New Britain herald., 1924-11-14
CONTROLLING CONGRESS STILL TROUBLESOME.

STILL TROUBLESOME.
 When Warren c. Harding entered | the White House in 1921 the Repub- licans had a majority in the house of unwieldy proportions, and a very considerable majority in the senate. But during the congressional cleo lions of 1922 the same fate overlook the Republicans that overlook the Taft administration--the control of congress was swept away.
 It is declared that in the 69th congress, which meets in 1925, the independents will not be able to hold the balance of power, But so far as the Democrats are concerned, they were far weaker in the 67th congress, just after the Harding landslide. Dispatches from Washington indi- cate that Democratic leaders plan 10 hold together their forces in the 69th as they did in the sSth and form coalition with independent Repubi- cans, as was done during the Hard ing administration and which took control of congress away from the Republicans and has kept such con- trol away from the Coolidge admin istration thus far.
 It is interesting 10 consider the situation in the light Of the record of the past few administrations
 The first session of the s7th con- gress stood. in the senate: Republi- cans, 5S; Democrats, 37; Progress sives, i. In the house: Republicans, 300: Democrats, 131; Socialists l: vacancies, 3.
 The first session Of the 6Sth con-
 gress stood, tn the senate; Republi-
 cans, 51; Democrats, 43; Farmer
 Labor, 2. In ths house: Republi-
 cans, 225; Democrats, 205; 1ndepend-
 ents, 1; Farmer-Lebor, l; Socialists
 1; vacancies, 2.
 The first session Of the 69th con gress probably will stand In the sen ate; Republicans, 55, Democrats, 40
 Farmer-Labor, 1. In the house; Re
 publcans, 245; Democrats, 1855 Farmer-Iabor, 3; Socialists, ?. Writers for various metropolitan newspapers are beginning to prat about the crack of the Coolidge whil
 over the 69th congress. The presi
 dent, 1t appears, is actually going {
 be leader. But the history Of con
 greasional activities has shown tha
 cracking the whip does not Insure continuation of conditions makin
 the process possible. Congressme ' elected during 8 presidential electio are one thing; congressman electe during a congressional election al another, Usually fewer administra
 ton congressman are elected b. u tween presidential elections tha - during the latter, when there IS t tendency to fly on the tail of tf U administration kite. This is how tI IS Taft administration lost out ar 'e how the Harding administration rs r. into trouble; the same thing e r. happen with the Coolidge admin S' tration two years hence.
 IS Independents of the Borah al D. Couzens type are not likely le jump through many hoops when t Id administration whip cracks, not
 mention La Toilette and his handf IS of followers. They will not foHt h. the policies of the Smoots and { or Wadsworths
 s. Just now administration spok. h. men are talking about jammi 'il through the Mellon plan in i9. op with the president at the helm. Dcl ed ocratic and independent spohrsm CT declare nothing will please tht oI' better; they have their eyes on -n' 1928 congressional elections, wh lis he effect Of such procedure vol
 be expected to show up in the e se gressional lineup. They may ha in nothing much 10 hope for duri Ia- the fre. two years Of the 6sth ct he gress, and the more "reactional he the administration gets the more He will be to their advantage in l9 VII Thcy seem to think there IS a strc art chance of repeating the history
 the Tstt and Barding sdminstra.a