The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1935-09-05

''arIy whether some members of
congress had reasonable doubts
about it's cons5itutionality. In eff
feet, therefore, the President COM
manded passage of legislation that
must place before the Supreme court
a vital question for determination.
It will be tested. Of that there is no
doubt. If the law is held unconsti-
tutional, it merely means that its
provisions form another part of the
campaign battle-ground observed to
be shaping. .1 .a+.....s. .-.... -. i.
Mr.. Roosevelt also succeeded in
forcing through congress the legis-
lation destroying the public utility
holding companies. 1t was tough
fight but the President was victor
ious. Now, I hear from many
sources that court examination of
the legislation likewise will come
because some folks are convinced
it is confiscatory. If it is, it is I'M
constitutional. So
And so it is in the case of sever
al other pieces of legislation enact
ing the New Deal ideas into stat
utes. One by one, it appears they
will get before courts for review.
Thus, the line of cleavage is
marked. While the President has
remained silent, neither denying
nor confirming the undercurrent of
information that I have reported
here one cannot fail to reach the
conclusion that if many of the New
Deal measures are held invalid, the
President and his New Deal support
ers, of necessity, must go to the
country in the next election seeking
constitutional modification to per-
NIT the use of policies now inimical
to our form of government. That is
the issue which the voters will be
called upon to decide.
Aas to the Opposition
Since we have examined the cir
cumstances from the New Deal side,
let us likewise see what the Repub-
Leans and other oppositionists are
doing Lately, have talked with
some of the recognized Republican
wheel horses. Whether they speak
the sentiment of the masses of Re
publican voters or whether they
voiced their own views is not i'm
portant here. Political straws do
show which way the political winds
are blowing. So when these veter-
ans of many political battles say
that they welcome the creation by
the New Dealers of an issue, they
evidently see in the situation worth
While opportunities. When they say
that they are willing to go to the
country in defense of the Constitu-
lion as it stands and the tradi-
ions it represents, they evidently
EEL they are on firm ground.
Much water can go over the dam
between now and November, 1886,
md much sentiment can be changed
N that time. But the Republicans
shus far have done very little in
The way of building up their case.
While they appear to be enthusiast
JIG about their chances against Mr.
Roosevelt in 1886, they have thus
far failed to develop even nue.
leus of an organization.
1t may be their strategy not to
start their cannonading too early.
Indeed, I have heard the thought |
expressed that it would be unwise |
to use ammunition too far in adj
vance. At any rate, there have been
only scattered few direct attacks |
on what certainly must be the is
sue of 1886, the question of revision |
Or retention of our Constitution. It |
S to be noted in this connection that |
those Republicans who have let go |
with a few shots have been Of the
ultraconservative type. think it is |
generally agreed that the Repub-
lican set-up next year will be man |
aged not by those who have pulled |
away to admit that times have
changed conditions.
One argument advanced by Re-
publican leadership has not been
more active is that If a start is made |
too early, the Roosevelt admins |
5ration will have an opportunity to
answer all Of the criticism. Said one |
leader: 1--WE would be |
utterly foolish to permit the New
Dealers to know all of our argu
nents too far in advance. I, for one,
Inn content to let them proceed with
their socialistic RECOMMENDATION, be-
cause know that every time a calf |
is given too much rope, it chokes
itslf to death"
Then there is another factor
which I understand is responsible
for the delay in Republican at
Jacks. A good many Republicans
have hope, at least, that CAM
paign based on plea for the main