The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-05-27
by RODNEY BUTCHER
NEA Service Writer


Copyright 1892 NEA Service Incl
Washington, May 2s.--spcakei
Jack Gamers presidential boom
developed with sudden rush, aid.
Z. ed by q generally high opinion Of
his leadership In tho House.
Then II seemed to collapse in a
single day--that day on which the
House revolted against both the
democratic and republican leader.
ship, refusing TO impose a sales tax
on the country as recommended by
the leaders.
The Garner boom has revived
somewhat since his unexpected vie.
tory In the California primaries
over Governor Roosevelt and Al
Smith. II doesn't look nearly aa
husky as II did before the sales tax
vote. And the recent House rebel
lion against the omnibus economy
bill hasn't helped IL. But Garner In
expected to have the third largest
number Of delegates on the first
ballot at Chicago and II Is too early
Ito count him out.
Through these ups and downs
Garner has not said q word or lift
/, ed q finger to indicnte his unques-
!. tionable normal desire for the
presidency. The support he has had
has come without his seeking.
A true picture of Gamers career
Is speaker in the last five months
indicates that his national prestige
and his chances of nomination may
have suffered more than they de-
served. Garner, after ALL has been
constantly In the spotlight, right
under the gun, while other demo-
cratic presidential possibilities have
been subject to no such dangers.
10 In perhaps idle 10 guess
whether another man could have
done a better Job than Garner, but
the matter 10 open 70 argument.
The theory that any leader could
control a house OF congress nj
all times with skinny majority
of five votes seems slightly fan
tastic. Minority Leader Bert Smell
has had no more luck controlling
his republicans this year than
Garner has had with his demo-
Gratis.
Republicans In former years
have controlled the House only by
virtue OF large majorities and firm
fepressive rules. Garner unques-
tionnbiy could have displayed
greater political sagacity In hand
ling the tax and economy bills. but
this year congressman are fright
ened about their Jobs and unusual
1y tAabJect to outside pressure.
Gamers task has been delicate
and no has usually avoided taking
strong public positions.
IL L.. IL LII Esl L..
In opposition to the theory that
Garner has Topped miserably on
the Job, that he has been no moro
democratic policy Of liberalization
Of the house rules.
BY use OF gag rule, the most
able parliamontarians here feel,
the democratic leadership could
have damned both the sales tax
and the economy bill through tho
house. That Ia what would have
happened, presumably, II the Old
republican machine had been In
control.
But Garner and the democrats
always have stood for free express
sion OF the will of tho House and
the first thing they did last De-
cember was to work out n plan Of
rules revision which made II much
easier for the House to act against
tho wishes OF It's leaders.
10 the bills were brought In I'M
der the most liberal possible rules.
tho opposition had time TO form
and the House. acting MS an un-
controlled legislative body, built up
n bad reputation for Itself In con.
sentative quarters. And Garner.
from the standpoint of HIS boom.
suffered worst of all. Partly me-
cause he had an impossible Job and
partly because he failed TO display
his qualities OF leadership mt n time
when that was generally expected
of him.
He may he properly accused OF
had politicnl Judgment In espouslng