Evening star., 1935-12-03
Peek Steps Out.

George N. Peek has taken himself out
of the Roosevelt administration, Tor
the time being, at least. He mas re-
signed his positions as foreign trade
adviser to the President and president
of the export import banks. 30 far'
there has been no indication that he
will be asked to accept another post
Apparently he has gone to join tnat
ever increasing army OF the ci-deVant
of this administration: Lewis Douglas
who was director of the budget; Prof.
RAYMOND Moley, who was Undersecre-
tary of State; Dean Acheson, who was
Undersecretary of the Treasury; Prof..
Sprague, who was financial adviser 10
the President, and Donald Richberg ana
Cen. Hugh S. johnson, each OF whom
held the proud post of administrator
Of the N. r. A.
Mr.. Peek, a student for many years OF
the farm problem, found it Impossible
to 20 along with Wallace and TugweH
and their policy of restriction and scar
city. So Mr.. Peek, who came into the
Roosevelt administration as head OF the
A. A. A., asked for a showdown. He got
1t. His transfer to the position OF special
trade adviser was effected and later he
was made president of the export-import
banks. Now Mr.. Peek, although he be-
lieyed in special trade agreements with
individual nations, was not in accord
with the policy Of Secretary Hull, looking
to a general breakdown OF tariff walls
through the operation OF the most
favored-nation clause Of the tarin act.
Mr. Peek regarded the recent Canadian
reciprocal trade agreement as detri-
mental TO the American farmer, whom
he has sought to aid for many years.
Apparently Mr.. Peek has come to the
conclusion that his days Of usefulness
and influence in the administration are
at an end. Exit Mr.. Peek.
The administration retains its dream
pattern. The Wallaces, the Tugwells,
the Morgenthaus. the Hopkinses, the
Perkinses remain. Harold IckeS. Secre-
tary of the Interior and p. w. A. admin
istrator, holds on, although he has been
o pain in the neck" to some Of the
dreamers for q long time. Mr.. Ickes
has q sense Of duty and he intends to see
that the Government gets q quid pro
QUO for It's money, II that be possible.
James A. Farley, Postmaster General,
practical and persistent, Is about to step
out Of the cabinet, but merely because
he is needed to run the Roosevelt cam
paign for reelection. Cordell Hull, Sec
retary of State, who may privately shud-
der at some Of the stunts Of the New
Deal, clings to his ideal of greater inter-
national trade and business recovery
through q lowering Of international
trade barriers. II that ideal is turned
down, he, too, is likely to remove himself.
There have been suggestions that he
might prefer his old life in the Senate.
Mr. Peek, when he first took once,
was supposed to have much influence
with the farmers Of the great Midwest.
Even when he broke with Wallace and
Tugwell the President seemingly was
reluctant to let him 60. But now the
administration believes that 1t is solid"
with these farmers. Has 1t not the evi-
dence Of the corn-hog referendum to
show that 1t stands ace high? Mr.. Peek
may not be as necessary as he has been
in the past. The great requirement for
holding office is to be able to shed old
beliefs and opinions and to keep step
with the leader.