The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-01-19
Boake Carter
Says:
The Case Of Hopkins
Kicked Upstairs
VIII He Last?

A dozen or more of the nations
leading business tyeoons have en-
dorsed President Roosevelts selec-
ton of Harry Hopkins as secre-
tary OF commerce.
Furthermore. some Of the most
members OF the presl-
dents counselors lobbied with SEN
ators seeking To have them con-
firm the appointment.
The popular theory supporting
this strange collection OF bed
fellows Is that Hopkins Is still the
No. / fair-haired boy In the White
House eyes.
The tycoons of business and in
dustry do not kid themselves. They
do not believe that overnight Har-
ry Hopkins has decided to model
his actions along the lines of those
of the conservative Dan Roper.
This. however, is their thought
or at least so it is reported: With
Hopkins representing the depart
ment OF commerce, business and
industry will have government
contact who really does have first
claim of the ear of the man in the
White House. They think the
president. favorable to Hopkins.
will be more inclined TO listen TO
the woes and wishes of business
as conveyed through Hopkins,
than If expressed by e man tenn
peramentally opposite to the presi-
dent.
The theory is good But in prac-
tice it may be another one of
those instances of wishful hoping
In the last six years of New
Deal history there have been many
court "favorites." Their names are
legion-Moley. Sprague, Tugwell,
johnson, Walker, Farley, Kennedy,
to mention but n few. Each has
had his day In the official court
glare. Each has been tumbled up
stairs or downstairs, depending
upon the circumstances and the In
dividual. when his reputation be-
gan to sparkle too brilliantly.
Business and industry, for exam
pie. could never have had sound
err friend "at court" than Joseph p,
Kennedy. while the latter was IN
Washington.
He is democratic. liberal-minded,
but withal a business man. He
gave more than $4,000 out of his
own fortune to the original Roose-
welt campaign fund,
When il was Wall Street that
bothered Mr.. Roosevelt. ii was
Kennedy who was called to iron
out the mess. When 1t was the
merchant marine that required
unscrambling, it was Kennedy who
was again called TO do the un-
scrambling.
When the trade treaty with the
British was hanging fire. and a
two-fisted man was needed on the
other end of the line in London,
Kennedy was called again.
Ii II had not been for Kennedy
and u 8 a. III. call across the At
House letter TO Hitler at the time
of the Munich crisis would never
have been sent. But Kennedy GER
tainly was given none of the
credit.
On the contrary, when mis-
press" grew too fullsome, toe
bright. the rumor was spread that
he was getting ready to toss his
hat in the presidential ring. He
was kicked upstairs from his mari
time job in Washington even
though he was as close to the
White House as anybody at that
time.
Since nc went TO London. nc
stone has been left upturned by
the '1eft-center" grpup of counsel
ors to undermine his integrity ano
reputation.
The same story substantially
can be written for most OF tn,
other court fsvorites who pre-
ceded Kennedy. One by one they
rose. One by one the public spot
lights fastened upon them. One b,
one they dropped by the wayside
II is tragic TO think that sucs
things should be and mems useful
ness be suspended upon so tickle
thing as ego. But that is VIVA
happens when a courtier outshinei
king. That is a matter of fac
OF history.
Human nature is no differen
today than it was in the days o
Henry VIII or Nebuchadnezzar.