Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-03-04
Reform or Recovery Are Seen
Alternatives for Roosevelt
Popular Demand for Improved Bust.
ness and Less Stress on Changes
Checks President.

officials the country has ever known.
There have been the hell raising gen.
eral. Hugh s. johnson: the political
idealist. Harold l. Ickes, and the
Utopian theorst, Harry L. Hopkins.
They have been among the most in
fiuenttal personages in the admins
tration. On the other hand, the
Presidents cabinet. as an institution,
has fallen to q low estate. The mem
bers have complained because Donald
r. Richberg, executive director of the
super emergency council, was per-
mitted to recommend major policies
affecting their departments. But the
President has been able to keep them
pacified.
The President has been able to
maintain his hold ON the public thus
far largely because Of his personal
magnetism and his jovial good humor
At times, Of late, he has shown more
irritation over criticism. But his out
ward demeanor under criticism has
been in contrast to the SNUG self-
of some Of his Subordt-
mates.
To q large extent, they have been
earnest young men, working under
divine direction to ameliorate the
condition Of the under dog. Their
autocratic authority has impressed
them greatly. but their demeanor. on
the other hand, has been irritating to
the hat-holding business man who has
been forced to cool his heels in the
outer ofices. These young men
might learn . great deal Of political
behavior from the past master. big
Jim" Farley, who Is one Of the few
trained politicians In this administra-
ton. with all his faults. Farley has
remained human, and his temporary
elevation to q place of authority has
Tot turned his head.
During the first two years of the
New Deal, Mr.. Roosevelt has been
Unable to accomplish the results
either he himself led the people to
believe he could, or the people merely
imagined he could. But it Is con-
ceded the President has done better
than his friends and critics at Albany
expected Of him, in view Of his pre-
vious four-year record As Governor Of
New York State. Before he became
President the people of his home State
considered him q public ofncial Of
rather ordinary ability, little bit
quick on the trigger, and scarcely in
Q class with their beloved Al Smith.
Fire Reaching Peak.
On the second anniversary Of Mr.,
Roosevelt's accession to the presidency
he finds himself under heavier fire
than at any previous time. He has
been able to ride the wave Of popular
adulation, gracefully and without Q
loss of face. Up to now, the public
has accepted him ut full value and
his word has been law. From now
until the election in November, 1896,
Mr.. Roosevelt may expect the criti-
cism to become increasingly biting.
The country then may appraise him
better than when he has been riding
on the crest. It will furnish q better
test of both his abilities IS . politician
and his worth as . man. Like most
Presidents, Mr.. Roosevelt Is inclined
to be thin-skinned. II ne can cover
up his inner feelings under nre ana
retain his smiling exterior ne proc.
ably can keep o large part of the idol
worship he now enjoys.
For several months the controversy
has centered on whether the New
Deal resulted in fundamental cures
Of economic troubles, or whether It
nnt,rn reN.ctina merely the sain due
to the Government pump. printing
process. The outlay OF $4,ooo,ooU,oUo
q year for relief ana recovery un-
has accounted for q part OF
the recovery.
The President has insisted that the
N. r. A. put 1000, 900 persons pack 10
work. It Is contended the A. A. A.
has increased the farm income about
Q billion dollars . year. but undoubt-
edly the short crops due to the drought
had q decisive influence. The r. F. G..