Evening star., 1938-02-04
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM WILF

NOT long ago there was popular book
called Little Man. What Now?" by the
German author, Hans Falada. Its title
pretty well epitomizes what Washineton.
RooseVeltlan and congressional alike, is
asking, after the riotous two-day session
OF the Nations business Liliputians. Two
1rishisms suggest themselves, anent the
Kilkenny OF which Dan Roper's ordi-
narily placid bailiwick was the scene-lD
that the little tradespeople. are "just
about where they were before, only more
so;' and 90, as was once said of the
Emerald Isle, that they don't know what
they want and won't be happy till they
get it, The serious note struck by the
weeks embattled and embittered events
Is that they reflect the confusion which
prevails all along the American economic
front, and not only on its humber
sector. Some New Dealers are saying,
too, that the many counsels which turned
the little business conference into
bedlam strengthen the administration
alibi that until industry and finance get
together on what ails the country, it's
impossible to write prescription.
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge lost his
fight for the prevailing wage amendment
to the housing bill-though only by the
narrow squeak Of two Senate votes-but
the young Bay Stater's maiden venture
in the field Of major legislation has laid
fine foundation for his build-up as
figure in national politics. Lodge not
only conducted the rear-guard action to
save his amendment with parliamentary
skill worthy Of veteran, but labor Or
CARNATIONS throughout the country, in
cluding the A. F. of L., rushed almost
solidly to his support. The day before
the amendment was smashed by AZ to
40, Lodge engaged single-handed In an
hours give-and-take defense of his pro-
posal with seasoned solons like Wagner
OF New York. Schwellenbach Of Washing
ton. McNary of Oregon, Barkley of
Kentucky, McKellar of Tennessee, Min
ton of Indiana and Bulkley of Ohio, and
held his own In verbal tilts with all of
them. Senator Lodge is on familiar
ground in tackling labor legislation. He
made reputation on that subject while
lature, just before coming to the Senate
1t begins to look as If the given name
of Joe were passport to preferment in
the foreign service. No fewer than four
of Uncle Sans Ambassadors now bear
that monicker-Joe Kennedy at London.
Joe Grew at Toxic, Joe Davies at Brus-
sells and Joe Daniels at Mexico City. The
Bills aren't doing 50 badly in diplomacy,
either-with Bill Phillips at Rome and
Bill Bullitt at Paris.
Every once in a while, in those far
flung circles where the mere name of
Roosevelt makes people see red, the
weird story bobs up that Mrs. James
Roosevelt or the President himself has
charged the Government rent for use
Of Hyde Park as summer White House.
To this observer within the past 60 days
such yarn has been circumstantially
spun on two different occasions, with
mention of such sums as SIS 900 or $780,
900. The story can be nailed, and Is
here nailed, for the fake that 1t is. In
quiry in the Official quarter, where the
facts could and would be known, develops
that it is plain bunk. The authorities
in question have 1t batted up to them
periodically. Under the executive of1ice
appropriations act passed by the present
Congress, the President Is assigned an
nual compensation of 5000, in addition
to $133, $50 for salaries covering personal
services in the White House Offices, in
Guiding three secretaries at $4,000 each.
The Chief Executive also receives $780,
900 for contingent expenses, including
miscellaneous items" to be expended In
his own discretion. Finally he gets $25,-
900 for travel and ofncial entertainment,
to be expended ut his will, "and ac-
counted for on his certificate solely"
Total executive office appropriations are
1901 $3.50, inclusive of $2,700 for printing
and binding. F. D. r. might, If he
pleased. as far as the letter Of the law
is concerned. devote any part of his con.
tingent expenses to summer White House