Milford chronicle., 1928-04-20
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
CFTOm National Editorial ASsOciatiOH]
ESPECIAL TO cHRONIcLEl


ESPECIAL TO cHRoNIcLEl
Washington, April IS. - Retire
ment may be good for the soul bu
it is very trying on the temper o
men in high office. The week has
been marked with growing evidence
that certain groups of the legisla'
tive body now feel it is safe to defy
the Chief Executive, especially since
it has been definitely established
that he will leave the White House
next March. The opinion is gener-
ally accepted that Congress would
not have dared to pass legislation
considered Objectionable to the ad-
ministration if there was a chance
that Mr.. Coolidge would remain as
the chief executive. A man in Of
flee and citizen retiring from pub
lie life are two distinct characters
from the standpoint of the political
opportunist.
However, there is one advantage
that a retiring president possesses
and that is the privilege of political
independence. Seeking no Office and
only retirement to private life, he
can exercise his judgment freely
without consideration of political
factors which would undoubtedly
shake his views on the eve of the
campaign of which he was a candi-
date. Some, occasionally, consider
the welfare of their party and act
accordingly.
This is no season for political
gestures Legislators who would
ordinarily hesitate in committing
themselves to proposed legislation
today seek to impress their con-
stituency by their apparent open
advocacy of these bills. The well
known alibi of the legislator when
he wants to appear non-committal
is to the effect that he will give
the measure proposed by citizens in
his district careful consideration.
With presidential campaign at
hand, the Senator or Representa-
tive is rapidly becoming quite de-
finite in his statements. Usually he
makes a careful study of the situa-
ton and when he realizes that the
proposed legislative measures have
little chance of coming up for a
vote he can we'll afford to express
his viewpoint. Sometimes the leg
islative program escapes from the
control of the leaders and brings
embarrassment to those who have
previously committed themselves.
Passage of the farm relief bill in
the Senate has renewed discussion
on this subject in Washington.
Opinion is to the effect that many
items were included in this bill
which their proponents knew full
we'll would never become law. 1t
is an easy matter to write home to
the agricultural organizations in
terested in the matter telling of the
interest in farm
problems and pointing to speeches
and votes on the farm relief bill.
This policy relieves them of re-
sponsibility back home because |
they can point out that the failure
of the proposed legislation remain
ed with the President in event he
decides to veto the measure. The
betting favors veto because a
similar measure was disapproved |,
NY LUG at LAlC Aebob OOAA-
gress as it contained the equaliza-
ton fee and other items objection
able to the administration.
Farm legislation is loaded with
political dynamite. This is indi-
lated by the attitude of candidates
or Presidency now Members of
he Senate. Senator Curtis of Kan
ias, Watson of Indiana, and Norris
If Nebraska, all Republican candi-
lates for President, voted for the
bill. Senator Golf
,ther Republican candidates, voted
Lgainst the bill. The campaigns of
Ir. Lowden and Mr.. Dawes hinge
argely upon the fate of this meas
Ire, as they draw their strength
rom the farming regions.
Another bill which is threatened
With the Presidential veto is the
flood relief plan. The
administration has notified it's sup
orters in the House that the bill as
assed by the Senate must be
hanged considerably before it will
leet with the approval of the
White House spokesman. The
resident apparently desires to
lock excessive expenditures in the
God area as well as to relieve the
ederal government of some of the
expenses. It is doubtful whether
ne proponents of the flood elief
ill and the farm measure, both re-
arded vital to the benefactors, can
luster a two-thirds vote in both
lie Senate and House in order to
a possible veto.
The Senate Finance Committee is
.ruggling valiantly with the reve-
ue legislation. Considerable pres
Ire has been brought to bear for
lie tax reduction bill before the
INNER adjournment. 1t is known
lat the fate of the tax bill will
ave much to do with the volume
campaign contributions. Crate
Il benefciaries are asked to re-
ember the helping hand.
The House leaders are endeaVor-
g to arrange slate to allow an
ljournment of Congress early in
Inc. The date has been tentative
set for June 8, which will per-
it legislators to pack their grips
i'd reach the Kansas City and
Ouston Conventions in time to Sc
ct a candidate for President. Only
small percentage of bills now
nding will reach the voting
age.