ADVICE SOUGHT

Evening Star, Issue 22145, 27 September 1935, Page 11

ADVICE SOUGHT

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S LETTERS t() CLERGYMEN INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL STEP Pres* Association^— By Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, September 25. An interesting and unusual step which unquestionably has considerable political significance was taken by President Roosevelt with the sending of a letter to all clergymen throughout the country asking for “ counsel and advice,” The letter says: “ Tell me where you feel our Government can better serve bur people.” The letters, which were despatched without previous announcement, have caused a sensation, and prompted journalists at their regular conference with the President on the eye of his departure on a speaking tour of the west, to bombard him with questions. It is believed that President Roosevelt’s action is only an explanation that he wanted the views of persons not in the Government service. In the meantime, the responses, which are beginning to pour in, are as diverse as traditional political, and economic differences can make them. The opinions expressed are only occasionally indicative that :fhey come from men of

th* cloth. One rabbi asks for “ loyalty to the Constitution,” while a New England minister complains that the Pre-sident-does not take sufficient interest in the New England textile industry. Several are extremely critical regarding his social security and works programmes, and many frankly declare Jhat they are incompetent to give him gdvice .on economic matters. , The Lutheran group, stressing “ the ifaisery

«ad misfortune of our materialistic jge,” declares that the ■ “ billions of frovernmeut expenditure only * emphasises the lovelessness and selfishness of the age which made it necessary.”