Evening star., 1931-12-06
The Seventy-Second Congress.

The Seventy second Congress as
sernbles here Monday for It's first ses-
sion with multitude of problems con-
fronting 1t. The Government faces a
deficit which may ruin as high as So
Go0,000.000 by the close OF the fiscal
year, if steps are not taken to CHECK
IT, Notwithstanding the work that has
been done throughout the country in
recent months TO reduce unemployment
and to provide funds to care for the
needy during the Winter months, many
demands will be made upon the Con-
gress for Federal appropriations, not
only to provide work for the unem-
pioyed but also to feed, clothe and
shelter the destitute. The problems are
in the main economic and domestic.
But because of the Interviewing of in
ternationsl interests, involving the
United States along with the rest Of
the world, problems of foreign relations
are also to be dealt with. President
Hoover brought about a years suspen-
SlOu Vi dSSNor h'N'
ing to prevent a threatened collapse in
Germany and other foreign nations.
Legislation to make that moratorium
effective is necessary.
The eyes of the Nation will be upon
Congress. 1t may aid or mar. No
legislative panacea is possible for the
economic situation, but wise leadership
and the adoption Of sound policies in
legislation is the function Of the Congress.
The danger to the country lies in the
responsibility of politicians, seeking to
make capital for the coming national
election. The very fact, however, that
the situation in the country, because
of the business depression, is far more
serious than usual is likely to have a
sobering effect even upon the most par
tisan members Of Congress, Republican
or Democrat. Democratic control Of
the House OF Representatives, where all
revenue legislation must originate and
where governmental appropriation bills
are initiated, may not be an unmixed
blessing. Responsibility is great
SOLDERING force.
The Democrats have clear majority
in the House, the first time since the
elections of 1918 turned control Of that
body over to the Republicans midway
in the second term of President Wood
row Wilson. AL the standing COM
mittees which frame the bills for pres
entation to the House will be dominat-
ed by Democrats. The Democrats have
an opportunity to impress upon the
country faith In their wisdom or, fail
ing that, to show themselves unworthy
of having the reins of Government
turned over to them.
In the Senate the political score is
almost evenly divided, with 4s Repub-
licans, Al Democrats and ] Farmer
Labor Senator The Republican control,
however, is merely nominal, fiction ON
paper. For a group of Republican Pro-
gressives, q dozen or more in number,
hold the balance Of power, and can up
set the policies Of the Republican ma
jority whenever they wish, provided
they have the support of the Demo-
crats. The Democrats will have to de-
termine just how far they are willing
70 60 along the course outlined for them
by the Progressive Republicans. If they
expect the latter to follow Democratic
leadership, the Democrats are likely to
and themselves mistaken.
Economy should be the watchword of
the Congress, notwithstanding the fact
that pleas for huge governmental ap-
propristions are to be expected The de-
serving destitute and unemployed are
worthy Of all aid, but some of the pro-
possls advanced for the consideration of
Congress would have the effect Of
relieving those who wish to live and
not 10 work Of further anxiety
Should the session of Congress now
approaching degenerate into struggle
between the President and the Con-
gress the country will be the loser. CO.
operation on the part Of the executive
and legislative branches Of the Govern
merlt Is greatly needed now.