Liberty League and New Deal At Washington larger issues than
even the textile strike involves are at stake. As an article in last week's Spectator clearly indicated, the more conservative of the President's political supporters arc concerned at what they regard as his disastrous drift towards Socialism and they have formed the American Liberty League to give expression to their alarms. The fact that the leaders of the new movement include such prominent Democrats as Mr. Al Smith and Mr. Jouctt Shouse (little known in this country but a leading figure in the Democratic camp), and that a number of almost equally prominent Republicans arc associated with them, will make the new body a formidable force if it really comes out in opposition to the President,. which it has not done yet. A good deal depends no doubt on how far the N.R.A. can in course of time be absorbed into the ordinary Government machinery, particularly the Department of Labour. This will not happen without stiff resistance from General Johnson, but the report that he has actually offered his resignation is denied. He, as well as the President, can make legitimate capital out of statistics just issued, professing to show that four million more people are in employment than when Mr. Roosevelt took office, and that weekly wages have increased by 34 per cent. between June, 1933, and June, 1934. There is no sign that the President's grip or influence is waning.
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