Evening star., 1936-01-04

Whenever he has a big speech tt
make, or a general message to pre-
pare for Congress he calls upon 6
variety of sources for ideas. Ofhcial'
submit information composed as they
would like to have him use it. Prof
Moley. top speech-making adviser
generally submits texts on severa
subjects. Occasionally Prof. Frank
furter also is called upon for sugges-
tions. (They never appear at th'
executive Office. but always at thu
White House proper)
After getting all these together.
Mr.. Roosevelt retires to his room
in the White House mot his o6fceJ
and dictates the first draft OF irhdt
he wdnts to say. He works oDer it
tUo or three times Congressional
leaders and departmental heads
are called in to see and correct
tDhat pertains to their affairs.
What finally comes out is a com.
posite grouping Of many mems ideas
written largely in his language. None
of the advisers can simplify things as
we'll as he can. Likewise, few car
compete with him in composing catch
phrases.
Advice From Crowd"
Before the message was delivered
the congressional crowd almost unani.
mously advised Mr.. Roosevelt against
trying to 60 any further toward the
left now. They said 1t was dangerou:
not only economically but politically
They wanted him to lay heavily on the
prosperity motif.
Also they iDanted him to hit the
economy angle hard. They thought
it Uould cut ground from under
the opposition.
In fact, the House leaders began II
make preparations a week ago te
smoke up their side of the economy
issue at the earliest possible moment
They arranged things so that the
est-looking Government supply bills
would come up the very first week.
FIip-Flops Become Apparent.
Flip-hops performed by some of thu
Democratic Congressman during the
recess will become apparent in q few
days when they start talking in public
To wit:
A well-known Southern Senator was
stopped in a public place by q news
man the other day. He was leader
against many New Deal bills last
session. denouncing brain-trusters
etc. The newsman asked what he
thought Of Mr.. Roosevelt now.
The Senator looked around to see II
any one was listening. Noting that
many were. he said in a loud voice
that he thought Mr.. Roosevelt was a
great man. Still louder, he proclaimed
that the secret of Mr.. Roosevelt's
greatness was that "the President is
a man with a heart for the masses. u
He beat his heart vigorously with his
hand to illustrate his point.
Nobody smiled. The Senator is up
for reelection.
Caution In Press Releases.
The President puts of writing his
speeches as long as possible. However
that Is not the reason why texts are
seldom given to the press until a few
hours before he begins to speak. The
explanation for that is advance copies
generally find their way into the hands
of political opponents If given out
earlier.
Leaders Irk President.
Mr.. Roosevelt was irked personally
by the talking done by his Demo-
cratic congressional leaders during
and after their Philippine junket. He
remarked to q friendly caller the
other day that Garner alone kept his
thoughts to himself.
The mutual confidence and respect
between the President and the Vice
President appears to have been
strengthened even beyond the bonds
existing last session.