Evening star., 1934-04-20
JOHNSON DEFENDS
N. R. A. IN ADDRESS
Tells Editors Press "Put
Across" Program and
Asks Continued Aid.

In a bantering exchange with
Gen Hugh S. johnson, head of the
N. R. A., today defended its admins
tration, answered questions about its
operationss and urged continued CO.
operation.
The N. r. A. johnson told his au-
ditors, who composed the American
Association of Newspaper Editors, was
put across" by the press and its con-
tinued help is necessary if it is to
succeed.
IF you hang around buzzard- like,
swooping down whenever the oppor-
tunity presents itself however, 1t won't
be so easy" the colorful N. r. A.
chieftain said.
Johnson came before the editors
without any prepared address, said
that he hadn't had time to get one
together. sat down at a small table
and proceeded to speak from notes.
He said he felt his appearance would
be most helpful if he opened the way
remarks, promised to answer any
thing that was asked, and told his
audience that in their questions you
don't need to pull your punches"
Have No Case to Stand Up.
In the course of his remarks, john
son answered one question that has
been raised frequently about N. r. A.
why there have been no proceedings
against large concerns that apparently
have been violating its provisions.
I'VE haven't any case against a
large concern We think would stand
up in court" he said
johnson asked, too, what advantage
there would be in taking some action
that would throw 5000 or 5000 men
out of work under such circumstances.
He said also that the big concerns
shave the best legal pilots in the
world to steer them so close to the
rocks that it is hard to tell where
there are violations"
Gen. johnson read the editors a
good-natured lecture on some rep
resentations of both himself and OF
the N. r. A. declaring so far as he
was concerned were I the incompe-
tent that I have been pictured by
some critics or the clustering jackass
as portrayed by some cartoonists, I
wouldn't have lasted"
Declares Politics Are Out.
He insisted that politics plays no
part in the administration Of the N
r. A.. humorously adding. Il haven't
the slightest idea of the political aff1li-
ati Of h1it 7
have a sneeking suspicion that most
OF them are Republicans"
Johnson. defending the centraliza-
ton of news sources in the N R. A,
which, he said, has been termed a
"gag," said the action was necessary
end was good administration.
AS for the freedom of speech writ
ten into the newspaper code, John
son said he saw no more reason for
that than for Incorporating the entire
Constitution. since it is a constitu-
tional guarantee.
I'VE might as we'll have put in the
Ten Commandments and We prob
ably would have done so had the
publishers asked it."
The general also criticized some
press accounts of N. R. A. activities
but he reiterated later that the
press had been the factor that put
the N. r. A. over.
Chat With President.
The opening session of the society
was climaxed last night by chat at
the White House with President
Roosevelt. in which more than so edi-
tors participated.
The discussion was strictly "off the
secord," with any presidential re-
marks for the guidance of those pres
ent, and not for publication.