Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-08
Democratic Promises.


Leaders Of the Democratic party,
in q statement full of moderation,
have pledged their party not to throw
q monkey wrench into the legislative
, business of the Government in the next
Congress, They place in their state
ment the interests of the country, the
need for improvement In business con-
ditions above the mere interests of
party politics. They promise co-opera-
ton with the Republican adminiStra-
ton and with the Republicans in Con-
gress in legislative matters.
The country quite naturally will hope
that the Democrats in Congress will
live up to the promises now made for
them by their titular leaders-Alfred
E. Smith, presidential nominee in 1928;
John w. Davis, presidential nominee in
1924, and James v. Cox, presidential
nominee In 1920; the Democratic leaders
Of the Senate and House, Senator Rob-
inson Of Arkansas and Representative
Garner Of Texas, respectively, and the
men who led the fight in the cam
paign just closed, John j. Raskob,
chairman Of the Democratic National
Committee, and Jouett Shouse, chair
man of the National Executive Com
mittee. It is an imposing array Of
signatures.
The statement emanating from these
leaders of the Democracy is based on
the superstition that their party viii in
large measure dominate both Houses
Of Congress IN the next Congress.
Actually the Democrats will not have
q majority in the Senate, or even a
plurality, unless some of the Republican
insurgents side with them. This is
equally true IN the next House of
Representatives, unless contests brought
by Democratic candidates in q number
Of districts should upset the majority
now held by the Republicans. The
Democrats leaders apparently recognize
this situation when they say:
"Of course the leaders of the Democ-
racy are thrilled by the demonstration
Of confidence the country has given.
But they and the others who must now
assume legislative responsibility do not
regard the present occasion as one for
celebration or for self qualification"
"The others" to whom the Democrats
refer are the Republican insurgents.
So far none Of them has promised
moderation or cooperation with the
Republican administration. Indeed,
Senator Brookhart of Iowa has promis-
ed to throw his aid to the Democrats
to organize the Senate only on condi-
ton that Mr.. Mellon shall be thrown
out Of the Treasury Department. This
may be good insurgent Republican
doctrine. II It Is adopted by the Demo-
Gratis, however. the promises now made
by the Democratic leaders may take on
different aspect.
During the present Congress the
Democrats In the Senate followed the
lead of the Republican insurgents in
demanding the enactment Of the de
benture'' plan for farm aid into law.
The statement issued by the Democratic
leaders makes no mention now Of an
attempt TO place the debenture on the
statute books In the near future. 1t
contents itself with attacking the Re-
publican tariff law and with praising
the Federal Reserve System, which was
set up during the Wilson administration.
How long are the Republican insur.
gents to trot along in double harness
with the Democrats If the Democrats
suddenly turn conservative?
The Democratic leaders say there
viii be no holding up of necessary APP
preparations, no rejection of at APP
pointees TO important places merely
because these appointments are made
by q President Of the opposite party.
Nevertheless. the Democrats reserve
the right to determine whether these
appropriations are necessary and
whether the appointees are "fit." II
there comes a difference between the
Republican executive and the Repub-
licans in Congress and the Democrats
over these matters, will the Democrats
resolve the doubt in their favor2 And
If they do, will there be a deadlock?
Only time viii show.
Definite pledges not to demand q gen.
eral revision of the tariff are interest
ing. They are ready to rid the exist
ing tariff law of its "enormities," but
that Is as far as they plan to go.
Should the Democrats undertake revi-
sion Of the tariff. it viii be interesting
to see whether they are better able to
limit the number Of changes in the law
J than were the Republicans in the pres
ent Congress.
The Democrats will have an oppor-
tunIty TO demonstrate in the coming
session of Congress just what these
promises Of non-obstruction amount TO.
In the Senate they will again have con-
trol-with the Republican Insurgents at
their side. Perhaps the election re-
suits have sobered them. with an added
sense of responsibility.
1 II is astounding how much more dll.