Evening star., 1937-12-31
ATTACKS Directed
ONLY AT MINORITY,
ROOSEVELT AYERS
Indicates by Parable That
All Business Is Not
Included.
ICKES AND JACKSON
SPEECHES CONDEMNED
Some Members of Congress Dis.
agree and Call for Co.opera-
tion in Recession.
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
President Roosevelt, at odds uith
business throughout his first term
except for brief "breathing SPELL"
appeared last fall to be chanoino
his attitude in an effort to ease the
country out of tast-developino
slump. In recent weeks, houever,
administration spokesmen haze in
dlcated another change of heart.
thls time concentrating to some
ertent ON "monopolies." The
latest anti-monopoly barrage uas
started by Assistant ATTORNEY Gen.
eral Jackson.
President Roosevelt indicated with
a parable today that anti-monopoly
attacks on business by administration
officials were directed at only a small
minority in the business world.
He was asked at his press conference
to comment specifically on two speeches
by Assistant Attorney General Robert
H. Jackson and one by Secretary Ickes.
Mr.. Ickes charged go wealthy families
with lnstltuting a strike of capital
against the administration, while Mr..
jackson also hit at "big business"
The President recalled a speech bv
Theodore Roosevelt in which he spoke
OF some individuals as malefactors of
great wealth. The President empha-
sized the word individuals.
He then added that a certain ele-
ment OF people charged his distant
relative with calling all wealthy peo-
pie malefactors. He said this was not
the case.
The President told the reporters
they could call his comment a SEQUEL
to the parable he started on Christmas
eve.
At that time he quoted at length
from newspaper column which told
the story Of Jesus forgiveness of all,
including his betrayer, Judas Iscariot.
Asked if Henry Ford and General
Motors were to be held responsible for
the recession, the President suggested
letting his parable stand, adding it
was a pretty good illustration.
Congress Members Reply.
Meanwhile, Secretary Ickes' conten-
tion that finish fight must take place
between Americas millions and the
80 families" drew quick rebuttal to-
day from several members of Congress
The Secretary said in his radio ad-
dress last night that economic power
in this country does not rest in the
mass of the people as it must If a
democracy is to endure"
Here in America" he said. "it is
the old struggle between the power of
money and the power of the demo-
cratic instinct.
In the last few months, this ire
concilable conflict, long growing in
our history, has come into the open
as never before, has taken a form and
intensity which makes it clear that it
must be fought through to a finish
until plutocracy or democracy, until
Americas go families or Americas
12O, 100000 people-win."
Some legislators expressed agree
ment with Secretary Ickes' views, but
others in both major parties, COM
menting on his speech, called for
greater cooperation between Govern
ment and business.
The address followed two denuncia-
tlons Of big business" by Assistant
Attorney General jackson, head of the
Justice Departments Antitrust Di-
vision, who, with Secretary Ickes, was
guest on President Roosevelt's recent
shing trip of the Florida Coast.
Speculation Widespread.
These addresses have created wide
spread speculation over what Presi-
dent Roosevelt would say in his an
nual message to Congress Monday.
One cabinet member, after a White
House meeting yesterday, said the
meSsage-unless changed during the
week end-would be plainly worded.
but would be more temperate toward
business than the Ickes and Jackson
speeches.
In the background of all speculation
over the Presidents attitude was the
current business downspin, and what
1t may mean politically to those who
support and those who oppose admin
istration recommendations.
The 1ckes speech brought the COM
ment from Senator Logan, Democrat,
OF Kentucky, often an ardent Roose-
velt supporter. that If the administra-
ton Is to attack "big business 1t also
should turn attention to some labor
practices.
Labor has become just as tyran.
nical and just as arbitrary as biz
business" he declared.
Senator Wheeler, Democrat, Of
Montana said there is q struggle for
power" between certain politicians
(Son ICKEC pnn.