Burying the Bones

President Roosevelt last week took up the practical question of disposing of the carcass of the Blue Eagle. His program:

1) Continuation of a codeless, unenforced NRA under a skeleton staff until April 1, 1936--a proposition promptly passed (264-to-121) by the House but threatened with defeat in the Senate by those who wanted NRA's bones more quickly buried.

2) Collection by NRA's skeleton of data on the past success of the codes and on the "orgy of wage slashing" that was expected to follow NRA's unmanning by the Supreme Court.

3) Passage of a new law to require the Government to purchase everything it buys exclusively from firms that maintain high wages, low hours and do not employ child labor. Such purchases account for about 1%, of industrial business.

4) Enactment of statutes to continue the NRA-born Federal Alcohol Control Administration, Petroleum Administrative Board, Central Statistical Board, Electrical Home & Farm Authority.

5) Enforcement, after a two-year lapse, of the anti-trust laws pertaining to practices acting in restraint of trade.

After these White House announcements NIRBoard Chairman Donald Richberg's aides--4,200 of the 100,000 Governent employes in Washington--scurried around looking for new jobs, fearful that they might not be preserved in NRA's skeleton. In the New York Times appeared this significant advertisement:

"FORMER CODE AUTHORITY DIRECTOR, aggressive, capable, seeks executive position; experienced organizer, salesmanager, sales agency or promotional work. Has well-organized, experienced and efficient staff, if necessary."

To Mr. Richberg, quitting the New Deal this week, Franklin Roosevelt gave a personal reference.

"My Dear Donald:

"I scarcely need to tell you of my great regret, both personal and official, that I must at last, with great reluctance, accept your resignation. . . ."

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