The Washington times., 1935-01-01

national affairs constantly and
scarcely a week has passed with
out some constructive work in con-
nection with the administration
Of the Government.
Repeal of the Eighteenth Amend,
Mnent came early in 1884, and to
carry out platform and political
promises, as we'll as to meet the
situation administratively, Presi-
dent Roosevelt appointed the Fed
eral Alcohol Control Administra-
ton with Joseph H. Choate, jr.
et its head.
Drive on Crime
The Government drive on crime
has had the Presidents close at
tention. His program has resulted
in a half dozen new Federal laws
during the year, giving the Federal
Government power to run down,
prosecute and imprison public enc
mics whom the States found diff
cult or impossible to handle.
The vast relief problem has been
administered through the public
works program and contributions
of Federal money to States which
have their own relief administra-
tons.
Another recovery organization,
the Federal Housing Administra-
ton, came into being in June.
With James A. Moffett at the
head Of the FILA, the President
started a program of releasing
money in the banks to be used
IN building and renovating pri-
vate homes, thus placing money in
circulation and, at the same time,
restoring many homes which had
fallen into neglect.
Rail Problems Studied
President Roosevelt also ap-
pointed an aviation commission
and a communications commits
sion to coordinate these two i'm
portant activities. A study of
railroad problems also was in
Stituted.
OF Importance to Washington
was the Presidents skirmish with
Congress over the independent Of
ficeS' bill which contained liberal
i2ed veterans legislation as we'll
Is the restoration of two-thirds of
the Federal pay cut. The Presi-
dent vetoed the bill, which Subse-
quently was passed over the veto
by both Houses.
Later in the year, the President
announced that he would restore
by executive order the remaining
5 per cent as of July !, 1885, but
Government clerk organizations
have begun a campaign for legis-
lation restoring full pay as of to-
day, a matter requiring retroac-
tive laws.
In the latter part of the year,
the President moved his offices
from the west of the White House
into the mansion itself while the
PWA built a new office, now oc-
cupied by the President and a
staff of more than 180 assistants,
the largest White House personnel
in history.
Strike Problem
A, labor problem of major i'm
portance confronted the Presi.
dent when textile workers over
. wide area went out on a strike
which assumed nationwide pro-
portions. Amity was restored,
although all the questions have
not yet been settled, through a
commission appointed by the Presi-
dent, with Governor Wynant, of
New Hampshire, at it's head.
President Roosevelt saw a great
deal Of the United States in 1884.
He fished in Florida for 10 days
IN the late spring. aboard Vim
cent Astor's yacht, Nourmahal; /;
he attended the graduation of
his son, John, from Groton. in
Massachusetts and saw another
son, Franklin, row in the Har-
ward freshman crew against a
victorious Yale shell at New Lon
don. He spent four weeks at his
home in Hyde Park in the sum.
mer, attending to executive bust
ness as usual.
His most spectacular trip
started July 2 from ANNAPOLIS
aboard the U. S. S. cruiser Hous-
ton. He visited the Virgin Is
lands and Puerto Rico, sailed
through the Panama Canal to
the coast of Molumbia, saw the
historic port of Cartagena and
then sailed to Hawaii.
Return Journey
Returning, he came by way of
Portland, Ore. From there he
traverSed the continent slowly,
inspecting many important pub.
lie works, such as power dams,
and got a first-hand view of the
Favages of the drought in the
President Roosevelt attended
the funeral of Speaker Rainey,
who died late in July, the funeral
being held at Carrollton, Ill. Elec-
tion day found the President cast
ing his vote at his home in Hyde
Park.
President Roosevelt talked to
the people via the radio in two
"fireside talks" the microphone
being placed on his desk in tho
White House.
On Christmas Eve the President