Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-05-09
PRESIDENT TO SEE
LEADERS FRIDAY
Conference on Legislative
Situation Planned on
Return Here.
By the Associated Press.

by tIic ASSOCldtcQ TIeSS.
PORT ARKANSAS, Tex, May g.
President Roosevelt told a press con-
ference on board the U. S. S. Potomac
in the bay here late today he would
confer with congressional leaders on
the general legislative situation when
he returns to Washington May IA.
He said he also would meet de-
partmental and Capitol officials on
low-cost housing proposals, but no
date had been set for this parley. Sit
ting in the stern of the l65-foot gray
yacht in his fishing clothes after he
had just landed 77-pound tarpon,
his second in 10 days of angling in
Gulf waters. the deeply tanned Presi-
dent said the whole field Of lighter
than-air craft was still worth studying
despite the Hindenburg disaster.
Silent on Court Bill Reports.
He refused to comment on Wash
ington reports that he planned to give
his Supreme Court bill new impetus
when he returns to the Capital
In response to further questions, he
said 1t had not been settled yet
whether he would send a message to
Congress soon on a unified national
power development program.
Washington correspondents and
Texas newspaper men drove 23l miles
from Galveston to Port Arkansas for
the first presidential press conference
since April ~ and the first on board
ship since December when the Presi-
dent was returning from South Amer
lea. They were taken to the Potomac
In small motor boats.
The interview got under way two
hours late. Reporters arrived while
the President was in the midst Of
landing his 5-foot 2-inch tarpon.
Using light tackle, he got the strike
OIL the south jetty. He landed the
silver king an hour and % minutes
later more than miles away. Pic
lures were made Of the fish jumping
out Of the water and the gazing.
Tarpon Taken Ashore.
With his son. Elliott, he took the
tarpon ashore for mounting. It will
be given to Elliott for his home in Fort
Worth.
The President sat in old gray trous-
ers, light blue shirt and soft white
hat as he replied to a rapid fire Of
questions from the newspaper men.
Asked If ne favored loosening re-
strictions on the sale and export Of
helium, q non-eXplosive gas, in view
OF the tragic accident to the linden
burg, which used inflammable hydro
gen, the President said he would have
to talk to authorities in Washington
before seeing what would be done.
What about lighter than-air craft
for the Navy now?" he was asked.
He replied the United States was
continuing its study Of that question,
adding the whole field was still worth
surveying.
He laughed loudly when asked by
the lone Wall Street reporter in the
group If he favored complete abon-
ton OF margin trading. He reiterated
Washington reply he had made sew
eral weeks ago to the same interroga-
tion-ask the Securities Commission.
Congress Doing Well, He Thinks.
Asked If there were any plans afoot
to speed up" Congress, he said he
thought Congress was doing fairly
well. He added he would see Demo-
cratic Leaders when he returned, but
did not specify what he would talk
to them about.
He said he had enjoyed his stay
OH Port Arkansas immensely, and