Evening star., 1937-01-22
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

AS an eloquent presentation Of hu-
manitarian ideals, President RooSevelt'S S
inaugural address is acclaimed on nearly
all hands as masterpiece. 1t encoun-
ters hardly less general criticism for its
failure to be specific as to future plans
for the more abundant life. Evidently
F. D. r. thinks his declared pledge to
carry on" is sufficient indication of his
further purposes. Broadly viewed, the
inaugural pronouncement strikes about
the same notes sounded in the Presi-
dents recent message to Congress.
Couched IN different terms, there is re-
peated suggestion about the necessity
of doing more for the underprivileged,
while some Interpreters even discover
renewed thrusts at the Supreme Court.
Certainly Mr.. Roosevelt again implies
his belief that there are powers within
the Constitution, unchanged, to accom-
plish primary objectives which the ad-
ministration yet aspires to reach. Would
be amenders like Senators Robinson,
Ashurst ct al. still lack any sign OF
White House approval.
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Refusal of the President to be more
concrete about his next moves indicates
that he will stick to his habit of un-
yelling his program piecemeal, in sep
arate messages of recommendation,
where congressional action is required,
and otherwise through White House an
nouncements. That Mr.. Roosevelt has
definite ideas for consolidating New
Deal gains and extending them to those
classes which have not yet been exposed
to the effects Of recovery is unmiStakably
disclosed by the Presidents emphasis
on that score. While nothing In the in
augural utterance directly suggests turns
to the ultra liberal left, those who hoped
for prima facie proof of Mr.. Roosevelt's
readiness to detour to the conservative
right are probably aggrieved. Their sole
ray of encouragement and satisfaction
Is the Presidents indicated resolve to
chart course exclusively within the con-
fines Of constitutional democracy. A
popular theory at the Capitol is that he
remains "a little to the left of center"
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Probably the most surprised and dis
appointed single group in Washington,
over what was not said by Mr.. Roose-
welt, is the foreign diplomatic con-
tingent. Its bedraggled plumes and gold
braid on Wednesday seemed to SYM
bolize dashed hopes of sign which
would point to Uncle Sans readiness to
take some kind Of lead in international
affairs at this troublous juncture, par
ticularly in the realm Of economic re-
adjustment, possibly including war debts.
The view persists that the President Is
fired with some real ambitions and in
tentions in the direction Of bolstering
the shaky world peace structure. Evi-
IDENTIFY he does not think the inaugural
was the timely occasion for showing his
hand. Perhaps he's waiting for the
heart-to-heart conference about to be
held with British and French states
men. Fascist, NaI and Communist
Europe doubtless breathes sigh of relief
that the American Chief Executive re-
Trained from utilizing so ideal an oppor-
tunity for laMbasting dictatorship.
Il
Speaking of the I. C. c., Commissioner
Clyde B. Aitchison performed unique
service before the Supreme Court the
other day, when he presented for admis-
sion to practice before it his own son.
Clyde Bruce, jr, and Mrs. Norman
Murray Smith, wife of Rear Admiral
Smith, chief Of the Bureau of Yards
and Docks at the Navy, Department.
Xnlme ,Attohiaon. who b a .attoEueZ