Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-17
The Political Mill
By C. CouSd lincoln.

Or the heels Of the attack by Gov.
Albert G. Richie of Maryland on policy
OF Government ownership and opera
ton of power plants and other util-
tiles, supposed to be dear to the heart
of that leading candidate for the Demo-
cratic nomination for President, comes
the announcement of Gerard Swope's
plan for industrial sterilization and re-
lief of unemployment Mr. Swope is
president of the General Electric Co.,
and Owen D. Young, whose name is
frequently on the lips Of Democrats as
desirable nominee for President next
year, Is chairman of the board of that
following the address delivered by Mr..
Swope before the National Electric
Manufacturers Association, hailed the
tender of plan" by his industry for
unemployment relief.
Il x 4 4
It's habit In this country to measure
and interpret everything in terms Of
politics Mr.. Swope's proposed plan In
some quarters Is looked upon as trial
balloon. If it meets general approval,
why should 1t not become the plan of
the Democratic party in the campaign
next year for the election of a Presi-
dent and q Congress, and why should
not the party turn to Mr.. Young to
make the fight for President as the
Democratic standard bearer? 1t is too
early to answer this question. But to-
day it appears clearer than ever that
the Democratic nomination for Presi-
dent is not likely to go by default to
Gov. Franklin d. Roosevelt Of New
York. Here is the Governor of Mary
land, militant candidate for the pres
idential nomination, denouncing the
proposal that the Government shall OPP
crate power plants and deliver electric
ity to the consumers and at the same
time limiting that Gov. Roosevelt is
seeking to use the power issue as
smoke screen because he Is afraid to
discuss the prohibition issue. And here,
too, is a potential candidate for the
Democratic nomination, owen D. Young,
asking for Nationwide consideration of
the plan advanced by the electrical in
dustry to meet the unemployment prob
lem. 1t looks rather as though the
electrical interests were giving consid-
cradle attention at this time to can
didacy of Gov. Roosevelt for the presi-
Dental nomination. 1t Is no secret
that some of the electrical interests
have BEEN strongly opposed to the
nomination of Roosevelt for President,
but that they have not been very hope
full of heading him of.
X
The General Electric Co. not SO very
long ago was under attack in series
Of articles published in Labor, the organ
of the railroad brotherhoods, because
of its practices toward the labor 1t
employs. Furthermore, it has not been
uncommon to hear the verdict on
Democratic lips that it would not be
wise to select as candidate for Presi-
dent the head of the General Elec-
trio Co., a huge corporation referred to
sometimes as a trust. But now the
president of the company, Mr.. Swope,
comes forward with a plan" labeled
a plan to relieve unemployment and
to give the workers better deal.
It calls for legislation by Congress
which would vitality change the exist
ing laws relating to combinations. It
provides for setting up national trade
associations, covering each industry.
These associations. in brief, are to see
that the evil of overproduction be
eliminated and proper provision be
made to care for the workers at all
times. The Federal Government IS to
have its part in these trade associa-
indeed. in the final analysis the Fed
eral Government is to be in large
measure a dominating force over all
these industries.
No one will deny that the plan is
far-rea ching. It's adoption means a
surrender Of more individual liberties
It may mean the Capitalization In
Washington of the control of all In
dustry, of all prices and wages, through
the trade associations and the govern
mental supervisory body. 1t may mean
a vast political system, with control of
Gated in the National Capital. Those
who are demanding a plan for the
sterilization Of industry and the elimi-
nation Of the unemployment problem
may be willing to pay the price. But
they might as well recognize that the
price viii have to be paid.
If the Democratic party should get
behind the plan advanced by the Gen
eral Electric Company and nominate
Mr.. Young, there Is likely to be real
battle at the polls. The Republican
party and its leader. President Hoover,
will take the opposing side. it is ex-
pected. The proponents Of the new
industrial plan took care to have 1t
launched with all the necessary trim
mings. 1t was broadcast over the ma
ton by radio. There seems no doubt
that 1t will be widely discussed, both
by industrial and political leaders.
How the plan would work, for ex-
ample In the newspaper publishing in
dustry, and in each individual industry,
viii come in for comment. A national
trade association covering the news
papers OF the country, undertaking to
decide what shall be the business prac-
tees, the advertising, the production, the
wages and the prices in the newspaper
business and other businesses, is some
thing to contemplate before the plan is
finally adopted. The Government would
papers which opposed the Government
under such conditions might be just out
of luck.
Mr. Young has discouraged talk Of his
becoming candidate for the Democratic
nomination for President. In his adj
dress last night on the Swope plan for
unemployment relief, he said: II am not
saying that we should have an economic
plan. All that am saying is that we
should have something for discussion so
as to see definitely what 1t costs" He
said, too, that the Swope plan "is not
free from criticism" But the whole i'm
plication of his remarks was that here
is plan which is worthy of serious con-
sheraton. And II 1t is to be adopted,
others will ask, why should not owen
D. Young be the man to put it into
effect?
\ X X
President Ernest M. Hopkins of Dart
mouth College leader of the pro-
gressive wing Of the Republican party
in New Hampshire, has come out
squarely for the denomination and re-
election of Senator George H. Moses.
recognized as the leader of the con-
sentative forces in the State. President
Hopkins in the past has supported the
candidates opposing Senator Moses. For