The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-03-08
Editorial Comment
The First Hoover Year
CWaShingtOn POSt)

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President Hoover's first year in the white house closes
today-a year of real accomplishment. despite the CRITICS
of the administration, and a year OF laying the ground
work for much constructive work in the future. To judge
an administration by its first twelve-month is not a 1ar
test. But even in such a test the Hoover adminlstra-
ton stands out a success. A farm relief act has been
spread upon the statutes which promises real aid to
agriculture. The president took the lead in this matter,
although congress shaped the measure and put II
through. A revision of the tariff. also a measure OF
relief for the farmer, is in the making. II 1t has been
unduly delayed in the senate. that is not the fault OF
President Hoover. The country understands the sltua-
ton. A coalition of insurgent Republicans and Demo-
Gratis took charge of the measure early in it's consldera-
ton in the senate. This coalition has IN some respects
bettered the bill. The charge that must be laid against
the opponents of the administration in the senate is
that they have through five months OF debate delayed
final action on the bill while the country has waited for
this legislation. Chairman Smoot of the finance COM
nittee has computed the hours used in the senate de-
bate by regular Republicans, %insurgent Republicans and
Democrats. The regular Republicans used 80 per cent
of the total time and the coaltionists 10 per cent.
With the tariff bill expected to pass the senate within
the next ten days, Senator Wagner OF New York, Demo-
crat, rises in his place and denounces Mr.. Hoover because
he has not seen to it that the senate acted more quickly
on the measure. Mr.. Hoover, the New York senator as
serts, should have welded his party together In support
of the bill. Here is an unkind cut, indeed. for the Pro-
gressive Republicans who have banded so Loyalty with
the Democrats in their efforts. not only to amend the
tariff bill, but to embarrasS and ~antagon1ze the admlnlS-
tration at every possible turn.
But Senator Wagner and other critics of the presi-
dent u, with the re appa1 nGute go for 'u unemol s@u entl in the the c coun-
try. It is even charged that the "red" riots In New York
and elsewhere are q plot Of the supporters OF the ad-
ministration to turn public attention from the unem-
ployment situation. The lengths to which even senators
Of the United States will go in their efforts to belittle
political opponents apparently have no limits.
Congress, and particularly the senate, has been the
batter Of presidents since the government began. It Is a
forum Of political attack. Every president must expect
it. Roosevelt met 1t constantly, and 50 did Wilson and
Coolidge. Administration senators during the present
session have held their tongues for the sole purpose OF
e~xpediting the tariff bill, when the administration has
been under attack. Once that bill Is out Of the way the
political debates in the senate are not likely to be 30
presided.
Discussion of the first Hoover year In the white house
has undertaken in the interest Of disarmament and
world peace. He took a leading part in the movement
which brought about the London naval conference, nov
meeting. Political opponents In the senate 60 80 far ~
to deride the conference, even while it IS sitting. And Il
would be amiss not to mention the call for law ohserv.
ance, which the president has sent forth-a call which
should be needed by all Americans.
Under ordinary circumstances, when Q new president
goes into the white house, without q change Of party, hi
first year develops little more than new appointments K
public office and his first recommendations to congress
That body ordinarily does not meet until the Decembe
following the presidents Inauguration. When Presiden1
Coolidge was elected In 1924, he had already been In OF.
flee for more than two years. There was no special ses
sion Of congress called. The first year Of the term o
office to which MI. Coolidge was elected In 1924 passes
with little event. Mr.. Hoover, however. tackled the prob
lens confronting his administration without delay. HI
had promised to call Z special session Of congress to dea
with farm relief and tariff revision. The results hav
been considerable and Of moment to the country, polite
to the contrary Notwithstanding.