Books: Old-Fashioned Democrat

WITHOUT GLOVES—Frank R. Kent— Morrow ($2.50).

In 306 pages Frank R. Kent, famed Washington columnist of the independent Baltimore Sun, has collected his running commentary on the New Deal. He does not like it. But he thinks the new policies must run their course. There is no road back. No gloomy Republican of the Mark Sullivan stamp, he finds himself frequently speaking through a hypothetical character called “the old-fashioned Democrat.” “Where are we going?” he asks. Old-Fashioned Democrat answers by being reminded of Columbus: “He did not know where he was going when he started. He did not know where he was when he got there, and he did not know where he had been when he got back.” New Dealers, frankly sailing on uncharted seas, should be happy to admit the parallel. They may not reach the Indies but they will be satisfied if they discover a new America.

But there is no satisfying Old-Fashioned Democrat. The new legislation of 1933 reminded him of “the first chapter of the Book of Genesis.” Later he is convinced that “The recovery isn’t following the program; the program is following the recovery.” Speaking in his own right, however, Author Kent is the fairest as well as the most deadly journalistic critic of the Administration. He has no ax to grind, never hits below the belt. He does not like government regulation; his heart is with the small taxpayer and the Maryland Free State. In short, he is a sound Jeffersonian of pre-Civil War vintage. Critics may point out that, however lovely in contemplation, true Jeffersonianism has not played a vital role in the U. S. since the rise of great industry.

In Mr. Kent’s story of 15 hectic months in Washington many people have their exits and their entrances and most in their time play many parts. Senator Carter Glass “in a class by himself,” is cast as hero. Professor Moley plays clown. General Hugh Johnson undertakes a comic Falstaffian role, “chief name caller” of the Administration, roaring about “tom-tom beaters,” “witch dancers,” “hobgoblin seers,” “chiselers,” “social Neanderthalers,” threatening to “crack down” while NRA goes to pieces under him. Professor Tugwell is the chief antagonist, marshal of the forces seeking a socialistic state. He is a respected enemy until, during the farce of the Wirt investigation, he denies his “anti-American doctrines,” makes himself a laughing stock. Above the tumult, in Olympian inscrutability, Franklin Delano Roosevelt strides two horses running in opposite directions while a chorus of bandwagon riders, old friends, members of his family and the propaganda boys make ballyhoo.

Public men in public places frequently make unfortunate remarks. Author Kent likes to snap these up, ring the changes. Once General Johnson permitted himself to turn from excoriating his critics and point with pride to those “whose eyes have seen the glory.” And Professor Tugwell rhapsodically prophesied a time when “every hill will be green and all the rivers blue.” Old-Fashioned Democrat Kent is waiting for the muddy Missouri to change color.