Evening star., 1939-07-12
The McNutt Appointment

The McNutt Appointment
The appointment of Paul v.
McNutt to be Federal Security Ad-
ministrator places in charge of this
new and important agency of the
Federal Government a former Gov
ernor of Indiana who is just now
winding up an important service as
American High Commissioner to the
Philippines. Mr.. McNutt, In other
words, has had plenty of experience
as an executive, and has proved his
ability.
President Roosevelt's selection of
MIR. McNutt for this important office
came. 1t is true, as a surprise to
many. 1t had been rumored that
there was a GOODNESS existing be-
tween the Chief Executive and the
American High Commissioner. Mr..
McNutt. according to other rumors,
was regarded as something far less
than hundred per cent New Dealer,
by the New Deal inner circle" Nor
did Mr.. McNutt have the favor of
the Presidents political lieutenant,
Postmaster General James A. Farley.
Whatever the feeling of Mr.. Farley
and the inner circle toward Mr..
McNutt, it is now apparent that the
President himself acted on his own
behalf In keeping Mr.. McNutt near
him in an important position. For
some time, intimates of both Mr..
McNutt and the President have dis
counted reports that Mr.. McNutt was
persona non grata at the White
House. Mr.. McNutt himself, on his
return to this country and to Wash
ington, certainly did much to dispel
these rumorS, when he declared his
loyalty to his chief would align him
Tor Roosevelt third term nomina-
ton, If the President decides to enter
the race. He went further and said
he was for the New Deal.
AT the same time Mr.. McNutt said
In effect, that his campaign for the
Democratic presidential nomination
would proceed, certainly until the
President clearly intimated he him
self would be candidate. The Presi-
dent clearly has accepted Mr..
McNutt's declaration of loyalty, and
just as clearly has not interposed
any obstacle in the way of his CAM
paign.
The situation now created appears
to be beneficial both to the Presi-
dent and Mr.. McNutt. The Presi-
dent obtains an efficient admins
traitor to do big job. He also takes
into his own political camp-so far
as 1910 is concerned-a Democratic
leader with definite, cohesive fol-
lowing In Indiana and perhaps other
states OF the Midwest. How much
better this than to have Mr.. McNutt
as a potential opponent when the
shoWqoWn over control of the Demo-
cratic National Convention of 1910
finally comes.
On the McNutt side, the advan-
tage is equally obvious. In the first
place, the old report that Mr.. McNutt
could not possibly have the support
OF Mr.. Roosevelt, for the presiden-
tlal nomination is at the least now
open to question. He takes his place
IN the administration in Washing
ton apparently on all fours so far as
White House favor is concerned with
other aspirants for the presidential
nomination. If he makes good in his
new Office, his chances are greatly
enhanced. He will be in a position
to make many new friends, with la
Dor. Tor example, for the Govern
ment agencies that come under his
administration touch labor closely.
More and more it is apparent that
Mr.. McNutt and his political ambi-
tions are not lightly to be discounted.
The Presidents alignment of Mr..
McNutt in his camp for the 1910 con-
test for control of the Democratic
party is clever politics, although the
President insists that politics was
not his motive. A few weeks ago two
members of the Presidents cabinet.
speaking in Wisconsin, gave great
praise to the La Follettes-the Sen
ator and the former Governor. More
recently it was reported that repre-
sentatives of the New Deal admins
tratlon approached Senator Wheeler
OF Montana with proposal that he
become potential vice presidential
candidate, perhaps with the Presi-
dent himself at the head of the
ticket.
Senator Wheeler and the La Fol-
lettes are recognized progressives.
Mr.. McNutt has friends both among
the progressives and the more con-
servative Democrats. The President
1t seems, is not overlooking the need
of united front.
There is perhaps nothing in this
world more tragic in its implications