Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-19
BATTLE ON IN EARNEST.
Shouse Attacks Business Depression.
Tilson Predicts Overthrow.

The battle for control of Congress
was on in earnest today with the leading
spokesman of the Republican and Dem
ocratic parties recording their views of
the general issues on which the con-
tests is to be decided at the November
elections
Jouett Shouse, chairman of the Dem
ocratic National Executive Committee,
placed the Democratic side before the
country in radio address last night, in
which the administration was charged
with errors both of omission and COM
mission. An immediate defense and
counter attack was issued in a state
ment to the press by John @. Tilson of
Connecticut, Republican floor leader in
the House of Representatives. Robert
H. Lucas, executive director of the Re-
publican National Committee already
was on record with condemnation of the
Democratic position.
Hoover Drawn Into Blame.
Shouse's attack centered on the tariff
bill. farm relief and business depression.
president Hoover, in his speech, was
made to share responsibility with Con-
gress for the form taken by the tariff
bill. He was singled out also for in
d1vidual criticism in connection with the
farm relief legislation adopted and for
failure to check in advance the depres-
sion which set in last Fall -
T1lson termed the Democratic speech
an amazing collection of half truths,
Measurements, abuse and criticism
Shouse. said Tilson failed to suggest
cure for single thing which he criti-
cized. Instead of offering a construc-
tive program as his listeners had every
right to expect him to do at this time.
ne presented the regrettable spectacle
OF the at least verbal leader of a politi-
cal party literally gloating over the
economic distress of the country
The Democratic leader asserted the
people OF the country ARE arising to q
political overthrow that may assure the
proportions of a cataclysnn +"
Tllson replied that overthrow Of the
republican party would be a "cata-
clysm,' because the party had "a def
mite, well considered administrative
ana legislative program which it Is car
rylng forward to completion despite the
Democrats"
Draws Stolen Horse" Parallel.
Shouse said farm products had de-
cllned IN price steadily since passage
OF the farm act. He contrssted the
Hoover 1928 campaign speeches assllr-
ing continuation of prosperity under
Republican rule with the unemployment
and depressed business obtaining within
the year. He blamed the President for
not warning against speculation while
Secretary of Commerce and President
elect. Conceding that after the crash
Mr.. Hoover did perhaps all any man
could to try to effect an adjustment
of conditions" Shouse observed that
history is apt to record that he locked
the barn door after the horse was
stolen"
He said President Hoover could have
checked the tariff raid" at any time
during the long period the revision was
under congressional consideration, but
had failed to speak the word which
would have corrected the intolerable
features Of this unholy and excuseleSs
piece of legislation"
Pointing TO Shouses assertion that
the Democrats would endeavor to re-
spond TO the peoples "cries of despera-
ton" for relief from present condi-
tons, Tilson challenged the opposition
leaders to show how they would zen
deavor to respond"
viii a sympathetic and understand
ing ear cure the ills of which Mr.
shouse complains?" he asked. IF so
hove"
These are pertinent questions to-
which the voters certainly have tn
right to GA answer in this campaign" '