, 1935-06-19
WASHINGTON
By RAY Tucker

SADOIdEe-E1OuSe edQerS are Jdlk-
ing in their sleep against Presi-
dent RooSevelt's legislative leader
ship. 1t leaves them out on a Shaky
political limb. Their soreness *
plains why so many must" bills are
stymied In committee.
House democrats think they have
behaved prettily. They rushed
through several Of the presidents
reform measures against their bet
ter judgment. They nailed their poll
tical hides TO the barn door Of preSi-
Dental loyalty. The president smiled
and patted them on the back. Great
work. ice" he said to the speaker.
Then conservative democratic SEN
ators laid down on the New Deal.
They removed many radical features
from measures the house had en-
acted without dotting an Il" They let
reform proposals drag in commit
tee and On the floor. They sat back
and enjoyed Huey Longs filibusterS.
House leaders charge confidentially
that this was a subtle form Of sabo-
tage by a gang which did not dare
oppose the White House in the open.
They told Mr.. Roosevelt 50 early In
the session.
Burned-House leaders have had
several Showdowns with senate
bosses. All they got we're vague prom
ises that the senate would get 90
ing soon. But as soon as Speaker
Byrns returned to the house side Of
the capitol. democrats down the
corridor went back TO their old
tricks.
Meanwhile the supreme courts
decisions raised doubts about the
conStitutionality OF measures hur-
ried through the house at Mr.. Roose-
velt'S urging-the omnibus banking,
security and NRA extension bills.
The senate slowed down even more
aggrevatingly. IT questioned the vail
dity Of house originated measures.
II refused TO put its august head in
a judicial moose. There are too many
would-be senators at home ready to
Jump al any opening.
Unless the president talks tough
turkey 70 Senate Leaders Harrison.
Robinson and Byrnes. the house
may turn on him. Leaders OF the low
CT chamber r making no fight to
force committees to report must"
bills. We've been burned once"
they whisper when no presidential
scouts is listening.
SmaSh-Presidentiaf intervention
would be futile. The senate brides
itself On the stubbornness il has ex-
hibited since II broke the great
heart Of the world" back in Wood
row Wilson'S day. II notes that the
world still rolls on.
Democrats won't admit Il. but only
fifteen senators support the presi-
dent regularly and three OF them
are republican ~progreSsiveS. Only
70 have sincere faith in New Deal
policies and the two leaders-Robin-
son and HarriSon-are not among
them. Once convinced that MI.
Roosevelt Is unpopular with the vot-
erS. the senate would desert him
Pending measures would not com
mand sufficient support to place
them on the calendar
Mr.. Roosevelt is too keen a politi-
clan not to know where he stands
Under the circumstances II NAV be
political wisdom to let the senate
revolt and the house roar in pain
But this might smash his New Deal
70 senatorial smithereens.
Northumberland General
Farley will not reStage the air mail
llasco IN dickering for lower rates
with Pan-American Always. This is
rot-aS some suppose-because ne
believes he blundered in his whole
sale cancellation OF domestic con-
tracts. The p. q. will never admit
that.
Some far-sighted officials are
looking years ahead. They see the
cay when airplaneS will carry bulk
freight. Pan-American has establish
cd physical and commercial contact
with South American nations. 1t will
soon network Alaska. Preliminary
appropriations for a line to the
Orient via Honolulu have been ap-
proved BY House subcommittee.
The U. S. Is taking no chance OF
losing out In the air as 1t has on sea
lanes OF commerce.
What Mr.. Farley seeks Is a slight
reduction in rates through negotia-
ton. There win be no rough stuff
this time.
Exaggerated-Private contractors
can't understand President Roose-
Vets brand Ct humor. They insist
ne must have been kidding when he
a J that compliance with code pro-
Visions on government-financed
projects would affect only ! per cent
CT production. They figure l. closer
TO go per cent.
Suppose 10 firms bid en- a federal