“COUNSEL AND ADVICE”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 227, 27 September 1935, Page 7

“COUNSEL AND ADVICE”

ROOSEVELT ASKS CLERGYMEN RESPONSES SHOW WIDE DIVERSITY. Received Sept. 26, 7.40 p.m. WASHINGTON, Sept. 25. An interesting and unusual step, unquestionably having considerable political significance, was taken by Mr. Roosevelt with the sending of a letter to all clergymen throughout the country asking for “counsel and advica.” The letter states: “Tell me where you feel our Government can better serve our people.’’ The letters, which were despatched without previous announcement, have caused a sensation and have prompted journalists at their regular conference with the President, on the eve of his departure on a speaking tour of the West, to bombard him with questions. It is believed that Mr. Roosevelt's action is only an explanation that ho wanted the views of persons not in tho Government service. In the meantime the responses which are beginning to pour in are as diverse as the traditional political and economic differences can make them. The opinions expressed are only occasionally indicative that they come from men of the cloth. One rabbi asks for “loyalty to the constitution.” A New England minister complains that tho President does not take a sufficient interest in the New England textile industry*. Several are extremely critical regarding his social security and works programme, and many frankly declare that they are incompetent to give him advice on economic matters. The Lutheran group, stressing “the misery and misfortune of our materialistic age,” declares: “Tho billions of Government expenditure only emphasises the lovelcssness and selfishness of the age which lias made it necessary.”