The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-04-25
TUESDAY. APRIL Is. 1893.
G.. o. P. OBSTRUCTION

announcing the old guard Republican
effort to block the Roosevelt controlled
imitation program, Senator David A. Reed of
Pennsylvania said his object was to give
time for public sentiment to form 1t has
formed, all right. But not the way the Reeds
and MELONS predicted.
Instead of supporting Senator Reed the
messages pouring in upon congress from the
country since the Reed announcement have
attacked obstruction and demanded quick &C
ton on the Roosevelt bill
Perhaps the old guard is not really sur
prised. Despite its demonstrated ability dur
ing the Hoover administration and in the
last election to misread the signs of the
times, it must know that the national demand
for controlled initiation is real and widespread.
We suspect that the G. O. P. leaders are not
speaking for what they believe to be public
opinion, but merely talking for the record"
They seem to be taking a long gamble on the
chance that the Roosevelt program will fail;
in which case they want the defeated Repub-
lican party to be in a position to say I'VE told
you So"
The country in this time naturally has
very little sympathy with partisan political
maneuvers.
We are not in the habit of questioning
the motives OF those with whom we disagree
But if the Reeds want to persuade any one
of their sincerity in this fight they will rise
above the absurd arguments they have used
to date
There is room for honest difference of
opinion. Particularly in this situation there is
a valuable function which the Republican OPP
position might fulfill Intelligent criticism
might result in writing into the bill further
control factors.
The President does not want uncontrolled
initiation, and therefore has proposed meas
IRE filled with checks and limits If the Re-
publicans can suggest other safety devices
they will be serving the country and will get
all the credit due them
Instead of such constructive opposition, or
any intelligent attack on the measure for
what it is the Reeds content themselves with
shouting about the dire fate of the old Ger
man mark This is not an argument; it is a
red herring.
The conditions in the two countries are
not comparable. Germany had gold short
age; we have the worlds largest gold reserve
Germany had an unfavorable trade balance;
Ours is favorable
Germany balanced her budget with printing
press money; We are balancing ours with econ
omies. Germany was a debtor nation; we are
the worlds creditor.
Even if the Republicans get around to
legitimate criticisms of the Roosevelt pro-
gram they will not be able to defeat it unless
they can provide something better in its place
The country is in the position where some
thing must be done. The do-nothng defla-
ton policy of Hoover, Mellon, Reed & Co.
wrecked the nation.
Two alternatives are left. One is wild,
shotgun imitation. The other is carefully con-
trolled infation-an honest dollar The Presi-
dent has chosen the latter.
His measure may not be perfect, and it
probably will not bring the millennium But
whatever its dangers and uncertainties, they
are small compared to the risks of unlimited
initiation or the suicide of more dehation.