The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-01-04
ROOSEVELT'S FIERY SPEECH
STIRS CONFLICTING VIEWS OF
NATIONS POLITICAL LEADERS
Fletcher Critical, but other
Republicans Find 1t
Commemorate.
By United Press

ny Chttcd Press
WASHINGTON, Jan. A.
Bitter differences over polit-
ical and economic policies and
the relationships of big and
little men to government and
to each other emerged today
as nation expressed its opin-
ion of President Roosevelt's
report on the state of the
Union.
Republican and Democratic cleav-
age was evident. But party al
legiance did not always determine
individual reactions to the Roose-
welt address.
There were dissenters in both
camps. Rep. william Lemke
CR., N. d. thought it was "a darned
good speech brought on by ig-
norant opposition of Henry p
Fletcher" Rep Martin Kennedy
3D., N. " said he thought it was
a "wishy washy speech without
anything constructive in it."
Rep. Kennedy criticised the Presi-
dent for assuming a supe-cilious at
titude" and insisted his speech was
for public consumption and ap-
pealed to the lowest instincts rather
than to the lofty ideals which he
should require as President. l eX-
pected masterpiece but listened to
claptrap."
Senator Joseph T. Robinson, Sen
ate Democratic leader, said:
The message is confined to dis
cussion Of the state of the union,
and leaves for future occasions
specific suggestions touching legis-
lation.
There is an emphatic declaration
for continuing the policy or neu-
trality respecting present and
threatened war between foreign
countries.
Fletcher Is Indignant
1.-THE President also strongly de-
tends the New Deal and challenges
its opponents in words that ring
with confidence and defiance"
Chairman Henry P. Fletcher of
the Republican National Committee,
said:
Aside from the neutrality feature
of the address, the speech was what
If-n m NA
give to the Congress information
on the state of the Union or recon-
mend to their consideration such
measure as he shall judge necessary
or eXpedient.'
1T was a political harangue. 1t
was a challenge to straw man to
submit to a subservlent and gagged
Congress the favorite socialistic
features of the New Deal. The Re-
publican party, however, will submit
the New Deal and all its works to
the whole people in the coming
campaign, and we have no fear of
the verdict"
Senator Rush D. Holt, junior
Democrat from west Virginia, said:
"Great stuff"
"A great speech" said Rep Ed
ward A. Kenney Cd, N. j.. Rep.
Carl E. Mapes CR., Mich), saw the
speech as IAN appeal to class
prejudice"
Dramatic, Says McNary
Rep. John A. Martin Cd, Colo)
thought there wasn't a weak note
in it," but Rep. John w. Martin Jr
(R., Mass) saw it as a defensive
speech" and IAN attempt to stem
the tide against New Deal policies
and poor one"
Senate Republican Lea er
Charles L. McNary said: 1T was a
dramatic speech, but it did not dis
cuss the pressing problems of the
day"
Speaker Joseph w. Byrns termed
1t great speech and and just what
the country needed" Senator Rob-
ert Buckley Cd, o. said Fine" and
Senator Dennis Chavez Cd, N. M
exclaimed Wonderfully
Senator Arthur Capper R.,
Kas) and Senator Robert Carey r.,
Wyo) saw it as a political speech.
Senator Gerald P. Nye (R., N. d. 4,
however, thought it was "A great
speech and certainly Challenge to
the Republican Party if ever a
challenge was laid down to it,"
Others Express Approval
The speech "just suited" Senator
Hugo Black Cd, Ala, and Senator
Hattie Caraway Cd, Ark, the only
woman Senator, heartily approved
of it," Senator Robert F. Wagner
3D., N " said Splendid" and so
did Senator James Byrnes d.,
S. c..
Senator Bennett Champ Clark
Cd, Mo- said 1T represents an ad-
vance in international relations. v
Senator James Couzens (R., Mich.)
thought it "A grand speech. like
his statement that he didn't believe
in retreat"
Senator John G. Townsend (R.,
Del) joined Senator Arthur H,
Vandenberg (R., Mich) in asserting
SptGCH Was a Old III AC-CLCS-
ton" Senator William E. Borah,
a possible Republican presidential
candidate, didn't care to comment.
Cabinet Members Pleased
Post Master General James A.
Farley, who also is chairman of the
Democratic National Committee,
said "it was one of the best speeches
the President ever made"
Other Cabinet comment included
Secretary of State Cordell Hull.
who described the speech as excel
lent; Atty. Gen. Homer S. Cum
mings, who said it was great" and
Secretary of the Treasury Henry
Morgenthau Jr., who thought it "a
magnificent speech" Secretary of