, 1934-12-26
STUDYING
new CONGRESS

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20. Up
President Roosevelt, approaching
the moment when decisions Of tire
mendous import are to be mace
public, worked Wednesday on q pro-
gram which, among other things, Is
expected TO mark a definite swing
from the dole" to work relief.
While the president labored on
the message he will ~deliver-per-
haps in perSon-to congress on jan
uary 8. democratic leaders on Capt.
toll Hill cooked a wary eye to what,
for want Of a better term, Is gen.
orally called "the left" They strove
TO ~forestall any rising which might
spell a major upset in the admins
tration's program.
Inflationists Busy
Knowing that suggestions which,
added together, would spell $780,
600, 900. 900 more spending r in the
air, some legislators are talking
again Of scrapping the famous "l45
rule" under which that number OF
signatures on a petition can force a
bill to the flood. The proposal Is
that a ma ority-2l8-be required
Those leaders who want TO leave
money alone for the present are
weighing the chances OF initiation
lists agreeing on an expansion pro-
al at a round-table meeting call
ed for January IS. Senator Thomas
Of Oklahoma, other Legislators,
Father Charles z. Coughlin OF De-
troit, representatives Of the Sound
Money League, the committee for
the nation and of farm groups are
listed among those TO attend. The
aim. Thomas said. is on a rational
initiation plan.
The question what the budget
will be and how soon 1t will balance
is attracting wide interest. Though
the reported plan to lay more stress
on work relief indicates 10 most OBJ
servers that the budget will not be
balanced in the immediate future,
the word Is expected TO go out that
income and outgo will be equalizeo
as soon as possible.
The administrators exact stand
on the 81 200. 900 soldiers bon
us-considered certain TO come
swiftly to the fore in congress-
awaited eagerly. There has been
much talk OF q compromise-under
which only needy veterans would be
paid.
Vets Not Satisfied
But advocates OF full payment
are not talking deals" Back from
a 5000 mile swing around the coun-
try, James Z. Van Zandt, national
commander Of the veterans OF Tor
eign wars, expressed confidence
Wednesday that president RooSe-
welt will approve a bill for fun and
immediate payment" but he added:
"Of course, II the president should
veto the bill. we r assured OF Tar
more than a two-thirds majority
in both the house and senate 10
enact the measure without his sig
nature.
The presidents message Is under
stood to deal largely with unem-
ployment and social security. A fed
eral-State unemployment insurance
plan will be recommended.
Some persons close to the White
House believed the president might
suggest further study Of old age
pensions before a decision Is reach
ed. Senator Robinson Of Arkansas,
democratic floor leader. expressed
the belief in Little Rock Tuesday
night that congress would give
speedy consideration to both such
pensions and health insurance.
Among the top problems this new
also must tackle are the
ST. Lawrence Seaway treaty, the
future OF NRA and Of the Recon
struction Finance Corporation and
the Emergency Relief administra-
ton. all Of which expire within six
months unless renewed.
Among measures involving aSpan-
sion of the currency are the propos-
ais Of Representative Patman Cd
Texas to pay the bonus In new
money and the Frazier-Lemke bill
providing a maximum OF S3.O0O.OOO.-
600 expansion 70 refinance the
MORTGAGES of hard-presSed fSners.