Evening star., 1933-12-24
The Politicians Sock.

1T was the night before Christmas
and all through the House-and Sem
ate-not Republican was stirring. In
fact, the members of the G. o. P. were
waiting and hoping for the arrival Of
Santa Claus, and hoping still further
for Christmas presents in the shape of
political issues that will appeal to the
American people in 1884. The Re-
publicans, indeed, are counting upon
their Democratic brethren to be gen.
erous and make the issues for them.
And so the G. o. P. in Congress is
watchfully waiting.
How long this period of comparative
inactivity politically will continue
among the Republicans is a matter Of
conjecture. The leaders do not wish
to have it appear that the Republicans
as a party are intent upon hamstring-
ing the Roosevelt administration at
time when the people are most hope
ful that prosperity is on its way and
when the Democratic leaders are al
4Cddy P4OSAo4AAAAA4S hAAeAb 4NNOFCAJ 40 III
deed here. The chances are, however.
that it will not be long in the heat OF
debate in House and Senate before the
Republican orators will undertake to
point out the errors of the Demo-
cratic administration. This assault will
be begun by individual Republicans.
Whether it can be turned into a con-
certed attack by the whole Republican
opposition is another thing. Too many
OF the Republicans have very different
ideas of their own about the N. R. A,
the P. w. A., the c. w A. and all the
rest of the Roosevelt administrations"
to make possible a united front on
many of the measures and appropria-
tons that are to come before the Con-
greSs at the approaching session.
What the Republican leaders are
seeking is one issue, at least, on which
there can be unanimity, with progress
sive and regular Republicans marching
side by side. A popular slogan would
be q great aid, too. And so during the
holiday period the G. o. P. will
search to the very bottom of the sock
which it hangs up tonight in the hope
Of the arrival Of st. Nicholas.
The Democrats in Congress and In
the Executive branch of the Govern
ment look also to the coming of Santa
Claus. They look with perhaps a
greater degree of hope than the Re-
publicans. What they earnestly desire
is continuation of popularity and an
increase in business and employment.
In their great effort to bring recovery,
the Democrats have poured a lot Of
water into the well, lot of money into
the pockets Of millions Of citizens.
They must continue to pour in more
money, but they are hopeful the end
is in sight Of the governmental spend
ing, and that private business will soon
take up all the slack and start paying
back to the Government the billions
that have been and are being expended
to give employment and aid to the
destitute and to stimulate trade and
agriculture.
To the Democrats the success of the
Roosevelt program means continuation
In power over the Government. Which
political party is in control means little
to the average American, however, pro-
vided there can be real measure of
prosperity. But in the end politics,
successful politics, goes hand in hand
with prosperity. When prosperity de-
parts, political control departs with it.
What the new year holds for the coun-
try In business and employment will
spell Democratic success or Democratic
failure.