The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-11-30
1QoJIid99gl 6E1j4ggtKII;,
National Topics Interpreted "a fTY1fTf@
by William Bruckart S1MT5TaF
by William Bruckart

ators and representatives who are
avidly pursuing the imitation phantom.
They think this will solve the coun-
try's economic problems and they can
be counted on to bear down with their
ideas when the forum of congress
again is opened to them.
Whatever these men may do, 1t is
pointed out now, Mr.. Roosevelt would
be only complicating his own problems
by allowing free interchange of cur
rency at this time IL he had any
thought in mind of changing the dol
lar value in the not too distant future.
With the time only month away
for selection by the Democrats of their
candidate for speak
Speakership er Of the house-se-
p Fichf lection that means
.eAs election-the speak
ership fight is attracting much atten-
tion. Heat Is being shown and enc
mics are being created in every direc-
ton. There are at least dozen mem
bers of the house who figure or hope
that the Democratic caucus to be
held late in December will pick their
name for one Of the honor posts,
speaker, majority floor leader or chair
man of the rules committee. At the
moment one can deal only with posi-
bilities, for the stage of probabilities
is yet in the distance.
Although, as said, the fight Is wide
open there are certain straws that
tend to show the way the wind is
blowing. There are certain back
grounds and conditions as well that
must be accepted as having mean
ing.
For example, Representative Byrnes
of Tennessee, the Democratic leader
while the late Mr.. Rainey was speak
err, normally would be expected to be
chosen as speaker. But Mr.. Byrnes is
not sure. In fact, there are many OBJ
servers who declare that the odds are
against him. For instance, he was not
invited aboard the Presidents special
train to make the recent trip to Har-
rodsburg, Ky.
There is a row brewing between the
North and the South. Northern Dem
ocrats resent what they regard as
southern domination of the house.
Consequently, some of the harmonic
ers are attempting to effect a deal
whereby the .speakership will go to
the South and the post of majority
leader be filed by northern Demo-
crat,
In this combination the names Of
Representatives Rayburn of Texas
and Mccormack of Massachusetts, fig
ure most prominently. However, this
arrangement has vulnerable spots be-
cause there are many other southern
Democrats who feel they are entitled
to consideration, and they may not
be satisfied with"such a combination.
On top of all this is a statement
from White House quarters that the
President will remain aloof. Mr..
Roosevelt considers the speakership
fight solely house matter, but it must
be added that the Presidents pro-
nouncement has not deferred some Of
his satellites. A dozen or more New
Dealers are active and some say that
they have agreed on Mr.. Rayburn and
Mr.. Mccormack. If that be true Mr..
Roosevelt is in tough spot unless he
wants to declare openly that he does
not favor Mr.. Rayburn and Mr.. Nc
Cormack. In which event he Is ex-
pected to antagonize their supporters
The responsibility which the admin
istration carries In having such COM
plete control Of gov
B0rQh ornamental machinery
Cr;ficixes has its thorny cush-
ion despite the abil-
ity to muster two-thirds majority in
both the house and the senate. One
Of the sharpest Of the thorns appar-
emily is Senator William E. Borah Of
Idaho, Progressive Republican. Mr..
Borah always has played lone hand
in the senate and he apparently is go
ing to do so again.
Inc nrSt narpOOn WHICH lne luanO
senator has thrown was directed at
the relief policies pressed through and
administered by professional BELIEVERS.
Mr.. Borah says there is an enormous
amount of waste in connection with
the relief activities. He says there
are thousands Of superfluous jobs be-
ing maintained out of relief funds un-
der the guise of distributing the
money. He has called attention as
well to the lack of coordination and
the apparent inability of the relief
heads to arrive at uniform bases for
ministering to the destitute. Having
begun the fight well in advance Of the
opening Of congress Mr.. Borah can be
expected to give 1t momentum from
time to time so that when 1t reaches
the floors Of congress 1t can be count
ed on to be more than puff ball.
OF course. the administration has
fought to ward of just such attacks