, 1935-01-02
WASHINGTON
BY George Durno

pltol Hill opens Thursday. Cold
analysis Of the makeup Of the new
congress leads to only one conclu-
sion. There will be lots OF smoke
but very little fire.
Except for the bonus. President
Roosevelt should be able to o n
troll legislators Is easily IN 1885 as
he did in 80 and "a. A lot of the
BOYS Will do a lot OF grumbling in
private and then vote the straight
ticket. They're afraid TO do other
wise. They can't get last Novem-
ber's election results off their
minds.
There are some ild-eyes in both
houses. They promise TO be ex-
tremely vocal and collect many
columns Of exciting publicity. most
ly personal. But they constitute a
distinct minority and minorities
don't cash in when the roll is call
ed. In the house there will be
Strong-arm rules TO muzZle them
If necessary. In the senate they will
be permitted TO talk themselves
into a state OF eXhaustion-and
then voted down.
Deft-FDR's invention OF a piece
meal system OF making legislative
demands on congress Is going TO
stand him in especially good stead
this session. After MS first general
message he will again tell the boys
step by step what he wants done.
This will serve to regulate their
legislative program, keep them
busy, and out OF mischief.
IN normal times a president
couldn't get away with this adroit
method OF lining things up TO suit
himself. Congressional leaders would
demand the right to sui them
selves IN what general order they
would debate national problems.
But We are living In a state OF
emergency" That state will con-
tinue until MIR. Roosevelt b. exec
utive order declares it at an end.
And obviously the day OF restored
norLalcy IS not just around the
corner.
Sops-One new angle has devel-
oped in connection with the SOL
diers' bonus, which has been a pol
itical football ever since the close
OF the World War. Even now. when
il appears to he on the one-yard
line and needs only a slight push
tor a touchdown, 1t never has been
so deeply mired in politics. Prac-
teal politicians among the DEM
ocratic high command want 10 give
ID Just one more kick for old-time's
sake.
The crew OF political fundament-
allsts who used federal relief funds
so successfully as a campaign war
chest last fall would like 70 hold
out at least half OF what's coming
TO the vets in 1886.
Give EN- half now 10 keep EN-
quiet. proposed the practical ones,
''and then hand out the balance
before the presidential elections two
years from now
Church-This Is an excellent idea
from a cold blooded political point
OF view but there is considerable
doubt about its ~Workability. In the
first place. If FDR yetceS the bonus
bill-as most Of the closest advisers
are confident he Wilt is diff
cult to see how the democrats could
capitalize on the bonus. vel though
an Overwhelmingly democratic con-
gresS figures 70 pass u over u
veto.
Moreover. the pressure OH mem
bcrs Of congress for immediate
payment OF the bonus in full Is 80
powerful that the deferred payment
plan appears TO have little chance
The Veterans OF Foreign Wars
seem TO be in the forefront OF this
battle. The more numerically-pow-
erful American Legion, which has
blown hot and cold on the issue for
several years. now advocates imme-
date payment but does not propose
any specific plan. The VFW-in
which the X. OF G. people are very
strong-ls Solidly behind the Pat
man bill. That instrument goes into
the hopper Immediately TO again
become H. r. /.
Conyerts-Another big bass drum
that Is going TO be beaten Justify III
the next few months Is the Town
send old-age pension plan. But II
any scheme affording social secur-
ity for Tho elderly il put on the
books at this session Il hardly VIII
Dc the n sponsored by the good
California doctor.
Yet ii is either amazing or a sign
Of the times TO note how many peo-
pie arc supporting it enthusiastic
ally. Over 5000, 900 people have been
recruited into clubs TO push the
idea of giving every person over
60 years Of age $500 a month, the
same to be totally expended in each
31-day period and the many mil
lions necessary to make such gen.
erous payments to be raised by a
general 2 per cent sales tax.
BY way Of example, n Of the
latest adherentS to the Townsend
movement is Edgar Witt. retiring
Lieutenant Governor OF Texas who
has been regarded generally IN MS
state as a sane. well-balanced poll
tician.
Rules 80 Although DR.. Townsend
did not start out TO make his PEN
sion scheme an issue in the last
congressional campaign, II sneaked
In at various points. Between 80 and
so members OF the new House are
reported to be more or less commit
ted to IL.
Congressional offices + being
deluged with demands from cons
tituents that the Townsend plan be
supported. This Is al old stunt but
II frequently cares newcomers TO
Capitol Hill. Veteran members know
when they receive several thou
sand letters and kilograms In a
few days on one Subject-many OF
them in identic language-that
some high-pressure operator has
been organizing a crusade in their
district and treat it accordingly.
Freshmen have frequently gotten
jittery and hoped on board. how
ever.
Tho nian Is one Of the