Evening star., 1935-11-27

Hardly anything could be better de-
signed to provide President Roosevelt
with a happy Thanksgiving than con-
current reports from organized labor. the
Federal Reserve Board and the Federal
Housing Administration that business Is
definitely on the upgrade. 1t is an open
secret that New Dealers chief political
concern is the state of the times and the
psychology" of finance and industry. If
conditions remain as good as now de-
picted Democrats think the 1886 election
is in the bag. The strategy of the Roose-
veltians henceforth is not to do anything
unnecessarily to irritate business. With
the Federation of Labor foreShadowing
IAN industrial boom within the next few
years." with the Federal Reserve assert
ing that activity for the first 10 months
Of 1885 was at higher level than in any
Of the preceding four years and with
housing authorities reporting a growing
trend toward recovery in the building
trades, capital and labor unite in herald
ing the dawn of happier days. AS evi-
dence Of what business considers to be
the paramount need, the National Asso-
citation of Manufacturers vigorously
opposes curbs on production in industry
and agriculture. It urges resistance to
any new Government attempt to regulate
wages and hours.
X 4
Most observers are convinced that II
the December 9 conference called by
Maj. George L. Berry, co-ordinator of
industrial cooperation, adjourns without
accomplishing anything there will be
cheers. not tears, in upper New Deal
regions. Nothing indicates that admin
istrationiSts are pressing for revival of
N. r. A. in any form, large or small,
though some authorities think there may
be q change of heart If the Supreme
Court validates the Guffey coal control
law and passes afirmatively on other
constitutional questions. The sentiment
generally encountered in Washington is
Joy that things are running smoothly and
that it is the part of wisdom, with '36
just around the corner, to let well enough
alone. In other words, there is no yearn-
ing to interrupt the breathing spell"
+
"The Gay Reformer: Profits Before
Plenty Under Franklin D. Roosevelt" is
the title of a much discussed politico-
psychological study of the President and
the New Deal, just from the pen OF
Mauritz A. Hallgren, seasoned Washing
ton political writer. The books under
lying thesis is that F. D. r. was trained
for the role he is now enacting by his
early home environment at Hyde Park.
Mr.. Hallgren argues that everything in
the Presidents youthful background and
upbringing suggests that he Is not the foe
Of the capitalist system that some de-
tractors represent him to be. Hard
realities have forced Mr.. Roosevelt" Mr..
Hallgren writes, 'to shift and maneuver
with frequency disturbing both to 'busl-
ness confidence and to liberal intel
lectuals who would make America over
into something they call the social
state, but it is the authors conclusion
that Mr.. Roosevelt's presidency has
been Of benefit to the profit system"
~
Robert Lincoln OBrien, chairman OF
the United States Tariff Commission,
and Brig. Gen. Frank T. Hines, admin
istrator Of veterans affairs, are the New
Deals twin holdovers from Republican
administrations. Mr.. OBrien has just
been designated as chairman OF the
Tariff Commission for another year, hav-
ing first been appointed by President
Hoover in 1881 and reappointed by Presi-
dent Roosevelt. Gen. Hines has headed
the Veterans Administration ever since
March, 1928, under commissions from
four successive DEMONSTRATING, Cool
idge, Hoover and Roosevelt. Though
Republican from high protection New
England, Mr.. OBrien has revealed con-
spicuous independence and liberalism OF
view as tariff chairman. A year or two
aso, during House revenue hearings, ne