Evening star., 1934-01-15

Notwithstanding signs OF revolt In
both House and Senate. the Roosevelt
high command faces the crucial days
of the session with unalloyed confidence
that the President will retain the whip
hand. Administration leaders had a
real scare when "a House Democrats
bolted last weeks economy gag rule
vote, but now believe the episode will
pass into current history as the only
close shave that ever threatened Roose-
welt authority on Capitol Hill. There's
bitter undercurernt of resentment OF
White House domination in various
delegations. of the sort just manifested
by Michigan Democratic members.
Nothing in the way of serious danger
for the administration Is scented in the
Senate, even should the st. Lawrence
waterway treaty be defeated or Demo-
cratic insurgency break out on some
other occasion. For one thing, G. o. P.
leader McNary could hardly hope on
any occasion to muster the full Re-
publican vote. as Representative Smell
did in the House on January IL. be-
cause Senate ProgreSsives on a show
down are more likely to vote with the
Democratic majority than against it.
Postmaster General Farley in his re-
cent Cleveland speech put his finger on
the key to the situation-the prevalent
popularity of the President and the ac-
knowledged reluctance Of members up
for reelection to make an anti-Roose-
welt record which could rise up to their
disadvantage next November.
Il
As all Latins lay paramount stress
on punctilio, the people of Puerto Rico
are likely to accord particularly hearty
welcome to Maj. Gen. Blanton L. VIM
ship, just appointed Governor OF the
Winship is known as the politest man
In the United States Army" and he is
certain to Justify that reputation in all
his dealings at San Juan. There, as in
other Latin American capitals, utmost
importance Is attached to even the
simplest proprieties. The liberal politi-
cal organization in Puerto Rico is pre-
pairing a triumphant Homecoming for
Senator Lius Munoz Marin. who was
sent to Washington for the special pur-
pose of demanding Gov. Cores with
drawal Over at the War Department.
which highly esteems Gen. Winship
from his days as judge advocate gen.
eral of the Army. there's qualification
| over the assignment OF military man
to San Juan. Along with the Philippine
Islands, Puerto Rico is administered by
the departments Bureau Of 1nsular
Affairs. Alaska and Haiti are gov
erned by the Interior Department. The
Navy runs Guam.
y 4 ~
"What is the biggest difference be-
tween conditions in the United States
poU apd when Won were here 10 wears
ago?" q distinguished foreign visitor to
Washington was asked the other Gay;
He replied: well, if had walked
down Broadway in 1924 with bottle
of whisky and a $40 gold piece, I'd have
been arrested for carrying the whisky.
Today, I'd be arrested for having the
gold piece"
+ 4 X X
This is a critical week in the history
of the relations between the Philippines
and the United States. If by Wednes-
day, January II, the Fflipinos don't
accept independence under the Hawes-
Cutting act, the opportunity it provides
them will automatically expire. as they
were given exactly one year in which
to adopt the provisions Of the bill. AS
they haven't done so. conditions revert
to the status before the 1888 legislation
was enacted and will continue until a
brand-new law is passed by Congress.
X ~
One of the major decisions at the
recent meeting of the General Fedora
| tfon of Women's Clubs in Washington
was to launch q drive for better silk
stockings. The purpose is to require
manufacturers to improve the durabil-
ity Of women's hosiery. The federation