The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-10-11

HooSeVelC listened quietly to the arguments of the liberals that anti-profiteering legislation was needed immediately. But when they finished, he at once made it clear that he did not intend to . permit anything to interfere with the earliest possible repeal of the arms embargo. The nation was faced with an "extreme emer- gency," he declared, and would continue to be in danger until the neutrality bill was passed.
 T agree with everything you say about the evils of profiteering and the desirability of taking prompt action to curb them," Roosevelt in effect told the congressman. But there are other matters far more urgent. I can tell you gen. tlemen that there is desperate need to get the neutrality bill through Congress at the earliest possible moment.
 Until we have an airtight neu- trality law on the books, we will have our guard down and be open to all kinds of incidents involving our country in the European con- flict. This is dangerous posi- tion to be in, and I can't stress too strongly the word dangerous.
 The liberals were impressed by this statement, but they still clung to their demand. I have no doubt that what you say is true, MT. President" persisted Rep. John Coffee, Washington New Dealer, but we have bill all ready and ."
 "John, there are a lot more angles to this profiteering prob lem than you perhaps realize," Roosevelt broke in. "We have been studying it and it's not so simple as you think. suggest that you folks get together with various authorities in the gov- ernment who have been working on the matter before you decide definitely on 2 bill.
 'IN OTHER WORDS" HE ADD- ED WITH A SMILE, GET UP YOUR HOMEWORK AND THEN COME BACK AND SEE ME IN JANUARY"
 GOODBYE, NEW DEAL
 "But, MT. President" demurred Representative Lee Geyer of Cali fornia, T don't think this matter can wait that long. I agree with you that the embargo should be repealed with all possible haste. But profiteering is a mighty seri- ous problem, and a lot of harm can be done to American con- sumers between now and January.
 That may be true," replied Roosevelt, "but let's get the big gest. problem out of the way first. You must remember you can al- ways make an excess profits tax retroactive. We simply cannot af- ford any delay on this neutrality issue"
 When he finished talking a silence fell on the group for a few moments and then, signing deeply, Roosevelt added:
 "This war in Europe is cer- tainly throwing a monkey wrench into our New Deal. shudder to think what may hap pen to our reforms as 8 result of measures we may be forced to take to protect ourselves in this tragic world turmoil. What especially worries me is that labor may suffer If 1t ever be- comes necessary to de-emphasize the functions of the Labor Board and Wage-Ho Adminis- tration."
 HIS NAME LED
 ALL THE REST
 When Harold Ickes was Public Works Administrator, his PWA prospects, bore an inexpensive cop per plaque which read: Federal Emergency Administra-
 ton of Public Works FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT
 President
 HAROLD L. ICKES
 Administrator But when John Carmody, the new Federal Works Administrator took over PWA, he immediately changed the bronze plaques even on the buildings which Ickes had | built but which lacked few weeks or days of being actually Ifted. The economic and political