The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-12-23
DEC. 23,t1935
Washington
Merry-Go-
Round
BY DREW PEARSON and
ROBERT S. ALLEN.

WAsHINGToN' Dec. S"-Ac-
w tivity in behalf of any nomi-
nation seekers was taboo at the
meeting of the Republican ! Ma
tional Committee, yet the most, in
teresting development of the gath
ering was in connection with the
race. .~~
:. 1t consisted of the view privately
voiced by some of the most imporr
tant leaders present that IN the
final showdown none OF the present
candidates will get the prize. s.,
The 1886 G. 0. P. banner carrier,
IN their opinion will be a man
whose name has so far not beeps
mentioned Z
No clew to the Identity of tf1eS
mysterious dark horse was given. Ia
fact, it. was specifically stated that
the, view was largely dope" But
the tip was to watch for the emeF-
gence of a boom for a prominent
business figure in the next few
months
What makes the matter addition
ally intriguing is the fact that the.
very same theory regarding the Re-
publican nominee is held in the in
ner White House circle. =.
Some of the Presidents closest
advisers are firmly convinced that
none of the aSpirantS now seeking
the G. o. P. nomination will get it
and that dark horse will be named:
at the Cleveland convention. The
only point on which they differ,
with the Republican dopeSters is on
the type of the candidate.
The New Dealers believe that he
will be a member of the Supreme
Court, and the name they mention
most frequently is that Of Justice
Owen D. Roberts
Mr.. Roberts has several times de-
MED emphatically that he was a
candidate, or would accept the nom.
ination if rendered.
TINE Administration has been
i quietly tipped off that an in
vestigation of Harry Hopkins and
his $4,000, 100000 relief fund is due
at the coming session.
The warning was no surprise.
The relief program has been under =
heavy fire for months and New
Dealers have taken it for granted
that when Congress. reconvened the
political opposition would demand a
public airing.
In fact, the Administration hasn't
waited for the launching of the
attack, but already has started a
counter offensive.
That is the inside explanation for
the current barrage of speeches BY.
Harry Hopkins and his leutehantS.
explaining and justifying the Works.
Progress Administration.
In formulating their defense, WPA
chiefs have divided the criticism
into four general classes. The
criticisms plus the official answers
follow: -.
First Charge-That large sums Of
money have been wasted on boon
doggling." -
To this WPA replies with an ac-'
counting of how the S1.100,000,0o0
allocated for work-relief activities Is
being spent.
-r = y q
CECOND Charge-That partisan
- politics has been prevalent in
the distribution of relief jobs.
The WPAers answer this by citing
numerous orders issued from Wash
ington demanding strict impartiality
on the part of state and local off,
Gals. There is no doubt, however,
that the WPA boys are treading on
weak ground on this point. a.
To the third charge that certain
states were favored, the Administra-
tionists counter with the argument
the distribution Of funds was nadia
on the basis of need. That IS, those
states with the heaviest unemployed
rolls were given larger proportion
of the available money.
Fourth charge is that administra-
| tive costs have been excessive. -
1t is admitted that "in some.
spots" this has been true. But it IS
holly denied that this charge holds
water for the program as a whole.
WPA bosses say exact statistics are
still unavailable, but contend that
present figures indicate the average
| administrative cost will be less. than
| 10 per cent. This amount, they say,
is moderate and compares fayorably
with the operating charges of pri-c
vate institutions.
n u l-e~r
A. TTY. GEN. HOMER CUM
"A MINGS always passes out
cigars and cigarets at his press con-.
ferences, but Secretary Dan Roper
topped him the other day.
He offered to show the newsmen
a snappy South Sea Island film If
they would drop around. --.
(Copyright. 1885. - United Feaffre
Syndicate. Incb