The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-03-10
END OF THE TRUCE

Speaker Garner makes much ado
about nothing. He calls for termi-
nation of a political "truce" that
never existed. Because some Repub-
licans have ventured to commend
President Hoover for the constructive
economic program that he has set in
motion, Mr.. Garner says that the
Democratic boys won't play ball any
more. They are tired of letting Her
bert Hoover do all the pitching.
Republicans both in and out of
Congress are surprised to learn that
the Democratic leaders of the House
have looked upon their cooperation
with the administration as an "unde-
clared compact" In reality there has
been no truce between the two parties.
Politics has been held in allegiance be-
cause both parties realized that an
orgy of partisanship while the country
was in distress would have brought
them disrepute.
The Democrats returned from the
long congressional holiday with a de-
mand for leadership. Business was
adrift, industry was in the doldrums,
banks were on the verge of disasters,
unemployment was widespread. Lead
ership out of this situation was the
demand of the hour. At that time
they did not realize that President
Hoover was fully prepared to exercise
such leadership. In rapid succession
he sent one constructive measure after
another to Congress. Even before
Congress assembled he had organized
the National Credit Corporation. Then
came recommendations for sweeping
new taxation to balance the Federal
budget. On his initiative the capital
of the Federal Land Banks was ex-
tended. Next came the Reconstruc-
ton Finance Corporation with $2,000,-
100000 in credit to inject into effete
industry and finance. Finally, credit
expansion on lines favored by him
brought new hope and stability to
every financial institution in the coun-
try and turned the national psychol-
ogy away from despair and panic.
President Hoover has dominated the
whole situation. Every reconstruction
measure Of any Importance that has
been put into operation has originated
in the White House. Having called
for leadership from the administra-
ton, the Democratic party has been
overwhelmed by it. Democratic lead
ers of the House have had an oppor-
tunity to do little, except to approve
projects sent to Congress from the
White House. All Of these measurer
are of such vital Importance.
Speaker Garner is especially reluc-
tant to allow President Hoover credit
for the credit expansion bill. But the
facts are indisputable. The Demo-
cratic spokesman on these matters,
Senator Glass, brought forward a
measure that would have contributed
to the disastrous process of def1ation
which has been going on for two
years. 1t was President Hoover who
induced congressional leaders to lay
this measure aside and enact an emer-
gency law along the lines he had out
lined in his message to Congress. 1t
is tribute to the Presidents leader
ship and devotion to the welfare of the
country that he induced two Demo-
Gratis to introduce the measure in Con-
gress, thus insuring its early enact
ment.
The only original proposal which
the Democratic party has made for re-
lief is bill calling for $750,000,000
outlay from the depleated Treasury
to aid the States, and this was defeat
ed, largely by Democrats, along with
the La Toilette dole bill in the Sen
ate.
No one is holding the House leaders
back. Why don't they bring forward
their relief measures? If their pro-
posals can command the support of
Congress it is not to be supposed that
the administration will turn it's back
upon them. Thus far the majority in
the House has been content to let the
administration mark the way to recov-
cry. They are entitled to high COM
mendation for falling in line with the
Presidents program. But no one will
take seriously their attempt to claim
it as their own.
An Interesting Fact