The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-11-09
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National Topics Interpreted - 9TY1TTRYf@
bv William Bruckart knx1I51T
by William Bruckart

plish recovery under the present ad-
ministration. Obviously, many business
men will not be in favor of further
extension of bureaucracy. They have
had their fill of bureaucracy under the
codes and the Agricultural Adjustment
administration.
The form of assistance is another
problem. If it were not in the form OF
a money payment direct TO the bust
nesses concerned. then the subsidy
must be worked out on another basis.
1t has been suggested that the regula-
tions themselves might be>used to en-
able some returns not now available.
One theory advanced was that the reg
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-
tions 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, I 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.
The campaign, therefore, has demon
strated in my opinion the need for
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 It is
the function of the minority party to
criticize and offer counter proposals.
The most astute politicians see that
condition and. believe, are at loss
as to what it means for the future.
The federal communications commits
sion, one of the new agencies set up by
the Roosevelt admin
razor istration as per-
Mergers manent part of the
nations regulatory
structure, is preparing to ask congress
for an amendment of the communica-
tons act of 1894 enabling it to approve
mergers. OF course, the particular
problem involved in the communica-
tions program is the question of mer-
gers of such gigantic corporations as
the Western Union and the Postal tele-
graph companies and some of the radio
companies. The implications and the
potentialities of this movement, how
ever, go much further.
1t is too early to attempt forecast
of congressional opinion on the COM
munications proposal but it is an OPP
perfume time to consider what may
happen If congress should approve this
step toward creation of single bust
nesses for single lines Of service in this
country.
1t Is regarded also as interesting to
examine the effect upon the country If
1t were to be subjected to a well regu-
lated monopoly Of all the business in
that line such as has occurred IN the
case Of the Bell Telephone system.
Some members of the commission