Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-11-05
Our
Washington
Letter
BY THE NATIONAL EDITORIAL
ASSOCIATION

opinions may always be overheard in
the wake of parades. 1t is particularly
true in politics. Some weeks must
elapse before the congressional sessions
will provide the public forum for ven
tilating piled up prejudices. Just now
United States senators jealousy de-
Tending their prerogatives as individ-
uals, are whetting the axes for Borah
of Idaho. 1t seems that in realizing his
lifelong ambition of stealing the front
page spotlight from the President, "Sir
Oracle" as Borah is sarcastically
dubbed. had blandly ignored his COL
leagues If the jibing manifest in pri-
vate conversations reaches the debate
stage in the senate the solon from the
West will find that his flair for inter-
jecting his views into the Hoover-Laval
matter counts for naught with the other
IS gentlemen OF the senate. 1t is pos
sible that Borah may lose the chair
manship of the Senate Foreign Rela-
tons Committee and bear out the pre-
dictions of the senators that "his own
great mind he then consulted
Flare-backs in sentiment are not con-
fined to politics. The recent decision
Of the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion in which railroads were granted
certain freight rate advances but denied
their main demands has already pro-
voked action in the business world.
The railroads through their executives
and numerous stock and bond holders
are hopeful that motor bus and truck
traffic will be controlled by national
and state laws. The rail carriers COM
plant is against the relative freedom
of motor transportation from regula-
ton. Curiously the railroads believe
that their trump card will be held
by the private car owner and operator
They calculate that millions Of mot
orist forced off highways by heavy
trucks will favor legislation to make
drivers responsible under conditions
similar to those now imposed bv law
on engineers and train crews. Meas
ureinent Of public resentment against
the "road-hoRs' is difficult but in the
end it may swing the necessary votes
for STRINGENT regulation of commercial
motor vehicles.
Retrenchment in federal government
expenditures will do much to hraalS
partv lines at the next congress. The
inevitable pressure from various grouns
which follow economy measures will
undoubtedly be exerted AGAINST well
meaning legislators. An estimated de-
ficit of more than one and one-ha1f
billion dollars provides serious thought
cffi al MI &c +l,
plated economies is to eliminate MANY
government bureaus through merging
or abolition. The President has made
his position clear to officers Of the
naval and military establishments. and
other departments. These subjects worAl
discussed in the intimacy of the Rapi-
dan camp this summer and autumn
The army has been told that scores
of military posts of no value in defense
must be wiped out The same sad story
was unfolded to the navy regarding OBJ |
solete bases along the coasts Thrift |
measures will raise storms in all camps
at the capitol
Disillusonment is in store for enter |
prising commonwealth nov anticipat-
ing marked gains in prestige and polit-
ical influence at Washington as a con-
sequence Of the last census. Congress
has been side-stepping reapportion-
ment for many years In fact. while
passing amendments to the constitution
the legislative body has been a most
persistent violator, refusing to change
the membership by states on the basis
of decennial census returns. 1t is char
acteristic Of our law-mhkers to pre-
scribe rules and regulations for the |
peoples conduct but not making the
shoe fit themselves. IT. seems unlikely !
that the reapportionment will be auth |
orized until after the elections next
year. The number of delegates to party
nominating conventions is based on
congressional representation.
Political OWNERS do not consult crys-
tails They keep tabs on the comings
and goings of unofficial councillors of
men and women in high office. With a
reorganization of the Republican Ma
tional Committee limited the wise OBJ
servers watch MIR. Ray Benjamin, al
California lawyer and politician. He is
reported to have private assignment
of rounding ND Hoover delegates for
1882. Benjamin is somewhat of "mys-
terry man" who is chummy with SEN
ator Shortridge, republican of Califor-
MIA, and Marion DeVries, former
Judge of the customs court. They are all
practising law
The democratic women's organiza-
tons are marking time these days as
criticisms of the Hoover administration
are soft-pedaled temporarily. Like all
skillful campaigners they are not re-
miss in gathering political ammunition.
Their weekly luncheons with well-in-
formed speakers as drawing card are
well attended. Both parties have been
handicapped in their pre-convention
organization work by lack Of funds The
republican party chieftains are faced