The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-07-15
AS Congress Concludes

Thoughtess Americans, fed by propaganda in
tended to belittle popular government, will offer
thanks that the seventy congress first session
is coming to close.
Thoughtful citizens may be grateful for what
1t has done and wish that it might continue it's
labors through the troubled months before its sched-
uled reconvening in December.
Let those who think of their national legislature
as a cave of the winds and their congressman as
wranglers and time-wasters consider this record of
achievement through seven and one-half months
Of the nations serious crisis:
Between December and May, congress created the
S2OOOOOOOOO Reconstruction Finance Corporation,
the most potent body since the War Finance Corpo-
ration 1t passed the Glass-SteagaH act broadening
federal reserve discount powers 1t enlarged federal
land bank capital
In March it set about to balance the budget
Fighting down the general sales tax, openly pro-
posed by Democratic house leaders and tacitly
espoused by the administration, congress finally en-
acted an emergency revenue act to raise $11S5000OO
this year.
In economy, its shears cut deeper even than the
Presidents. It's slash of appropriations for 1888 of
more than $7500o0O0O below 1882 is an all-tme
record.
In the matter of relief blame for the wasted
months with their needless suffering must be laid
to direct federal aid, and adequate public works
program.
The President, however, finally accepted measure
authorizing new r. F. c. credit of ST. 300 900 ooo in
Guiding loan provision for Self-liqudating public
projects plus item of $300oOooOO for hunger loans
to states, and small public works program.
Congress found time to pass the Norris anti
injunction and anti-lame duck session measures; to
confirm the appointment of Justice Cardozo and
temporarily at least to block the confirmation of
Judges Wilkerson and Macintosh; to halt the in
sistent bonus drive; to defeat the fu-treaty-navy
campaign; unwise farm legislation, and other bad
measures
In committees Senator johnson exposed the for
eign loan scandal and Senator Norbeck began his
useful probe into Wall Street methods.
Many things are left undone Prohibition reform
demand for which is sweeping the land, has been
postponed. Other sins of omission include failure to
repeal the $1o0o00000 nonservice disability grab;
to enact real tariff reduction billi to provide for
national planning of adequate relief and public
works. to consolidate railroads and regulate BUSES
and trucks to plan way out of the soft coal chaos;
pass resolutions for recognition of Russia and par
tcipation in the world court; to cut army and navy
budgets; to regulate public utility holding companies
to settle the question of Muscle Shoals to reform the
bankruptcy and copyright laws; to provide program
for unemployment reserves and employment services
to dispose of the Philippine question; to reform the
radio commission to provide for maternity infancy
and old-age pension aid; to do many other things.
All in ALL having in mind that the Republicans
control one branch of congress and the Democrats
the other-wth this control rather slight in each
case-and having in mind that this is a campaign
year with its temptation to play politics. the record
for the session easily might have been worse
The members have worked long and hard. Now
most of them must return to their districts to fight
for reelection.
disposition has been revealed throughout the
country to defeat the incumbent out of sheer exasper
alton with the times. wiser disposition would be
to examine each ncumbent's record and decide what
he has done that another man might have done
better.
Only intelligent voting can provide an intelligent
congress
Trial and Error