The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-09-14
An UnweIcOme Idea


and others not under the Administra-
ton influence, chief of whom is Mr..
Walter Lippmann, that he create a
sort of national council on which
would sit leading members of the Re-
publican party and one or two out
standing anti-New Deal Democrats.
The idea is that in this critical peri
nd, when from day to day the most
delicate decisions must be taken by
,8gr Government for the national Sc
gurity, this council should meet daily
-with the President; that all the facts
available for him should be available
for it, that its advice should be asked
aad its support sought before any i'm
portant step is taken.
a*+
II is suggested that the President
SHOULD ask to serve on this council Mr..
Herbert Hoover, undoubtedly the best
Informed private citizen in the United
States on European affairs and an
american of great influence and eX-
perience and unquestioned patriotism;
Senators Taft and Vandenberg, lead
ing Republican aspirants for the Pres
ideucy; Vice President Garner, recog-
nized leader Of the Conservative Dem
91rats; Senator Byrd, of Virginia, the
strongest and most effective opponent
OF the major New Deal domestic pol
iGies 1t is list which even to think of
brings the "true New Dealers" to the
very verge of apoplexy and the argu
ment that in this way only and with
these men can the national unity
essential to the safety of the country
he achieved fills them with fury.
#&*
Nevertheless, that argument is be-
ing made so widely and so forecfully
:hat it cannot be ignored. 1t, of course,
is not safe to forecast Mr.. Roosevelt's
acts. No one can change his mind
more quickly than he and he has been
known to adopt a course for no other
teasou than because the prediction
was made that he would not adopt it..
Those who know him best appreciate
his extreme reluctance to concede that
those not in complete accord with
aim on everything can be right about
anything. However, if one judges
fsam the elmer circle" seethes, this
suggestion will not be adopted.
It's repetition and circulation i'm
poses a severe strain upon the PreSi-
Genital temper and is deeply deplored
by the presidential intimates. They
bitterly resent its being made and are
disturbed that it is not dropped. Nor
IS the resentment decreased by the
obvious fact that the idea is advocated
not by politicians, not by individuals
Who want to score a political point or
embarrass the President, but by men
genuinely concerned over the lack OF
national unity and anxious to have the
country solidly behind it's President in
matters of foreign policy. This makes
:he Roosevelt plan over the national
council plan the more acute because
Il cannot be discounted by the usual
methods. Nor does it lessen the rage
al the palace politicians that they are
unable to denounce it as a Tory trick
Jr a Yeactionary effort to hamper Mr..
Roosevelt in his efforts to promote
national safety.
Though such was not the purpose,
the suggestion really puts Mr.. Roose-
geIG on the spot, which is why his adj
Fisers are anxious to have it forgotten
As quickly as possible. For example, if
Ne should name a national council, he
would have to concede the premise
from which the idea sprung-to wit,
5he he has lost control of Congress
and no longer speaks for the country;
mat large element of his party is in
revolt against his leadership; that
great numbers of people have no con-
fdence in his judgment and suspect
that be is surrounded by unsafe men
eager to make political capital out Of
war.
This is said not in disparagement of
Roosevelt but, its sponsors say, is a
simple statement of fact which makes
national unity impossible unless the
national council idea can be imple
nented To accept the idea is to accept
the statement of his own futility. AS
ne still believes the people are over
whelmingly with him and only the
vicious and misguided dissent, the