, 1935-01-07
WASHINGTON
BY George Durno

0&04 NAlAAUu4 -
boss Of the National Emergency
Council and chief c~oordinator OF the
New Deal - is In a tough spot.
It's a fighting phrase to caII him
Assistant President" but in MANY
ways 1t fits him. The better he
does his job, the bigger the internal
scrap and - possibly = the hard
er the fall.
As vice-president-in charge -of-co-
ordination he will have to act az a
filter for all legislative
bearing an administration label.
Roosevelt lieeutenants with bright
ideas about legislation are supposed
10 clear through the NEG chief.
His task is to get a meeting OF the
minds, arrange amicable compro-
misses and leave everybody in a good
humor.
It's a superhuman assignment.
Frank G. Walker tackled il first.
He kept himself carefully out Of the
hmelight but oon found that bro
Their New Dealers we're Sniping at
him with cold-blooded precision.
Now 1t is Richberg's baby under
far o difficult circumstances.
The first phrase of the New Deal Is
over. People are becoming more
critical OF Washington edicts. ANY
number of the Presidents impor-
tant aides r wrangling under
cover for more personal power and
a stronger spotlight.
Thorns Many observers think
that FDR's greatest strength I'D to
now may well turn into a dangerous
weakness. During the first %
months of his administration the
President was able to delegate power
to subordinates right and left. II
one Of them stumbled the blame &C
crued to him and not the White
House. This was reasonable be-
cause obviously one man cannot
keep a finger on the thousand and
one details of this intricate govern
ment.
In recent weeks there has been
more of a disposition to bring Mr..
Roosevelt into the picture PERSONAL
ly. a shining example was the hous-
ing row between Public Works Ad-
ministrator Ickes and Federal Hous-
ing Administrator Moffett. FDR
had to settle this one by long dis
lance phone from Warm Springs
and II isn't completely settled yet.
Richberg had been trying for
three weeks DR. more 10 arbitrate this
scrap before 1t broke into the open.
He failed because he couldn't
change human nature. The men in
volved had been appointed by the
President. They held themselves
accountable only TO the White
House and didn't relish another
subordinate coming in to act as
referee.
Politicians OF long experience pre-
dict this feeling will soon spread TO
Capitol Hill. If a member of Con-
greSS was TO deal with Richberg as
an Intermediary for legislation want
ed by the White House. that men,
Der is quite likely to think Of his
patronage. The boss coordinator
is apt TO be told that the measure
will be supported II John j. Gump
is appointed u. S. Attorney.
Organized labor is another burr
under Richberg's saddle. Union
leaders are convinced Richberg Is
knitting their cause because despite
his years of service as general coun-
sci for the Railroad Brotherhoods.
Suave and capable as he is Rich
berg finds plenty Of thorns in his
bed Of roses. He predicted them his
first day on the job. General Hugh
Johnson once had something to say
about dead cats.
Radio - IL is in the cards for ex-
Congressman Aiming S. Prall Of
Staten Island, New York, to be
named TO the Federal Communica-
tons Commission. He will replace
Hampson Gary Of Texas who has
been chairman of the broadcasting
division.
Prall was offered the job early
last summer. He didn't take it be-
cause of a law forbidding any mem
Der Of Congress from switching over
to a new government post If he had
a vote on its creation.
Gary was appointed during the
recess for a one-year term. His hitch
Of duty is not up until July. He Is
expected TO resign and then Prall's
name will go up for Senate confirm
alton.
Senator Wagner has been back
ing Prsll for the Communications
post. II seems the Congressman
was a tough customer to deal with
In the matter Of state patronage.
Prall did not run for reelection. He
professed ignorance Of radio when
he was rendered the job last year
but has been tuning in ~religiously
ever since.
Advice - Ever since Japan can
celled the Naval Treaty the Red