on occa-
sion have been harsh critics of the
new deal policies, seem to show con-
clusively that there is no dimunition
in the power of President Roosevelt as
the leader Of his party. They intend,
it seems clear, to continue to uphold
his hands and to follow his leadership
The statement coming from the
Democratic National Committee said
that the names of these five Senators
had been mentioned in Republican
newspapers" as participating in the
formation Of conservative bloc in
Congress, composed of Republicans
and Democrats, in opposition to the
new deal. Senator Glass was quoted
as saying:
ANY suggestion that I am CO.
operating with the Republican party
or with Republican individuals, di-
rectly or indirectly. is just a pure in
vention. have had no conference
with Republicans or Democrats about
this matter, and I do not intend to
hold any.
Such a movement has been brought
to my attention, but I am not taking
any part in 1t. My position on legis-
lation that came before Congress and
certain policies of the administration
was stated by me on the floor of the
Senate under the obligation of my
oath as a Senator Anybody who is
interested may find my position stated
in the Congressional Record"
Senator Byrd said:
Certainly, I haven't been invited
(C0nfipued on paoe Q C0l1Ir1o 7l