Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1933-05-11
THE NATIONAL
GOVERNMENT
BY CONG. JOHN PAUL KvALE

measure is so close to be-
coming actual law that it may be on
the books with presidential approval
before this is published. Vestlng
President Roosevelt with the greatest
and broadcast powers that any of our
have held. with the barely
possible exception of Washington him
self, popular attention is being d.
verified from the original farm fea-
lures by the credit and currency eX-
pansion provision which the Senate
added and the House accepted.
Most news reports ignore one all
important thing. That is that all
these powers are simply permisslve
and optional. and not a single one OF
them is mandatory. That is to say,
the Chief Executive does not have to
exercise even one of them if he so
desires. He can exercise one or more,
or all of them. He can use them to
the fullest extent of his authority, or
with notifications. And there is not
a man in prominent public life who
is now authorized to say how, or in
what particular combinations, or to
what extent, they will be employed.
All this makes for extreme uncer-
tainty. Maybe his radio address to-
morrow Sunday night will dispel
that doubt. More likely not. But
this much is sure-with every for
ward step in commodity prices and
i'm general levels, there is diminished
need for the exercise of these great
powers, which are all granted for the
purpose of restoring price levels and
purchasing power, at the same time
that the exaggerated value of the
dollar is driven down to help over
burdened debtors. Automatic price
fixing through leasing of lands or ac-
tion toward any one commodity group
will not be needed if there is suf-
ficient instructive and psychological
upswing resulting from the combined
persuasive effect of the administra-
tons entire program.
The sticking point for the conferees
is still the cost-of-production provis-
| ion, and the showdown will be reached
on that amendment in the House to-
morrow.
Threat of vast invasion of unor-
ganized and inequipped veterans was
materially lessened with the agree
ment reached at the White House
yesterday, as a result of which an
entirely new plan is agreed upon
Instead of a mass march, gathering
new recruits as it nears Washington
with the majority of veterans from
nearby states as was the case las,
year, there will be a convention, with
a certain number of delegates from
each Congressional district in the
United States, to stay in the capita
for a limited number of days only.
On that basis the White House ha:
promised to cooperate. even to the
extent of providing shelter and foOt
and other necessary attentions. HUI
Imam suffering is thus made unneces
sary and impossible, and recur
renee of last years sad and unneces
sary situation an impossibility. Ever
with that, there is some miSgivin!
here about the number expected, the
nature of the leadership of the move
ment, and the possible results. Blu
the picture has changed, and strik
ingly, too, for the better.
Under the sort of gag rule that ha
grown to be typical in this session
the House considered and passed
bill Friday which places upon tn
federal government and its agencie
the responsibility for supervising tn
issue and sale of securities of prac
: tically every kind. 1t does have Ger
} tain exceptions, and does endeavo
/, to protect the rights of the states
J yet it is a most far-reaching an
drastic bill Its purpose, of course
, is to prevent the further activitie
of corporations and financiers whic
have flOated many billions-and eac
; billion is a thousand million, remem
! ber-of worthless stocks and bond
in recent years, practically all OF
: representing complete losses for in
!, nOcent investors.
/ The bill perhaps should not b
I given any considerable space here
!. for it seems most likely to wait |
the Senate until the first regular ses
sion next year, at which time it wi
be given a thorough study, somethin
denied it i'm the House. For the rul
: prevented any amendments, and onl
o permitted debate for five hours unde
0 such conditions that a hundred men
q bers constituted a quorum. And fe
2 in excess of that number were pre-:
" emf at any time
0 The rule was described as typical
T" in the preceding paragraph becaus
0 it has been invoked by the presel
Democrat leaders in this session tin
after time, in consideration of tt
several administration m asure
= Such procedure is the more surpri
O ing because for several years the:
0 same leaders have fought valiant
! and vigorously against the repeate
0 application of gag rules by Republ
q cans when they were in control.
. One thing in truth should be said