The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-04-27

Big surprise package Roosevelt originally had up his sleeve was the transfer of RF Chairman Jesse Jones to be head of an expanded Commerce Department, with Com merce Secretary Hopkins trans ferred to be Secretary of the Navy. Two motives were behind this:-
 1. To give the Navy Depart ment, at this crucial time, an ac- tive executive as its chief.
 2. To put various lending agen- cies, such as the REC, Commodity Credit Corporation, Export Import Bank, Home Owners Loan Cor poration, Farm Credit Administra- ton and Federal Housing Admin istration, all under the Commerce Department.
 Roosevelt's first plan was to lump these all under Harry Hop- kins. but this was spiked by Jesse Jones. Jesse didn't like the idea of giving Up his present indepen- dent status as REC chairman and working under Hopkins.
 So Jesse scampered up to Capi- tol Hill and proceeded to enlist his many friends in a stop Roosevelt from Transferring the RFC' movement. Jesse, a Texan, has powerful friends in Congress, among them Vice President Gar ner. They promptly served notice on the White House that Jesse Jones was not to be subordinated to a New Deal Cabinet member. GUN-SHY FDR
 After his bitter experience over Tom Amiie's appointment to the Interstate Commerce Commission, Roosevelt has become gun-shy re- garding Senate combinations, so he decided not to risk a fight over Jesse Jones and his REC.
 Instead he dropped the whole idea, and created an entirely new agency to combine most of the existing lending agencies under an independent head, which Jesse Jones is very eager to be. He has already started his powerful undercover lobby on Capitol Hill working to give him the new prize.
 
 The problem of the Navy, which is in a woeful condition as to its civilian executives, is still one of the tough nuts FDR must crack. Secretary of the Navy Swanson has striven deseprately to hold up his end, but his 77 years and failing health have made It almost impossible. When he attends Cabinet meetings, Swanson has to wait until his aide enters the room to help him up from his chair.
 Assistant Secretary of the Navy Charles Edison also has been stricken with a serious eye ailment and cannot resume work for some time.
 Roosevelt is most fond of Swan son and has hesitated about re- placing him. The Secretary of the Navy has no income other than his government salary. However, the needs of the Navy, which are vital at this period of renewed building. have convinced the Presi- dent that personnel changes are necessary.
 GARNER. AND TOURIST
 Ambling by the crowded Senate restaurant on the ground floor of the Capitol, silver matched Jack Garner was stopped by a young woman who asked to be directed to rest room. Startled, the vice president beckoned urgently to a nearby guard, who ran over and inquired solieitously, "Yes, MT. Garner?"
 "Heavens!" gasped the lady tourist, "are you the vice presi- dent? Why, | thought you were just another enployc around here"
 Garner waited to hear no more. Abandoning both the gaping wo- man and the grinning policeman, he dashed into the dining room and hustled toward a side en- trance. SENATE sPEEDsTER
 t .Iitt .f4 F lat
 The Senate has . new speed champ. Senator Homer Bone, wiry Washing gtonian, has been de- throned aS fastest talkar in the