The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-02-14
An Indictment That Carries
Weight
Minneapolis Tribune)

Mr.. Garner has been in congress
long enough to know whereof he
speaks regarding it's limitations.
When he cites these limitations as
warrant for comforting broad dicta-
torial powers on Prcsident-elect Roo
sevelt, the nation is certain to listen
respectfully. There is little doubt
that he offers the best possible argu-
ment for granting these powers when
he declares: 1T has been actually
demonstrated that congress can't re-
duce government expenses as 1t
should be done. There are three or
four outstanding minOritieS in this
country won't name them-which
work to prevent congress from effect
ing reorganization and economy"
An admission such as this, coming
as 1t does from such seasoned house
veteran as Mr.. Garner and from the
vice president ELECT, strikes us as
highly significant. It means, in eff
feet, that Mr. Garner realizes that
much OF the reorganization and econ
omy talk which emanates from con-
gress is pure humbug. It is tanta-
mount to confession that congress
cannot be depended upon to do what
is right in regard to economy and re-
organization because congress yields
to the pressure Of powerful minor
tiles. It throws out the very definite
suggestion that congress can be in
fluenced by votes, that it puts con-
siderations of expediency before the
nations needs, and that there are
influences at work which prevent the
best and most effective exercise of it's
authority. Hence, Mr.. Garner argues,
congress should turn over to the in
coming president certain broad pow-
ers which it is prevented, by minority
pressures. from using as it should.
1t is not surprising that the Repub-
leans. as a group. should oppose a
liberal grant Of authority to Mr.. Roo
sevelt. Mr.. Garner would probably
be the last man in congress to con-
denim them for that, because as a
shrewd politician he understands the
tricks OF the trade. and can scarcely
have forgotten that the Democrats,
under his leadership. have consistent
~ opposed the enlargement of Mr..
Hoovers powers.
What Is surprising, however, is that
Mr.. Garner has within the week con-
flrmed the impression that congress,
Tor all the senate's self-righteous fury
over David Barry's literary indiscre-
tons, is not as honest as it likes to
have the public think it is.
The Senate'S hapleSS Sergeant-at-
arms was fool-hardy enough to sug-
gest that the votes OF a few rep
resentatives and senator's could ac-
tually be bought with cash. Mr.. Gar
ner would Indignantly deny this, and
more than likely he would be correct.
But Mr.. Garner himself has admit
ted that congress cannot economic
nor effect the necessary reorganiza-
ton of government because it is pre-
vented from doing SO by three or
four outstanding minorities," none of
which he cares to name. He has adj
mitted that congress, even if it can
not be bought for money, can be
bought by votes: that even If it is
too honest to sell its convictions for
cash. it is not too honest to refuse
to alter them when powerful blocs of
voters crack the whip. This yielding
to pressure is not bribery, and it Is
not graft, but 1t is the giving of
something In return for favors at the
polls. or through fear of group re-
prisals.
Mr.. Garner Of course, will not be
summoned before any congressional
committee to explain his words, and
simply because he Is not. like David
Barry. an insignificant federal job
holder. But he has implanted In the
public mind. just as certainly as Mr..
Barry did. the suspicion that con-
gress can be bought, and by the votes
that organized minorities forever
wave before It.