, 1935-07-15
N
BY Ray Tucker


Tnnocuous - The creaking OF the
Federal Trade Commissions mach
inery can be heard as far away as
the White House these days. 1t will
take several months before this neg
lected agency will be ready to nego-
tiate and supervise voluntary agree
ments designed to supplant NRA
codes.
Preliminary negotiations offer
small hope that it can ghost for the
NRA. Although 100 industries have
sought information since the Blue
Eagle died, only rs have expressed
q readiness to negotiate agreements.
Only six of these have offered TO
preserve code hours and wages. All
the commission al do under the
circumstances is frame a document
setting forth a few pious Rrecepts.
The commission executed only
one agreement during the life Of
the NRA. When the wholesale
druggists got in a jam with Hugh
Johnson over hours and wages, they
junked the NRA for a voluntary
agreement. II makes no mention
of pay or working conditions. 1t is
m example OF the kind q innocu-
GUS pledges which will be executed
when the commission gets around
to IL.
Cooperative - The commissions
present personnel does not appeal
to some New Dealer. 1t has usual
ly assumed a policeman's attitude
toward business and industry. It's
favorite slogan Is cease and de-
sist."
There Is a quiet movement 70
revamp and reorient the agency.
Roosevelt has impressed upon the
members the importance OF their
new duties at several conferences.
ne has one vacancy 70 fill immedi-
ately and another In September.
NRA-er James ONeill has been
mentioned as one possibility IN an
effort 10 reconcile MIRA and com
mission philosophy.
Mr.. Roosevelt has also called for
closer cooperation between the com
mission and the Department OF
Justice. Some attorney generals
and antitrust assistants have re-
fused to proffer "curbstcre opin-
ions that would be helpful In the
negotiation Of voluntary agreements.
But MeSsrs. Cummings and Dickin-
son are in a cooperative mood. So
the comm I sion may amount 70
something yet.
Politics - Political rites mark
the burial OF NRA.
Personnel officials have furnish
ed senators a list OF employees hall
ing from their states. with the ex-
PLANTATION that most must be fired
The senators are asked to cheek
those they would like retained.
MIRA directors explain they seek this
information so as 70 keep the most
worthy. including those with de-
pendents and those who most need
work.
But the senator's are more inter-
ested in politics than economics. SO
far they haven't got tne point.
They look upon the lists As a docu-
mentation OF the patronage alot-
ed to them, and r recommending
employees whose retention VIII bring
in the most votes.
Partisan Presidential aides
resent insinuations that they ere
worried over reports that public
sentiment IL swinging against the
administration. They pooh-pooh
suggestions that Mr.. Roosevelt and
Mr.. Farley are engaged In rebuild
ing their fences.
Jim insists that his present cross
country trip Is solely for res.. nc
says that he wants to &c. evay from
politics for a long time. Tie rlsns
to spend ten days n HawsE and ~
bury himself for a week In yellow
stone. The p. q. looks as If ne
needs a reptile. He Is worn out
physically and his political plans
haven't worked out on Capitol Hill.
Mr.. Roosevelt assures callers That
he will not promote his poltt'nl
restoration IL he travels Hrter con-
Rress quits. He may maize "po-
litical speech" but the others win be
on national affairs" Republicans
say that the president makes a good
PARTISAN talk even when he simply
recites the alphabet.
show - Tammany braves blame
the administration for inspiring
the investigation into vice rackets
In New York City. They think II Is
subtly designed to weaken the Wig
wan for the 1895 presidential and
gubernatorial elections. Worse still.
they fear II may strengthen Mayor
Lac uardia's chances for reelecuon
with Roosevelt support.
These assumptions are logical
even though they couldn't be prov
en- in court. Tammany blocked
Mr.. Farley's move for legislative re-
apportionment that would have
lessened its influence at Albany and
at the next national convention.
Its delegation In the house has
shown its teeth to the president on
many major measures. Rules
Chairman O'Connor and Senator
Copeland have swung some heavy
blows.
Although Tammany was supposed
to have reformed under Mr.. Farleys
urging, the reform didn't take one
OF its most prominent leaders may
become the chief target Of the
racket inquiry. Anticipating a gen.
eral smearing OF "the hail." neither
the president nor his postmaster
general felt they could afford 70
hook up with the new leadership.
The show will be worth watching
for its effect on the national cast
and drama.
Spilled - The scheme 10 bury the
Treasury's $4,000. 100000 worth of
uniT In n cafn rnrhn M Fort KrOw