The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-12-29
BY RODNEY BUTCHER
Times Special Writer

WAsHINGToN' Dec. %
VVCongress will debate holly the
achievements, the methods and
the costs of the new emergency
agencies. But it can be depended
on not to wreck any of them.
NRA, AAA, PWA, FERA, RFC,
FCA, FHLB and the others-all
will come in for criticism. Mi
norities even will urge their abo-
lition.
Frightfui howls will be heard
concerning the expense. An OPP
position will demand to know how
bills are going to be paid and in
sist that the federal credit is
imperiled.
Roosevelt's recovery policies as
a whole, however, will be rather
solidly supported. Economic de-
velopmentS will govern the extent
to which they are attacked.
Right now there's a display of
confidence as the nation prepares
to enter 1884 and a storm against
both NRA and AAA has died
down in the last few weeks.
Even if conditions should grow
worse and the President asked for
an extension Of power to meet
them with more drastic meas
ures, he probably would be given
what he wanted. Alternatives are
scarce.
A MONG new emergency meas
IA ures anticipated, the most
important one would provide for
direct RFC loans to industries for
meeting pay rolls and increasing
employment.
Upward of 100000, 600
much of it for repayable loans
may be asked for the emergency
program, in addition to the ST.
600,000,000 to which it is hoped to
hold the normal budget.
The amount, however, is de-
pendent on the extent of business
recovery and employment.
Tentative probabilities include
nearly $2,000,00O,000 for public
works, from $25OO0O,OOO to $780,
100000 for direct unemployment
relief, $350,000,O00 for civil works,
and $300,0OO,000, for conservation
camps.
About $S5O,OOO,OOo has been
spent on the emergency account
since July, but that includes less
than $200,000000 of the $3,30,000,
900 public works fund, which has
nearly all been allocated.
Then there will be appropria-
tions for operating expenses of
NRA, AAA and other groups.
Hearings and debate on appro-
priations bills will turn the sharp
shooters loose. Officials will be
summoned to give accounts of
stewardship, and many of them
expect close oss-questioning
Congress can eliminate some of
their activities if it so desires,
simply cutting out the money for
carrying them on.
THE administration. will. be
Il prepared to defend the size of
the recovery bill, insisting that
it's worth investing five or ten
billion dollars of federal money in
an effort to regain forty billions
of national income.
General Hugh Johnson of ,NRA
will face the congressional on
slaught with the comforting
knowledge that big business has
become increasingly complacent
about his program. The steel,
coal, lumber and textile indus
tries report they are doing nicely
under the codes.
General w. w. Atterbury, rail-
road magnate and Republican pol
itician, just has Endorsed the
Roosevelt policies. Such attitudes
are bound to be reflected in
congress.
NRA's part in "a per cent
increase in factory employment
and return to 1881 employment
levels, along with an estimated in
crease of $2,5OO,O0O,OOO in pay rolls
will be stressed heavily.
But the attack from several
angles will be severe. Many mem
berS will vent their dislike of
Johnson himself and his methods.
His girl secretary's salary-$5, 780
will be under fire.