The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-03-09
BY THOMAS l.. STOKES
Times special Writer

WASHINGTON. March 9.-Pres-
ident RoOsevelt's avowed intention
70 curb the spoils system and put
more emphasis on merit in filling
government jobs has been thwarted
constantly b. Postmaster-Gener
James A. Farley.
Since Mr.. Farley takes his orders
from the President. the Chief Exec
u-Iye can not be held blameless in
everything that has happened. but
the PCstmaster-GeneraIs every act
naturally O. not subject 10 White
House scrutiny.
Mr.. Farley is a politician. He
makes no bones about il. His object
has been 70 reward those who
helped elect MI Roosevelt, and 70
spread such favors as he hse
where they Will count most in 1886
Too Much for One Man
The one thing that has caused
more criticism from friends Of the
Administration than anything else
and which Mr.. Roosevelt could
have corrected is the embodiment
IN one person. Mr.. Farley. of cab
met officer. a Democratic National
chairman and a New York State
Democratic chairman.
This combination Of government
and political business has made Mr..
Farley very vulnerable. 1t became
most embarrassing at one time. end
eventually dampened efforts at re-
form.
This was when three or four ma
tional committeeman turned up in
the Capital and. trading on their
friendship with officials and on
their claims Of White House in
fuence. set themselves up in nicely
appointed Offices as lobbyists 10
prey upon the frightened business
men who Swarmed into Washington
worried about codes and other mat
tiers. Il got TO be a nOisOme racket,
so much N that the President sent
out word that these gentlemen must
resign their political posts.
How About Farley?"
Mr.. Farley finally got them out.
Once started. the campaign gained
momentum and caught in its sweep
government officials who had pOliti-
cal posts. Henry Morgenthau Jr-,
Secretary Of the Treasury. took the
purifying process seriously and
cleaned up his department.
How about Farley?" rose the CRY.
The Postmaster General indicated
he would give up his political jobs
That was months ago but today he
IS stiIl a dual personality And bill
to force government officials TO give
up political Jobs is gathering dust
IN some forgotten pigeOnhOle.
Uses His Machine Well
During the last campaign Mr..
Farley used his combination govern
ment- political job effectively. Re-
publicanS charged that workers in
various Federal agencies. including
the relief organization. were using
the benefits TO which they had ac-
cess for political effect. If this was
true. 1t was no more than Repub-
leans have done in the past. though
this Of course has no bearing on
the morals Of perpetuating such a
system.
Beyond this. the chairman en-
plOyed with good effect the machine
which he had built
Strictly anti-New Deal were his
--kf,-ffs~~ ~ coma F-or-sr Dacrfrr
support for New Deal objectives by
Senators Robert NJ. la Toilette
prog. WIS.,. and Bronson Cut
ting CR-. n. NJ. both of whom
bOlted 10 Mr.. Roosevelt in 1892. the
national chairman sought 70 defeat
them in "a. He failed. just as he
did when he tried 10 defeat F:orello
II. La Guardia for mayor of New
York.
Roosevelt. Too. Is Target
This aroused increased resent
ment against Mr.. Farley among the
independent and progressive ele-
ment which had helped 10 elect
President ROOSevelt-and is begin
ming 10 show in the Senate'S rest
leSSneSS. President Roosevelt has
shared some Of this i'll feeling.
Early in the Administration Mr..
Farley played the patronage game
SkiIlfully. He held up the diSpens-
ing Of Jobs until the major part Of
the Presidents program was enacted,
holding this whip over Congress.
This provoked dissatisfaction but
IL worked.
Most Of the jobs have been doled
out now. and that IS one reason
why Democrats slip the traces more
readily. Another reason IS the as
founding increase in Jobs not avail
able to Democratic members Of
Congress.
Independence in the Cabinet
For Mr.. Farley could not get his
fingers on many Of these jobs. Sec
retarieS IckeS. Perkins and Wallace
and Relief Administrator Hopkins
insisted on choosing their own as
SiStantS. and the President sided
With them.
Mr.. IickeS finally ousted from his