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It was perfectly clear that Douglas had done this. I telephoned to Douglas. He said, “Yes, I spoke to the President. I think the president thinks it's better to have the public works program a separate bill.”

I knew that if that were the case, we wouldn't get a public works bill, because I knew Douglas could organize an opposition to it in the Congress which would slow the process down. A bill like that appropriates money, and they didn't want to do that. His opposition was completely based on his desire for economy and a balanced budget, and he was sincere about that. I just didn't like the way it was being done secretly.

Well, I had a big think when that word came down. Douglas was very polite and nice about it, but I thought to myself, “I know as much about what the President thinks as you do, Mr. Douglas. I know you're putting things into his mind, if not words into his mouth.” I didn't say that to Douglas, but I gave it a good think for fifteen or twenty minutes.

Then I telephoned to the President and said that a matter of great importance with regard to this National Recovery Act made it absolutely imperative that I see him and that we have at least half an hour of conference. He