Evening star., 1937-03-07
President Now at the
Top of His Form.
BY OWEN L. SCOTT.

going is rough, opposition to his plans
is violent, work is piled high on his desk,
yet there is no concealing from visitors
his high spirits and relish for his task.
The reasons? Apparently there are
several. For one thing, he thinks that
he has majority Of the Supreme Court
on the spot His differences with the
views of these justices goes back to the
1882 campaign For another thing, there
is the court fight that tests his inge-
nuity and persuasive powerS-and nobody
more enjoys to do battle. third reason
lies in the knowledge that important
breaks with the past are occurring to
insure him an important spot in the his
tory books of the future.
President Roosevelt likes to compare
himself with Andrew jackson. ''Old
Hickory" too, broke with tradition at an
important point in American history,
as he sought to give more voice to the
common people. Also the President, of
late, uses another of his predecessors for
comparison. To Mr. Roosevelt, former
President James Buchanan provides an
example to be avoided at all hazards.
Buchanan tried to dodge and side-step
issues, handing sadly torn Nation to
Abraham Lincoln in consequence. The
present President let's it be known that,
unlike President Buchanan, he intends
to meet and settle issues.
There now is no mistaking: President
Roosevelt Is determined to take this coun-
try places during his second administra-
ton.
Right after the November election, a
rash of predictions broke out concerning
the Presidents plans. The theme was
that his second term would be one of
consolidation of gains made in the first.
There was talk of an EZRA OF good feel
ing" in which opponents would join
Business men took up the cry: If you
can't beat 'em, join EN-" The idea got
abroad that returning recovery would
effectively dampen the ardor for more
reform.
But Mr.. Roosevelt gave different cue
in his second inaugural address. He
said that fear and suffering forced re-
form during his first administration.
The times" he said, were on the side
of progress" Then he added, Signifl-
cantly:
ITO hold to progress today, however,
is more difficult. Dulled conscience,
responsibility and ruthless self-interest
already reappear. Such symptoms OF
prosperity may become portents of dis
aster! Prosperity already tests the per-
sistence Of our progressive purpose"
He started to move from that point,
as if to demonstrate that prosperity could
not dull his determination. The result
is that today the country can have a
definite glimpse of the future.
That future, if President Roosevelt
can shape it, is going to be one domi-
mated by strong National Government,
remade for efficiency. with its policies
carrying a strong farmer-labor flavor
Whatever stands in the way of that OBJ
jective is sure to meet the attack of
President in fine fettle and itching for
battle. His idea is that the voters of
the Nation called for such a Govern
ment in November and his purpose is
to give it to them
The meaning of all this is more appar-
ent every day. Take the field of labor:
A tradition of American big business has
been to oppose outside unions" Indus
trial wars have ragged over that issue
The chief employer opposition to N. R. A.
grew from its protection of labor organi-
cations.
Yet today John Lewis is digging into
the automobile industry and the steel in
dustry. with the recognition and consent
of the biggest units in each. His gains
without prolonged or bloody struggle
are due in important measure to the
President. Word from the White House
brought Lewis into contact with high
officials of General Motors. White House
talks with Myron Taylor, head of United
States Steel, did much to pave the way
for later secret meetings between Mr..
Lewis and Mr. Taylor
Thus something akin to a revolution
in labor relations has been engineered.
The fact that this development has come
without bitter fight is enough to make
any President cheerful and confident.
But that Is not ALL President Roose-
velt is busy building a national system
of protection against the hazards of old
age and Of unemployment Rising prices
are smoothing the start of this system
He promises a new N. r. A., with it's
minimum wages and maximum hours for
workers in unorganized industries. He
is insisting on continued work-relief for
those unemployed by industry.
Or take the field of agriculture:
Mr.. Roosevelt is asking Congress to
give farmers just about everything for
which they ask and many things that
they previously had not thought about.
They are to have continued subsidies,
protection against price declines, low
interest rates. insurance against droughts
and floods, controls over production.
In fact, it is to give labor and agri-
culture what he thinks that they should
have that the President is doing battle
with the Supreme Court.
But he has other things in mind as well.
Private utility companies have notice
that the National Government intends
to develop the water power resources
of this country and to encourage dis
tribution of that power by local gov
ernments. Business men are advised that
the tax machinery of the central Gov
ernment henceforth will be used not
only to raise revenue, but also to bring
about slightly more even distribution
of the national income. Financiers learn
that the Government intends to exercise
continued control over money.
In other words, President Roosevelt
still is determined to try out his ex-
pertinent with a controlled economy.
His determination apparently is only
the stronger for knowledge that some of
those who opposed him most strongly