Evening star., 1934-03-27
BAS|CPR|NC|PLES
!. SEEN THREATENED
G. W. U. Professor Com
ments on "Brain Trust"
Talk. sd.

"Steps being taken with business
recovery as the alleged end are carry
ing the United States closer to the
overthrow the basic principles upon
which this country has placed its
faith in the past" DR.. Warren Reed
West, professor of political science at
George Washington University and
chairman Of the university's School
of Government, said last night In
commenting upon accusations that
members of the brain trust" are plot
ting revolution in this country.
DR.. West said that whether these
accusations are true or false is less
important than the fact that many
basic principles Of democracy are
threatened.
He declared political regimentation
Of our economic life will be worse than
the imperfect economic system of the
present day. In experimenting with
various forms of government regi-
mentation, the present administra-
ton has exemplified the weakness of
political control, DR.. West said.
Appointments Scored.
while proclaiming on the one
hand the ideals of the brotherhood of
man, to be achieved through govern
mental activity, the practical poll
ticians in this same administration
have filled with political appointees
the various bureaus that were to
achieve these ideals.
Such simultaneous expressions of
high-minded enthusiasm and cold
blooded practical politics have not
been unknown in our past history and
may be expected in the future. They
are evidence that no intelligent and
impartial control of industry can soon
be expected. With the parties and
factions struggling to get the Jobs,
the resulting control of industry would
be worse than the evil it was designed
to correct"
In the opinion Of DR.. West, the lib
erals are working toward the goal OF
dictatorship. He claimed the recently
published pamphlet of Secretary Wal
| lace. entitled America Must Choose, II
makes it clear that steps thus far
taken in the control of business con-
sti.ute "only an intermediate step in
the progress toward planned econ
omy," and that in the planned middle
course which he advocates. Secretary
Wallace "f1irts with the ideas of die
tatorship and the suppression of free
speech.
Opposes Despotism.
Il cannot believe that any despo-
tism could accomplish a permanent
solution of our political and economic
problems. even though 1t were temp
orarily successful. Our own exper-
fence with one-man control has not
been particularly fortunate. The friv.
olous overthrowing Of the London
Conference, the bizarre experiment ot
the gold purchases and the precipitate
and arbitrary action in the matter
Of the airmails. can do little to en-
courage belief in the permanence and
efficacy of the Judgment of a single
individual. Another person in the
same position might suffer an even
higher percentage Of error.
While we are dwelling upon the
mistakes Of the bankers and the moral
perversions Of Wall Street, we would
do well to remember that all the er-
rors and all the crookedness have not
been limited to finance and business.
1t Is true that our financial and eco
nomic system has Jagged in adjusting
itself to the complications of modern
society. But it does not follow that
our governmental system has proved
itself so competent that We can safely
burden it with all the problems of
business. Legislatures have been cum
bersome or worse. with parties. Sec
tions and biocs jockeying for position.
The administrative branches have
been the resting places for politicians
between campaigns, and even the
courts have not escaped criticism for
slowness and complication. And yet
liberals" of various shades and opin-
ions would load this creaking gov