The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-04-26
TasteIess Aequieseenee
These Days S }; Sg0 3'' e. 9soI6lsxY

Eleanor Roosevelt often makes
the point in her writings that she
is a dual personality, sometimes
acting as the wife Of the President
OF the United States and some
times acting altogether without
reference TO her responsibilities TO
he husbands prominence. Such
division OF personality is not
readily acceptable. The claim to
il is unreal, II not absurd.
For instance, a theatrical group
calling itself by the ambiguous
title OF stage for Action" (as
though any theater were a stage
for inaction) produced some one
act plays, one OF which was by
Ben Hecht who called II, THE Com
mon Man" As part of the show,
the only ex.president OF the United
States and the governor OF the
state Of New York are exhibited
on posters as monkeys hanging
from a trapeze.
The wife OF the President OF the
United States was not only present
at this indency but she delivered a
speech praisiny the performance
and wrote a column asking for do
nations for its continuance. She
acquiesced in the improprieties;
she seeks TO perpetuate the dis
grace.
Let me quite her about Herbert
Hoover and Tom Dewey as mon.
keys on a trapeze:
In the evening | attended
special showing OF three plays pro-
duced by Stage for Action. This
group decided some time ago that
we have a real need for informed
and active citizens in this coun-
try, and that one way TO give peo-
pie information is to do it painless
ly. through the drama. They de-
cided that il the plays were good,
people would enjoy them. but they
would also get the point and 20
out and work in their communities
on the problems presented"
Now. precisely what is the point
OF Iidiculing Mr.. Hoover and Mr..
Dewey? What does it prove 10
translate them into monkeys on
a trapeze? What is the sanity Of
such childish vulgarity? How
| does that make for respect for gov
eminent? and what business is
IL of the wife OF the President OF
TIT United States to be out rails.
ing money for such an un-Ameri.
can attitude toward the political
opponents OF her husband and her
party?
Let me quote further:
a.. They do not receive sal
aries. but they would like TO be
able to have an Office OF their own
and a couple Of people on salary
who could devote all their time
to spreading this activity through.
out the nation and establishing 1t
on a firm basis in headquarters in
New York City. They raised some
money last night, but | hope many
more people will be willing 70 help
them"
1t is the right OF any American
to support or oppose Herbert
Hoover, Tom Dewey or Franklin
D. Roosevelt Each citizen, in his
own right, is entitled TO be A Re-
publican. a Democrat, a Commun-
list or OF no party at all. That is
each mans down business and
is a matter OF his own conscience.
1t is equally true, in the Ameri.
ca theory OF life, that each indi-
vidual is free TO criticize another,
to argue. dispute, and debate over
public issues and questions.
II Mr.. Ben Hecht wants to write
a play in which he depicts Mr.
Hoover and Mr. Dewey as mon
keys on trapezes. that is his taste
and its expression for which men
and women OF other tastes will
Judge him, he is a private citizen
and is entitled to his opinions and
such expression OF them-apart
from legal libel and slander-as his
conscience and breeding permit.