, 1935-07-23
WASHINGTON
nv Raw Tucker

BY Ray Tucker
Votes - Congress has taken 70
heart the lessons learned in the
Corcoran- Brewster scrape over the
public utilities bill. The boys are
lodging charges that White House
domination has transformed them
into legislative dummies.
Despite treasury officials curtos-
ity. the Ways and Means committee
has barred executive emiSSaries
from the rooms IN which 1t Is ham,
mering out q new tax blu. Not q
word has leaked to down town
about their changes IN rates or the
scope OF the taxation. The men
who once passed Brain Trust prepa-
rations without reading them now
exhibit Napolecnic courage.
The reason is obvious. They are
framing the most politically unob-
jectionable bill they al put togeth-
or. They don't crave interference
or suggestions from advisers who
want a revenue-raising instead Of a
vote-raising scheme. And nobody
cares TO be scorched by the spot
light that blistered Ralph Brewster.
Crossed The White House Is
badly miffed 40 unhappy disclosures
at its planning for 1861 relief ex-
penditures even before IL has spent
its $3.50, 900 900 fund. That sum
was designed as the big push"
against unemployment. Now re-
publicans are chCrtling that the
administration comedies its made
quacy.
A quiet check-up reveals that
Secretary Perkins tipped off the
Tipped Secretary blurted out the
story on leaving the White House.
She didn't realize that she was
giving out a firSt-rate piece OF
news which every critic would
pounce on.
Attempts 10 cover up by explain
ing that the treasury was prepar-
ing preliminary budget estimates
didn't get far. Emergency expendi-
lures are always the last TO be fore
cast and no estimate will mean
anything until the results Of the
present wOrk-reliaf activity are
known. The normally canny New
Dealers have crossed their publ
city wires several times lately.
There has been too much talking
and squabbling In the cast.
PIankers-A presidential confid-
ant furnishes a sensible explana-
ton for Mr.. Roosevelt's tolerant
treatment Of aides whose impul-
siveness or indiscretionS cause him
unnecessary heart-burnings. NO
chief executive in years has been
SO restrained In his verbal child
ings or SO slow in severing rela-
tons with recalcitrantS.
Mr.. Roosevelt cannot make quick
decisions with regard 10 people in
his train. according TO this view.
He can reach a Judgment on q
policy without delay, although he
does not always let advisers know
how his mind Is working at the
moment. But he prefers TO take his
time when IL comes TO passing on
human relationships
The president also places q high
premium on loyalty. balancing that
quality against lack OF ability OF
Judgment. But when he makes up
his mind that somebody must 60.
ne acts automatically but effect
lively. Almost without knowing how
or why they walk the plank and
make their splash. Several are
taking that last walk now but
they don't know what's pushing
them.
Foresight - Silver spectators
banking on the administration 10
balloon the price 70 S1.29 or any
where near that figure are bound
to be disappointed. Unless they
stored I'D the metal early In the
game-poSsibly below sixty cents
an ounce-they may not recoup
their white chips.
Treasury purchases must be
matched against the price Of silver
as IL will be fixed some day at q
world conference. II the VI. .. loads
up at q high figure-above Silt
may stand to lose many millions II
wins only II II can acquire O store
below the price eventually agreed
uDIl DN lnE WITH. 4Aa@-rC N0AA@4ANA0
tions influence Treasury manipula-
ton as much as congressional man
dates and political pressure. Every
body on the inside knows It.
President Roosevelt has pointed
out that there can be no -perman-
ent measure CT value" for gold or
silver without concerted action by
many nations. The spectators for
get that remark. Secretary Hull has
constantly uueried foreign govern
ments on silver. meanwhile, We are
buying II at slightly ct-ve SO cents
"a drop from a high a. eighty-plus
and it will be good business 10 keep
II there while we hold the bag.
Stymse-Insiders privately con-
cede that the move to bar AAA pro
cessing suits is a colossal fluff. Few