, 1935-07-29
WASHINGTON
BY Ray Tucker

men at the capital are puzzled and
concerned over political reports on
the administrations popularity
throughout the country. Although
President Roosevelt seems to be up
one day and down the next, there
appears to be a slow drift against
the New Deal.
Sentiment varies in different Sec
tons. But what worries the insiders
Is reported detection in farm areas
which have been treated SO gener-
ously. A recent tabulation OF the
scouts reports indicated that 30
per cent OF the conservative bust
ness men and manufacturers had
turned thumbs down on the ; iminis-
tration; that 10 per cent OF the work.
ing people favored it: and that so
per cent Of the farmers were strong
for the presidents program.
Translated into political influence
and votes. this lineup does not i'm
press the chart-makers as any too
favorable. But what makes them
shake their heads Is the disguntle-
ment in the agricultural regions.
They can't understand that.
observation-disclosures Davis has TAX
en- a lot Of kidding as our rowing
ambassador in Europe" But he has
earned his SIT 500 a year-and he
gets paid only when he works-by
keeping Mr.. Roosevelt informed on
diplomatic intrigues in Europe.
Thanks to Mr.. Davis, Great Brit
aims. Reputation OF naval ratios
was no surprise to the White House.
Our diplomats had to profess public
establishment for reasons CT state,
but Mr.. Roosevelt was tipped off by
his locse-footed emissarv long ago.
Mr.. RoCsevelt's sometimes unex-
plainable insistence upcn building
the navy up TO treaty St-eng n wss
due TO Mr.. Davis inside knowledge
OF the plans OF Japan, Great Brit
ain and Germany.
When Mr.. Roosevelt took offha
the nited States was short 100 ships
q It's treaty quota. He has spent
S43O, 464.667 to build rs OF those ships
cruisers, aircraft carriers; sub
marines. deStroyers. We cannot re-
place any ~battleShips. To buNld the
rest will require about $500. 900. 1000.
It's a lot Of money, but ii places
US IN a position to build, bluff CT
bulldoze when and II naval uncer-
tainty forces another world confer
ence.
War-What gives our diplomats
grey hairs Is Britairs scrapDlng o.
ratios combined with her agreement
that Germany may build a fleet at
least Cne-third as large as her foe at
Jutland. his two-fo,d threat OF a
naval race and possible conflict pri-
Vately worries peace-makers as
much rs more immediate dangers in
Ethiopia and the Orient.
The diplomats look nt il this way.
Should Great Britain build beyond
her treaty allotment, ard Germany
take fun advantage OF their b!latar-
al pact, Hitler'S sea strength would
approach that OF France and Ita'y
II might cOnceivably close I'D al
Japan's, despite Nippon's deruncla-
tion Of the 1922 treaty. IL would brln-
Russia into the building game In 4
big way.
The expenditures would Be stag
gering. but they would be the small
est part OF the cost. ANY smart
statesman knows that when nations
have a fleet OF shiny ships floating
around loose they eventually want
10 try them out on thu rlh-r feiI-w
That's how the World War started.
Shortage-Harcld Ickes IS uuial',
c~hucEling at Harry Hopkins wr
relief troubles Mr.. Ickes abruptly in
formed the Allotment Board Al TIE
start that they could not make Dov-
erty q qualification for a relief ioh
Mr.. Hopkins has already relaxed
The provision with respect 20 Stun
clearance projects. The crranizad
building trades wouldn't stand far
tnat, especially as many Of their
members had refused 70 70 on relief
rolls. Now many other eroups are
protesting that thcv shouldn't ~
penalized fer trying to keep off the
uole. The bars will probably be rats
ed with respect to al heavy con-
structicn work before long.
Field men inform the Secretary
Of Interior that there Is a SHORTAGE
OF ~"releferS' qualified to perfrr-,
highly skilled work on bridges. roads
buildings. etc. So the Interior reason.
tor Mr. Ickes' attitude seems 10 ~
that he can't start his SIS. OOO-plus
projects unless he can 60 outside trs
relief groups.
Lcst-Perhaps the unhappiest man
IN washington is Joe" Tumulty. AZ
secretary 70 Woodrow Wilson this
idealistic, emotional Trishman-he
would rather weep than smile
placed great faith in the League OF
Nations. Now he confesses tearfully