Evening star., 1937-12-10
THE POLITICAL
MILL
BY G. COULD LINCOLN.

successfully the Securities and Exchange
Commission and the United States Mari
time Commission, Is now to become
American Ambassador to Great Britain,
II reports be correct. washington is
particularly interested in what further
ONCE Mr.. Kennedy may hold, after he
has served this country at the Court OF
St James There is a suspicion that
eventually he may wind up as head OF
the Treasury Department although no
SLIGHTEST intimation has come from the
White House that the President Is con-
sidering any change in the Treasury
post at this time.
+tk
Kennedy has been a close friend and
advisor of the President. who has great
regard for Kennedy's ability. Kennedy
has been one of the most consistent
supporters of the President among men
of large means and men who have made
their way to the top in business. Despite
a great deal of conversation, the Presi-
dent has made few changes in his
cabinet since he first took Office nearly
five years ago. One of these changes
was in the Treasury Department, but
only after Secretary Woodin became i'll
and laid down the portfolio. He later
died. Another change took place In the
War Department, on the death of the
late Secretary Of War Dern. The then
Assistant Secretary Of War was pro-
NOTED to fill the place.
But generally speaking President
Roosevelt is still surrounded by nearly
all of his original political family; Hull
in the State Department, Cummings as
Attorney General, Swanson as Secretary
OF Navy, Ickes as Secretary of the In
terror, Miss Perkins in the Labor De-
partment and Secretary Roper in the
Department of Commerce. Last but by
no means least, is James A. Farley.
Postmaster General. Considering the
number of attacks that have been made
on Mr.. Farley-becauSe he happened
to be chairman of the Democratic Ma
tional Committee and chairman of the
New York State Committee and there
fore held to be debarred from service
in cabinet offlce-the Postmaster Cen
eral has shown no mean ability to hold
on to his present job. Not even Senator
Norris OF Nebraska, favorite of the Presi-
dent, was able to make a dent in the
hold which Farley has maintained.
Periodically rumors fly that Mr. Farley
is about to step out. He has been as
signed to various places in private in
dustry-at far more salary than he re-
| ceiyes as Postmaster General. But some
| how he continues to do business at the
| old stand. Even now, it is reported, Mr..
Farley is soon to take another job. 1t
has also been said that Mr. Farley was
hi h. olo
York next year, as possible stepping
stone to the White House in 1940 The
genial Postmaster General laughs off
such reports. But they were no joking
| matter to lot of Farley followers Since
the recent mayoralty campaign in New
York City, when Mr.. Farley took a lick
ing as backer of jeremiah T. Mahoney,
the regular Democratic nominee. talk
OF Mr.. Farley as the next governor of
New York has not been SO pronounced,
II Mr.. Farley is to have difficulty carry
ing new York City, in the event another
fusion is formed next year. he would
nave little chance of carrying the State.
however, the national chairman is a re-
sourceful politician.
II there is to be any tempering of New
Deal poncleS as suggested by Lewis w.
Douglas, 1ormer director of the BUDGET
IN the Roosevelt administration, it is NOT
hoticeaple IN the pronouncements of
various onclalS of the administration
Aney are striking back at the moaners
VINO olScuSS business recession and shake
eneir neaoS. The business recession
1ileaI came to Washington in force
Wien congress assembled in special Ses-
eioil. congress, 1t was said, would 20
,lsnI ahead and do something to aid
pusiieSs. 80 lar, Congress has not done
tnlng. And if you ask business what
Congress is doing with the wages and
nours bill and the crop control bill.
business will declare that instead of
being little ray of sunshine. Congress
is helping to roll up the clouds.
X
The administration forces have caught
thelr second wind apparently. The
president went away on a vacation and
apparently has come back prepared to
orlVe right ahead in his effort to make
New Deal policies permanent-and more
extensive. Some of the more conserva-
tive democrats, 1t is true, are talking
coalition with the Republicans to call
a halt to further New Deal legislation.
Ihey are having conference after con-
ference, and luncheon's> and dinners.
Most of these parties are given by the
democrats, although Republicans join
IN as hosts, too. Senator Gerry of Rhode
Island, who acted as whip for the anti
court bill forces in the last session, is
playing an active part in the present
maneuvering. Senator Byrd of Virginia,
| who really believes that the Govern
ment should stop spending so much
| money, is another who is interested.
|
The Senate fuSionistS, however, have
| not been able to interest SO far number
| of the liberals who joined with them
| in the court bill fight, men like Wheeler
| of Montana. On the other hand, no one
| can be sure that these old court bill
| enemies of the President will not sooner
| or later be thrust into a new position
| of opposition to the Presidents pro-
| gram, particularly if the threat of re-
| prisal is brought forth again. So far
Senator Guffey of Pennsylvania, who
reused the Democratic opponents of the
court bill to fury just before the Con-
gress adjourned last summer, saying
that their political scalps should be
lifted by the Roosevelt followers, has
not yet broken out again. There is no
| final assurance, however, that he will
not do so. If he does, the fracas is
likely to be hot. Guffey was chairman
| of the Senatorial Campaign Committee,
although at the time of his attack on
| tho ro,1rt hill opnonents he was said to