Evening star., 1934-04-08

hC NCW YIN HCEuta>1 TtOHUC
prints the t0lIoWing article today
from its Washington correspond
ent. Theodore c. Wallen.
President Roosevelt will return to
Washington this week to find his re-
covery program at its most defensive
stage. During his puzzlins absence
at the height Of the legislative season.
the administration has been forced to
yield to the right as we'll as to the
left. Leaders are looking to the Presi-
dent to straighten out 10 major
tanSles.
In the last four weeks, q stronger
and more assertive business opposition
the Roosevelt policies while on some
issues the extreme left wing has gone
clear OF the reservation. The Writ
charges of q brain trust plot" to
overthrow the established order, al
though variously received, have been
seized upon by many to make the
brain trust" the scapegoat Of the
new deal.
In the light of these charges. Mr.
AsSSoSNOAs WAA PAoo ukrCAi AoA. AeCA-
ford G. Tugwell, the head BRAIN
truster, as the outstanding candidate
for the newly created post OF Under
secretary OF Agriculture. The post
was created by Congress with Mr.
Tuswell in mind. and Mr.. Roosevelt,
far from showing any fear that the
brain trust Is manipulating him. Is
expected to show his contempt for the
charges and 60 through with the ap-
pointment Of Mr.. Tuswell.
Business Organized.
In the administration circle it is
felt that American business Is in
better organized than any
other element Of society and that 1t
has been making itself felt TO sreater
advantage as the Nation drew away
from the acute stage Of the depres-
sion. In the face Of business opposi-
tion there have been the following re-
cent notifications in the administra-
ton program:
The stock exchange control bill has
been liberalized in two redrafts, one
subsequent to the minimum require
ment line drawn by the President Just
before leaving the city.
Legislative leaders have decided to
amend the securities act to remove
stringent liabilities.
The N. r. A. has abandoned its
plan for q blanket order reducing the
hours and increasing the wages OF
industry.
The sugar bill has been modified in
favor OF domestic producers.
Cotton Bill CHANGED.
The Senate has liberalized the un-
precedented Bankhead compulsory
cotton control bill to permit evVry
grower TO market six bales tax free.
There are some 1900, 600 growers all
told.
In the light OF the Presidents plan
for averting the sutomotlve strike.
the Wagner bill has been yitally modi-
ned TO permit company unions which
are not employer-dominated and the
in being otherwise liberal
lied.
The st. Lawrence Waterway treaty
vas defeated before heavy Eastern
business pressure.
The airmail policy has been dras-
tically changed by the grounding and
then the skeletonizing Of the Army
Air Service and in the expedited re-
of bids for private con-
tracts.
While the reciprocal tariff bill has
BEEN subjected to notifications, the
purpose was largely to clarity the
provisions and the President is expect
ed to achieve his chief aim, which is to
have authority to change rates up to
% per cent without recourse either to
Licensing Dropped.
OF greater import to business,
though apparently not charEeable di-
rectly to its pressure, is Gen. Hugh
s. Johnson's decision to drop the
Licensing provision of the NJ r A.
when 1t expires June l6, rather than
expose the N. R. A. to the legislative
onslaught that would attend an at
tempt to renew this one-year power.
President Roosevelt will be required
to decide without delay whether he is
ready to abandon his unprecedented
Licensing power, with its implications
on the permanency Of industrial con-
troll.
Gen. Johnson, it Is believed, has
been Influenced in his decision by the
threat Of Senate liberals, Democratic
and Republican, to write the anti
trust laws into the N r. A. if the bill
comes before the Senate. The lib
erals in Congress have made other in
roads on the administration program,
as follows:
Over Treasury protest against q
"soak-the rich" policy which might
drive many taxpayers to tax-exempt
Senate liberals have forced
up the tax bill. Administration
forces have been compelled to accept
increased income and estate levies
which will nearly double the original
House bill.
Silver Bill Passes.
The Dies silver purchase bill has
been passed despite Treasury objec-
ton and, with q view to making 1t
even stronger, the silver block has
committed 1t to subcommittee under
Burton K. Wheeler, Demo-
crat, of Montana. Henry Morsen-
thau, jr., Secretary of the Treasury.
was ignored in q plea against silver
legislation pending q fair workout
Tor the administrations monetary
program.
The Agricultural Adjustment Ad-
ministration's milk control plan is in
imminent danger Of collapse in view
OF minority farmer support.
In addition to the conflicting busi-
ness and radical pressure affecting
these policies, the influence of straight
politics at the approach to the con-
sressional elections has had these re-
suits:
Veto Overridden.
Nearly half the Presidents economy
program has been cut away by the
overriding Of the veto of the inde-
pendent omces appropriation bill.
In defiance Of the Presidents ex-
pressed wishes, the House has stricken