Evening star., 1933-10-15
BY JOHN SNURE.

"HE temper of many of the
Democrats in Congress who are
returning to Washington, and
also of many of the Republicans,
makes it clear that the coming
regular session is not going to be bed
Of roses from the administration stand
point
On the contrary, there are indica-
tions that some of the administration
policies and some OF the hign-piaceo
officials under President Roosevelt are
going to be subjected to sharp criticism;
that a large part of the Democratic
membership in both houses will flnd
itself at odds with the White House on
certain major questions of legislation;
that the Republicans for the most part
are not going to be disposed to follow
the meek course they adopted in the
extra session last Spring, and that al
together the session will be one filled
with storm and fireworks.
The expectation of an extra session
late in the Fall, which at one time was
quite pronounced here, evidently will
not be fulfilled. At least, the White
House now is discouraging extra seS-
sion talk and, unless there is pro-
nounced change in the economic trend.
1t does not appear probable the PreSi-
dent will convene an extra session. This
Is the more true because 1t is becoming
obvious that when Congress reas-
sembles it will not be in the mood to
take orders from the Chief Executive
nearly as readily as it was in the recent
extra session.
May Voice Grievances.
While it does not follow that Presi-
dent Roosevelt will be unable to drive
through the important legislation for
which he asks, it is clear that this will
not be so easy as it was In the opening
months of the new administration.
Many Democratic members of both
houses have accumulated grievances
since last March and they are looking
for q chance to air them. The congress
sional campaign begins virtually at the
same time the regular session opens in
January.
Despite reports that President Roose-
welt has not lost the strength of his
grip on the country. some OF the Re-
publican leaders are convinced that
grip is not as strong as it was and that
it viii be possible for them to make
a vigorous and perhaps successful cam
paign to control the next House. At
the least they are confident Of making
large gains and cutting deeply into the
vast Democratic majority in the lower
branch. 1t is conceded the Republicans
have no chance to regain the Senate In
the next campaign BUT this will not
prevent some extremely spirited sena-
torial contests in various States
Altogether, as the outlook for the
regular session is scanned; it becomes
plain there is nc lack of fuel to kindle
the flames of factionalism among the
Democrats and partisanship as be-
tween Republicans and Democrats.
Lapse Of times does not serve to dinin-
ish the feeling of dissatisfaction and
even resentment AMONG many Demo-
Gratis in Congress over the way they
have been treated in regard to patron
age In this case the criticism will be
aimed at Postmaster General James A.
Farley. The average Democrat, with a
campaign coming on, is not going to
indulge in open criticism against the
President himself.
Others Are Aggrieved.
Not only are many of the Democrats
In Congress displeaSed with the way
the Postmaster General has treated
them, but they are also aggrieved at
the Progressive Republicans in the Of
fetal family of the Chief Executive:
They do not conceal their resentment
over the lack of consideration Of de-
serving Democrats by Secretary of In
terror Harold L. Ickes and by Secretary
of Agriculture Henry A. Wallace. The
Tennessee Valley Authority has flouted
the patronage demands of various
Democrats of influence at the Capitol.
The Public Works Administration,
..Aded by Mr.. Ickes, has not shown
any particular enthusiasm for partisan
ship in its appointments. In several
other agencies there is not that zeal
for the Democratic cause which the
war horses of the party would like to
see.
One can only discern a considerable
decline in affection as between the
Democrats In Congress and the in
surgent or Progressive Republicans
compared to that which existed after
the 1882 election. A recent develop
ment which has not added to that af-
lection is the course of Postmaster
General Farley in the New York City
campaign. Mr.. Farley's activity in get
ting Joseph v. Mckee into the may
orally race in order to beat Fforello H.
La Guardia is not at all pleasing to
leading Progressive Republicans in Sen
ate and House, who worked in close
accord with Mr.. La Guardia when he
headed the Progressive Republican ele-
ments in the House.
Uncertainty as to President.
1t remains to be seen whether Presi-
dent Roosevelt will do anything more
than he already has done to meet the
demands of the inf1ationists before the
regular session opens. Moreover, 1t is
not yet entirely clear whether his plans
for the expansion of credit and the re-
leasing of the assets of some of the
closed banks will materially relieve the
situation. However. the tone of talk
among returning Democrats, to say
nothing of some Of the Republicans,
makes 1t apparent the imitation issue
will have to be met right at the outset
of the session unless there is a pro-
nounced improvement in economic con-
ditions. The talk of yoking up the
soldiers bonus payment with an issue
of Treasury notes to cover it is gather
ing measure of strength which would
hardly have been looked for a few
months ago.
Possibilities of serious breach be-
tween the administration and many of
the Democrats in Congress exist in this
initiation and bonus situation. OF course,
in their demands for imitation and pay
ment of the bonus those Democrats who
support such program will have much
Republican backing.
One of the real grievances of some
of the Democratic legislators, and es-
pecially those from the farming States,
concerns the operations Of the Agr1-
cultural Credit Administration, of which
Henry Morgenthau. jr., is the head. 1t
IS represented that farmers are getting
little relief through the credit admins
tration; that farm appraisals are put
down to too low figure, and that there
is little advance from the record OF the
Farm Loan Board and the land banks
ia the preceding administration.
Severe criticism of the farm credit
program as well as the home loan pro-
gram is sure to be heard once Congress
gets under way. And 1t looks as If the
sa.,arast criticism would cnrne from