Evening star., 1933-06-16
WASHINGTON OBSERVATIONS

Calvin Coolidge opposed the bonus for
the World War veterans. He opposed it
in vain. Congress overrode a Coolidge
veto. Mr.. Hoover was equally unsuc-
cessful in stemming the congressional
tide as far as the veterans were con-
cerned, and during his term the vete-
rams benefits, compensations and pen
sions were enormously expanded. The
President opposed, but bowed to the
inevitable. Mr.. Roosevelt for q time
seemed destined to have a SINH
lar experience. The economy bill,
giving Mr.. Roosevelt free hand
was passed at an hour when the
country was still in the throes Of
banking panic and when new Con-
gress was in daze. The ink was hard
ly dry on the economy bill before many
members of Congress regretted their
precipitate vote for it. Congress has
been doing an about-face, SO far as
economy with respect to the veterans Is
concerned ever since. But what
has happened in the closing days
of the present session Is not circum-
stance to what may be expected to
eventuate when Congress reassembles
primaries are just around the corner.
Most political observers are now pre-
dieting that within another II months
the slashes in veterans payments which
Mr.. Roosevelt inaugurated will have
been almost entirely obliterated. If
business and industry continue on the
upswing and If prices and the cost OF
living shoot upward, the demand for
the restoration of the old scale of PEN
sions and compensation will be we'll
nigh irresistible.
x ~
An acute shortage in well-aged
medicinal whisky is envisaged by DR..
James NJ DOran, commissioner of in
dustrial alcohol. He issues warning
that with unrestricted prescription
privileges the whisky is moving out Of
the bonded warehouses at an enor-
mously accelerated pace. Irrespective of
the early repeal Of the eighteenth
amendment, it looks as if whisky dis
tilleries will soon be as busily engaged
as are the breweries. Maj Dalrymple
of California, director of prohibition, re-
| Gently startled the administration by
announcing that he was opposed to
repeal of the eighteenth amendment,
the Democratic platform and the presi-
Dental proclamationS to the contrary
Notwithstanding. Maj. Dalrymple, how
ever, looked with favor upon the pro-
posal to legalize the sale as a nom
| intoxicating beverage Of II per cent
California wine. If that were done
| California wine growers would have no
| further worries.
The State Of Texas will commemo-
rate the Tooth anniversary OF its in
| dependence in 1886. The American
| Legion Texas Centennial Committee
| has the celebration in charge, and Con-
| gress has now authorized the coinage
of special 50-cent piece for the Texas
celebrants. A million and a half of the
new coins will be minted, but will be
issued only to the American Legion
Committee, who will pay the Govern
ment their face value and then sell
them as souvenirs at premium, and
| the difference will go toward 6efray-
ing the expenses of the show. When
the time comes, doubtless President
| Roosevelt will be asked to make per-
sonal appearance in Texas in con-
nection with the celebration.
| + 4
Henry I. Hartman, president of the
| United States Chamber of Commerce,
bestowed blanket approval upon the
Federal control Of industry bill at the
very outset of congressional considera-
tion. Mr.. Hartman declared he was
speaking not for the chamber, but
for himself. Nevertheless, his words
were construed as the Chamber of
Commerce Endorsement, and some in
dustrialists seem to feel that Mr.. Har-
riman had spoken a little out of turn
and with undue precipitance. The Ma
tional Association Of Manufacturers,
through its counsel, James A. Emery,
and its president, Robert S. Lund,
St. Louis drug tycoon, declared the ad-
ministration's objectives were all right.
They said industry was anxious to CO.
operate. But they raised several and
serious objections to the licensing
clause and the labor clause In the bill