Evening star., 1937-10-05
FORUM TODAY AIRS
FEDERAL PROBLEM.
Presidents Speech to Con-
cIude Program DeIving Into
Reorganization.
By the Associated Press.

NEW YORK, October 5.-The pro-
posed reorganization Of governmental
bureaus and Government action to
meet problems of labor and agricul-
ture we're to be discussed today at the
New York Herald Tribune's seventh
annual forum of current problems.
President Roosevelt. speaking from
his eastbound train in Cleveland by
radio, will bring the forum to close
late tonight after delegates at the
final session review 1.-The state Of war
in the world today"
The Presidents address will be
heard over loudspeakers by those at
tending the forum. Mr.. Roosevelt is
expected to begin speaking shortly
after 1890 pm. (E. S. IT,. The ex-
act time depends on the schedule of
his special train.
Wallace to Discuss Farm Aid.
Henry A. Wallace, Secretary of Ag-
riculture, was to present the agricul-
tural program beginning at L: AS pm,
with comment by Wheeler McMillen,
editor of the Country Home Maga-
zine
The Federal wages and hours bill
was to evoke comment from Repre-
sentative Mary T. Norton, Democrat.
of New Jersey, chairman Of the House
of Representatives Committee on
Labor; United States Senator Robert
F. Wagner, Democrat, of New York,
author of the Wagner labor relations
act, and Gen. Hugh johnson, former
,icfr of 1,n
cry act.
Francis B. Sayre, Assistant Secre-
tary of State, and numerous others
we're to take up the discussions on
THE State of War" tonight.
5000 Delegates Attend.
The first session of the forum was
held yesterday. The 5000 delegates
heard discussions of problems facing
the present generation of youth, the
status of free press throughout the
world and the outlook for the future
as regards disease control, suppression
Of crime, international relations and
progress of Government.
President James G. Stahlman of
the American Newspaper Publishers
Association warned that attempts had
been made, are being made and would
continue to be made, to 'fetter'' the
American press.
Referring to regimentation OF the
press abroad, he said: "Lulled into
coma of false security by the dulcet
tones of demaebgues and spellbinders,
We in America have so far been con-
tent to think that these things can
only happen elsewhere.
"How silly! How stupid! How
suicidal! The dark night will come
when we, as a people, decide that we
are ready for the darkness"
Auhagen Makes Plea.
Speaking on THE Case for the Ger
man Press" Friedrich Auhagen. lee
turer on German-American relations.
warned against judging the German
press by American standards.
Both national socialism and its
press have no place in America" he
said.
THE case for. as well as against,
the German press, can rest only on
the answer to this all-important ques-
ton: To what extent do German
newspapers of today fulfill the three
most vital functions of press, name
", to gather news, to create an In
telligent attitude toward important
national issues. and to supply their
readers with the kind of entertain
ment they like?"
A similar plea on behalf of the
italian press was made by Capt Ugo
v. D'Annunzio.
Defends Italian Plan.
"The question of free press from
An Italian point Of view cannot be dis
cussed without at least summary
knowledge of the doctrine, conceptions
and aims of Fascism. as opposed to the
various ideologes inherited and elab-
Grated from the French revolution"
he said.
If your democratic government saw
1T to institute control of currency
speculation, crops, cotton, the lives of
cattle, pigs, ETC., why not the press,
II it be deemed expedient for the
welfare of the country?"
Speaking for Russia, Constantine
Oumansky, charge d'affaires of the
U. S. S. R. Embassy, said that while
the press and its means of publication
are owned by the people and it is re-
stricted from advocating the restora-
ton of capitalism, class distinctions
and aggression, it is mighty weapon
Of criticism and self-criticism."
Dorothy Thompson Speaks.
Dorothy Thompson, political COM
mentator, challenged Auhagen's as
sertion that the German press-or
the Italian or Russian, she added
gathers the news, creates an intelli-
gent attitude on national issues and
entertains its readers.
But would challenge, even more
Importantly" she added, whether
these are the only vital functions of
the press. The most vital function of
the press is to provide a means of
expression for public opinion"
Director j. Edgar Hoover of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation urged
that America launch a counter-of-
fensive with every possible weapon at
her dispose" against the $4,000, ,000,-