Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-06
C. 0. P. 1882 HOPES
IN HOOVER'S HANDS,
Democrats Expected to Agi-
tate, but Put Responsibility
on President.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Politically speaking, 1t Is difficult to
imagine an oh-year election whose out
come could have been more satisfactory
to the Democrats. They made q con-
spicuous demonstration of strength,
gained substantially in both houses. and
yet VIII not be saddled with the re-
sponsibility Of organization of Congress
or the actual management OF legislative
matters.
The Democrats, of course, will have
powerful voice in the next Congress. In
fact, together with handful OF Repub-
licans who are always kicking over the
traces OF party lines, a practical majority
will be obtained, but, in preparation for
1882. they will not feel that they are
responsible for the legislative record Of
Congress.
To put 1t another way. the Democrats
In the session beginning December, 1881,
and continuing through the early part
of 1882, will be marking time, watching
the mistakes Of their opponent, who
have the responsibility, and arguing at
the same time that the Democrats ought
TO be tntrusted with the complete con-
troll of all branches of Government In
the 1892 presidential election.
Hoover Holds Key.
The problem from the Republican
tralized in the hands of one man
Herbert Hoover. His party colleagues In
the House and the Senate, who have
been none to cooperative In the past
year and half, will now recognize
the Importance of supporting the Presi-
dent or else participating with the
Democrats In tactics of embarrassment
that cannot but reduce the chances
OF Republican Congress being elected
IN the 1882 national contest.
Mr.. Hoover. on the other hand. will
be in position to fix the responsi-
bility squarely on his opponents in Con-
gress, and II the next two years do not
see the enactment Of legislation which
ne believes the country will need, the
President in turn can say In 1892 In
substance: 1.-THE blame for the last two
years does not fall upon me, but upon
the mixed-up situation in Congress. >"
He can in effect make his plea for a
continuance of power and a Republic
an Congress In 1882 with much more
erect than II he possessed a substantial
majority and the record was subject
to criticism.
The Democrats are not going to let
the tariff rest, but are likely to raise
the issue when they get into a posi-
ton in December, 1881, to Join with the
insurgent Republicans in revising the
tarin or at least putting up to the
President bills frequently known as
pop-gun" measures from the fact that
veto is usually expected Mr.. Hoover
would then be confronted with the
same situation that President Taft had
IN the last two years of his term when
the Democrats passed all kinds Of bills
only to embarrass the existing admins
tration and thus furnish ammunition
for the campaign.
Supply Bills to Pass.
None Of this is going TO affect the
appropriation bills or relief legislation.
for both parties will feel the force of
public opinion and will not dare to
obstruct to that extent.
With coalitions ruling In both houses
1t takes a skillful strategist, in fact a
master Of politics, to handle the stu
alton. In New York former Coy. AL
Smith as well as Gov. Roosevelt sue
ceeded IN making a hostile legislature
DO their bidding. Woodrow Wilson as
Governor Of New Jersey had the same
success with Republican Legislature,
but as President in 1918, when both
houses of Congress were lost, he did not
overcome the odds against him, though,
TO be sure, Ill health deprived him of
the alertnesS and consiliatory spirit
which won him support in his nego-
tiations with the Legislature In New
Jersey.
President Hoover has not been for
tunate In his dealings with his Re-
publican leaders In Congress and the
challenge henceforth will be no less
difficult because sometimes people of
opposite parties get along much better
than rivals within the same party. Mr..
Hoover has two years in which to build
UP his prestige and make himself
stronger than his own party in Con-
gress. II he should out?maneuver the
Democrats he will be in a correspond
ingly strong position. Democrats, how
ever, have always been skillful minor
ity and they are better organized today
than they have been in many years.
(Copyrieht. I030)