Evening star., 1937-01-21
INAUGURAL TALK
WIDELY PRAISED
Republicans Join in Lauding
Address PIedging ''Further
Proqress."
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

The tenor of President Roosevelt's
eagerly awaited inaugural address
leads to the conclusion that he pro-
poses not merely to consolidate and
make permanent the gains Of his first
term, but intends to supplement the
earlier New Deal measures with others.
His ringing declaration that the
condition of under-privileged millions
must be bettered was not amplified by
details of any measures he feels must
be undertaken to accomplish this.
The implication, however, was strong
that Mr.. Roosevelt proposes during
his coming four years as Chief EXecu-
tive to remove cancers of injustice"
and to do all in his power to bring "a
spreading volume of human comforts
hitherto unknown" with the lowest
standard of living raised far above
the level of mere subsistence"
His address was widely acclaimed.
Democratic members Of Congress and
other officials of the Government gave
unstinted praise Some of the Repub-
1icans joined in the chorus. If there
was any criticism from Republicans it
was because the President had not
been more specific; had not outlined
. program. The President, however,
was clearly intent upon outlining
policy of Government rather than
upon stating definite measures which
should be adopted. 1t is expected that
he will make his recommendations for
legislation in special messages to the
Congress from time to time.
Capper Sees Favorable Reaction.
Typical of the comment upon the
Presidents inaugural address was that
of Senator Harrison of Mississippi,
chairman of the Finance Committee.
He said: 1T was a great enunciation
OF the Roosevelt gospel of real democ-
racy." And Senator Capper of Kan
sas, Republican, declared that his
speech will take well with the country,
and that it will have strong approval
from the people"
Senator Vandenberg of Michigan,
Republican, reckoned G. 0. P. presi-
dental possibility in 1910 and fire.
quently thorn in the side of the ad-
rninistration, gave due praise to the
ideals set forth in the Presidents ad-
dress. which he characterized as "un-
assailable." The Michigan Senator
added, however. that to this statement
of ideals could be added renewed
dedication to liberty under the Con-
stitution."
Some of the commentators read
into the address matters close to their
hearts. For example. Representative
Rankin of Mississippi. Democrat, said
the President had been most mspir-
Ing and encouraging. especially in the
light of our present battle over the
Nations power policies"
Through the speech ran an underly-
Ing theme that Government, Federal,
State and municipal. must be used
more and more to better the condi-
tions of the American people. The
President made no further criticism of
the judicial branch of the Govern
ment and its Interpretation of the
Constitution. He dio make reference,
however, to the Constitution, insisting
that the Constitution of 1887 did not
make our democracy impotent." 1t
has been the Presidents reiterated
contention that the Constitution Is
broad enough, if literally and properly
interpreted to cover the present-day
needs of the American people. He
added: In these last four years we
have made the exercise of all power
more democratic, for we have begun to
bring private autocratic powers into
their proper subordination to the pub
hes Governmnt. The legend that they
out the administration program OF
were invincible and beyond the
processes of a Gemocracy-has been
shattered"
The President, in the brief interval