Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-16
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

life of me I don't see how you car
cure this lack of confidence, but, like
the rnumps, it must work itself out
Last week asked q banker to loan
me $4,000 to be applied on the build
ing Of new home. The banker
threw up his hands and said: oh,
Senator, we can't make any loans at
present. While we are sound, we must
remain in a liquid condition In
formed him that 1t would be neces-
sary for me TO take out my deposits
in the loan associations. Applica-
lions to three associations In which
I have deposits SUFFICIENT to build the
house met the same response. This
meant could not use my own money.
That case is typical throughout the
United States. That spells depres-
Sion."
II shouldn't be long now before the
Interstate Commerce Commission passes
on the railroads application for nat
Is per cent increase in freight rates.
If the carriers win, they will be some
$500, 600, 900 to the good. The. commits
sion, dividing itself INTO subcommis-
sions of two members each, has just
ended 60 days of hearings in eight diff
ferent Washington, Chicago,
Portland, Me-; Portland, Greg; San
Francisco, Salt Lake City, Dallas and
Atlanta. Beginning September 81, oral
arguments by lawyers representing the
railroads, shippers, savings banks ana
insurance companies Will have their
day in court before the full commission
bench in washington. Optimists ex-
pect a decision in october. Guesses
continue to fiuctuate between q yes
and no verdict. A middle-of- road
prophecy is that the rate boost VIII be
granted, with exceptions"
That hardy quadrennial, the Borah
boom for President, invariably gives
big Bill" legitimate thrill, but nils
him with no delusions Of grandeur. The
Idahoan has been inoculated too often
with the same virus without its ever
having taken. Borah once said to this
observer, when there was talk OF his
being the 1924 Progressive candidate:
i've about as much chance to become
President Of the United States as I
have to be crowned King of England"
The Senate Foreign Relations chairman
wouldn't harbor these hopeless emotions
II he were once nominated by Re-
publican convention. But there, he
knows, is the rub. He just can't see a
body owned and boSsed by the stand
7.
over the blue ribbon to him. Borah
would probably say to a Republican Ma
uonal Convention what he habitually
says to the Republicans of Idaho, IN
accept your senatorial nomination, II
you give it to me, but don't expect me
to wear your collar. always wear my
own brand and I change the style as
mG conscience dictates"
II Il n N
Recent inauguration of Richard 3.
recalls an incident which occurred
when his father, the present chief
justice OF the State, ran for Governor
and was defeated. The result depressed
Richard, jr.'s, mother, and to console
her the lad said, Never mind, mother;
when grow to be a man I will be
Governor and you will be the first lady
Of Georgia" As Richard B. Russell, jr.,
is bachelor, his boyhood prophecy has
now been fulfilled.
Everybody knows that Al Smiths
State Building in New York 40 or SO
feet higher than originally planned In
order that it would top the glittering
pinnacle CT the Chrysler Building.
Here's the latest wisecrack on the sub
Ject: Al and John Raskob journeyed up
to the mooring-mast floor of the Empire
State (the 103d story and encountered
Q stranger. Seen a Zeppelin around
here this morning." they asked. yves"
he replied, but ! sent 1t away"
Astounded. Smith and Raskob ejacli-
lated IN chorus, We'll. who the he'll are
you; anyhow The stranger said: I'm
"".'sA ssctse1nyvi.t ,esAa -.