Evening star., 1939-02-16
Roosevelt 10 Leave
Tonight for Fleet
Maneuvers
Will Go to Florida
On Special Train
And Board Cruiser

oy VIC hSSOClutcu 1IcSo.
President Roosevelt cleared up
pressing Government business today
so he can spend the next two weeks
on a man-of-war in the Caribbean.
Leaving behind balky Congress,
Mr.. Roosevelt will depart late to-
night by special train for Key West,
Fla, where he will board the 1885,
ton cruiser Houston Saturday to wit
ness part of the fleet maneuvers.
The voyage was planned several
weeks ago with a double purpose
to give the naval-minded President
glimpse of the greatest armada
ever to assemble in the Atlantic for
mimic battle and an opportunity
to rest from congressional problems.
His physician. Rear Admiral Ross
T. McIntire, said the trip also would
help the President rid himself COM
pletely of week-old attack of
grippe.
Although the Presidents illness
was said at the Executive Ohices to
be about over, he remained in the
living quarters of the White House
again today taking things easy. He
arranged to receive several callers
In his study and to hold q cabinet
meeting there in the afternoon.
The callers were Rear Admiral
Richard E. Byrd, retired, who was
invited to lunch; Charles Edison,
Assistant Secretary of the Navy; r.
Walton Moore, State Department
Counselor, and Norman Davis, Red
Cross chairman.
Wide Attention on Drills.
World attention has been focused
on the fleet maneuvers, designed to
test the Atlantic defenses of the
Panama Canal. A total of 140 ships,
800 planes and upward of $1,000 Of
ficers and men are taking part.
So close to actual war conditions
have the proceedings been mapped
that radio communication by par
ticipating ships with shore has been
silenced. The presidential cruiser,
however, will be assigned an eXclu-
sive radio channel to permit transt
action of Government business.
The mimic warfare is being staged
at a time when Congress is con-
sidering the administrations $751;
100000 defense program. interviewer
with this is the controversy over
foreign policy. with some Senators
demanding full publicity on sales of
war equipment to foreign nations.
Half a dozen other congressional
problem are being left behind by
the President. Democratic leaders,
looking for a long session unless a
greater degree of party harmony is
shown, are expected to work toward
solution of some of these during his
absence
Other Problems.
Mr.. Roosevelt, during his periods
of relaxation on the sunny deck of
the Houston, will have a chance to
ponder contentious by some Demo-
Gratis that further cooperation
should be shown between the White
House and party members in Con-
gress. Other problems he is leaving
with Congress are:
l. His request for restoration of
the $l50,000, 900 which Congress cut
from his proposal for $875, 900 900 to
run w. P. A. until July !.
2. A controversy over presidential
nominations which some Democrats
see as a continuation of White
House efforts to consolidate New
Deal strength for 1910.
3. Efforts to revive a Government
reorganization bill, stripped of sew
eral of the controversial items
which helped shelve it last session.
Rail Aid Legislation.
4. Legislation in the formative
stage to help the acknowledgements
rassed railroads.
5. What to do with the Farm and
Labor Relations Acts. The Presi-
dent has made no suggestions Tor
amending these, although revisions
have been proposed in several quar-
ters.
6. Proposals to reorganize the
Communications Commission, which
Mr.. Roosevelt believes should have
a more definite policy to administer.
The President will be accompanied
on his Southern trip by Admiral
McIntire and Capt. Daniel j. Cal
lahan, naval aide.