Evening star., 1945-08-27

40 'tS" ol a lCSCllIlN
article by Prof. Laski in this
country, it might be we'll for Mr.
Attlee to take early opportunity of
conveying to the American people
what he has already explained to
the British people-to wit, that Mr..
Laski represents only himself and
that neither Mr.. Attlee nor the
Labor government is in the least
responsible for what he says or
writes-particularly when he mis-
represents and maligns distin-
guished American citizens. whose
ability, character and unselfishness
have earned them the respect and
regard of most Americans, ire
spective of party or class.
For that is exactly what Mr.. Laski
has done in his most recent fulmi-
nation. Irritated by the idea, cher
lshed by some eminent Englishmen
AS well as by economists here, that
the Labor party cannot put it's re
forms" into operation without bor-
rowing the money from the United
States and that we might not find
1t feasible to lend for those pur-
poses, he singles out Mr.. B. M.
Baruch. Mr.. Cordell Hull and Mr..
Jesse Jones, alleged exponents Of
this notion. for attack.
Facts Are the Reverse.
First, he expresses the hope that
they will be shown to have forgotten
that there is another America than
theirs-an America that put Roose-
Velt in power in 1882 and was
faithful to him to the day Of his
death"
If this means anything 1t means
that Mr., Baruch, Mr., Hull and Mr.
Jones were Roosevelt, opposed
putting him in power and opposed
keeping him there. There Is plenty
Of room for questioning the wisdom
Of their attitude, but the facts are
the reverse of Mr.. Laski's presenta-
tion. They exhibit Mr.. Laski as
either very ignorant or as indif-
ferent to the truth.
All three of the men Mr.. Lash
criticizes supported Mr.. Roosevelt in
all four OF his campaigns. Mr.. Ba-
ruch and Mr.. Jones heavily con-
tributed to his campaign funds. Mr..
Hull, in addition, supported Mr..
Roosevelt for his first nomination
and was his Secretary of State for
more than II years, resigning only
because of i'll health.
Mr. Roosevelt constantly sought
Mr.. Baruch's advice, which he knew
to be valuable. not only because of
his wisdom and experience, but be-
cause of his extraordinary disin-
terestedness.
AS for Mr.. Jones. Mr.. Roosevelt
loaded him with some OF the heaviest
responsibilities of any man in the
Government. He not only was his
Secretary of Commerce. but Federal
Loan Administrator with control
over many billions of dollars. Mr..
Roosevelt's confidence in Mr.. Jones
was such that he got him to straight
en- out the financial mess into which
his son Elliott had gotten.
In requesting Mr.. Jones' resigna-
ton, he not only highly praised his
work, but in so many words, said
that he was naming Mr. Henry WAL
lace as his successor solely for po-
Itical reasons.
In the face of these facts, the ef-
frontery of Mr.. Laski in picturing
the Messrs. Baruch. Hull and Jones
as enemies of the Roosevelt admin
istration and therefore, in his judg-
ment, unworthy men, Is astonishing
However, he does not stop there.
In his next paragraph he asserts
that they "and those thinking like
them were responsible for the great
depression before Roosevelt came in
and calls on America to remember
that.
This, 1t must be admitted, is rather
comic. For one thing, it has always
been the silly contention of the Laski
type of liberal" in this country
that Mr.. Hoover, single -handedly.
caused the depression. For another
was it the Messrs Baruch, Hull and
Jones who brought on the British
depression, too? Long ago econo-
mists have agreed that the depres-
sion was worldwide and the result
of the World War.
Unconscious Humorist.
The Laski idea that it was brought
on by the Messrs. Baruch, Hull and
Jones is certainly unique. 1t makes
the professor look foolish as a STU
dent of world economics, but 1t
should enhance his reputation as
one of the great unconscious humor-
lists of the world. But there is a
serious aspect to the Laski attack
He has been so widely advertised
that many here regard him as the
brains" Of the British Labor move
ment.
Those who believe that British
American understanding. corporation
and friendliness are basic necessities
for mutual security and world peace
land who believe that just as much
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