Evening star., 1936-04-13
BRAIN TRUST EVIL
SEEN IN KEY Jobs
G. o. P. Professor Limits
Held Needless if They Are
Practical Men.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Inc RepuDuCdIlS uOW udFc Dioia
trust" to help them, just as do the
Democrats-so what's the difference?
This query in the last few days Sug-
eests that scores now have been
eoualed or that the Republicans have
yielded to the academic impulses OF
their political brethren and that here
after there will be less ridicule or
criticism of the brain trust"
President Roosevelt on one occasion
told friends that he didn't like the
phrase brain trust" but that he did
prefer "to put trust in brains" AS a
matter of fact, college men the coun-
try over have been unjustly criticized
because of the acts of the group IN
Washington, who have become aSso-
ciated with the New Deal, and hence
clearer understanding of what is
meant by brain trust" is essential.
Had the New Deal brought to Wash
tngton a group of advisers from the
collegiate world and given them purely
advisory tasks, there would have been
little criticism. Accidentally trained
men are useful in government, but as
the practical aspects of the subjects
which they are to handle; friction re-
suits because of that unfamiliarity.
Practice VS.. Theory.
The New Deal unquestionably erred.
In the view of its critics, by giving posi-
tions of major responsibility to the
"brain trusters." While professors can
bring a fresh point Of view and often
q more disinterested approach than
is possible from the business or eco
nomic world, the fact remains that as
between practical experience and pure
theory in dealing with governmental
problems that touch vital questions
Of economics, more can be accom-
plished by the experienced and prac-
tical persons than by the theorists. AS
for honesty of purpose and fidelity to
the New Deal itself, there are plenty
of persons with practical experience
who would serve the Government un-
der any administration. Unfortunate
". under the New Deal, when these
same honest-minded and conscientious
individuals come to grips with the
theorists, the powers that be preferred
to believe the theorists and to dis
card the advice of the practical group.
Had the brain trusters" been merely
advisers there would have been less
confusion hereabouts. Their views
would have registered for what they
we're worth alongside of other groups
of advisers. But the brain trusters"
we're given access to the President
while men of practical experience,
especially in Congress, were denid that
opportunity except semi-occasionally
Political Psychology.
In the drafting of legislation the
''brain trust" formula came a cropper
too. Here the conflict arose between
the purely theoretical and the po-
utical. Granting that many OF the
motives that actuate the politically
minded are selfish, the fact remains
that men In Congress have to face
their constituents and hence knowl-
edge of public psychology gained in
the battles of politics is an asset which
cannot be lightly regarded.
the New Deal have often clashed with
Democrats in Congress because the
latter insisted that their proposals
we're impractical. Here again the
White House usually sides with the
brain trusters," affording them a
position of responsibility which is not
justified either by their limited ex-
perience, if any, in the business world,
or their knowledge of governmental
backgrounds.
The presence of presidential ad-
visers from the brain trust" on Capt.
tol Hill has been responsible for
much of the trouble between the Gov
ernment and business-something
that it is openly charged has re-
tarded e-employment-andf for much
of the dissention inside of the Demo-
cratic party.
Key Jobs Barred.
Under these circumstances, the
pledge given by Chairman Fletcher
that his brain trust" is not to be
given public Office if the Republicans
are successful is a recognition Of the
dangers that have grown up under
the New Deal. But 1t is doubtful
whether, even if the Republicans were
successful, that they would be able
to keep the ambitious brain trusters"
in their ranks from wishing to become
identified with the Government. It Is
natural and commendable ambition,
and there is really nothing wrong
even with giving offices to some Of the
better balanced professors. The real
evil is in assigning them to important
posts and permitting them to make
decisions that ought to be made by
persons like the President or the men,
bers of the Senate and House, who
are themselves directly responsible to
the people In elections.
Brains are always in demand in
government and the infltration Of
college professors of the right kind
that those who are not mere fanatics,
but sincerely anxious to accomplish
something for their fellowmen-will
in the long run be helpful. But the
place for brain trusters really to be
of aid is in running for Congress so
they can exercise In their own right
the job of making laws for their
countrymen.
(Copyrfzht 1891