, 1935-06-02
WASHINGTON
BY Raw Tucker

WASHINGTON
BY Ray Tucker
Remote Whatever chance there
may be for a world conference to dis
cuSs sterilization, tariffs and dis
armament may be spoiled by q few
Wlshful thinkers and writers. The
principal danger Is that misguided
public sentiment may force states
men 70 call an unripe meeting. So
Tar no government has been able to
frame an agenda which would not
precipitate an economic war worse
than the present me-.
What President Roosevelt II do
ing now Is TO let his cabinet men talk
without assuming any responsibility
Tor their -feelers." Observers have
read a lot that isn't there into Sec
rotary Morgenthau's gold speech
and Secretary Hull's Endorsement of
the statement that We are willing
TO talk monetary sense. Interna-
tionalist Hull simply saw a chance 10
push his pet idea and leaped at II.
But there was no collision between
the state and treasury departments.
And the White House sits back quiet
ly IN an u~nmpire-like role.
You can paste this In your hat:
MI. Roosevelt will enter no con-
ference unless an agreement on ma
jor items Is assured. There is no
chance OF that nOw-or soon. or
fcial spokesman here and abroad
have no more faith in b~i-lateral than
in multi-lateral treaties as a path
way out OF the present international
mOraSs.
Orders Jim Farley would rather
forfeit his political post as Nation
al Chairman than leave the post Of
flee. He would have no hesitation
in choosing between remaining a
politician and making a brilliant re-
cord as q businesslike Postmaster
General. As previously reported
here. he would personally prefer the
business nah" bulld-up.
The genial Irishman would ike TO
prove that he is not what his ene-
mics have pictured him - a hard
boiled machine politician. AS the
presidents first political friend his
lips are sealed. He cannot reveal
party secrets. He cannot explain
that al the coupS for which he Is
smeared-the attacks upon such
liberals as the late Senator Cutting
and Mayor LaGuardia and the delay
IN introducing a civil service bill
had the sanction and inspiration OF
his ~superiors. He has taken many
wallops on the chin because he Is a
loyal political soldier.
Leaving the cabinet will handicap
Jim al a politician. There are many
highly placed officials who don't like
him. There r many New Dealers
whose idealistic schemes might spell
political ruin IL adopted. Sitting
around the presidential board Jim
can spike amateur suggestions. He
has done so many a time. His alb
sence Is likely 70 make his enemies
grow stronger.
Restless Jesse Jones friends
are getting peeved. Although they
don't care 10 jump at conclusions
they suspect that President Roose-
welt is neglecting this conservative
ace OF the New Deal. AS a banker.
business man. financier and promo
ter they think his talents should be
used more often by the White House.
They resent the favors shown %
Joe Kennedy. Mariner Eccles. Don
Richberg. etc.
Mr.. Jones did not accept his RFC
job because OF the money In ID. What
ne Graves is power. activity and glory.
He has a passion for ~skyscrapers and
sinking polo coats. They explain
him. But now the RFC is running
along in routine fashion. II is TAX
ing in nor money than II is putting
out. Other agencies PWA. the
work-relief boys and the Federal
ReServe-have poached on his pre-
serves OF power.
No resignation * In sight imme-
diately But IL would not help the
administration II the big Texan
should forsake the family between
now and 1886. Conservatives every
where would mutter: I'VE told you
so"
Amateurs - Well-meaninE legali-
ties who don't understand practical
politics are making trouble for the
president every day. Departmental
heads are giving them too much free
rein.
Certain young treasury lawyers re-
quested that congress declare all
liquor containing more than ~ or l
per cent to be Intoxicating. High
Treasury officials hit the roof when
they heard Of this QuiXotic proposal.
Such a strict definition would help
IN collecting taxes but the political
liabilities would more than offset
the extra revenue.
AT the request an inspiration OF
President Roosevelt congress decid-
ed that beer with a $40 alcoholic
content was Observation-Disclosures
Some members who voted for this
Gill;, CnHoo