Evening star., 1938-02-17
PRESIDENT MEETS
AIDES ON TAXES
Also Discusses Price Levels
and Confers With Mem.
berS of Cabinet.
By j. RUSSELL YOUNG.

Taxes. increased price levels and the
proposed reciprocal trade agreement
with Great Britain were discussed at
series Of conferences President
Roosevelt held at the White House
today preparatory to leaving Wash
inston tomorrow to spend three or
four days at his Hyde Park home
In addition, the President met with
his cabinet today instead Of tomorrow
and received a special committee rep
resenting the Business Advisory Coun-
Gil, which brought to him two reports
approved by the council dealing with
industrial relations.
The Presidents first conference was
held In his study at 10 am. Sitting
about the table with the President
were Vice President Garner, Secretary
Of State Hull. Chairman Harrison OF
the Senate Finance Committee and
Chairman Doughton of the House
Ways and Means Committee.
1t was during this meeting that
taxes were discussed, as we'll as the
proposed trade agreement with the
British which has direct bearing on
the Nations revenues
Reports Discussed.
At noon the President sat with
Donald Richberg, former head of the
old N. r. A.; Charles r. Hook and
John G.. Biggers, head Of the unem-
ployment census, who comprised q
subcommittee appointed by the Busi-
ness Advisory Council to discuss with
the President two reports recently ap-
proved by the council after a long
study concerning the ways and means
OF promoting better and more peaceful
industrial relations 1t was explained
at the White House that Mr.. Rich
berg was selected to serve on this
subcommittee to advise the committee
on matters regarding to possibility Of
needed legislation.
In advance Of the public announce
ment the President will make tomor-
row dealing with price levels Mr..
Roosevelt today met with a group Of
administration experts who have been
studying the subject and who had a
complete report ready for him today.
In this group were Secretary of the
Treasury Morgenthau, Isador Lubin,
commissioner Of labor statistics;
Secretary of Agriculture Wallace and
Mariner Eccles, chairman of the
Federal Reserve Board.
During the forenoon the President
received Merle Chessman and James
Hope Of Portland, Oreg., who urged
the building of a naval and naval air
base at the mouth Of the Columbia
River on the Pacific Ocean. They ad-
vocated this in line with the Presi-
dents national defense program. This
engagement was made by Senator Nc
Nary Of Oregon. who made a similar
argument to the President several
days ago
The President also conferred with
Representative Eicher of Iowa and
Charles Scheppe of Chicago, the lat
ter an old personal friend.
Meets With Cabinet.
Because Of the Presidents plans to
leave Washington tomorrow after
noon, he met with his cabinet early
this afternoon for his customary
weekly check-up on administration
business. According to the Presidents 8
plans. he will leave his Hyde Park
home late Tuesday night and will be
back at hts desk on next Wednesday
morning.
Either late this afternoon or to-
morrow the White House will make
public the letter Of resignation Of
Joseph P. Kennedy. who has been
appointed Ambassador to Great
Britain, as chairman of the United
States Maritime Commission, and the
Presidents letter of acceptance.
In addition to these important con-
ferences the President was kept busy
during the day clearing his desk of
routine matters needing his personal
attention before he departs on his
brief vacation. Also. the President
laid aside his work during the morn.
ing to attend the funeral services at
St. Johns Episcopal Church for his
old friend. Rear Admiral Cary