Evening star., 1935-10-24
PRESIDENT FINDS
URGENT DUTY ON
RETURN TO DESK
Conference With Hull on
ItaIo-Ethiopian Situa-
tion Is First.
NEUTRALITY POLICY
OF U. S. NOT CHANGED
Stimulation of Works Program
to Cut Relief Rolls Among
Important Matters Up.

Problems of world importance as
well as those of national and party
significance, faced President Roosevelt
today as he returned to his desk at
the White House.
Deeply tanned and looking rested
after his crosS-country trip and ocean
vayage, the President arrived in Union
Station about $50 am, was met by
administration leaders and Mrs ROose-
welt and proceeded at once to the White
House for breakfast. Soon after 9. he
was at his desk in the executive Offices.
Heading the calendar of urgent busi-
ness which had accumulated during
Mr.. Roosevelt's absence for four weeks
is the matter of American policy in the
Italo-Ethiopian crisis and the reaction
Of this Government to the pressure
being brought against Italy by the
League of Nations. With all the ma
tions involved greatly concerned with
| the decision of this Government. the
President this morning scheduled Sec
retary of State Hull for the first Con-
ference of the day.
Works Program Important.
OF comparable importance in the
domestic picture, however, is the ques-
ton of what can be done to stimulate
the faltering works program and
effectively cut the heavily inert relief
rolls.
Politics were in the close back
! ground as the shadow of the 1886
| elections draws near and the rumble
| of anti-administration guns becomes
| increasingly loud. Close by, also. is
! the matter of budget program for
the next fiscal year with both friends
and foes of the administration watch
! ing closely for some indication of
! financial policy of the Government in
| the future.
| With New York elections scheduled
| for November and the White House
still in process of renovation, the
President plans to remain in the Cap
ital only a few days before continuing
on to Hyde Park. Among his engage
ments here before his next departure
will be brief radio speech tonight in
behalf Of the annual Mobilization for
Human Needs. This address is sched-
uled for $50 o'clock
Discussing the all-important ques-
ton Of policy in relation to the inter-
national disputes of Europe and
Africa, President Roosevelt told news
men before his conference with Sec
retary Hull that it would be his
earnest effort to keep this country
free and unentangled from any pos
sible war across the seas"
Neutrality Unchanged.
No change in the American policy
of neutrality is under consideration, he
said. In this connection. however, the
problem of legislation to replace the
present neutrality law when it expires
in February already is in the back
| ground of all decisions of the present.
His conference with Secretary Huh,
he explained, was principally to ac-
quaint him with all developments dur
ing his absence, among them the re-
quest of the League of Nations for some
comment on their policy of sanctions
against Italy.
! With the unemployment and work
relief problem standing at the top Of
the domestic issues, some action On
this question is expected very soon.
Harry L. Hopkins, works progress ad-
ministrator, and Secretary Ickes, pub
lie works administrator, accompanied
the President on his trip, and their re-
turn brings them face to face with the
necessity of desperate action if the
administration goal of 100000 jobs
| G n
is to be attained in November.
AS in other matters, policy In this
respect must be tied in with that con-
templated for the coming year, since
budgetary plans now in the making
must include some provision for meet
ing the relief needs of another II
months.
The Chief Executive got the jump
on the political problems by having
Postmaster General Farley meet him
yesterday at Charleston, S. c., when
the U. S. S. Houston docked at the
Navy Yard there. During the train
ride back to Washington, these two
leaders of the administration party
discussed the setting for the inpor-
tant prediction activities soon to
begin in earnest.
Favorable Business Reports.
Among the cheering factors submit
ted to the President was the wealth
of favorable business reports, but their
effect was partly offset by failure of
the unemployment rolls TO show g
comparable decline. Word of in-
creased Republican activity entered
the prediction picture and it was be-
lieved the Democratic party chieftains
discussed the advisability Of making
immediate answer or withholding their
counter fire until more crucial stage
in the campaign.
An extensive collection of advice,
(See PRESIDENT, Page 81