Although Mr. Darrow must have pleased worried Monday morning newspaper editors yesterday, his effect on Mr. Johnson's digestion was evidently not quite so satisfactory. His attack on the NRA can satisfy neither its most prominent critics nor its most prominent supporters. In short it has more or less the effect of a Parkhurst sermon in uniting Republican boss Platt and Tammany boss Croker.

Mr. Darrow let his well-known championship of the underdog and his socialistic tendencies ruin his chance to make a hole in one. He saw it was his opportunity to show that monopoly and big business were reigning supreme. It was too much for the old criminal lawyer and the result was an outburst of vituperation which would make even Mr. Hoover wince. While there is some cause for his claims, the prejudice used in presenting them makes them practically useless.

The NRA has been the outstanding measure which the new administration has proposed. The codification of big industries such as iron and coal is wholly commendable but undoubtedly the difficulties which have arisen from the collective bargaining clause have caused deviations from the intended course. The wrong ideas which were incorporated in haste now stand out more clearly. Honest constructive criticism which will separate the wheat from the chaff is needed to set the NRA buck on its course. No thoughtless and prejudiced bombardment can help.

The one benefit from Mr. Darrow's findings lies in the fact that they have brought the problems of the NRA before the country in a provocative fashion. Unfortunately, he has done it in such a way as to discount his revelations immediately. Although Mr. Darrow has obviously gone beyond his province, it is difficult to realize why Mr. Roosevelt appointed him. In short, he has gone a long way to destroy helpful criticism in its effectiveness.