Evening star., 1934-12-09
BY OWEN L. SCOTT.

OF d FdSClSL ildrCn OH washing lOIl
we're laughed from front pages, but
the idea fingers on to influence New
Deal policy. Not that the President
or his aides are concerned at the
thought of an invasion led by New
York brokers. Far from it. Yet
neither are they blind to evidences
that political movements of the type
that feed on despair are taking root in
the Nation.
A quick glance around the political
horizon shows what is happening. At
one point Father Coughlin, the radio
priest, rises with the popular appeal
of share profits" plan. At an
other point Senator Huey Long. the
Louisiana Kinghsh, supreme at home,
is preparing to sell the Nation on his
share our wealth" program. Both
Father Coughlin and Huey Long ad-
vance the politically powerful idea
that the national income should be
divided more evenly. with the rich
getting poorer and the poor getting
richer. The economics of the situa-
ton does not bother them.
Then, at still another point. DR.. F..
E. Townsend, the California crusader,
corrals followers in droveS with his
fancy offer to show the Federal Gov
ernment how it can give each person
over 60 years of age an income of 5000
a month for life, provided only that
he spend his money within the month
in which it is received. This idea
has taken such root that President
Roosevelt recently felt impelled to
douse it with cold water Yet, even
now members of Congress are awed by
the clamor for the Townsend plan.
In addition there loom the ' Utopian
plan" and the e. P. I. c. plan
both California inspired, and both
state socialism in a new and attrac-
tive outward dress. Of course, there
also are the Communists. who always
hang around centers OF unrest.
All Of these movements in fact have
spread and are spreading with speed
that .amazes their organizers and
causes wrinkled brows among poll
ticians.
But what has all this to do with
American Fascism?
Only this: They all are mass move
ments, appealing to those in trouble
by promises that seem to offer hope
for the future.
There are 100000 persons now
on relief rolls. As many more are
out of work, but living on savings
or dependent on relatives for sup
port. All offer fertile fields for dema
gogues or agitators or panacea ped
dlers. 1t is in ground Of that kind
that Fascism feeds.
Stressed is the theme that the
Government not only must proVloe
temporary work for every one ca
pable of working, but that 1t must
make broad decisions for industry in
an effort to start the industrial ma
chine functioning more effectively.
officials point out that in the South,
where prosperity has come back to
large element in the population,
relief rolls actually are larger than
ever and growing. Also, in Wash
ington, where the Government pay
roll is at new peak and where a
boom condition impends, one out OF
seven in the population is on the dole.
These straws suggest to New Dealers
that something more than a return
to 1929 conditions is needed to take
up the employment slack.
And until more of that slack Is
removed, agitation is expected to
thrive. But if it is to be Fascist agi-
tation, the question is raised: What
is Fascism?
EVERYBODY around Washington
seems to have a different answer to
that one. All seem agreed, however,
that essentially it involves control of
the Government by industrial and
business interests, regardless of the
wishes of the people. Also it is
agreed that there cannot be Fascism
without the loss of political rights
by the mass of the citizens.
One New Dealer, close to the brain
trust" throne, made the following
observations:
THE great Fascist era in the
United States was during the years
1921 to 1882, inclusive. Then busi-
ness ruled under a benevolent die
tatorship. Now it has lost that rule
and may want to gain it back by
riding to power on the skirts of some
radical movement. That is some
thing to think about"
Another said that Fascist sign
in this country would occur If the
President should feel impelled to es-
tablish an advisory council of busi-
ness men, or If Congress or a labor
board should outlaw the right of labor
to strike.
Others have. publicly expressed the
opinion that the c. c. c. camps, with
their concentration Of unemployed
youths, could readily form the nucleus
of Fascist movement in the country,
taking the place Of the Storm Troops
in Germany and the Black Shirts In
Italy. Then N. r. A. has been men
toned Is Qferins- the machinery fo'
af