Evening star., 1940-08-28
Roosevelt Works
AT Hyde Park Before
Holiday Trip
President Pleased by
Defense Progress and
The Political Picture
BY JOHN C. HENRY,
Star Staff Correspondent.


HYDE PARK, N. Y, Aug. 28-
President Roosevelt. pleased not only
with progress of the defense pro-
gram, but also with the immediate
political prospects, arrived here today
for a spell of homework" before a
holiday week end excursion into the
Tennessee Valley.
The Chief Executives satisfaction
with defense developments was eX-
pressed yesterday at his press con-
ference, the only qualification being
the degree to which Congress has
done its share. Demanding imme-
diate action by Congress before the
Nations mobilization can proceed
any faster or even much further,
Mr.. Roosevelt emphasized. are three
major pieces of legislation-the S.
0os, ,o00, 900 appropriation bill now
pending in the Senate, the excess
profits tax and amortization formula
awaiting House action and the draft
legislation being debated on the
Senate floor.
Cites Profit Action Delay.
Meanwhile, he asserted in answer
to critics of the aviation procure
ment program, approximately 10000
airplanes are in process of manu-
facture either under contract or
under authorization of letters of
intention rendered the manufac-
turers by the Government. More
contracts would have been in opera
ton, Mr.. Roosevelt added pointedly,
if Congress had not seen fit to
change the profit limitation pro-
vision at time requiring rewriting
of many contracts.
BY contrast with his frankly eX-
pressed satisfaction with the defense
program, Mr.. Roosevelts pleasure
at the political picture is still under
wraps" but none the less real.
Still holding his own fire until it
may be needed, the Chief Executive
has been advised by his campaign
scouts that the momentum of Wen
dell L. WILKES surge to the Repub-
lican nomination has been lost,
temporarily at least.
Accordingly, Mr.. Roosevelt and
the Democratic strategists are feel
ing particularly pleased at his de-
cision to abstain, in theory at least,
from actual campaigning. That this
decision may be modified in the
coming weeks is not an impossibility,
Of course, and almost certainly will
occur If the tide seems running
strongly Republican.
Meanwhile. there probably will be
a continuance of such small fire as
has appeared in White House pro-
fiouncementS about New Deal &C.
complishments in protecting in
vestors." bringing more and cheaper
power to the Northwest. etc. Twice
within the week Immediately pre-
ceding the acceptance speech Of
Senator McNary, Republican vice
presidential nominee, the White
House made announcements calcu-
lated to attract the public power
lovers Of the Senator's own strong
hold. 4"
Initial preparations for heavier
fire were discussed yesterday at
late afternoon meeting of the Pres
ident with Senator Lucas, Demo-
crat, Of Illinois. -rt
To Woo Farm Vote.
Chosen to head the regional cam
paign efforts for 13 Midwestern
States, the Illinois Senator told
White House reporters that he ex-
poets to recruit strong corps of
specialists on all domestic issues
and to put on an intensive drive for
votes through this organization. To
head his fight for farm favor he
said he had asked Chairman Mar
vim Jones of the House Committee
on Agriculture. Equally able special
advisers will be lined up to handle
the labor division and others, he
said.
Describing that part of the coun-
try as pivotal" in the coming cam
paign, Senator Lucas declined at
this time to predict how any State
but his own will vote.
We'll carry Illinois in the fall
elections" he said, confidently.
The President had one other
late afternoon conference yester-
day which may be of importance
to either the defense program or
the political campaign, or both. This
was with Louis johnson, former As
sistant Secretary of War, Rejecting
an offer to become Undersecretary
of Commerce, the West Virginian
is believed headed for key post in
the defense program where his ex-
perience in Army procurement may
be of value. A former American
Legion commander, the West Vir-
ginian likewise could be of consid-
cradle political value back in the
administration fold.
Farley Successor Soon.
Before boarding his special train,
the Chief Executive told reporters
he would name a successor to Post
master General Farley in few days.
Mr.. Farley, who is quitting Satur-
day to enter private business, at
tended his last cabinet meeting yes
terday afternoon. He said after
ward he knew who would be named
to his post. but refused to identify
him. Frank c. Walker, New York
lawyer and theater owner, has been
mentioned, among others.
Smiling when he said it, President
Roosevelt told reporters he knew
nothing about politics. He had been
asked at his press conference to
comment on Mr.. WILKES proposal
that a chairman be appointed for
the Defense Commission and that
the commission be given more au-
thority.
No Difference, He Says.
Another reporter, having in mind
a suggestion of the Republican pres
idential nominee that a cabinet Of
fee In charge of aviation be Gre
ated, inquired whether Mr.. Roose-
welt regarded air defense as an
auxiliary to the Army and Navy or
co-ordinated with them.