The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1927-02-24
Washington Letter

Washington, Feb. 23-With
Congress passing a multitude Of
legislative measures in a frantic
effort ITO appease certain organized
groups, attention turns to the at
titude of the President. Little heed
is given to accurate analysis Of
the thoughts and wishes of the
American people and the actual
needs and conditions of the future.
1t is obvious that the President
will decline to assume the respon-
sibility of last minute 'fbuck-pass-
ing"
Under the law, the President has
ten days to consider bill which
has passed Congress. 1t is frank
ly conceded that it will be impossi-
BILE for any current legislation to
pass over the Presidential veto.
A two-thirds vote in both Houses
cannot be mustered easily. . This
is particularly true of the farm.
relief bill, which passed the Senate
and House with such impressive
majorities. There is a wide diff
ference between the enactment of
legislation which merits Presiden-
tial approval and measures consid-
cred Objectionable by the Chief
Executive to the extent that the
veto power is exercised.
The politicians are attempting
to interpret Mr.. Coolidge's views
on the 1923 denomination by his
actions on highly controversial leg
islation which reaches his desk for
approval or veto. This is partic-
ularly true in the McNary+Haugen
bill as the observers claim a veto
will ALLEVIATE the support of the
agricultural West at the next Re
publican Presidential convention.
On the other hand the President
has been advised from reliable
sources that the farmers, as a
whole, are not tremendously inter
ested in the farm relief bill, but
only certain organized minorities
are sponsoring this legislation.
As an illustration of the hazards
of enacting legislation in Congress
during days of turmoil it is cur
rently reported that the President
may veto the much-mooted branch
banking bill, which has passed
both Houses after prolonged de-
bate. The story circulated in the
cloak rooms of the Senate and
House is to the effect that the bill
as passed contains few so-called
"jokers' or provisions susceptible
to two or more interpretations
Those who earnestly advocated the
bill are now demanding its recall
for revision, but the chances are
that they must depend upon the
President ito send it back with his
veto, or allow the measure to be
signed and ultimately tested in the
courts.
Senator Hiram Johnson of Cal
ifornia is endeavoring to force CON
sideration of the Boulder dam pro.
ject. 1T is believed that this meas
ure bill has a stormy passage il
the Senate, as charges and counter
charges of monogolistic influences
are now freely aired in Washing
ton. The question of hospitaliza
ton and insurance for veterans o.
the World War, a source of con
Germ for many politicians, will al
sd be seriously considered thi
week..
The question of political patron
age through the erection of pub
lie buildings in various communi
ties has revived controversial mat
tiers in the Congress The publ,
buildings bill, which passed some
months ago, authorizing expendi
lures of $165, 100000 for Fedora
buildings, principally post Office
structures was not large enough
to cover the needs of all legislat
ors. Some are now raising the CRY
of sectional discrimination. 1t i
quite true that the public building.
bill gave the Postmaster Genera
and the Secretary of the Treasury
an unusual power to distribute ia
vors to Senators and Congress
men, in exchange for support OF
Legislative matters. 1t is good pol
itics to bargain, and claim is made
that the Postmaster General il
taking advantage Of the situation.