The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-04-14
by William Bruckart

I OF course, this decision applies only
to hydro-electric plants. 1t does not
| affect the plants producing electricity
by steam. There are those, however,
who say the decision will have bear
ing on those rates, too, for the reason
that unless the steam plants maintain
reasonable rates. water-powered plants
will find openings to enter that field If
\ water is available anywhere near.
This latter possibility is cited be-
cause it shows better than anything
else how far-reaching a dry old court
opinion may turn out to be. The opin-
ion In each of the cases mentioned
was written in the usual style, but
each one may be looked upon, ten
| years from now, as a landmark.
It is actually ridiculous how every
part and parcel of national program
develops camp fol-
Unemployment lowing of new ideas
Program for expansion Of
that plan. Most of
them are just like parasite. They
are put forward by some one with an
ak to grind. They see peg upon
which they can hang their pet hope
and proceed to spread all kinds of
argument in support of that hope or
idea.
Such is the case with President
Roosevelt's unemployment program.
He, as everyone else, obviously wants
to provide work for men who must
have food and are willing to work to
obtain it. Washington has seen doz-
en- proposals offered to expand the I'M
employment program. Most of them
are actually silly in the view of OBJ
servers here, but the proponents of the
several additions to the relief policy
seem to take them seriously whether
they deserve that consideration or not.
The latest proposal-and 1t has be-
come demand of some proportions
is to go ahead with expansion of the
United States navy as an unemploy-
ment relief measure. That may not
be misunderstood, permit me to say
that / favor much larger navy than
we now have. 1t is necessary. as L
conceive the situation, that the first
line of defense" be made into power
full unit. There are plenty Of authori-
ties in Washington who are not too
optimistic concerning world relation
ships. Construction of the navy to
the limit allowed by the London naval
treaty, therefore, appears to many as
being justified and necessary.
But the point sought to be made,
however, is that program for devel-
oprnent of the navy should stand on it's
own merits. 1t has no place in the
unemployment relief program and
adoption of it as such, according to
the best judgment / can obtain, would
cheaper the ideal of great defensive
organization and make it susceptible
later to unjustified attacks from OPP
ponents Of big navy for the nation.
In other words, demands for naval ex-
pansiOn as a part of the program for
putting men to work makes it hard
to decide the question of naval de-
tense on its true base, namely, the
question Of whether need for it ex-
lists, and results in confusion of the
issues of relief and naval expansion.
Washington observers, and some OF
the faithful" Democrats, as well,
have been having a
Patronage quiet laugh at the
as a Club discontinue of pa
nage- seeking
members of the senate and house who
have been held in line by the fast po-
litical thinking of President Roosevelt.
The President, having said he would
do little about major patronage-the
real plums-until he had been able to
solve some of the great financial and
economic problems. was in fine po-
sition to swing the political lash on
any member of the legislative branch
who showed signs of stubbornness.
And, it may be added, he has done so.
While maneuvers of this sort obvi-
ously are not made the subject of pub
lie announcements, certain facts have
developed showing that on several oc-
casions ambitious senators or repre-
sentatives have deemed it decidedly
advisable to stand hitched to the Pres
ident's programs. They may or may
not have liked his proposals, but they
went along with him just like good
little boys. They heard the masters
voice in way that made them decide
quickly what they should do.
OF course, some of the major ap-
pointments have had to be made. Cab
met selections are what are known as
personal selections by the President.
Such is not the case, however. with
what is known as the Little Cabinet"
that long list of undersecretaries, as
sistant secretaries. and the like. These
jobs are used ordinarily to help some
of the individuals nail solid planks on
their political fences in the home COM
munity. Such appointments might help |
in another Qlpction Won knOw ond