The Daily Alaska empire., 1938-02-18
Design for Living
Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Cleveland Plain Dealer)
 Donald R Richberg of the early pilots of NRA and for a short time its head He has like wise been one of the most intelligent critics of NRAs beration. Even in the days of code confusion he vas more successful than most of his colleagues in keeping level eye upon desirable, long range ob- jectives.
 When MT Richberg sat in unofficial observer" at recent White House conference of business leaders some observers jumped to the conclusion that new Blue Eagle in incubation.
 The Richberg address at New York last week should allay the fears of those who thought they bed But at the same time Richberg emphasizes what is increasingly obvious all thoughtful Americans namely the need to put the relations of government and business upon just and workable basis.
 This is now problem Mir Richberg says he has been working upon it for almost generation ever since in 1913 he helped Theodore Roosevelt draft Progressive party bills to create trade com mission prevent unfair competition and to protect commerce against monopoies. At that time, MT Richberg adds in a parenthesis in which there is dscernibe trace of malice Lieut. Hugh s. Johnson cavalry officer riding the southwestern ranges MT Richberg does not claim to know all the answers but confident that the government of the United States and the business of the United States cannot live apart. Government and business, as we know them today will either work together and live to- gether they will die together Free enterprise and free government will survive in the destruction of one both will be destroyed
 In seeking a DaSlS for an e1feCuVe government business relationship Richberg against zealots who urge Us to destroy strength in order to prevent its misuse" One may well imagine that he has in mind the Jackson Ickes effort to paint horns and tails upon representatives of big business.
 But there must be some controls. The essence of the problem. as Richberg sees it. is how to impress a private autocracy with definite public responsibility without establishing -autocracy in government
 To this end he suggests: (D legislation by which monopolistic and unfair practices should be more clearly defined;" (2) an administrative body en- powered to pass upon the prima- -face legality of operative activities So that business organizations protect themselves and promote employment without being subject to "undeserved prosecutions" 3 administrative approval of cooperative agreements should not prevent either private parties or the government from seeking relief through civil action against any alleged illegal combination"
 Here is thoughtful program which is well worth careful consideration and which believe, merits considerable degree of approval It will not please de-hard reactonaries who q m n d a complete "hands-off policy by government except at those times when they calling at governments door for help It will not please those who deem destruction the necessary preliminary to reconstruction Herein lies the best testimonial to it's mddle-o the road soundness.
 MT. Rchberg is careful to explain that he speaks without responsibility to any group any leader ship Yet his presence at the recent White House conference least suggests that the President values of moderation contrasts sharply with much that is being said by Robert H. Jackson newly named to the solicitor generashp. The question is timely as to whether the administration is likely to follow the Jackson the Rchberg formula We prefer the latter