Montana labor news., 1934-03-22
HAPPENINGS IN CONGRESS
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industry to re-employ people at pur-
chasing wages and to do it now. Only
thus can we attain recovery and re-
store the balance we seek. 1t is worth
while keeping in the front of our
heads the thought that the people of
this country whose incomes are less
than $4,000 a year buy more than
two-thirds Of all the goods Sold"
1t was a year ago this month that
a skeptical nation listened to a frank
discussion of the status of the eco
nomic and political world. A con-
ception was entertained by numerous
writer's and speakers that Franklin
D. Roosevelt was incapable of prompt
and drastic action; but one day of his
historic regime has crushed that ig-
noble thought; and while AL Smith
stole the show on Pennsylvania Ave-,
on March 4, receiving the loudest
demonstration and ovation as he head
ed the Tammany Wigwams marching
down the avenue, today there is only
one great national idol, a man in
whom the people have come to be-
lieve and trust-a real hero to the
forgotten millions who one year ago
found themselves objects of public
charity.
Action direct and prompt, the NRA,
the AAA, the banking moratorium,
the recognition of Russia, the three
billion dollar Public Works Program
with its unemployment of four mil
lion people, the National Securities
Act looking to the prevention of fraud
in security transactions-these and
numerous other devices have changed
the outlook of the nation from one of
dismal despair and gloom to rosy OPP
timism and hope; and the personality
of Franklin D. Roosevelt has been the
chief factor in the accomplishment.
Night Sessions.
The legislative mill in Washington
has ground so slowly and the bills
that have been put in the hopper have
been so numerous that Congress had
to hold its first night session last
week. This always means a crowded
gallery as the clerks who struggle
daily long hours both in the House and
Senate office buildings and in the
various departments find this their
sole opportunity to watch the legis-
lators act and react-and sometimes
clown. My office force was quick to
take advantage of the opportunity and
welcomed the diversion from their
strenuous duties. Weary from fire.
quent trips in delivery of mail, the de-
livery boys Of the House Office Bldg,
reported that our office holds second
highest honor for the amount of mail
received, Mrs. Greenway, close per-
sonal friend Of the Roosevelts, hold
ing first place.
Old Age Pensions.
One reason for the deluge of mail
On this office is the Old Age Pension
bill and the publicity attendant there
on, bringing letters from all parts Of
the nation. Many believed it to have
become a law by its very introduction
and have made application already for
the pension. Here are some of the let
tiers:
Shaw, Mississippi: "I'm sending in
my application to the old peoples
pension. Pm over 70 years old and
haven't done any work since 1928.
| haven't been able. I'm kindly asking
your help"
Middlesboro, Kentucky: "Please send
me n of the National Old Age pen
sion application blanks. | sure do
need it. | am an old widow. l can
fill the blank out alright as far as my
age is concerned.