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

up 10 the hOur OF MS surrender on
vital features of the reorganization
bill before the House convened on Satur-
day, the general expectation was that
Mr.. Roosevelt would again return to
Washington from his annual spring va
cation in Dixie with his mitts on. It'll
be remembered that on reaching the
Capital on a similar occasion in 1884
while the first New Deal Congress was
going through the motions of semi
independence, F.. D. r. told a welcoming
delegation of rubber er-stampers from the
Hill that he was "a tough guy" ready to
60 to the mat with them on pending
legislative matters. 1t is much
chastened Roosevelt who resumed his
grueling task at the White House today.
To his dismay and disappointment,
though probably not to his surprise, the
President finds on his hands a House
and Senate which know their own
minds. The narrow squeak by which re-
organization escaped defeat in the Sen
ate, followed by the demonstration of
the Houses purpose to accept a measure
OF its own fashioning. if any, and to take
no action at all prior to exhaustive de-
bate, convinced the New Deal high COM
mand that discretion is the better part
OF valor. Hence, presidential orders to
retreat on the demand for tWo-thirds
congressional majority to set aside ex-
ecutive reorganization DEGREES and capit-
ulatlon on other controversial points.
Far and away the significant aspect of
administration yielding in the reorgani-
zation fight is this second mighty ex-
hibition of the power Of an aroused pub
lie opinion. It is on all fours with the
upsurge of national sentiment which
swamped the plan to pack the Supreme
Court. It is shown afresh that the first
amendment to the Constitution, guaran-
teeing freedom of speech and of the
press and the right of the people "to
petition the Government for a redress of
grievances is no dead letter, but liv-
ing, vibrant article of national faith.
Incidentally, Father Coughlin seems to
have proved that he is not yet prophet
without honor Members of Congress
had ample evidence that the deluge of
kilograms and letters opposing the re-
organization plan was in large measure
the immediate result of the radio priests
two broadcasts appealing for personal
communication with Senators and Rep
resentatives Mr.. Roosevelt's attempt to
stigmatize this method of persuasion as
purchase" of Congress is likely to
prove boomerang The country having
of what direct action at Washington can
accomplish, it's altogether improbable
the system will be scrapped.
Herbert Hoover-Who suddenly re-
looms as G. o. P. possibility for 1910,
in consequence of his recent European
honors and his homecoming speech at
New York outlining constructive for
eign and domestic programs widely
mentioned as the prospective American
member of the international Committee
on Political Refugees, which is about to
be established. OF the 80 countries ad-
dressed by the United States, some 20
have already replied, all favorably ex-
cept Italy. AS soon as the accepting
nations have appointed their respective
representatives, the next step will be to
fix place for the committees first
meeting. It will not be Washington.
Even if all the objectives Of the American
proposal for welcoming oppressed Ger
mans and Austrians within existing i'm
migration quotas are not realizable, Sec
retary Hull and his coadjutors are con-
hdent that definite good will has been
accomplished by placing on record DEM
ocratic civilizations adherence of the
conditions in question.
It seems to be foregone conclusion
that If the proposed new department of
welfare survives the reorganization
storm, Harry l.. Hopkins will be the first
cabinet officer named to administer 1t.
Secretary Hopkins" provided the port
folio is endowed with the powers con-
templAted BY tho reorgaui1ation1sts