Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1934-05-31

the forthcoming political campaigns.
Most Of the careful observers here
think his maneuver was politically
smart. They take the view that he
actually has presented to the country
and the voters the general outline Of
his future legislative program In order
that he can have something of a man.
date given the representatives and SEN
ators who are chosen in this falls
elections.
haven't seen any signs yet that
will indicate how the Republicans
and other anti-Roosevelt forces will
attempt to meet this new factor,
but it Is quite apparent they will
force debate upon many Of the projects
OF the New Deal that have already
been enacted into law, as well as the
embryo plans contained in his late
messages. Some leading thinkers
around Washington have suggested
that Mr.. Roosevelt is taking advantage
OF the natural attacks that will be
promoted by the opposition in order to
ascertain for himself whether he has
gone far enough with his social reform
movements. 1t seems there can be no
doubt that he will be In position to
know the temper of the country after
the voters have heard his various New
Deal items discussed. And, it is being
suggested almost in the same breath
that If the voters strike down many
Of the administration wheelhorses and
those who have stood by the New Deal,
the administration will not press some
of the more far-reaching social legisla-
ton that Mr.. Roosevelt mentioned in
the series Of messages lately sent to
congress.
Examining the proposals, such as
old age pensions, unemployment insur-
ance, revision Of NRA principles re-
lating to minimum wages to meet prac-
teal instead of theoretical conditions
and several others, one can hardly es-
cape the conclusion that only the sub
mission Of them at this time when
they will become fodder for campaign
debate will enable the country to
know its own mind. In other words,
as see the picture, II the country as
q whole wants such far-reaching
changes in its laws, 1t will show it
by sending proponents Of such pro-
posals to seats in congress.
I have heard some discussion, how
ever, to the effect that in taking the
bold step Of giving congress advance
information of his thoughts, Mr.. Roose-
welt was seeking at the same time to
present a more complete picture Of
his New Deal. By so doing, Of course,
he naturally can expect that pro-
ponents of the reform ideas will have
something more to use in advocating
retention Of the changes. They will
not be in the dark as to what the
future holds. Many of them will have
added confidence, especially If they
have become bit shaky about the
course that the President is following.
At any rate, If the Democrats emerge
from the fall elections with anything
like their present strength, the con-
gress that meets in January, 1885, will
be as tractable, or more so, than the
present one. Anyone can see the Pres
ident would be unable to put over his
New Deal without an obedient con-
gress, hence he is stalking that need,
too, by disclosing plans in advance.
1t is not too much to say that there
has been a tremendous stiffening of
backbone in con-
Trouble gress in the last
Rreuinr several weeks. 1t
has been more pro-
nounced, believe, than at any time
since Mr.. Roosevelt took over the
reins. So there might possibly be
some trouble brewing on Capitol Hill.
This condition is regarded by some
as being the more clearly discernible
because the President frankly said he
did not urge enactment Of his pro-
posals at this session.
There has been no secret about the
fact, around here, that Mr.. Roosevelt
wanted to get congress out Of town at
the earliest possible date. I have
heard it suggested even that he had
hoped he could get the leaders to bring
about an adjournment before the sill
yer question got out of hand. But that
desire was lost, If he entertained such
hope. He has had to swallow some
silver legislation which, it is quite
apparent he does not like. Political
expediency made 1t necessary.
No one here has been able to ex-
plain just why the silverites have been
able to muster so much strength.
There are only seven silver states, and
from the political standpoint, it is to
be assumed that they cannot WELD
the power that is inherent In legisla-
ton affecting the more populous
areas. But the silver bloc has per-
sisted in its efforts, has been recall
citrant in many ways, and it never
was licked completely. AS far as 1
am concerned, cannot see where It
is going to be Of any particular help.
But the silver advocates tell me am
wrong, and, whatever else may be
said, their views forced Mr.. Roosevelt
into a corner where he had to take
a small dose Of silver medicine.
1t was easy to see a week or so ago
that If the President had been able to
stan on the silverites little longer,