The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-12-26
FURTHERMORE
Up.
TO CONGRESS.
Approaching Session May
Be Less Docile; Likely
to Follow F. R.
BELIEVE VOTERS ARE
BEHIND PRESIDENT
By c. c. NICOLET
United Press Staff Correspondent

w AOJlNH YIN, bCC' ~. W. -
The question mark of congress
looms before Washington in this
holiday week, for congress can
break the Roosevelt recovery pro-
gram if it wants to take the risk.
Every indication is that con-
grcss, though it will not be as
docile as at the last emergency
session, will in general string
along with the president at the
session opening Just after new
years. Three factors make this
probable:
First. The amazing ability Of
President Roosevelt to talk to in
dividuals and persuade them to
his point Of view.
Second. Growing belief here
that the voting public stands be-
hind the president, even when
sections of it disapprove of par
ticular phases of his program.
Third. The Republican decision,
based upon factor 2, to take in
general a disappearing but hands
off attitude. in order to avoid
the charge Of obstructionism.
Three things the president must
have from congress at the ses-
sion starting January 3:
First, Authorization for govern
mental gold purchases at price
other than the statutory figure
of $20.67 an ounce.
Second. More emergency funds.
including $S50,OO0,00O for the
civilian conservation corps; fur
Their millions for public works
loans; additional reconstruction
finance corporation capital for
loans to banks; and money for
the RFC to lend directly to bust
ness to tide it over the rough
spots of recovery. The RFC cam
not legally make loans direct to
business now.
Third, A balanced budget for
ordinary expenses, combined with
congressional approval of extern
sion of the present method Of
considering emergency recovery
expenses on a long term basis
not included in the regular bud
get.
Without these three authori-
cations by congress the admins
. tration would be hard pressed to
| find way to keep its recovery
program going.
The gold purchase authorization
is needed because of the thin
basis for the present policy of
acquisition Of gold by the RFC
in exchange for debentures. The
government is forbidden by law
to buy gold except at the statu-
tory price of $20.67.
The department of justice has
ruled that when the RFC ex-
changes it's debentures for gold,
it is not buying" the metal
within the meaning of the law.
1t is necessary for congress to
authorize gold purchases at a
price to be set by the admins
tration in order to eliminate the
danger Of having the whole
money program upset by a court
decision.
The new funds for CWA ac-
tivities are needed to maintain
employment and prevent sud,
den, critical increase in relief
demands. Without new funds
the 100000 persons now EN-,
ployed by the CWA would be
thrown back onto direct relief
about February Is. The PWA
already has allotted almost all OF
its S3,0OO,000,000 fund and must
have more if work on roads anc
bridges and slum clearance anc
all the other PWA projects is tt
be carried on to new fields.
From this it is clear that con
gress must be kept under close
control if the recovery program
is to 60 forward along the lines
mapped by the president and hi
advisers. And, it seems almos
certain that, for one more SEES
sion at least, congress will b
Continued on page four)