The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1934-03-30

tne principles Oh NINA, upOn "hiSH
President Roosevelt
MIRA Neors has staked So much
Test are approaching a
test. Despite the
Roosevelt assertion that NRA is here
to stay, it seems that there are
quite few who are not satisfied
with them. They have revolted, at
last. The challenge appears to have
been given, and 1t Is up to the admin
istration to fight 1t out now. 1t Is
not too much to say that If the admin
istratlon is victorious, NRA principles
In the nations economic structure are
here to stay. If 1t fails, the story will
be different and no one can say what
the course then will be.
Disquieting conditions resulting from
labor provisions of the codes, particu-
larry the automobile industry code, the
threats, the rumbles, the dissension
among political leaders, all constitute
a circumstance that must be examined
together in order to recognize the seri-
Gus nature of the test that confronts
MIRA. And when l refer to dissension
among politicians, I include not only
the differences of opinion on MIRA (;
the disagreement runs much farther
and embraces many points of party
policy. Indeed, on the basis of the I'M
dercurrent of talk in congress, Mr..
Roosevelt has suddenly found himself
faced by a breach with the legislative
body that is not going to be healed
easily.
The circumstances seen by observ-
ers here in their efforts to piece the
picture together demonstrate also the
thing so many people long have be-
lieved, namely, that theorists cannot
get along together indefinitely. Mr..
Roosevelt's brain trust, as 1t Is pOpu-
larly called, has dissension In its
ranks. No two of the professors ap-
pear to be holding to the same theo-
ries now, although agreeing thus far
as to the objective sought. They are
jealous of each other and some of
them actually have become backyard
gossips about others. Which, to use
an old expression, Is a fine kettle Of
fish.
To advert again to the test Of MIRA
principles, the situation as we see it
in Washington Is simply this: vast
segment of industry has had a craw
full Of professional theories. 1t has
found that codes cost industry money,
reduce chances of profit and destroy
age-Old trade practices. 1t is fighting
back, and it Is not important to this
phase of the discussion that industry
has seized on the company union as
distinguished from recognized Ameri-
can Federation of Labor chapters as
the issue in the opening battle.
The administration has started to
fend Off industry's challenge by re-
sorting to a counter attack In the
form of a demand that hours of labor
be shortened. II has accepted the
challenge of industry to the extent
that It has called upon industry to
use its much bruited organized indi-
vidualism" to manage its own affairs.
And It is not amiss to point out just
here that the success Industry has
with its first venture on this line will
be measured by the amount Of slack In
unemployment which 1t can take up.
1t Is well to remember, In this con-
nection, that Mr.. Roosevelt and his
advisers have the
Problem OF problem of relief on
Relief their hands. AS l
reported some weeks
ago, the CwA form Of taking care of
a part of the unemployed Is to be dis
carded because, frankly, 1t has been
a flop. That leaves only the prin-
ciples of NRA by which Jobs can be
supplied if they are to be provided.
OF course, the administration has the
responsibility OF supplying work now.
II started out with many high-sound-
ing phrases about social justice, and
the unemployed are now wanting to
know when social justice Is going to
be worth something In the form Of
beans for the belly.
Thus, Il becomes plain how bitter
this struggle is to be. The admins
tration's political life appears to be
on the spot. II cannot, dare not, adj
NIT defeat. II probably win not be
defeated In its encounter with indus
try. but one should not make the mis-
take Of believing that victory viii come
easily. The conclusions hear most
frequently expressed indicate to me
that the administration and Its NRA
ideals will win eventually because
there are so many more employees
than employers. Mr.. Roosevelt can
count upon a majority Of the people
TO be behind him. therefore. because
the big majority are folks who work
for their bread and butter. self-pres-
eryation continues to be the first law
of nature, despite theory.
In the present situation. the issue
has been joined chiefly on the company
union question. II Is an outgrowth Of
the overreaching which I believe was