Evening star., 1938-03-30

Senator Bob Wagner's anti-reorganiza-
ton vote is one Of the Capitol's sensa-
tions. How it will affect Mr. Roosevelts
reputed desire to see Wagner nominated
and elected Governor of New York this
year is now matter Of lively specula-
ton. His detection reminds politicians
OF Gov. Lehman'S desertion of the Presi-
dent on the court bill year ago. Sena-
tor Wagner, more than any other man
IN Congress, perSonifles the New Deals
reform program, especially in the fields
OF labor and humanitarian legislation.
But independence is the New Yorker's
middle name, and, unlike many states
men, he refuses to ''rise above principle"
In the field Of Jewish immigration.
now to the fore because of the United
States appeal to 20 countries to join in
promoting an emergency exodus of
oppressed Germans and AustrianS, no
man outstrips in authority and expert
ence well-known Washingtonian, ISL
dore Hershfield, lawyer and social worker
Native New Yorker, he has for Is years
been general counsel and Capital repre-
sentative of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid
Society, popularly known as HAS,
which was organized in 1885 at the time
OF the heavy stream of Jewish emigra-
tion from old Czarist Russia. The So
clety renders every necessary service to
immigrants in connection with entry
visas for the United States or other coun-
tries; looks after their legal difficulties
upon arrival: argues appeals in cases of
exclusion, and promotes the Americana
zation of all those who take up their
residence here. Mr.. Hershfield in 1915
toured Russian territory in German
Austrian occupation and facilitated the
emigration of $500 women and children
to America. He has also visited Poland,
Hungary and other Eastern European
lands. on behalf Of American Jewish
philanthropic agencies. Mr.. Hershfield
is prominent Zionist and descendant
OF distinguished rabbinical stock.
Col. Edward M. House could claim
rank as genuinely original Roosevelt
man" long before Chicago. Chatting
with this observer at the colonel's North
Shore cottage early in the summer of
1881. full year before F. D. RS nomi-
nation, House predicted it as almost a
foregone conclusion, perhaps on the
first ballot" He didn't think the New
York Governor was perhaps "the best
candidate" but considered him "un-
doubtedly the most available" The taci-
turn Texan was inclined to think Wood
row Wilson's cardinal blunder was his
refusal to approve associate member
ship" in the League Of Nations, which,
House believed, the Senate might have
accepted. Once upon time the colonel
intimated that the basic cause Of the
Senate Wilson feud was the tale borne
back to Washington from Paris quoting
the President as saying: Eyes, the Sen
ate probably will object to handing over
Fiume to the Yugoslavs, If 1t ever learns
where Fiume is.'
Unquestionably least known Of House
history is his anonymous authorship of
a fanciful little volume entitled Philip
Dru, Administrator" published before
the Wilson regime. It was the story OF
an idealistic political movement, led by
brilliant young American who had had
military training and organized an army
to compel reactionary government at
Washington to submit to the forces Of
liberalism and reform. Some readers
discern in the book the earmarks of
the New Deal. Key to the authors
identity was the name OF a country hotel
on the outskirts Of Washington, called
"Mandell House." that being two-thirds
Of the colonels name. At that tavern
Dru dictated terms Of surrender.
(Copyright. 1889