, 1935-05-02
WASHINGTON
BY Ira Bennett

BY Ira Bennett
Yes - President Roosevelt said
very little in his radio talk that was
not already anticipated by keenest
observers among business men. They
had already checked off the four
billion spending account and hit
upon the identity Of most OF the men
upon whom President Roosevelt re-
lies 10 do the JOB.
What interests industry most Just
now is the scope Of the new NRA.
win II give power to FDR to impose
codes Of fair competition? VIII in
duStry be compelled TO concede more
advantages to organized labor? VIII
the new act persist In trying TO reg
ulate business that is purely within
a state.
The answer seems to be Yes" to
each question.
Subpoena - Matters are shaping
up for a stiff fight over the revamp-
ing OF Section Ia. President Roose-
welt has been very cautious In COM
hitting himself on labor questions
recently, but it's learned that he
feels anxious about threatened
strikes and Is disposed to ask con-
gresS 70 embody In the new MIRA
a distinct provision enabling workers
to choose their own representatives
for collective bargaining. In order
to accomplish this an impartial
body must have access to payrollS
to determine who the workers are.
In big factory towns II Is impossible
TO hold elections OF workers salts
factorily unless each man can be
identified. The workers are as
shrewd as the managers In election
eering methods.
In MIRA Dr. in the Wagner bill as
congress prefers. 1t Is expected that
the administration will ask that pow
er be conferred upon a suitable au-
thority 10 subpoena payrolls and con-
duct worker elections.
BlockerS - In spite OF Donald
Richbergs guarded language in
which he intimated that the new
MIRA should be confined TO purely
interstate business the new bill at
tempts 10 invade intrastate business.
This is proposed On the ground that
some such businesses affect inter
state commerce - and the decision
is to be left to the new NRA.
With these three great dangers
hanging over them the Spokesman
Of big business are urging Senators
TO stall along or the new bill until
the Supreme Court has passed upon
the present act. An adverse decis-
ion would practically compel con-
gress to revise the new bill.
If the bill should reach the floor
the debate could be carried on in
definitely by opponents Of the pro-
visions which are claimed to permit
monopoly and restraint of trade. To
these critics should be added politi-
cal antagonists Of President RooSe-
welt, who stand ready to block any
thing he wants to the extent OF their
power.
Weaver - World War veterans are
on the anxious seat. They see signs
that they are to be sold down the
river. The turn taken by the en-
ate finance committee causes vet
Grams to believe that Senator Har-
rison has an understanding with
President Roosevelt by which a bill
unsatisfactory TO veterans. but Civ
Ing them some cash. will be put
through.
A significant feature OF the newly
revised bill Is that IL authorizes the
president to pay veterans out OF the
work-relief fund. That sounds good,
but veterans insist that the cash
they would get is not as much as they
are entitled TO and that If they &C
cept II they would be stopped from
claiming the balance.
The house proved its bonus posi-
ton. II was ready 70 fight RooSe-
welt on the issue. Veterans nov say
they viii ask the house to knock the
stuffing out OF the Harrison bill IL 10
should pass the senate. Their great
est fear Is that the President will
send for house members and vean
them away from the Patman bill.
Cash ~ Another way Of meeting
the threat Of the Harrison bin Is TO
substitute the VinSon bill. which
the house turned down In favor of
the Patman bill. Senate friends of
veterans are planning to force the
VinSon substitute 70 a vote. This
bill proposes to pay veterans full
cash claims, passing TO the govern
ment the buck OF finding the money.
Passage OF the Vinson bill by the
senate might induce the house to
accept II. especially If a provision is
inserted authorizing the President
to use work-relief funds for bonus
payments.
Effective - Now that the anti
iynching bill is getting out Of the
way its dawning upon adminiStra-
ton leaders that this bill ate I'D val
liable time 80 and was meant to do
50. One OF two other bills are now
being pushed forward as obstacles