Evening star., 1933-04-17
The Political Mill
By C.. Gould L'Rcoln.


that procedure mean imitation of the
currency. This means letting the pur-
chasing power out of the American
dollar and initiating 1t with wind. 1t
Is planned to have two dollars grow
where now only one dollar houriyhes,
or even three or four dollars. A number
Of ways bringing about the imitation
OF the currency have been advanced,
and even today the Senate may be
called upon to vote on several Of the
proposals, although the chances are
that the oratory Of their supporters
will string the matter out for several
days. One Of the proposals II TO re-
MOnetize silver at ratio OF 10 to or
IL to ! or some other figure. Another
would decrease the gold content Of the
printing presses to work to roll out
Treasury notes to be used as money.
These are direct methods OF initiating
the currency. Another and perhaps not
20 direct method. but equally sure, Is the
issuance Of large number OF Govern
ment bonds and to give those bonds
the currency issue authority. For ex-
ample the bonds which 1t Is proposed
to issue to finance public works and
relief OF various kinds running into
the billions OF dollars.
4 4 + 4
It looks a though the administra.
tion might be compelled to stand for
some kind Of inhationary measure even
II President Roosevelt and Secretary
Woodin Of the Treasury are opposed to
such procedure. The sentiment In Con-
greSs Is said to be very strong for it.
Indeed, 1t has been intimated in some
quarters that the President himself
may agree to at least mild or regu-
leted kind Of imitation.
II currency imitation Is really de-
termined upon, 1t will be for the pur-
pose OF increasing commodity prices
The theory II that with an advance
In commodity prices the manufacturers
the farmers and other producers will
be encouraged to produce more, and
that the wheels will start grinding
again, giving every one work and wages.
Senator Wagner Of New York, Q strong
sponsor Of big public works program
takes the position that II currency Ia
TO be inflated, the Government must
take the lead In producing work and
jobs, SO that the inflated currency will
circulate more freely.
II II
What seems TO be really needed far
more than additional currency Is lot
Of work and jobs, q far greater produc-
tion of oil kinds of commodities to fill
demand that is always there. although
tbs men and women OF this and other
countries cannot satisfy their demands
because they are not permitted to earn
enough money. or. rather, to share SUI
ficiently IN the profits or the products
OF their labor
What has been going on for q num-
h,r n Uea 10 to- ~
ton In production, in jobs and in
purchasing power. The Roosevelt pro-
gram for additional jobs and to start
the wheels OF industry-at least to en-
courage them to start-will be watched
with tremendous interest. The prob
slem Is both national and International
Speaking OF jobs-the Offices OF Dis
tricI Commissioners are not likely to
60 begging. They are being gravely
corsidered now by important members
of Congress, but more particularly by
applicants and candidates for ONCE as
p.ums OF considerable size. They pay
good salaries and in addition are Offices
OF power and patronage. President
Roosevelt. 1t Is expected, will look on
these District commissionerships in the
same light as he looks on other political
appointments While he will strive for
good men to fill the places, he will also
take the Judgment Of the chief adviser
On patronage, Postmaster General James
A. Farley, who also happens to be chair
man of the Democratic National Com
mittee. In other words, Mr.. Farleys
advice and recommendations in con-
nection with the commissionerships are
likely to be quite effective.
There is no lark Of candidafeS ManV
OF the candidates are we'll qualified Tor
the places. Many of them have strong
Inducements. Only two Of them can
be appointed. To run over some Of
the names that have been advanced.
there are George E. Allen, one Of the
ardent workers for the Roosevelt cause
In Ahe campaign days. a nephew Of the
late Private John Allen, and at present
manager OF hotel properties in Wash
ington; Melvin c. Hazen, surveyor Of
the District and an oficial Of long ex-
perience and valuable service; John W.
Childress, formerly member of the
Public Utilities Commission: John B.
Colpoys. Democratic chairman for the
District and long leader CT organized
labor; George W. Ofutt, who has the
backing OF the trade bodies DR.. George
c. Havenner, former president of the
Federation Of Citizens Associations;
Fred A. Emery, Ernest g. Walker and
superintendent of police. The ONCE
of District Commissioner in more pros
porous days paid $1,000 salaries. With
the present hfteen per cent cut. their
pay has been reduced to $3.50, still a
salary much to be desired.
The Home Loan Bank Board. which
seemed on its way OUT OF the picture after
few months of existence. Is given a
new lease on life under the terms of
the new Roosevelt home mortgage
bill. The board. under the terms Of
this measure. which is expected to pass
both houses of Congress and become a
law. will handle the refinancing Of
mortgage loans on millions of homes
in the cities and villages of this coun-
try, In an effort to give the home own
ers better break and also to aid the
mortgage holders who are finding them
selves up against the need of taking
over properties for which they have
no use and for which they can find
no market. The proposed law will
permit the issuance of $4,000, ,00O. 900 in
bonds to be exchanged for home mort
cages.
If the passage Of laws permitting the
sale OF beer with 3.2 per cent alco-
holic content by weight in various
States is to be taken as an indication
Of what will happen when those States,
through constitutional conventions, pass
upon the repeal Of the eighteenth
amendment. the situation Is not very
encouraging for the drys. Take. for
example. the way In which North Caro-
lima. regarded In the past as one Of the
bulwarks Of prohibition. has put through
its new beer law The vote for the bill
in the State Senate was 50 to II and
In the House rs to 81. Not much hope
there for prohibitionists. It looks as
though the Virginia State Legislature
II 1t were called into session, would take
the same kind Of action on the beer
bill q did North Carolina, its neigh
Dor.
So far the operation Of the national
beer law, as carried out in the States,
has not caused the troubles which the