Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-02-16

t eotteH, -0f-eaftle and heES and dafFy
products. that they are actually "going
in all directions at the same time"
do not know whether that excuses
/ them for their failure to get things
done, but assuredly 1t Is one of the
factors in the situation which has been
overlooked to considerable extent.
But as President Hoover passes
from the picture of national control.
1t Is worth while
HOOVER'S to look back for
TOUGH JOB n moment. Wash
., ingtan observers
/ of all shades of opinion are coming
around to the conclusion that what
ever may have been his faults, he has
lshad one of the toughest jobs on his
hands that ever WAS faced by a Presi.
| dent. Especially was this true during
| the last two years of his admlnistra-
ton During that time, he had con-
| gress made up Of a-Democratic house
| and a senate In which, there never
was majority on-either side on any
question; | mean, a majority that
| could be counted In advance, and he
was forced, therefore. to do a lot
Of trading. Tint Mr.. Hoover was
able to get his reconstruction program
as far under way as he did was due
absolutely TO the condition of the
country and not through any control
which he was able to exert.
As matter OF fact, the congress
for the last ten years has been an
''unbroken colt The senate during
all of that time has been so close
as regards the party division that a
group OF so-called progressives have
constantly welded the balance Of pow
err Being independent. those 10 or
L men ON the Republican side and
few less on the Democratic side
skated back and forth as their ideas
dictated. The result was terrific
casualty Of Well=iaid plans.
While the senate WAS In this con.
dition, the house was having its trou-
bles and would have had more ex
cept for the extraordinary personal
Iy or the late Nicholas Longworth.
50 ii becomes rather Obvious that
whatever Mr.. Hoover may have lacked
In political ability or aeumen, what
ever were his shortcomings In state
craft, or however many mistakes he
made by refusing concessions, the fact
still remains that he held the Job
as President tn Il period when few men
would have succeeded For. coupled
with NIL VI these factors. there was
| and Is no measure within the power
Of the federal government to satisfy
all of the diverse elements of these
times. The depression has Inade ex-
perience Of hFgane years rs useless
as the proverblal fifth wheel of the
farm wagon.
In view Of these facts. therefore, 1t
ought to be cheering prospect for
MFR Roosevelt to
NICE PROSPECT see not just a
FOR ROOSEVELT working major
ity but big
majority of his own party In the con-
gressional membership when they get
together
The American government always
has been n party government. 1t thus
has had to have satisfactory ma
jofity of each house Of congress of
the same party MS the President In
order to work we'll Mr.. Roosevelt's
first two years In the White House
are assured of such a working con-
troll If all who are labelled ms Demo-
Gratis turn out to be Democrats.
On the face Of things. 1t appears
that Mr. Roosevelt ought to he able
to get whatever he wants from the
extra session and the succeeding ses-
sions. 1t Is situation itAeal for &C
ton. There win be 50 few Republicans
that observers here fail to see how
they can start any trouble, even with
the aid Of prugressiyes.
There have been suggestions floating
around to the effect TINT quite MUM
her Of trial
SENDS UP TRIAL balloons have
BALLOONS been sent up
In the congress
sional atmosphere by Mr. Roosevelt.
While there Is no method Of confir-
nation available, there has been one
condition existing during the Inst three
months that seems to confirm the opin-
| ion that the incoming President was
testing out sentiment. The condition
| rs this: Mfr. Roosevelt has kept
| hands Off insofar as telling leaders Of
| his party In congress what he wanted
| To hive done In the short session