The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-11-09


ulations should be flexible and that in
the lean years there be some relaxa-
ton of the restrictions so that the
regulated businesses might proceed
more freely in operation.
Another thought heard Is that there
should be consideration given to COM
peting businesses such, for example,
as is the condition between the railroads
and the highway users. 1t is of record.
of course, that trucks and buses and
privately owned vehicular traffic use
national and state highways, built out
of taxpayers money and they do so
with the very minimum of taxation.
The railroads, as competitors of these
lines, have no such beneficent atti-
tudes displayed toward them by the
government which, at the same time,
has been bearing down with its regula-
lions. 1t undoubtedly will bear down
further when the new Eastman legis-
lation is enacted. So on whichever
side of the argument one ranges him.
self. it is to be seen that there are
numerous factors and influences to be
considered and these, it may be added,
are not questions soluble in one con-
versation.
AS one looks backward upon the cam
paign Of 1884, the methods employed
by the two ma
Both Parties jor parties appear
Show Weakness worthy Of exam
ination. Observ-
ers In Washington, l believe, are Of
the opinion that the campaign devel-
oped an outstanding circumstance,
namely, that the Democrats lack de-
fensive ability and the Republicans
have shown an utter inability as an
offensive party.
In all of the debates and the speeches
and the statements forthcoming from
candidates on either side, there is
proof of the conclusion above reached.
Some political writer's in Washington
and some political leaders take the
position that when the Democrats were
put to the necessity of laying down a
fresh program, they failed on the Job.
They gave the impression of politicians
running largely on momentum.
The minority party, If such the Re
publicans may be called, was wholly
unable to take advantage of known
vulnerable points in the Democratic
armor. The net result was obviously
that there was much haranguing and
much mud-slinging in what should have
been real national issues, but nothing
came of it. Some observers here In
sist that the country knows little more
about the New Deal than 1t did before
the campaign started. Certainly, there
is ground for the observation that the
Republican leadership failed in the Job
of telling the country what that party
found as Objectionable in Mr.. Roose-
velt's policies.
The campaign, therefore, has demon
strated in my opinion the need for a
strong minority party whether that
party be Republican or Democratic
The party in power necessarily is on
the spot because it is charged with the
responsibilities OF government. 1t Is
the function Of the minority party to
criticize and offer counter proposals.
The most astute politicians see that
condition and, l believe, are at loss
as to what 1t means for the future.
One hears the question asked: Is
this condition going to give birth to
new party system in this country?
Some think it will. On the surface, the
suggestion and the belief that realign-
ment of parties will be encouraged by
lack of a strong minority group seems
logical When this is coupled with the
development Of the liberal group under
the leadership of President Roosevelt,
it is made to appear that a minority
party to which conservatives may flock
will gradually take shape.