Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1939-02-09
Bruckorts Washington Digest
Genuine Strain Being Placed Upon
Administration Control Of Senate
Presidents Appointments Public Office Are Upseng
To Some of His Followers; Roper Virtually Forced Out
As Secretary Of Commerce to Make Room for Hopkins
By WILLIAM BRUCKART
WNU Service National Press Bldg, Washington d. C.

Observation-Disclosures Roose-
velt's followers in the senate of the
United Stotes are finding it increas
ingly difficult these days to stay off
of hot seat. Indeed, if I read the
signs rightly, they are getting rath-
er FESTIVE and there is a genuine
strain being placed upon the adj
min;stration control in that body of
congress. Whereas, it appeared a
month ago that the anti-administra-
ton senators would break out of
control only on major issues, it
now seems that there is a real
threat of danger to the President on
minor, as well as major. questions.
The new developments have come,
and are continuing to come, from
what some believe to be an unwise
course on the Presidents part in
the matter of nominations to public
office-appointments that must have
approval of the senate. Whether the
President is to blame, personally,
for placing these distasteful names
IN the mouths of senator's, or wheth-
er, as heretofore, the condition re-
suits from the activities of the Gin
ner circle" the effect is the same.
1t is a very real problem for the
administration advisors to ponder,
and it is entirely possible that Mr..
Roosevelt will get slap in the face
by senate rejection of some of the
nominees for judgeships and other
public offices. 1t is just possible
that some senators will gag at swal-
lowing several of the names. If
that happens, what will be left Mr..
Roosevelt's mastery of the senate
thereafter will be meaningless.
Observers here in Washington
heard many private remarks of a
very uncomplimentary character
last fall when Mr.. Roosevelt named
Gov. James V. Alfred of Texas to a
federal judgeship. It was so plainly
political that some individuals who
are very close to Mr.. Roosevelt were
disguised. They did not speak out
then, but they are holder now.
Shortly thereafter, Mr.. Roosevelt
named Floyd Roberts to a federal
judgeship in Virginia. Now, appar-
entity, Mr.. Roberts is about as well
equipped to be judge as l would
Deli we are to believe the public
statements of Senators Carter Glass
and Harry Byrd, both Democrats
and both acquainted with the life
and record of Judge Roberts.
Roper Virtually Forced Out
As Secretary of Commerce
Subsequently, Daniel C. Roper
was virtually forced out as secre-
tary OF commerce in order to make
room for removal of Professional
Relever Harry Hopkins to a cabinet
job. Hopkins thereby was taken ont
OF the line of red hot fire about
his spending policies. Homer s.
Cummings quit as attorney general
and Frank Murphy, Michiean's
lame duck governor, was given the
post.
Former Sen. James p. Pope who
was licked in the Idaho Democrats
primaries was named to the direc-
torate OF the Tennessee Valley All.
thority from which DR.. Arthur Nor
gan was so unceremoniously dis
missed. Rumor has it that former
Sen. Fred H. Brown, lame duck
New Hampshire Democrat, is to be
given the juicy job of comptroller
general OF the United States as soon
as II Is evident that congress will
not vote abolition of the general ac.