, 1935-06-24
WASHINGTON
BY Ray Tucker

fanny EScCclb 1GNCISCS ndNS
forced modification OF FD-t's tech
lnique. He shows the effect OF ad-
versity In mood and manner.
His smile Is not so CHEEKY or con
fident. He doesn't answer questions
so spontaneously or definitely. He
parties, he evades, he freezes up. He
takes extra pains 70 make his mean-
ing clear-a natural reaction to the
widespread criticism OF his supreme
court lecture. He processes polite
ignorance on subjects OF major i'm
port. The give-and-take relation
ship with the press has vanished.
Enemies charge him with indeci-
sion. They insist he is losing his
grip. That Is too simple an explana-
ton. He has discovered that frank
ness doesn't pay in the conduct Of
government. He hasn't abandoned
his larger detectives. He seeks them
by more subtle and indirect means.
He Is exerting more pressure be-
hind the scenes than ever before.
He Is playing a more canny game.
Strategy-Inside manipulation OF
the iva and holding company bills
In the house furnishes a startling
example Of the new presidential
strategy. 1t depicts an entirely diff
ferent Roosevelt from the man who
forced SCI congressman 20 enact
measures they had never read or
heard about.
The house committee first refused
to report the IVA measure except in
a form repugnant to Mr.. Roosevelt.
IL turned this experiment over 10
the apostle OF red tape-Comptrol-
Ter General Mcfarland crippled
the general distribution OF cheap
power. But administration spokes-
men accepted those limitations. Now
the plan is to reshape the bill on
the floor or In conference so as to
please the President.
The same strategy was applied 70
the holding company measure. The
stubborn house committee struck
out the death sentence clause. But
the White House hopes to sharpen
the bill-and the axe-betwecn now
and final passage. It's the old game
Of when you can't lick 'em, join
em"-for a while.
Scotch - Harold Ickes Is putting
over a fast one on cities and states
which have borrowed money on
n~on-federal projects.
With some grumbling over inter
est rates cities and states have put
up about $500, 900 900 worth of col
lateral in return for partial federal
grants. Now Mr.. Ickees proposes TO
sell this security TO underwrite new
PWA projects. He will need this
extra money TO ave his face in view
Of the famous Harry and i" con-
ference at which Mr.. Roosevelt
made Spender Hopkins boss Of the
$4,000. 000. 900 works. On the surface
II looks like nothing more than an
attempt to keep PWA alive.
But there Is a hidden reason be-
hind the move Already some cities
and states have asked for a return
Of their collateral. Others may de-
fault on II before Ickes has collected
In full. But II he can place state
and municipal bonds in the hands
of the bankers. he won't BE- left
holding the bag. Mr.. Ickes, II you
don't know 1t, is Scotch.
Cut-Ewing Y. Mitchell exagFer-
ates a bit when he claims that hts
protest halted the sale Of u. S.
ships to a Baltimore firm at $4,000
a hull. Much more important quest
ions than profit and loss blocked the
deal.
The shipping board contracted for
the sale of more than 100 obsolete
vessels to a Baltimore firm. It ex-
pected they would be Tefitted or
sold to domestic firms as scrap. the
latter being the reason for the low
price. Then II developed that the
scrap was being re-sold to Japan.
which has gained a monopoly or
secondhand steel in all PARTS of the
world. Since the shambles at Shang-
hal. Nippon hes bought more than
50 per cent OF all the scrap exported
by the United States.
Army intelligence understands
that this material has gone into the
manufacture of guns. tanks, shell
castings. ships and auxiliaries. Con-
fidential reports to state and com
merce confirm this suspicion. So
certain high officials thought 1t wise
to cut the shipping board supply.
But Mr.. Mitchell wasn't in on the
play.
Practical - The politicians have
their clutches on the Sfr10.000 000
work-relief program. des~ite Pres
.ident Roosevelt's WARNINGS. Already
the promise OF generous slices has
figured in vote deals on C-Ditol Fill
A majority Of the state Work-re-
lief directors hail from the political
ranks. Senators up for reelection
next year-Leaders Harrison and
Robinson-have been permitted to