Evening star., 1932-07-18

Congress is gone, unlamented and un-
sung. Few outside its own membership
deplore its departure. Could the
country be polled. its verdict would un-
doubtedly be: Good riddance." Yet,
now that all is said and done, it's fair
to ask whether the House and Senate
which wound up a session Of seven
dreary months were actually SO bad as
popular opinion painted them. Con-
gress cannot legitimately be accused OF
lack of accomplishment since last De-
cember. 1t idled and loafed on the job,
but its final record Is one of monu-
mental achievement. No session in
peace time history ever matched 1t. A
proper perspective Of its work can only
be had by remembering that Congress
this year was called upon to enact al
most exclusively emergency legislation.
Before it got through it had voted
roundly S4500 .000, 900 of Federal funds,
in outright money or Treasury credit.
for relief of the Nations unparalleled
economic plight. Every branch of the
country's life-finanical, industrial and
agricultural-is revitalized by 1882 acts
of Congress. The mountain called
Capitol Hill labored longer than often
seemed necessary. But history Will
record that no mere mouse was eventual
ly brought forth.
Inevitably in a session compelled to
concentrate on emergency necessities,
much vital and fundamental legisla-
ton was ignored. Agriculture in par
ticular feels that 1t was the Cinderella
of the session, despite the new millions
voted for farm aid through the inter-
mediate credit banks and for "agri-
cultural credit corporations" The
transportation industry, hard hit by
depression, waited in vain for Con-
gress to authorize the long g-awaited
trunk-line consolidation and pass other
railroad measures. There was legisla-
ton affecting banks and the currency.
but nothing as far-reaching and COM
prehensive as financial authorities be.
lieve to be necessary if the United
States monetary system is to be
placed on a thoroughly modern and
sound basis. All these things, vastly
important as they are, had to give
away to the more pressing needs of
retrenchment, revenue and relief. These
were the dominating three Rs of
the tempestuous session just ended.
Hardly single member Of Congress,
Representative or Senator, Repub lean
or Democrat, wends his way toward the
folks back home with any assurance
that his or her official career-in case
he or she is up for re-election-will be
prolonged All Congress faces the ides
CT November with cold feet. There is
healthy realization Of the fact that
Congress Is in wrong and in bad every
where. Hence, corresponding dread
that voters may go to the polls four
months hence with blood in their eyes
and ruthlessly punish Congress as
whole, regardless of individual merits.
Primaries all over the Union are pro-
gressively indicating this revolt against
the ms and a mounting passion to con-
vert them into outs at the earliest
possible moment.
In the New York Times the other day
was 4 cartoon Of Senator Borah crouch
ing terrified in a shell hole labeled I'm
No Mans Land" Over the Idahoan's
leonine head Republican and Demo-
cratic shells, marked Liquor planks,"
were sailing and screeching. The idea
was that Borah's dislike of both parties
prohibition attitudes leaves him politi-
cally stranded. This observer asked
big Bill" II he'd seen the cartoon.
Yes" the Senator replied. 1T reminds
me of an old mining prospector they
used to tell about in Idaho In the days
when Indians still spread terror through
the West The old man was warned
that the redskins were on the war
path and out TO get him. He loaded
his shotgun and awaited the attack.
Next day the miner Was discovered IN