Evening Star Newspaper, May 18, 1937, Page 11

Federal Rum Sale Tactics Challenged Violation of F.A.C.A. Rules Questioned in Vain. BY DAVID LAWRENCE. OT content with the use of public funds to put the United States Government into the business of selling rum, the Roosevelt administration has now per- mitted the Virgin Islands rum dis- tillery to use selling arguments, which it will not permit American rum makers or dis- tillers to use. This contradic- tion has been called to the at- tention of the Federal Alcohol A d m inistration, but apparently the influence and pressure of oth- : er Government agencies is such 8s to enable the i rum to Le sold under a system of special favors which private pro- ducers cannot enjoy. One rum distributor—A. K. Hamil- ton & Co. of New York—has written the Federal Alcohol Adminis- tration a series of letters beginning about April 10, with the hope of pre- venting unfair competition, but to no avail, “Competing with the Federal Gov- ernment at best is a difficult job,” Mr. Hamilton writes this correspondent, “but to make matters worse, you will be interested to know that the Fed- eral Government, in the short time since introducing Government rum on the market, has already violated cer- tain regulations to which we, their competitors, are sucject.” Questioned on Policy. Mr. Hamilton'’s first telegram on April 10 to the Federal Alcohol Ad- ministration asked: “Does the Federal Government's engaging in the rum business in com- petition with private industry allow it to violate the Federal Alcohol Ad- ministration regulations?” Inclosed with the telegram was an announcement made by the admin- istrotion’s rum-selling agency to the effect that the rum is “1'. years old,” and this, Mr. Hamilton contended, was “in spite of the fact that no age reference is shown on the labels of the bottles.” Mr. Hamilton got nowhere with the F. A C. A, s0 he resumed his plea on April 19, drawing attention to the specific regulations which were being violated and added: “What respect can private indus- try engaging in the liquor business have for the Federal Government reg- ulations when the Federal Govern- ment itself violates them through their agents?" More Exhibits Follow. Then on April 20 Mr. Hamilton continued with more exhibits and references to current annonncement being used by the administration's rum makers and pleaded again for fair competition thus “We sincerely trust that you ap- preciate the added difficulties and problems which have been placed upon our doorstep, not only by reason of your entrance into the rum business in competition with us, but also because of advertising tactics being followed.” Again on April 30 more data were sent to the F. A. C. A, and finally Mr. Hamilton concluded: “We frankly despair any longer of obtaining from the Federal Govern- ment protection from the Govern- ment’s violation of the Federal Alcohol Administration’s regulations.” It happens that the F. A. C. A.is a division of the Treasury Department and as such is directly responsible to the President. This, of course, is no ordinary case of unfair competition, | because the citizen has no redress m&wnday.s against Government compe- titlon of any kind unless perhaps it be in the courts. May Have Escaped President. It is possible that Mr. Roosevelt with his many duties and problems has not had this matter called to his attention, for he has been away fishing during the time when the effort to sell the American youth on the advisa- bility of buying rum has been in It may be also that the | President is unaware of the dispute | that has arisen as to whether private capital was or was not invited in to handle the rum of the Virgin Islands —_— David Lawrence. | that the private owners of the distillery | oo for its proximity te important centers of in- terest . . . for its luxuri- ous comfort, world famous dining rooms, and deft, unobtrusive service ... for itscongenial home-like at- mosphere...The Biltmore is the choice of the travel- wise visitor to New York. THE BILTMORE David B. Mulligan, President Madison Ave. at 43 St. NEW YORK Adjoining Grond Centrol THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, MAY 18, 1937, News Behind the News Conflict on Legislation Reported Among High Command of Administration. BY PAUL MALLON. ! LL is not well at the top of the new order. Mr. R. himself let that cat, or at least one ear of it, out of the bag by the peculiar manner in which he chose to receive his congressional leaders. Ordinarily, he calls them all in for round-table conferences, pits the advice of one openly against the other and then issues his orders. It is like a staff meeting. This time he called them all in, but not together. First, he received his foremost congressional adviser, Mr. Garner—alone. Then he summoned his Senate leader, Robinson—alone. Next came the two House leaders, Bankhead and Rayburn, together. The result was three different con- ferences on the legislative program, and three slightly varying interpreta- tions. (As a matter of fact, he did not discuss all of the same subjects in each of his three con- ferences.) The explanation being passed around sub rosa on the hill is that President Roosevelt fared so badly in his last staff meeting, he did not intend to risk another indignation rally. Messrs, Garner and Robinson are supposed to have spoken so freely against the budget and relief program before that he decided to handle them individually this time. Even if it means no more than that, it is significant of the deep personal objections to some of the President's current policies by men around him who have the welfare of his administration at heart. * X ok X At the same time, there is evidence that the President is not as hard-boiled—"adamant” is the popular word—about the Supreme Court- packing bill as he is being represented. The best way to describe it is that court packing is still “must” legis- lation, while the remainder of the program is “ought” legislation. The terms “must” and “ought” are supposed to have been used by the Presi- dent himself. But the real reason why Mr. Robinson announced there would be no compromise on the court “just yet” (and then asked newsmen to scratch out the “just yet” because it might sound bad) is this: An intricate technical situation has developed among pro-court= packing Senators. Under terrific pressure from the White House and Postmaster General Farley, they have been rasping and barking their approval over the radio waves. They are definitely out on the waves and some way must be found for them to get back safely in preparation for a ‘“compromise.” Furthermore, none of the con- gressional conferees was able to suggest a breeches buoy, guaranteed against personal damages. They were not even able to say that any pillow like a two-justice bill would lure the boys to jump. In fact, they were unable to offer a single proposition which could be counted on as safe and sure. This really leaves the matter in the negotiation stage, with no end in sight. Of course, the President will have to continue to be “adamant” until some kind of deal is made. If one can be made. * o ok K The Senate line-up on the court has not changed materially despite the coming of Pro-Packer Berry and the firming of Senators O'Mahoney and McCarran as anti-packers. Presidential checks-men now count 43 votes sure, and 8 or 9 more still wavering. They are giving themselves the benefit of doubts, but they say they can get these eight or nine by the use of political weapons or political sugar. Some waverers may need nothing more than a personal invitation to the White House, and a presi- dential pat on the back, while others may require more substantial handling. These are just prospects, however, and the immediate situ- ation is decidedly unfavorable to the President. * ok K % You can get a line on how the debate is going to run from the fact that a certain Republican 1 Senator has concluded prepara- tion of a court speech which will require two days to deliver. He has con- densed his thoughts to this radical extent because he expects interruptions which will extend his initial effort to five days. If every Senmator followed this course, the debate would last from 3 to 15 months. (Presidential advisers are counting on two months.) It is therefore premature to talk or think of filibuster. If ordinary debate is certain to string out from two to three months, the opposition will not even have to consider extradilatory tactics for a long time yet. * ko % Latest authentic word on wages and hours legislation is that it is nowhere near ready for submission to Congress. This comes from a presi- dential authority and not from his unofficial attorneys general who are supposed to be ready with something to submit to the President. It is now said the legislation probably will be presented in three or four bills rather than bundled into one package. The bills may be segregated into: Anti-trust, wages-hours, child labor in interstate commerce, and prices. No one knows when. Mr. R. Is insisting on his $1,500,000,000 for relief. He will get it after & struggle. The President wants the farm tenant plan to start with $10,000,000, instead of $50.000,000, and he probably will get it. The small amount will be a wedge for future expenditures. (Copyright. 1937.) a few years ago. It is being reporf.edl © ESTABLISHED 1865 o ... BARKER... 7 Guarantees Satisfaction / Just think of Barker first ” when buying quality lumber and millwork and avoid disap- pointments. Barker is also your guarantee of prompt deliveries and low prices. The nome Barker has the reputa- tion of 72 years behind it! at the Virgin Islands were forced to sell | at the behest of the Government. All | these questions are both novel and | interesting, yet no effort has been made by any congressional committee to | establish the facts. | (Copyright, 1937.) [OLD GoLD AND SILVER SN will bring you 'GEOC.‘;I&I]::;[{(ER;; ¥ 5 7 @ ° EASH AT, LUMBER and MILLWOR % S EL‘N GER'S 1|7 e49-651 N. Y. Ave. NW. look for flwbi? clock 1523 7th St. N.W. L§I18 F SYREEYT N.W. . Na. 1348, “The Lumber Number” \\\m \\ THE opinions of the writers on this page are their own, not necessarily The Star’s. Such opinions are presented in The Star’s eflort to give all sides of questions of interest to its readers, although such opinions ma% themselves and directly opposed to T be contradictory among e Star’s. Fear Aids Court Plan Many Senators Favor It Because of Political Weapons President Holds. BY MARK SULLIVAN. OMPETENT assayers of the current situation think that President Roosevelt really means it when he says he won't compromise on his court- pro- posal. Prudent assayers must add that they are speaking strictly as of the present; that 2 the President is quick on his feet, and is rather conspicuous for lack of continuity of intention. Nev- : ertheless, the judgment that he i means it is final for the present. Probably it will continue to be final. Mr. Roose- velt knows that % from now on com promise would have the psychological effect of defeat. And persons having special insight into the President's mind say that he in- stinctively dreads his first defeat, that to a man of his temperament one de- feat has the effect of catastrophe. Assuming the President goes through to the end refusing to compromise, what is his chance of victory? The answer lies with the 15 or so Demo- cratic Senators who have not yet de- clared themselves. That most of them in their hearts are against the proposal, practically every one takes for granted. Indeed, if the hearts and consciences of all the Senators could be subjected to some sort of spiritual X-ray, it is doubtful if 10 of the entire 96 would be found favor- ing the President’s proposal. The very Senator who will be the pilot of the measure in the Senate, Mr. Ashurst of Arizona, does not believe in it—before Mr. Roosevelt proposed it, Senator Ashurst said the idea of thus chang- ing the®court was “ridiculous, ab- surd.” Why, then, will a considerable num- ber of Senators vote for it? To put the same question in different words, what is to be feared by those Demo- cratic Senators who do vote for it? Farley Remark Explains Fear. The fear is illustrated by the im- | plication in the remark attributed by a Washington reporter to Democratic National Chairman Farley. Accord- ing to the account, Mr. Farley was speaking of Democratic Senators O’Mahoney of Wyoming and McCar- ;an of Nevada. These two Senators, after being noncommittal for some 10 weeks, announced that they would follow their personal consciences and oppose the President's measure. Of them and their defection, Chairman Farley remarked, “Well, when Sena- tor O’'Mahoney comes down here want- ing help on a sugar bill, his conscience | won't be bothering him, will it?> Or| when Pat McCarran wants aid for | his State.” } So the most concrete thing to be | feared by Senators voting against the | President’s court measure is disfavor on the part of Mr. Farley and Mr. Roosevelt. The disfavor will express itself in denial of patronage for their States; denial of money for W. P. A. projects, which Mr. Roosevelt and his SALE Colonial Village 1830 Plymouth St. N.W. Turn left at 16th and Kalmia Rd. Open for inspection 11 AM. until dark. A modified reproduction of Pem- berton Hall. A home with a per- sonality in a beautiful setting of matured trees and shrubbery. ing room, dining room, reception hall, lavatory, breakfast room, kitchen on main floor. 2-car 4 bed rooms, 2 baths, Mark Sullivan, s 2d floor. Gas heat and electric refrigeration. House fully insu- lated. Priced ot $23,000, which is 20% under its cost 5 years ago. A asoned house in perfect condition. Ask your dealer why he sells it Go to any Southern Dairies dealer. Ask him why he carries Southern Dairies instead of some other ice cream. Here’s the answer one dealer gave: “First, our customers like Southern Dairies best. It's the South’s most popular ice cream. Second, we know it's absolutely pure and safe for children because it's Sealtest approved.” If you are not now enjoying the delicious flavor and safety of Southern Dairies Ice Cream—look for the Southern Dairies dealer in your neighborhood: oy | T e Al Join the Sealtess Sunday Night Redio Party, 9 # 10 (EST), NBC Red Notwerk subordinates have the power to allo- cate; denial of tariff hélp for a com- modity important to & State, such as sugar in the case of Senator O'Ma- honey's Wyoming—the President has complete personal power over many tarift matters; denial of all sorts of perquisites which the President, under the extraordinary powers given him by Congress, can grant or withhold. Why do Senators fear these retalia- tions? As & rule, mainly for one rea- son. They fear it would be difficult for them to be renominated and re- elected, if it were known in their ; | States that they are out of favor with the President. Generally speaking, such fear is well founded at any time, as to any Senator with respect to a President belonging to the same party. It has been said that a popular Presi- dent can visit political death upon a Congressman by merely arranging his traveling so as to pass through the victim’s district at night, or otherwise without stopping. Question of Popularity. To & Democratic Senator opposing the President’s court measure, the con- crete and personal question is: “Can I be renominated and re-elected it I am known to be out of favor with Mr. Roosevelt?” Expressed generally, the question is whether, in any one State or in the country as a whole, the President and his court measure are more popular than the individual Sen- ator. More directly the question is whether the President’s court meas- ure has the support of & majority of the people. On that, many Demo- cratic Senators are going to take the chance that the court measure has not a majority of the people. The chance seems justified. Consider the varieties of public thought that are represented by the opposition to the President’s measure. On the far left, Democratic Senator Wheeler of Montana and Farmer- Labor Senator Shipstead of Minne- sota are against it. So are Senators Nye and Frazier of North Dakota, left-wing Republicans. In the liberal middle ground, Senator Borah of Idaho and Johnson of California are against it. And all the varying shades of conservatism, Democratic and Re- publican, are represented by Sena- tors who are against the measure— the whole fleld of thought symbolized by such Senators as Glass and Byrd of Virginia, George of Georgia, Con- nally of Texas and literally every Re- publican Senator. The sum of the areas of thought reflected by all these Senators must be very large, (Copyright, 1937.) ACCUSED IN SLAYING STANARDSVILLE, Va, May 18 | #).—A Greene County Circuit Court grand jury indicted Earl Morris yes- terday on a charge of murder of his sister-in-law, Pearl Collier. Morris, Greene County farmer, is charged with the fatal shooting of the 18-year-old girl at the home of her father, Gossie Collier, near High Top, March 30. TODAY IS We, the People Prosperity Again Hits Provincial New York With a Variety of Results. BY JAY FRANKLIN. RYING to learn what is going on in New York is like trying to find a. needle in a hay stack composed of & ton of needles and one bale of hay. Not since early 1920 has the city been in such a ferment. almost everywhere you turn you hear of new magazines, new enter- prises, new business ventures being launched, with gorgeous profits in sight for every one, . For here is still the great reservoir of talent, the big opportunities, the high life of America. The town is not as pleasent or human a place as it was when humbled by the depression. People no longer have the time or energy to consider the woes of their friends or the troubles of the world— but Wall Street is spouting money like mushrooms and the sky is once more the limit. Latest flurry in the artistic world is the sudden condemnation of bur- lesque. Why any one should pay from 50 cents to & couple of dollars for the privilege of watching & woman undress to music across the footlights is another matter. But there is a city election coming on this Fall, 50 the strip-teasers must go into hiding and with them that part of the dramatic tradition which proves that sex is still news to nine-tenths of the human race. Kitty Cornell long since abandoned “Wingless Victory” and is now winding up “Candida,” but Clare Boothe's piay, “The Women,” is still playing to full houses with an all-female cast. Those males who want to know what women are like when they take down their hair are given a chance to inform themselves, though those who have to deal with women after they have put their hair up again will not necessarily be any wiser or better able to defend themselves than before. The Pulitzer prize awards for the year have come and gone and the Prize Committee has followed the box-office returns with a unanimity which cannot be recommended too highly to the members of the Suprene Court, Prices are higher and big business is said to be striving to cultivate public good will 50 as to offset the New Deal. There is one simple way in which this could be done: To reduce prices; increase output, step up employment and widen opportunity in the great industries subject to ‘Wall Street control. Instead, perfectly good money is belng invested in “public relations™ and high-grade publicity men to convince the people of the warm heart and sheer generous impetuosity which lies behind the stock exchange. If organized publicity could have done it, the New Deal would have been licked years ago. New York is resuming its old attitude of condescension toward the Government. The men who were patheticaily glad at the chance of $2,500- a-year emergency jobs under the New Deal are moving back into business and the professions, and are beginning to regard Washington as a doctor whose bill they don't intend to pay for a good long time. There's a patron- izing assumption that any one who still works for the Government must be either a sap, & drone, or—perhaps—a pretty shrewd sort of fellow, who is learning the ropes so as to sell out at his leisure to the highest bidder. ‘Where the Southeast regards Washington as something pretty far off and rather irrelevant, New York regards Washington as a nuisance— something like the influenza germ or the common mosquito—which science will, sooner or later, get around to exterminating. In other words, New York is sinking back into its old self-satisfied provincialism, into its life of cliques, of narrow specialization, into its highly intellectualized competitive interests. Books and plays, stocks and bonds, the coronation and the Spanish War, collectivism and all the intense ferment of notions by which the East has usually captured and directed the imagination of America. For there can be no doubt that New York is still the intellectual capital of America. It shares with Washington the economic sovereignty of the country and hopes that it can again direct our political life. After all, Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. Farley are both New Yorkers, as are Henry Morgenthau and Frances Perkins, not to forget Justices Hughes, Stone and Cardozo of the Supreme Court, and key men in every other branch of the Government. It is here that competition is at its best—in the professional and in- tellectual struggle from whose decisions there is no appeal It is not an unfriendly battle, but it has adopted as its slogan: “Nothing but the best— as measured by the box office!” All the good intentions and financial backing in the world will not flll a half-empty theater, sell an unpopular book or win & jury's decision. It i8 a city of success. Some of us liked it better when it was a little more conscious of the possibility of failure. (Copyright, 1937.) NOTED RUSSIAN SUICIDE BECAUSE OF POVERTY Nicolas Preobrajensky, Czarist Police Official, Jumps member of the celebrated Russian family of that name, had committed suicide. Preobrajensky, police said, jumped from a fourth-story window of a Sal- vation Army lodging house early in the morning of May 13 and died shortly afterward. Despondency because of poverty was ascribed as the cause of his death. He had recently served a short Former From Window in Paris. By the Associated Press. PARIS, May 18.—Police announced prison term for violation of immigra- tion control restrictions limiting the stay of foreigners in France. He came to France after the Russian revolution. | today an investigation had disclosed | that Nicolas Preobrajensky, former | czarist police official described as a *20 BUYS A A big two-master was in trouble, masts gone, cargo soaked. All Johnny had was a little shoal-flea sloop and a tough brand of courage. Twenty dollars bought him that abandoned, wallowing hulk, and it almost bought him too much...A rare sea tale of the blue Gulf Stream and the Florida Keys «..one of the finest Charles Rawlings has ever written..." “Johnny, Sail Your Luck!” 5y CHARLES RAWLINGS at your newsstand today in An American You Should Know Ebert K. Burlew Makes Interior Unit Wheels Go ’Round. BY DELIA PYNCHON. . T TAKES two enormous buildings to house the Interior Department and the Public Works Adminis- tration. Secretary Ickes adminis- ters efficiently. Ebert K. Burlew, ad- ministrative assistant, makes the wheels go ‘round. He sees, hears, knows all that goes on in what con- stitutes a small city of 40,000 peo- ple (besides P. W, A. of 8500). He takes little enougn credit, inspires much confidence, is a man qualified by experience, training, service for secretarial confidence. Secretaries have come and gone. Burlew stays on. Since 1910, when he first came to ‘Washington, he has been secretary to two Postmaster Generals, administra- tive assistant to four Secretaries of Interior. In the administrations of Presidents Harding, Coolidge, Hoover he served successively Dr. Work, Roy ‘West, Ray Lyman Wilbur. He knows Interior from A to izzard. Modestly, when questioned, he disclaims respone sibility for advice. “Each Secretary has had his own policy,” he says. With & fund of information, a world of experience, Burlew has helped to guide these policies. He is the back= ground, the so-called “trouble shooter" for a huge diversified program, which, he says, constitutes & “million odd chores.” Gets Special Assignments. It is well known that the Secretary depends upon this quiet, blue-eyed, | sandy-haired, self-effacing man to | handle special assignments involving detailed business, co-operation be- tween the different bureaus. The new Interior Building, the last word |in office construction and comforts, |is a monument to the Secretary and | to Burlew, who, it is rumored, sug- | gested many artistic and practical innovations. As budget officer for Interior, with an appropriation for the year of $135.- 000,000 (exclusive of emergency), Bure lew has a vast field to co-ordinate. Ac- tivities deal with the conservation of national resources. At any moment | the name Interior may be changed to Conservation In 1933, when the Secretary was Ebert K. Burlew. made administrator of public works, | Burlew recruited a staff handling over 200,000 applications. It was in reality & miniature civil service. Involving political preferment. Burlew selected a staff on qualifications, regardless of political affiliations Cures Ills With Precision. The working staff was assembled in & few months, until the peak was reached in 1935. Here again it was & question involving procedure, ade ministration, regulations. Burlew has | had his finger on the pulse of every department. As a sort of assistant surgeon, he cures ilils with ease and precision. POST DAY IN THIS ISSUE Fiction Johnny, Sail Your Luck! CHARLES RAWLINGS Allied Property LEONARD H. NASON Double Double GEORGE BRADSHAW and EDWARD FISHER The Narrow-Minded Kid TRAVIS HOKE Daniel Webster and the Sea Serpent STEPHEN VINCENT BENET Boy Meets Horse PRICE DAY Death on the Nile (Second part of Eight) AGATHA CHRISTIE Features TheNeo-New Dealers STANLEY HIGH Born for the Gashouse J. ROY STOCKTON The Young Lady of Wellington Street THOMAS WAYLING The Great Goldwyn ALVA JOHNSTON Your Money and Your Life GILBERT SELDES Hot Stuff HOWARD MCcLELLAN Cartoons Editorials Post Scripts THE SATURDAY EVENING POST