Evening star., 1940-09-20
Politics Essential
To Government
Writer SCOTS at Suggestion
That Presidents Talks
Are 'Non-PoIiticuI'
To the Editor OF The Star.

To the Editor Of The Star:
Is politics necessary?
Recent remarks of our President would
lead us to believe that he does not think
so. Apparently having determined that
the existence of a national emergency
calls for the elimination of politics from
the conduct of public affairs, he refuses
, to be drawn into a political discussion.
Moreover, when advised by the broad
casting companies that a political talk
must be paid for, and that a discussion
of Washington, Lincoln and the events of
the past seven years may constitute q
political talk, our President is both sur
prised and amused. He Is in quandary
So am I.
Courses in politics are given in most
colleges, including Harvard. These
courses deal with governmental institu-
tions and with the science or art of
government. Moreover, "the science and
art o. government is the first mean
ing given for politics" in Webster's die
tionary. 1t is respectfully suggested that
politics in this primary sense has a very
essential place in the present emergency;
that the events of the past seven years
are of political importance, and that a
discussion of those events may properly
be expected from Chief of State seek
ing reelection during an emergency
demanding application to the fullest of
the science or art of government.
1t appears to me that both Roosevelt
and the broadcasting companies have
placed themselves in impossible posi-
tions. There is no aspect Of Roosevelt's
conduct of the Nation-no measures,
project, objective or accomplishment
upon which he can report to the Nation
which is not political. He may be the
Squire of Hyde Park to some and
demigod to others, but to all of us, he
is President of the United States. That
job is political No job in the world
requires greater exercise of the science
or art of government. AS a body polite,
it is now the American peoples duty
and right to determine whether, upon an
analysis Of the events Of the past seven
years, Roosevelt has done that political
job properly and should be intrusted
with it again
1t must be recognized, of course, that
the term politics has certain secondary
meanings, 1t may mean. for instance,
the sometimes too lucrative and not
always straightforward business of party
organization and maneuvery of cam
paigning for and holding public office
Possibly it is the existence of this sec
Oh
Roosevelt. the broadcasting companies
and myself all in a quandary together
We are all of us perhaps dissatisfied
with present-day American politics in
this latter sense, and would like to see
improvement. The elimination Of this
kind Of politics from our discussion and
resolution of public issues is perhaps a
desirable objective. On this score, how
ever, I'm afraid Roosevelt made a
poor beginning at Chicago.
AS for the broadcasting companies, I
believe they justihably might refuse free
time to any candidate for public Office,
incumbent or otherwise If Roosevelts
talks are essential to the welfare
of the Nation, perhaps the Nation
should pay for them, rather than the
broadcasting companies.
When the President told reporters he
would not be drawn into a political dis
cussion, Willkie had asked his opin-
ion on important pending legislation.
Even assuming that WILKES inquiry
was prompted by motives OF the low
est sort, it was nevertheless a proper
inquiry. The American people were en-
titled 10 know the positions of both
candidates on the question. Moreover,
if our present form of Government is
to flourish, the President of the United
States cannot continue to remain silent
on important political issues. That
Nation which is prepared to maintain
as its Chief of State a man whose
opinions and intentions on public mat
ters are usually known. If at all, only
after the event, is Nation about pre-
pared to choose and follow its leaders
blindly-a Nation verging on govern
ment by men rather than by law