Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-03
ANT[ROOSEVELT
GOSSIP FLAYED
"Whispering aign''
Aqainst President De-
cIared Most Unfair.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

The So-called WHISPERING Io
paign" about the physical and mental
condition Of President Roosevelt ana
the references to it in the Senate
Lobby Committee are about as unlaH
an attack OF President Of the United
States as this correspondent can
recall.
Nearly every President has been the
victim of whispering campaigns OF
one sort or another. They are rarely
given the slightest credence except
by people who want to believe what
they hear because of an already deep
seated prejudice against the person III
question.
There Is in politics, as in any otner
game, a rule that blows should not De
struck below the belt. Those who are
seeking to cast discredit on the Presl-
dent personally are not playing fair
Personality Praised.
This correspondent has had occa-
sion to differ with the Roosevelt
policies and to criticize them in the
public interest, but there has never
been the slightest personal feeling
about it. AS an individual, Mr.. Roose-
Welt is likeable, humane, sympathetic
and, indeed, he is charming per-
sonality. One may feel that ne has
surrendered too much to the wlleS OF
politics and that he allows the Ma
chiavellian theory of politics to govern
him too much, but, at best or at worst
this is an aspect of political warfare
that does not touch the personal.
There are many readers who Will
disagree with this viewpoint, who Will
insist that it is not possible to have
q personal friendship for Mr., Roose-
welt and still point out the defects IN
his policies with vigor and penetra-
ton. People who feel this way are, OF
course, bitter in their reactions to a
President whose policies they think
are hurtful. But long experience with
Republican and Democratic politics
and constant observation of the tricks
and devices used in politics convince
the writer that those who engage in
them do not really feel they are doing
anything officially wrong or morally
wrong when they use public ONCE to
pursue their aims.
Funds Play Major Role.
The outsider thinks naturally that
no offense could be worse than the
use of public money or influence to
satisfy political ambition. Granting
that the practice is one that ought
to be condemned and discouraged, the
fact remains that it is the stock in
trade of politics, and probably always
will be, until an aroused electorate
forces a change in the moral code of
politics and public affairs.
Those men who know Mr.. Roosevelt
best-those who have known him for
many years-will tell you that they
feel Mr.. Roosevelt Is a man of in
,tegrity and personal virtue, but that
when he touches politics he takes risks
,that few men in public life have
taken. with the possible exception of
the first President Roosevelt.
The attack on the President for his
lsocialistic policies and for his eva
sion or avoidance" of the Constitution
will 60 on because Mr.. Roosevelt has
really embarked upon a course that
means, whether he realizes it or not,
a change IN the American form Of
government.
Roosevelt's Health Is Good.
But the subject is bigger than any
one man and transcends any per-
sonallties, for, even II Mr.. Roosevelt
were to pass from the scene, the move
ment he has created has a substantial
momentum which must be reckoned
with by those who oppose its funds-
mental philosophy.
So far as this correspondent is con-
cerned, he takes every opportunity to
reiterate that Mr.. Roosevelt is in ex-
cellent physical condition, that his
mind is healthy and vigorous, In fact
too vigorous for the groups he is max
ing uncomfortable. including a lot of
people who believe that the things
unsound about him are his advisers.
his rubber-staInp lieutenants In Con-
gress and his cwn impractical theories
Of how the American economic sys-
tenn has functioned or ought to func-
ton.
AS person. MIR. Roosevelt deserves
the tributes Of his countrymen for his
fortitude, his courage and his tenacity
In sticking to what he believes Is right.
AS a President. he is under fire more
than at any time since he took office
and possibly more so than any Presi-
dent since Wilson, a sentiment which
Will continue to grow If the admins
tration's motif continues to be class
turmoil instead Of peace and recon-
Citation.
(copyright 1880