Evening star., 1933-03-22
OPPOSITION TESTS
| ROOSEVELT Skill
Fight to Pass Farm Program
Will Require ForCefuI
Leadership.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

Sooner or later opposition had to
develop on Capitol Hill to the legisla-
tive program of the Chief Executive,
but it has come now with sufficient
force to test President Roosevelt's skill
as leader.
The Republicans are going to line up
against several features of the agri-
cultural plan as well as the unemploy-
ment project involving reforestation.
Many Democrats are privately voicing
their opposition
Mr.. Roosevelt has a substantial ma
iority in both houses and can win over
Republican opposition and disaffection
in his own party provided the latter is
not too large. He will always pick up
some votes from the Republican group
because the issues being discussed are
economic rather than political, and in
dvidual members of Congress irrespec-
tive of party will find themselves COM
PEELED to vote for some of Mr.. RooSe-
velt's proposals because of pressure
from their constituents.
Complications Arise.
Perhaps the biggest controversy is
that about to be Waged over the agri-
cultural bill. The suggestion that die
ratorial powers be given has thus far
the President, but when it comes to
intrusting the Secretary Of Agriculture
with sweeping authority to regulate the
prices CT farm products, conflicting in
tereStS arise which manage to compll-
cate the problem from a dozen angles
The probable position of most of the
progressives may play deciding part
in the final lineup. During the last
two weeks, most of them have voted
against Mr. Roosevelt. Seven opposed
the banking bill in the Senate and since
then a number of the same group have
been registering noes on the economy
bill. too. The President had Senator
Borah at the White House this week
trying to perSude the Idaho leader to
60 along with him. but the Senator is
known to be vigorously opposed to the
agricultural bill with its domestic allot-
ment plan and other items that are
bound to occasion considerable debate.
1t may be said that in one sense the
acute emergency has passed and while
all legislation is related to the eco
nonic situation. Congress from now on
will take its time about passing bills
that develop substantial opposition.
Compromises Likely.
Delay sometimes means defeat but
more often IL means compromise. Here
is where the new President is expected
to show his ability as political leader.
For, if he can work out compromise
legislation and win votes from his op-
position, his leadership will continue to
be the dominating influence in Con-
gresS.
Capitol Hill is in restive mood be-
cause of the pressure for relief legisla-
ton and the tangles created by the con-
troversy over the favored position of
national banks over State banks in the
matter of currency issue. The Repub-
licans have made record of co-opera-
ton thus far. but on purely political
questions such as elimination of civil
service rules with respect to employees
under the proposed agricultural bill and
other items that permit them to make
case. some determined opposition may
be anticipated.
While rumblings are heard over the
agricultural bill. and Mr.. Roosevelt may
have to give ground on it so as to keep
his party following in line, it cannot be
said that his leadership is as yet en-
dangered. 1t remains to be seen how
he conducts himself in the controversies
of the next 10 days
(Copyright. 1933)