Evening star., 1939-03-26

class of his alma mater-Whitman COL
lege, at Walla Walla, Wash. Such days
awaited many on their graduation from
college. They do not await you. They
may return at future time"
In the same speech, however, Douglas,
who has described himself as pretty
conservative sort of fellow from the old
school" far from preaching class dis
tinctions, declared his belief in the
necessity for united action by all forces
to meet present-day problems.
Working together We can overcome
any problem which besets capitalism and
democracy" he emphasized. Working
together we can make this profit system
work and, at the same time, not sacrifice
humanity for some legal or economic
fetish"
This taking-common counsel idea was
applied with success in working out the
integration of holding companies required
by the Public Utilities Holding Company
Act OF 1935-an accomplishment that
Douglas commented acidly was only
made possible after lawyers disappeared
as Intermediates between us and busi-
ness But the Douglas brand of ap-
peasement does not call for compromise
in what he believes are basic principles.
A Demonstration.
This was demonstrated forcibly only a
few days ago when group of exchanges
unsuccessfully urged liberalizing of the
Securities Act with respect to manipu-
lative operations and use of inside in
formation.
Characterizing the proposals as
"phony," the chairman said they were de-
signed solely to give the boys another
party such as that of 1929.
And that was that.
Nor has the one-time college professor
been satisfied to confine his interest in
government to his own particular prov
ince. If government is to function prop
erly, he believes, it must be stated with
men and women who start early to make
the service career. That in turn means
permanency of employment possible
only under a system in which political
favor is negligible factor in appoint
ment-and for this he has contended, in
season and out.
And the often-castigated administra-
tive agencies, such as that he is leaving,
have no stancher defender.
'The virtue Of the administrative pro-
cess" he has said, lis its ability to deal
with technical, debatable, undefinable or
imponderable matters In a discretionary
manner. It provides a realistic and
sound alternative to hard and flexible
rules which proceed on the false assump-
ton that, right or wrong black or white,
constitute the only choice"
And now, as is entirely natural in the
light of his swift rise from obscurity,
friends are speculating on what fate still
may hold for Douglas.
Humorously they dwell on the limit
less possibilities offered by the eleva-
tion to the most august tribunal in the
world Of a fellow who thinks with his
feet on the desk; on occasion talks from
the side Of his mouth, and is hailed as
bill" In wide range Of acquaintance
ship.
In more serious vein, however, they
recall his youth, ambition and back
ground IS opening a vista of further
honors. It goes without saying that
he is expected to I'LL with distinction
the place that was made when Louis
D. Brandeis stepped down; and what,
it is asked, could be a better stepping
stone toward-for instance-the presi-
dency?
AS is known, he came up the hard
way from childhood, supporting q
mother and younger children when the
father, q Presbyterian missionary, died;
married the sweetheart of his youth
and has two fine youngsters; was
reared In the West and established him
self In the East. And that combination
II no political handicap.
But Ill Of this 10 for the future.