Smith & R. F. C.

Like many another Democrat, Alfred Emanuel Smith has a low opinion of the R. F. C. as a Depression-buster. Before a Catholic Conference on Industrial Problems in Manhattan last week he flayed its tight-fisted method of doling out small sums at high interest rates.

Cried Citizen Smith: "In the World War we took our Constitution, wrapped it up and laid it on the shelf until it was over. ... If we're going to get anywhere in this business of getting out of the Depression--of using public funds to stimulate business, we've got to appoint a Director General of Public Works to wipe out these laws and put the buildings up."

Next day Al Smith carried his complaints against R. F. C. policy to Washington and straight into the R. F. C. board room itself. There he appeared as spokesman for the New York State Emergency Public Works Commission which was trying to borrow $93.000.000 from the R. F. C. for job-making construction.

Democrat Smith, wearing a black derby and a green bow tie. had hardly stepped off his New York train before newshawks fluttered excitedly about him. plied him with questions.

Could he favor the Press with his view's on business conditions?

"I can and briefly--there is no evidence of improvement."

Could he foresee improvement?

"Nope. I'm no prophet."

When Spokesman Smith marched in before the seven R. F. C. directors, out in the corridor gathered dozens of chattering clerks, stenographers, typists and underlings, to glimpse the "Happy Warrior." In the door they found a peek-hole through which they watched him pound the board table, wave his cigar, shake his greying head. Cried Al Smith angrily: "The R.F.C. can act like a suspicious banker with two glass eyes or it can take up its social responsibilities and put men to work."

During a lull in the hearings Spokesman Smith suddenly opened the glass door to get a drink outside and the crowd of female clerks at the threshold fell headlong into his arms and the board room. "Hello-hello-hello!" he repeated as he shook girl after girl by the hand. Girls flocked in from all over the building. Annoyed at the delay, pompous R. F. C. Chairman Pomerene finally banged for order.

Two pretty clerks were on the tag-end of the line. Waving Chairman Pomerene aside, Al Smith declared: "Just a minute, gentlemen, just a minute. Here are two lovely girls still in the doorway. One of these might be the one who signs the checks. Come on in, ladies. I want to shake your lovely hands. How do you do! How do you do?"

As Spokesman Smith returned to the job of extracting cash for New York tunnels, bridges and causeways, the R. F. C. corridor crackled with excited feminine comment: "Simply grand! What a man! A honey! A peach! And wasn't that little green bow tie cute!"

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