Evening star., 1935-06-09
GOVERNMENTAL CHANGES
SEEN n. r. A. AFTERMATH
RevisiOns in Federal Form i'm Near
Future Will Have Counterpart
in States and Cities,

! Those who believe that the Presi-
dent can muster public support base
this view in part on his popularity.
They base it largely, too. on the be-
lief that organized labor, farmers and
many business men will back the
| President in such a contest. Nobody
disputes, Of course. that, If the Presi-
| dent forces the issue in 1886, it will
cut across party lines and cause much
shifting of party attachments.
1t is contended, however, that In
any event the Democratic party ma
chinery and the bulk of Democratic
voters will go along with him. Labor,
it is argued. will be Influenced by its
purpose to have wages. hours and con-
ditions of work regulated. and most
| farmers will be motivated by de-
sire to have Federal benefit payments
continued.
Opposing Opinion.
The opposing view is that the N
r. A. especially in recent months.
had become unpopular; that it's pass
ing is far from deplored in the aver
age community, whether by smaller
business men, farmers or consumers;
that even much of labor was dissatis-
fed with the N. r. A. and felt the
codes were trending to monopoly with
increases in prices that tended to off,
set wage benefits; that many farmers
are unwilling to support such en-
largement of Federal power as will
/ restore the N. r. A. program, and,
1 besides, that many are far from con-
vinced that the A. A. A program
should continue permanently.
Moreover, it is held that there is
wide and deep-seated prejudice
against clothing the Government with
greatly expended powers, especially
when it is proposed as permanent,
rather not as emergent.
Opponents of such changes point
TO the coldness with which MANY
Democratic leaders. especially veteran
Southern Democratic Senator's and
Representatives, have received the
proposals. Some have declared openly
against amendment of the Consti-
tuition to meet the situation.
Moreover, 1t is asserted that great
army of State and local officials will
awaken TO the fact that an increase
in Federal authority will mark the
beginning Of the end of much State
and local government machinery, with
the importance Of all State and local
officials, from Governors down. on the
decline. 1t is held further that. if
Federal intrastate power is clamped
down to end the commerce theory of
the founding fathers" it will mean
that Federal authority will grow by
leaps and bounds in every direction:
that the executive power at Wash
ington, regardless of who is in the
White House. will be more insistent:
that Congress will be more pliable in
the presidential hands: that the
( States Will turn to the National Cap
ital for help more and more.
Nation wide Debate Seen.
1t is obvious that. if the President
throws the issue into the next cam
paign in earnest. there will be a
| Nationwide debate next year as bit
ter as those that led to the election
of Lincoln, those in the reconstruc-
ton era, and the fight over silver
and Bryanism.
various plans are Delng suggested
for raising the constitutional amend
ment issue in 1886. These assume, Of
course. that the President intends to
raise the issue. One suggestion is
that the Democratic National Con-
vention adopt a plank in favor OF
amending the Constitution and that
the President carry the fight to the
country Then having been elected
as his friends say he will be. he will
call on Congress early in January,
( 1887, for submission of one or more
amendments. bend Congress to his
will. and seek quick ratification and
rapid action on new laws by Congress.
Some observers envision all this be-
ing achieved by Spring of 1887. But
there are others, equally, who declare
| it all a dream.
Oh